"I Told You So"

M.V. is a 60+ year old patient of mine who has terrible, terrible lung disease and a fairly bad case of denial (he still smokes).
I saw him last fall, just prior to flu vax season, and warned him (wait, no...educated him...I must learn proper terminology lest be accused of spreading propaganda again!) about the dangers of the flu vaccine, especially given his multiple, delicate health conditions. I had likewise educated his wife (an RN on chemotherapy) recently.
M.V. went to see one of his subspecialist physicians a couple of weeks after I spoke with him, and was dutifully offered and given the seasonal flu vax and pneumonia vax on the same day.
I saw him 18 days later for an acute clinic visit. He reported fever and chills the night he got the vaccines, and then developed a croupy cough, increased shortness of breath, and generalized malaise for the week following. He presented to the ED 6 weeks following that with a several week history of increased cough and shortness of breath.
To make a long story short, he was septic (overwhelming bacterial infection) from a bacteria called Haemophilus influenza (of the "garden variety" type) and later also turned up positive for MRSA in his sputum.  He was critically ill for over a week, and spent almost 3 weeks in the hospital. He had several complications including heart failure and kidney failure. There were several times that I really wasn't sure if he was going to make it through the whole ordeal. His wife, who shares the same bed, and was on chemo at the time, DID NOT get any vaccines, and was on Vitamin D therapy as I had prescribed. She did not get sick, despite her exposures.
The same patient presented last week to the ED with a week history of cough, fever, and not feeling good. He ended up testing positive for Influenza B (state lab has not reported subtype yet). He did not get any vaccines this year (nor will ever, he tells me). He still smokes. He is still non compliant with his pulmonary medications and oxygen. HOWEVER...he never required more than a nasal canula for supplemental oxygen, he was never on the verge of respiratory failure, his heart condition flared a little, his kidney flared a little, but he was never on the brink of death or other catastrophic outcome. He did test positive once again for MRSA in his sputum (his wife later told me that he did during the summer as well, but docs at that time opted against treating), and responded beautifully to ORAL antibiotic therapy. I was able to discharge him after only 7 days in the hospital.
Folks, he HAD INFLUENZA!!! And it wasn't a big deal (Ok, I did treat with high dose Vit D and C which seemed to help)...last year he had his so calledly protective immunizations and almost died....coincidence? I don't think so...