Flu shot

[lorimay]

I have never gotten a flu shot before but with the severity of the flu this season I am going today.
We leave 2 weeks from today for a four night out of Miami and I am freaking out that we are going to get sick before or worse during the cruise.
Of course this is the first cruise we haven't purchased trip insurance.

Anyone else feeling nervous?

 

[phoenixleigh]

I do not get flu shots anymore. Every time I got a flu shot I got the flu. So I. Stop get them and out of the 14+ years since maybe got the flu twice. No more flu shots for me. But I do get a flu shot for my DS10.

 

[lorimay]

I do not get flu shots anymore. Every time I got a flu shot I got the flu. So I. Stop get them and out of the 14+ years since maybe got the flu twice. No more flu shots for me. But I do get a flu shot for my DS10.

I know what you are saying, my Mom can not take it either for the same reason as you. So that makes me even more nervous.
My husband had the shot yesterday with zero side effects. But when he gets a cold it ALWAYS turns into bronchitis so I really pushed him to go and now I'm being a chicken.

 

[tajz90]

I was getting nervous for our December cruise so the whole family was vaccinated. We didn't get sick before or during our cruise and hoping the good luck holds out the rest of the season

 

[kcashner]

SO what is your choice?
You get the shot and hope you don't become ill (from the shot or from exposure before it has time to take effect...or from a vaccine failure)
OR you don't et the shot and hope you don't get the shot.

You pick.

 

[CMOORE185]

I have never gotten a flu shot before but with the severity of the flu this season I am going today.
We leave 2 weeks from today for a four night out of Miami and I am freaking out that we are going to get sick before or worse during the cruise.
Of course this is the first cruise we haven't purchased trip insurance.

Anyone else feeling nervous?

You made the right choice. Of course there is no guarantee you still won't get some sort of flu, but the kind of flu this shot protects you from is nasty, again you made the right choice IMO.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I am from the UK and we are DVC members that come across at least once a year. I nearly always pick up flu on a cruise or at resort as I have a compromised immune system due to medication. In the UK I get our flu jab so thought I will get one in the US also to help not get the flu whilst on vacation but do not know where to get the flu **** from? Over here we can get them from our supermarket pharmacies can you get them in walmart walgreens etc? Tia!

 

[lbgraves]

I am from the UK and we are DVC members that come across at least once a year. I nearly always pick up flu on a cruise or at resort as I have a compromised immune system due to medication. In the UK I get our flu jab so thought I will get one in the US also to help not get the flu whilst on vacation but do not know where to get the flu **** from? Over here we can get them from our supermarket pharmacies can you get them in walmart walgreens etc? Tia!

The flu shot is not effective for 1-2 weeks after you get it, so not sure that getting one after you are already in the US for your vacation.

 

[davedmaine]

That's a myth. The flu shot, in itself, has never made a person sick. You likely were already sick when you recv'd the shots.

 

[kcashner]

Many US drug and grocery stores now have areas where you can get the flu shot. The cost is typically about $25 if you do not have insurance that covers it.

As noted, effectiveness begins 1-2 weeks after getting the shot, so for a 2 week vacation, I'm not sure there is any point. Also, don't know whether the strains of flu in the UK shot are the same or different as in the US shot.

 

[megs193]

That's a myth. The flu shot, in itself, has never made a person sick. You likely were already sick when you recv'd the shots.

This. It may make you feel run down for about 24 hours but you can NOT get the flu from the flu shot. I recently read that they think the flu shot is about 60% effective this year but it beats nothing.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Many US drug and grocery stores now have areas where you can get the flu shot. The cost is typically about $25 if you do not have insurance that covers it.

As noted, effectiveness begins 1-2 weeks after getting the shot, so for a 2 week vacation, I'm not sure there is any point. Also, don't know whether the strains of flu in the UK shot are the same or different as in the US shot.

Thanks. We are coming in May and October but was going to get the shot in May for benefit in october if that makes sense. Good point re strain of flu. Dont know if you can overdose or not if some crossover will ask my doctor. Thanks for your help.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

That's a myth. The flu shot, in itself, has never made a person sick. You likely were already sick when you recv'd the shots.

Yes. My doctor confirms it is not a live vaccine so cannot give you the flu. All that can happen is you get a reaction to it or it doesn't work.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

The problem is, there are so many strains of flu, cold and everything else that people think the shot is making them sick, when they are actually catching something else. So many people don't understand how the flu shot works.

As for the UK visitor, I would speak with my Dr before I get two different flu shots. They should be able to find out what each one is covering and whether you should even waste your time getting the one in the US. Especially since it takes so long to reach it's effectiveness.

Good luck to the OP with your upcoming vacation. I hope you stay healthy!

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks. We are coming in May and October but was going to get the shot in May for benefit in october if that makes sense. Good point re strain of flu. Dont know if you can overdose or not if some crossover will ask my doctor. Thanks for your help.

Not to be real negative, but there may not be flu shot available in May. It usually comes out around September for the coming "flu season" and by spring it's not even being produced. I wouldn't be surprised if the grocery store and drug stores will not be offering flu shots in May as it's off-season. That said, if it is available it may or may not offer protection against the whatever strain is expected for the following winter, but something may be better than nothing.

Yes. My doctor confirms it is not a live vaccine so cannot give you the flu. All that can happen is you get a reaction to it or it doesn't work.

As clarification...the flu "shot" is not live. However, the flu "mist" that is administered as a nasal spray is live.

 

[lorimay]

I went to Walgreens and received the shot, my insurance covered it fully.
Now I will hope for the best.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Not to be real negative, but there may not be flu shot available in May. It usually comes out around September for the coming "flu season" and by spring it's not even being produced. I wouldn't be surprised if the grocery store and drug stores will not be offering flu shots in May as it's off-season. That said, if it is available it may or may not offer protection against the whatever strain is expected for the following winter, but something may be better than nothing.

As clarification...the flu "shot" is not live. However, the flu "mist" that is administered as a nasal spray is live.

Thats not negative that is helpful advise thank you! I hadnt thought of that. Might not work out then. Hope maybe our flu shots hold similar resistance! Thank you again.

 

[DakotaDisneyLover]

I have never gotten a flu shot before but with the severity of the flu this season I am going today.
We leave 2 weeks from today for a four night out of Miami and I am freaking out that we are going to get sick before or worse during the cruise.
Of course this is the first cruise we haven't purchased trip insurance.

Anyone else feeling nervous?

YES! I always get a bit nervous before vacationing in the winter when there is so much crud going around. We fly to wherever we are going, so are in close quarters with people at the onset of vacation. That said, we all did get the flu shot a couple of months ago. I told DH this morning with the flu as widespread and bad as it is, we need to ramp up our immune systems, as we leave in just under 4 weeks. I will probably get some Airborne, drink lots of OJ, etc. So, get your flu shots and wash your hands Also, we never cruise without trip insurance - for many reasons. You should seriously consider it for your next vacation.

 

[phoenixleigh]

That's a myth. The flu shot, in itself, has never made a person sick. You likely were already sick when you recv'd the shots.

Well call me a fluke because 2-3 weeks later I would get the flu. I have not had a shot in 14+ years. I have not had the flu in 10 yrs.

 

[tajz90]

Well call me a fluke because 2-3 weeks later I would get the flu. I have not had a shot in 14+ years. I have not had the flu in 10 yrs.

Both times my mom had the shot, she became very ill. Of course it was over 10 years ago so maybe they changed the vaccine.