Flu Vaccination - Yes or No?

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I never used to get it. Now that I’m a nursing student doing clinical rounds in the hospital, it’s get one or wear a mask throughout flu season. I’d rather get the shot than wear the mask.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I work for a hospital system. They're mandatory and free for all employees. Also, bi-annual TB testing.

 

[Poohforyou]

I don't. I have only only gotten a flu shot in 2009 when we were going to be traveling internationally. That was when there was the H1N1 vaccine and the regular vaccine. I got both and had what doctors believe was an autoimmune response. I was sick for 18 month after and had to have thoracic surgery. I'll take the flu in a heartbeat over that. Actually I did have the flu last year. It was nothing compared to what I went through.

My daughter doesn't get it either but my husband does. My daughter is in college and I've recommended she gets it but I can't force her.

 

[MeggyScumEsquire]

I normally get one. We do get them through work through a free clinic, but I checked last year's day and it wasn't until mid November. I may just do by a pharmacy to get it earlier. I find it so convenient that we don't need to go to a doctors office anymore!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Absolutely I get a flu shot. No downside. Upside is possibly no flu, and if getting the flu, most likely a lesser infection. Been getting for many years.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Yes absolutely. Our insurance paid for it.

I had to be hospitalized for over a week with the flu as a child. I’ve gotten it every since.

We’re getting ready to fly this weekend and the dr said get it two weeks before you fly to help protect yourselves.

 

[ronandannette]

I do have access to free shots (lots of flu shot clinics), but my health plan includes them for no extra cost, so I just go to my personal clinic to get it.

Yes, I get the flu shot. Yes, I've only had the flu once that I can recall as an adult, but since we started cruising, and we're basically "locked in" with some 2000+ of our new best friends for the duration (not to mention the flight to get there), it just seems like a good idea to get a shot.

Interestingly, on our last cruise we were not given the health questionnaire to fill out prior to boarding - the one that attempts to screen for gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. We were perfectly healthy and I imagine tons of people lie anyway but at least it was something. (Maybe what they call "security theater"?).

As for flying, at my advanced age I do not seem to be able to take a flight without coming home with a respiratory bug of some kind from the filthy, re-circulated plane air. I came down with a nasty, nasty cold right on schedule about 4 days after arriving home from our September vacation. I guess I should just be grateful I always seem to get them coming back, not heading out.

 

[robinb]

YES!

I actually had the flu last year after having the vaccination and I'm sure it helped me not be so sick. I still had bronchitis at WDW, ended up coughing up blood and going to CentraCare Urgent Care twice. After coming home I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Good times. It could have been a lot worse.

FTR, I don't remember when I actually had the flu last.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Interestingly, on our last cruise we were not given the health questionnaire to fill out prior to boarding - the one that attempts to screen for gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. We were perfectly healthy and I imagine tons of people lie anyway but at least it was something. (Maybe what they call "security theater"?).

As for flying, at my advanced age I do not seem to be able to take a flight without coming home with a respiratory bug of some kind from the filthy, re-circulated plane air. I came down with a nasty, nasty cold right on schedule about 4 days after arriving home from our September vacation. I guess I should just be grateful I always seem to get them coming back, not heading out.

I'm jealous mine hit a couple days after we landing in Disneyland as usual - I always get them going down and then cry coming home because I think my ear drums are going to burst landing in YVR.

 

[Professor_Cookie]

All three of us have ours, but wee little babby has to go in for her booster at the end of the month. I got mine last year when it was on the low end of effectiveness and I was the only person I know at work that didn’t get sick. I felt like I might come down with something for a minute and it went away.

 

[John VN]

I'm 68 and have never had any shots that are available up until now. Got the high potency senior flu shot along with the pneumonia shot on Monday. The "shingles injection" is on back-order. It's now a "wait to see how things work out" situation.

 

[Kellydelly]

I am forced to get a free influenza vaccination from my employer (hospital). My spouse and kids do not get the vaccination.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Both hospitals I work at offer the flu shot for free, and every year i always reject them. They come around with their trolley's and try to bribe us with chocolate bars. One time our CEO came around....I still told her no. I dont care who you are, leave me alone!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Both hospitals I work at offer the flu shot for free, and every year i always reject them. They come around with their trolley's and try to bribe us with chocolate bars. One time our CEO came around....I still told her no. I dont care who you are, leave me alone!

For many hospitals in the U.S., it's no longer optional.

 

[Jaime4004]

Sometimes, it's not a priority for me. I've had the flu more times in years that I've had the shot than in years that I did not have it. If I happen to be in the doc office when they're offered, I might. Same with the kids. Definitely not something I go out of my way for.

 

[Wendy31]

We've gotten flu shots previously, but, for different reasons, did not get flu shots the past 2 seasons.

As last year's flu season got worse & worse, my anxiety was through the roof. We relied on elderberry & basically did not leave our house unless absolutely necessary. Thankfully, none of us got sick.

This year, I've just felt really anxious for us to get the flu vaccination. Our DD is in college, & I feel like she specifically needs it.

So, today, all 5 of us got flu shots at our local Publix. (As an added incentive, Publix is currently giving each customer who receives a flu shot in the Publix pharmacy a $10 gift card, so DD got pens, older DS got snacks, & younger DS got play-dough w/ their $10.)

I still plan to for us to take elderberry daily as well.

 

[Katie Dawn]

Both hospitals I work at offer the flu shot for free, and every year i always reject them. They come around with their trolley's and try to bribe us with chocolate bars. One time our CEO came around....I still told her no. I dont care who you are, leave me alone!

For many hospitals in the U.S., it's no longer optional.

Goofy in Toronto, do you have contact with hospitalized patients? If so I'm surprised they give you the option. As Pea-n-Me said at many hospitals it's either get the shot or wear a mask the entire time you're at work during flu season.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Goofy in Toronto, do you have contact with hospitalized patients? If so I'm surprised they give you the option. As Pea-n-Me said at many hospitals it's either get the shot or wear a mask the entire time you're at work during flu season.

I think the mask isn't even an option for some anymore! I know people who've had a "reaction" before who still cannot opt out of the shot.

 

[wvjules]

Got mine today!

 

[frank430316]

Yes, and myself and my kids get them, but my husband has the Guillain-Barre reaction to them so he doesn't get them. We have free access to them but most typically just get them at my OB for myself and the ped for the kids.

I don't have a particular worry over it for ourselves, but we interact with a few immunocompromised people so it's more for them.

My wife had this reaction as well several years ago, and so no longer gets it (but she insists I do ) I talked to the nurse who gave me mine, and she said Guillain_Barre is becoming a very common side affect and might be related to auto immune problems (my wife has Celiac).