The shots are not free because nothing is free. There’s no charge to those who get the shots when administered. The shots paid for in some other way. Our taxes pay for the shots when they’re given by government public health.
Here’s another poll about flu shots. Poll about flu vaccination - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board
I’m nearly 60, and I do have asthma, so theoretically my risk is elevated. But I haven’t gotten one because
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I never get flu. Cold, bronchitis, yes, once or twice a year. But not flu.
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The virulence and transmissibility of this year’s flu were uncertain.
I’ve gotten a flu shot very rarely. The last time in the past 20 years was for the bird flu in 2006. That was because there was good evidence for airborne transmission, and the mortality rate for confirmed cases was 60 percent (although there’s no way to know how many people were exposed and how many with mild cases didn’t go to a doctor). For the current strain, neither of those factors has turned out to be nearly as bad.
Also, if a true pandemic was averted, I figure the media would be trumpeting the success of the way the Obama administration handled it. They haven’t, so I guess there isn’t a huge story there, even taking into account that prevention generally isn’t headline news. (I’m not saying the handling was an overreaction, however.)
Worldwide deaths due to H1N1 so far: 8000-14000
Worldwide deaths due to seasonal flu: 250k-500k
Should you get it? Your call.