I'm going to get a lot of shit for this post, but I'm going to post it anyway. I made a commitment many years back to help people live healthier lives according to the best information we have, and I'll stand by it. Cheap preventative care including vaccines is by far one of the simplest, most cost effective ways to do that.

Re: AARP recommends 8 vaccines for people over 50

Disclaimer: this is free advice on the internet. It's worth what you paid for it. If you want real advice, talk to a real doctor or pharmacist and get a personalized consult from a licensed professional.

Just because the COVID vaccines are bad does not imply that they all are. Each and every one of these drugs is its own entity and has to be evaluated separately. The COVID vaccines all rely on the spike protein. That protein is pro-inflammatory and that's what's driving the side effects we keep hearing about: blood clots, -itises, infertility claims, strange neurologic symptoms, etc. All of that is coming from people's reactions to the inflammatory effects in the vessels from the spike protein. Each of us is different and millions seem to have no issues with it at all, but some are keeling over dead in the prime of their lives. The FDA should have pulled these from the market if they had any integrity at all. The reason I don't recommend these is that the benefit for most people is tiny and the risks aren't tiny. But reverse that situation, let's say it's ebola and it kills 60% of the people it infects, that changes the calculus. We should always carefully weight risks and benefits in each of our own situations.

The annual flu shot is its own issue. It's got terrible efficacy, typically 30-60% in any given year. But, if you have high risk, that may save your life. Over 65, essentially any race but white, lung disease, heart or vascular disease, etc (there are 9 major risk factors). If you have these, flu shot's mostly harmless, and maybe you benefit. Insurance will cover it, so it's free to you at the window after your premiums. It's an entirely different risk-benefit analysis.

The singles shot is its own issue. It is very effective. They used to give a live vaccine which had more caveats and side effects. Shingrix is newer and over 90% effective. Side effects are quite manageable. It's a 2-shot series. But if you've ever had chickenpox, the varicella virus is dormant in your nerves and if your immunity wanes, it can reactivate and create a very painful rash. I've had it, not much fun. Most insurers cover it.

The pneumococcal (bacterial pneumonia) shot is its own issue. It, too, is very effective. I have to be careful with this one because when I trained, it was the PCV13 and PPSV23 vaccines which have a very long track and proven track record of safety. Over the past few years, FDA has approved a PCV15 and PCV20 which add coverage for several more serotypes. They're chemically very similar, but we don't have a decade of safety data to rely on. But, what we do have shows high efficacy and good safety. Why do you need it? If you get a pneumonia, chances are, it'll be viral, but the catch is that bacteria settle in opportunistically and cause a secondary pneumonia behind it that kills people and it's preventable. Again, if you have risk factors like lung disease or weakened immunity, this can save your life. Again, most insurers cover it.

(edit) The remaining 3 are hepatitis A and B and Tdap (tetanus). HepA and HepB you get if you have risk factors only, really. Your doctor should tell you. Tdap has two indications. You get the tetanus booster every 10 years to refresh the protection. The p component is for pertussis, whooping cough, and you need that once per lifetime. You get this if you're going to be around children, like your grandkids, so that they don't catch it from you. (end edit)

Just because the COVID vaccines are bad news, don't write off the other shots that may indeed be of real value to you and your health. Each of us is different. Each of our choices should be individualized. So talk to an actual doctor or pharmacist and have a science-based discussion. I'm not going to force you to do anything. If you want to put your faith in God, then by all means, may He bless you with a long and healthy life. All I'm saying is don't write off all medicine because some of them are bad.