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Kiss me, I'm vaccinated
I just had my flu shot. Please send your checks to my George Mason address.
People who have the flu spread the virus so getting a flu shot not only reduces the probability that I will get the flu it reduces the probability that you will get the flu. In the language of economics the flu shot creates an external benefit, a benefit to other people not captured by the person who paid the costs of getting the shot. The external benefits of a flu shot can be quite large. Under some conditions each person who is vaccinated reduces the expected number of other people who get the flu by 1.5.
Since a large fraction of the benefits of the flu shot, perhaps even a majority of the benefits, go to other people and not to the person paying the costs, the number of people who get a flu shot in the United States is well below the efficient level. I only got the shot because, as you well know, I'm altruistic. I care about you. But do send your checks, that will help.
In lieu of a check I'm thinking of having some buttons made up to encourage people to get their shot. Here are some possible slogans:
- Kiss me, I'm vaccinated.
- Take one for the herd!
- Get a flu shot. The life you save may not be your own.
Madison Avenue here I come!
Of course, we know from the Coase Theorem that there is an alternative approach. We could charge people who do not get their flu shots. (Thus, if you haven't had a shot you must still must send me a check.) Or to reduce transaction costs we could fine people who get the flu. I kind of like that last one. (But what to do about the 36,000 a year who die from the flu - charge their estates?)
What do you think? Leave your suggestions/slogans for how to encourage getting a flu shot in the comments.
Posted by Alex Tabarrok on November 12, 2007 at 07:55 AM in Economics, Medicine | Permalink
Comments
>> Take one for the herd!
LOL! ;-)
Posted by: Chris Meisenzahl at Nov 12, 2007 8:09:59 AM
The people who get a flu shot will be eligible for
a million dollar lottery.
Posted by: at Nov 12, 2007 8:25:01 AM
I'd be all for it if the supply wasn't so notoriously prone to shortages. The ones who benefit most are the elderly, children, and those with compromised immune systems. So as a rule until I hear that the supply is good in a given year, I hold off.
Posted by: Sandy at Nov 12, 2007 8:35:52 AM
How about an ad that implies that people who get flu shots are more attractive to the opposite sex?
I used to get a flu shot every year. Then we went through a couple of years in which the supply was low, and I didn't make the at risk cut. Nothing bad happened -- I didn't get sick.
This year, I got a shot, and it made me a little wonky for a few hours later in the evening.
I believe the science, so I'll continue to get shots if the supply is there. I'm not going to believe my own lying eyes.
Posted by: Alex at Nov 12, 2007 8:37:17 AM
It's called herd immunity - a very good way to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
Posted by: Ned at Nov 12, 2007 8:39:21 AM
Why take shots at all? Just drop some dead virus into the water supply with the flouride and the brain control drugs.
I know what government is really up to!
Posted by: The Invisible Man at Nov 12, 2007 8:53:41 AM
Thank you for doing your part to exacerbate (not cause, natch) vaccine shortages and speed the rate of flu variability.
If you're not elderly, young, or immune-system-compromised, there's no need to get vaccinated.
While it isn't on par with overusing antibiotics, your decision to get vaccinated is not a total "win" for those around you.
Posted by: Joe Grossberg at Nov 12, 2007 9:18:40 AM
I never got a flu shot and don't intend on getting one, because they are ineffective and even dangerous. Vaccines weaken your immune system, and they are widely abused in Western societies. I have as few as possible.
Posted by: PEG at Nov 12, 2007 9:19:12 AM
Yes! Flu vaccination should be easy and encouraged for everyone!
I'd like to hear your thoughts about why shortages of vaccine are so common. I'm sure it's All the Fault of the Government (and the FDA, right, Alex? ;-). But seriously, the two of you regularly surprise me, so I'd love to hear what you think.
Posted by: MostlyAPragmatist at Nov 12, 2007 9:20:02 AM
"We could charge people who do not get their flu shots."
You've just proposed bigger gouvernment. That must be a first.
Posted by: LemmusLemmus at Nov 12, 2007 9:21:05 AM
From Darwin's standpoint, the flu shot has negative externalities for the immunity of future generations. This is not really relevant for older people who will not have anymore kids, but certainly relevant for children who get flu shots. Though, immunity may be less relevant as we figure out how to cure more disease. Nonetheless, with respect to our "herd's" immunity, we may be getting too many flu shots and be taking too many drugs.
I think "Take one for the herd" can also be a slogan for the anti-flu shot (Darwinian) campaign. "Take one for the herd: don't get a flu shot. The weak will die off, leaving only a stronger herd." Due to its ruthlessness, I don't think this will much catch on.
Posted by: Scott W at Nov 12, 2007 9:36:40 AM
Every year, a nurse sets up shop in a conference room at my office and provides free flu shots to any who desire. Her services and the vaccinations are paid for by my employer.
I know you academia types are a little removed from the bracing will of the free market -- but isn't it obvious who's getting the extra benefits from a flu-free season for dozens of workers?
Posted by: Modest Anonymouse at Nov 12, 2007 9:39:10 AM
Would universal flu vaccination really save many lives except on a very short-term basis? If I'm not mistaken - someone please correct me if I am - most of the people who die from the flu already are in pretty bad shape, and would have died soon after even if they hadn't gotten the flu. In other words, the flu doesn't so much strike down the healthy, as push the already-dying over the edge. If you balance this against the known risks of the vaccine, universal flu vaccination might not be worthwhile.
Posted by: Peter at Nov 12, 2007 9:40:21 AM
"I've been pricked!"
Posted by: Al at Nov 12, 2007 9:51:12 AM
Are you elderly, young, or immune-system compromised?
If not, you've likely done something pretty much useless.
Well, not useless. If there's not a shortage of vaccine, they have to sell it to somebody. Admitting that they have little value for healthy people doesn't go very far in that direction.
If my employer believes that flu shots are effective, then my employer should provide them for free out of self-interest. For that matter, Humana (the company's insurance carrier) should be providing them out of self-interest.
Posted by: ZBicyclist at Nov 12, 2007 9:53:08 AM
I get the flu jab every year, as I'm young, healthy, and asthmatic. The jab is provided free by the good old National Health Service of Great Britain. Despite some of the BS propaganda aired about The NHS recently, I'm very happy to be able to receive the vaccine whether I can afford it or not. Thank you state provided healthcare. Last year I missed the vaccine, got flu and spent five days off work. Seems worth getting to me.
Posted by: Jamie at Nov 12, 2007 10:05:16 AM
Alex, it wouldn't be cool to punish people for getting the flu because the flu shot only protects against certain strains of the virus. In other words, one can still get the flu even after getting the shot.
This piece is from a long time ago but you guys might still find it relevant: Why we run out of vaccines
Posted by: Biomed Tim at Nov 12, 2007 10:38:37 AM
How about "Get a shot or get shot!"
Posted by: lee at Nov 12, 2007 10:45:36 AM
Actually my employer has provided free flu shots for 2 years now. It is the first enlightened thing I remember them doing.
Posted by: lee at Nov 12, 2007 10:51:01 AM
I got a flu shot this year but it's going to be the last one I get for a long time. I'm middle-aged and healthy, and I've been reading reports about how not-very-worthwhile flu shots are for the healthy. Having myself injected with mercury and chicken embryos isn't appealing. And in recent years I've noticed a pattern: I get a flu shot, and a week later I come down with the flu. Pretty effective!
Posted by: Michael Blowhard at Nov 12, 2007 10:55:49 AM
My wife (who is in a high risk group) gets the shot every year. She drops by the doctor and pays a $10 copay, with the other $80 odd dollars for the office visit being billed to to insurance company. Meanwhile, she could have gotten the shot for a $30 total cost at the grocery store, but the entire $30 would be our responsibility. There is probably an interesting economic discussion somewhere in there...
Personally, I never get the flu shot. I've made it age 39 and 51 weeks without ever contracting the flu. I don't see any reason to voluntarily introduce the virus to my system, even if it is dead.
Posted by: COD at Nov 12, 2007 10:57:40 AM
If only Bryan Caplan were an immunologist...The Myth of the Rational Patient: Anti-Vaccine Bias
"I don't see any reason to voluntarily introduce the virus to my system, even if it is dead."
"And in recent years I've noticed a pattern: I get a flu shot, and a week later I come down with the flu."
"Vaccines weaken your immune system, and they are widely abused in Western societies."
Posted by: Biomed Tim at Nov 12, 2007 11:17:15 AM
Actually Tim the scientific case for flu vaccination in the young and healthy is very weak. . .
Posted by: Matthew C. at Nov 12, 2007 11:39:55 AM
That line was sort of there for humor effect - but you know...
Continuing to do the same thing while expecting the same results is completely rational. It may or may not be correct, but is 100% rational.
Posted by: COD at Nov 12, 2007 11:42:55 AM
My father is a doctor so I grew up in hospitals. The one thing he never stopped telling me is how fundamentally irrational, if not out-and-out stupid, a sizeable proportion of patients tend to be. His colleagues always agreed.
The flu vaccine can't give you the flu. Full stop. It doesn't contain any live virus. However, it can provoke your immune system and give you brief "flu-like" symptoms for a short period after receiving it. This is not the flu. (FYI homeopathy, sonic crystal resonance, therapeutic touch and magnets also do not guard against the flu.)
And just because you haven't gotten the flu and haven't received a shot doesn't mean that you won't get the flu in the future.
Get the flu shot. It may or may not protect you, but it sure as hell won't hurt you.
Posted by: Mike at Nov 12, 2007 11:46:01 AM
