Have you prepped your immune system?

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   A few members and I are engaging in a debate from the "Flu that is here now" thread on the importance of a healthy immune system. 
My argument is that it is not a GUARANTEE..few things in life are...but that it it will become vitally important if a pandemic occurs. 
The opposition states that a healthy immune system is not a guarantee (of which we agree on), but that in some cases in can be detrimental. 
Such may be true in very RARE cases, but the medical community stands solidly behind a healthy immune system and vaccinations. The very nature of vaccinations is to strengthen the immune system.  Thereby the importance of vaccines is dwarfed by the importance of the immune system. 
I believe this topic is important enough with a possible pandemic on the horizion to warrant it's own thread.
Rather than arguing back and forth, I would like to present my reasoning, without rancor.  And the reasoning of medical personnel.  

from NIAID: " Vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to protect against microgranisms such as viruses" (end of quote)
If it wasn't important, there would not be so many programs in place to stimulate the immune system to fight a myriad of diseases. REMEMBER: the vaccines DO NOT fight the diseases for us.......OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS DO THAT. The vaccines only give it something to fight, a boost.  
a boost only! From Mayo clinic.com:
"When your immune system is weakened by illness or treatment, you're at greater risk of severe complications � even death � from infection. Vaccinations offer protection when your immune system comes into contact with certain germs it can't handle.  

continuation of the quote from MayoClinic.com: "When your immune system is impaired (immunocompromised), you're at risk of infection. Your risk of serious illness or even death is much greater than a healthy person's. Your immune system can't as easily recognize and fight off bacteria, viruses or other germs the way a healthy immune system can.
That means you have to take extra precautions. Among the most important are getting the immunizations you need at the appropriate times. Know which immunizations pose a threat and which can help protect you. Unfortunately, vaccinations can't completely make up for an impaired immune system. Take the influenza vaccine. (PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING) When a healthy person is vaccinated he is 70 to 90 percent protected. When an immuno compromised person is vaccinated, he is only 30 to 40 percent protected. " (end of quote)

Let's start with the CDC and who is on their "at risk" list for flu complications.
the elderly, even if healthy and active. WHY? 
from the medical College of Wisconsin: " As the human body enters its senior years, its ability to fight off infection and other health problems diminishes significantly. The immune system, which is responsible for fighting infection, simply does not function as efficiently in older adults as in younger people"(end of quote)
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pregnant women.  Why?
from babydirectory.com:  "Pregnancy suppresses a woman's immune system, otherwise the fetus might be rejected by her body as a 'foreign body'. This can make a pregnant woman more prone to infection which has implications for her own health as well as for her developing baby." (end of quote)
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young children.  Why?
from healthychild.com: "
"The key to a healthy child is a strong immune system. When functioning properly, the immune system fights disease-producing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. All children are continuously exposed to these pathogens, but exposure does not mean a child will get sick. A strong immune system provides a child with powerful natural defenses against disease. Conversely, a child with a weakened immune system is vulnerable or more susceptible to colds, flu, and more serious illnesses. "
from the CDC: " newborn babies are immune to many diseases because they have antibodies they got from their mothers. However, this immunity only lasts about a year. 
The best time to get vaccinated is October or November. Children getting a flu shot for the first time will need two doses given 30 days apart so begin the process sooner rather than later. (The first dose primes the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection.)" (end of quote)

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Diabetics are on this list. Why?
"From the Georgia dept. of public health website: "For people with diabetes, a case of influenza ("the flu") can mean more than aches and pains. It may result in longer illness, hospitalization, or even death. Diabetes can make the immune system more vulnerable to severe cases of the flu. People with diabetes are almost 3 times more likely to die with the flu or pneumonia" (end of quote)
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And I guess we all know WHY cancer and AIDS patients need the shot - they are IMMUNO COMPROMISED also..i.e. they have weak immune systems.
This is the CDC's  universally accepted list: 
Who is at high risk of flu complications?

� People who are 65 years old or older. Even if you are active and in excellent health, you have a higher risk of complications if you get the flu. Each year about 36,000 people in the U.S. die because of the flu�most are 65 or older.

� People with chronic (ongoing) or long-term health problems. You may look and feel healthy, but if you have a condition like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or asthma, you are more likely to have complications from the flu. If your immune system is weakened by long-term problems like cancer or HIV/AIDS, you need a flu shot (the flu shot is safe for people with weak immune systems).

� Women who are pregnant during flu season (typically November through March). Pregnant women are at risk of complications and hospitalization if they get the flu. The influenza vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their babies. Protect yourself and your baby by getting vaccinated. 

� Children under 2 years old. Children under 2 years old have one of the highest rates of hospitalizations due to flu complications.
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from the CDC: 
"If you have a chronic health condition, you should be among the first to get a flu shot every year."
On average, the flu kills 36,000 people each year in the U.S.
Chronic health conditions include asthma, kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, chronic bronchitis, a weakened immune system, and HIV." (end of quote)
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Per the above statement from the CDC, a weak immune system puts you in an AT RISK category. Further motivation for us to strenthen ours. 
Now that we've all stocked up on the food, water and masks.....Isn't there another area we should be "prepping" folks?
Hey, I am not trying to be a smart aleck.........I just wanted to state my case and give all of you something to consider while we prep our hearts out......waiting to see if this axe will fall.  The medical community concurs..........prep that immune system.