still waiting on a poison ivy vaccine over here

Not sure about the "ivy" part, but making a "poison" vaccine should be trivial.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-vaccine-against-poison-ivy-misery-is-in-the-works-as-scientists-also-explore-new-treatment-paths/

My knee-jerk here is: “Ungh! United States? Not sure I trust that…”

Is it accurate to understand this as putting the lungs' immune response into a heightened state of response/alert? It doesn't sound like it's training the immune system about specific pathogens (or families of them). If that's true, why doesn't the body just do this already — is there a cost associated?

Active macrophages can damage healthy cells. It's a very serious condition when they do, and it can lead to runaway cellular death. It doesn't mean that this treatment will cause MAS, but it's a risk that should be investigated with human trials.

It also has a metabolic cost, in that the active cells consume energy and oxygen, but I don't know if it would be a noticeable effect for the average person.

My guess is that this would be something you use when you are at increased risk for cold and flu. Like nurses and doctors, teachers and childcare workers, and nursing home staff during the fall and winter.

They're including a tracking chip in the vaccine. I learned about this on the Google News app I have installed on my cell phone, television, computer, car, gaming systems, smarthome appliances, and eyeglasses.

Yeah, active macrophages will release cytokines and other inflammatory substances. Prolonged inflammation is linked with increased rates of cancer.

I was thinking the same thing. There probably is a downside to having the innate immune system active 24/7, even if we don't know what it is yet.

A magical nasal spray that gets rid of allergies for 3 months sure does sound nice though.

I refuse to get flu shots simply because I'd rather feel like shit and sit at home for a few days than go to work.

But I still get paid for those days, people in less developed countries don't, so have only the option to work while sick or get the jab and work. Or starve.

Ask my dog, he sticks his nose in nettles all summer.

Stupid.

Or you could get the vaccine, don't get sick, and take a few days off while healthy.

Autoimmune diseases are most often caused by an overactive immune system. I don't expect this development to go well for most people in the long term.

I was hesitant to get the vaccine when I was just making a personal tradeoff. Seeing the whole "flatten the curve" catastrophe of COVID, and the resurgence of measles now, I think the major benefit is herd immunity / protecting vulnerable individuals.

How do I get a doctor to sign off on sick leave when I'm healthy?

I'd previously read the innate immune system boost from the TB vaccine, and the polio vaccine, lasted a lifetime. People with the TB vaccine have lower health ailments across the board, and it's been borne out by multiple unrelated studies, according to a series of articles published in the Times in the spring of 2020. Their definition of innate immunity wasn't quite the way the article is describing it either they called the lifelong health benefits of the TB and Polio vaccines as innate immunity. They also said we didn't really know why it helps we only have a vague idea.

You need a doctor to sign off when you have a cold? What a shitty employer you must have.

This almost sounds too good to be true. Amazing! I hope it doesn't have downsides and will be affordable for everyone.

Considering we get all the sick days we need and get paid for them all, it's a small price to pay (doctors visit is paid for by the employer). This is separate from our 5 weeks of paid holidays each year.