Flu shot

[dry2010]

With flu deaths dangerously high this season contemplating getting the flu shot. I have never had one but have three trips between Feb and end of March. My question is do any of you Sjoggie?s get or have gotten the flu shot this year?

Thanks in advance.
Dry2020

[WhatYouSjo]

I get a flu shot every year. Except for mild soreness and redness at the needle site, I have not had any issues. A much better alternative than the last time I had the flu (forgot the vaccine that year) and had to go into urgent care due to dehydration.

That being said, everyone is different, and many of us have other conditions or medications that can interact with vaccines. Have you had issues with vaccine reactions in the past? If you haven't had previous reactions, your doctor thinks you are clear to get the shot, and you are traveling frequently, I would recommend it. Even though this year's vaccine isn't as effective as previous years, it can reduce the severity of the flu even if you contract it.

[Deb 27]

Yes mam!! I got the preservative free one.  They say it may help you have a milder case if you get it.....

[irish]

I wasn't very excited about flu shots for many years until I was working at a nurse in a facility that had a an influx of flu all at once. Some of the staff got it and but I didn't but the fear of being laid up like that became very real at this point. I had the Hong Kong flu when I was 14 and was really sick.

So about 26 years ago I started getting the flu shot and have never regretted it. I do get the shot the first of November so that I am sure it will cover me through March. It is possible to still have flu around in March and getting the shot in September seems a little early to me. Good luck. Irisih

[jazzlover]

This year's shot does not cover the main strain of flu. So if you get one, realize that you will be covered at the rate of 10-30%.

[susanep]

I always get a flu shot.

susanep

[irish]

I forgot to mention that when one gets to a certain age, 62 maybe older we can get a stronger flu shot. I guess it has something to do with the fact that when we are older we don't respond as well to the regular vaccination.. Irish

[vrystaat]

Please, please, please get a flu shot. This year's shot only covers about 10% of the Influenza Type A, that is out there.
I got the flu nevertheless. I have been sick for over 5 weeks, with sinusitis, bronchitis, blepharitis, and others. I have been extremely ill.
You have to take sick leave, and as said elsewhere: go to bed.

[jazzlover]

Why get the shot when you have a 10% chance of it covering you? I'm not risking it .. and I've been sick for 3 weeks from the flu myself. I will not get a shot next year either.

[genko_b]

The volunteer work I do requires a flu shot annually as a fit-for-duty criteria, because of the vulnerability of the folks I work with. I would get it anyway, even though it is less effective this year.

It is not just about our own chances of getting the flu, it is about protecting those around us who may be vulnerable. Even a 10% reduction in the chance we get sick means a 10% reduction in the chance we expose fewer people to that sickness, and that effect multiplies outward. That means children in the grocery store where we shop, folks in church, the person next to us on the bus. Even if it does not seem worth it in terms of your own health, think of the community around you.

Take care,

Genko

[Pete0211]

Why get the shot when you have a 10% chance of it covering you? I'm not risking it .. and I've been sick for 3 weeks from the flu myself. I will not get a shot next year either.

There's different strains of flu. The vaccines cover more than one variant - the 'normal' shot I think covers three, and there's another that covers four or five. The big bad one that is causing most of the problems (H3N2) is what was bungled with this year's shot, and that is where the "10 percent effective" comes in. The shot will still provide the normal "effectiveness" (I think in the 70+ percent range) for the other strains it covers.