Flu Shot

[mtpockets]

Are you a believer? Do you get it? I got it last year for the first time and I never got the flu, I may give it another shot this year, still not sure if I'm a believer or not yet.

Enlighten me

[hendrixfreak70]

Only time I’ve gotten it was with the military. I choose not to get it each year and have remained fluless I believe.

[x-trainer ben]

Got it one year because of the hype and proceeded to get the worst flu ever. Never again...... and I don't seem to get the flu . The current strains in the shot seem to not be the ones out in the wild.

It is so bad that NIH is injecting people for next years flu shot and paying $3,300.. bucks to study it.

[ajdahlheimer]

I get it every year cuz they come right to my work to administer it. Really, it is just an excuse to show off my guns to the nurse though!

[itsagoodday]

I've been getting one every year for a while now. When I was caregiving for my mom, it was a necessity because I was around seniors, hospitals, and cancer centers. I currently volunteer in a hospital emergency room, and it's also a necessity for that, unless I want to wear a mask for the next six months (per their policies).

Some years I seem to avoid the flu with a shot. Some years I get side swiped by it, meaning I get less sick for less length of time than others. Last year someone in ED coughed in my face and I got a nasty flu shortly afterwards, which I'm guessing was not a strain covered by the current year's shots.

I had a friend who was convinced flu shots were government mind control, and he avoided them at all costs. Then he married a nurse, who got pregnant and dragged his dumb ass in to get his flu shot so he wouldn't give it to her or their newborn.

[keyboardworkout]

Got one two weeks ago for the first time in 15 years.

My naturopath doc actually talked me into it.

[SuperChieftain]

Have never had one, and only had the flu once.

[7Seconds]

Don’t get vaccines just for yourself. You also get vaccines to reduce the chances of a disease spreading to people who cannot get vaccines because they’re too young or they’re immunocompromised. Or children and elderly people who might have gotten vaccinated, but it didn’t take for them. The effects of herd immunity work exponentially well the more people who get vaccinated.

[Mark1T]

Not against it. Might have two in my life. Not a priority.

[shaneinga]

I get mine every year. Bonus is some places will actually give you a gift card for getting it at their establishment. Publix, a local supermarket this year is offering 10 dollar gift cards. Free flu shot plus 10 bucks, not bad.

Riteaid, when they were still in business, were giving out $25.00 gift cards with a flu shot.

[OldFartTom]

Don’t get vaccines just for yourself. You also get vaccines to reduce the chances of a disease spreading to people who cannot get vaccines because they’re too young or they’re immunocompromised. Or children and elderly people who might have gotten vaccinated, but it didn’t take for them. The effects of herd immunity work exponentially well the more people who get vaccinated.

Agreed! The "herd" needs a certain critical % for it to work (unvaccinated people are protected by everyone else being vaccinated because they're not exposed to the germs and so don't catch it).

I get flu vaccine most years (not done this year yet, but intend to), for the benefit of wife and kids.

I really tried last year to have arm and shoulder utterly relaxed, completely floppy almost comedy. Was the least painful injection I've ever had, honestly I barely felt anything. Definitely will repeat that tactic.

Flu-like reaction to it is reasonably unusual, but if it's any consolation... then your immune system is definitely being taught

7seconds on spread

[Desparado]

Every year. Getting the flu is no joke. Haven't had the flu since getting the shot every year.

[supramax]

Are you a believer? Do you get it? I got it last year for the first time and I never got the flu, I may give it another shot this year, still not sure if I'm a believer or not yet.

Enlighten me

The lady of the house is getting a flu shot today. I don't remember the last time I had a flu shot or the flu.

[Karl_Hungus]

The vaccine is not terribly effective, and if you look at absolute differential infection rates (as opposed to relative rates), you will see that it has very little impact on your chances of catching the flu. However, it is agood idea for those who are immuno-compromised, or those who want to reduce their chances as much as possible...even if it is only a little bit.

[x-trainer ben]

The vaccine is not terribly effective, and if you look at absolute differential infection rates (as opposed to relative rates), you will see that it has very little impact on your chances of catching the flu. However, it is agood idea for those who are immuno-compromised, or those who want to reduce their chances as much as possible...even if it is only a little bit.

Very helpful thanks

[OldFartTom]

Very helpful thanks

That depends... There are 1000s of flus and the vaccine is aimed at 4 or sometimes 5 varieties. They have to estimate which strains will be the most common and prepare it considerably in advance.

Usually in the northern hemisphere they look at the most common strains that happened in New Zealand in their winter, so there's a lot of guesswork. On top of that it's not 100% anyway as not everyone gets immunity from a vacation.

Public health studies have looked at the risks and benefits of widespread vaccination and concluded that on balance it's very beneficial for a population with high risk profile (elderly, respiratory cardio issues, compromised immune etc etc). They also concluded that it's reasonably beneficial for others populations.

Interesting it's very very beneficial for at risk populations to have the medical and healthcare workers vaccinated, even more so than vaccinating the at risk group themselves (long term studies on cardio wards). So if you come into regular contact with someone in an at risk group that's something to consider about your own vaccination choice

[Corbets]

I started getting it regularly when I moved to Europe and my employers gave it out for free. It’s not a matter of “believing” - the vaccine works. But it is important to understand its purpose and one, as already explained by Tom.

Many people confuse variations of the common cold for the flu, and therefore think the vaccine was ineffective. Others do get the flu, but fail to realize that they’re only immunized against the most common varieties. And of course, there is a tiny, tiny portion of the populace for which the vaccine is actually ineffective.

Don’t know what it costs where you’re at, but around here it’s about 20-30 dollars. A minimal outlay for the health of me and my family, IMHO.

[tsoerens]

Didn't get it for years. Nothing against it, just didn't bother. A few years ago our family of 6 all got the flu. It was not fun. Since then we all get it. My daughter works in a hospital so she's required to get it.

It's not 100% effective. According to the CDC:

"Recent studies by CDC researchers and other researchers suggest that flu vaccination usually reduces the risk of influenza illness by 40% to 60% among the overall population when the vaccine viruses are like the ones spreading in the community."

So, cuts the risk by about half most years, which is pretty good for something that takes a few minutes and is free or maybe 10 bucks.

btw, no one in our family got the flu when vaccinated, but there were years we didn't get the vaccination and didn't get flu.

[mtpockets]

WOW, a great number of responses, much appreciated. I will be getting the shot again this year. Not for myself, but much like "itsagoodday's" post, there is an the elderly person that resides with us. He is going on 94, had a few strokes and if there even is slimmest of chance of me not giving him anything I will.

On spread with most, but I'll get ya soon as I'm off..

Thanks again to all who responded...

[oldandintheway]

I get one every year. Haven’t had the flu though occasionally I’ll get a 24 hr bug. You need to remember that they are guessing at which strains/mutations they think will be dominant next year. They need lead time to make all the doses. I don’t expect one shot to protect me from ALL possibilities

[Heisman2]

Pediatrician here. I am required to get it; if I wasn't required I would still get it every year without question. I see people with the actual flu (not just claiming they got the flu) and I can't imagine missing work for a full week staying in bed with a fever of 103-104 and derailing my training for several weeks when I can get the shot and either avoid or have a much milder course of the illness. Also between myself and the literally hundreds of people I know in medicine who get the shot yearly, I have not heard of anyone I know having a bad reaction to the vaccine. For me it's extremely low risk with potential for a very high reward.