flu shot -- yes or no?

[luvwinnie]

Yes, after ending up in the ER with an asthma flare just from a cold, I think trying to prevent the flu is wise.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It was surprising also to read at how few health care workers sign up for the flu shot anymore, less than 30%.

http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/11/22/...oted-and-over-hyped-according-to-researchers/

It looks like that article is from the UK.

Here in the US, numbers are much higher.

From the CDC:

The coverage rate for health care workers was estimated at 72% for the 2012-13 season, an increase from 66.9% in the 2011-12 season and 63.5% in the 2010-11 season.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/healthcareworkers.htm

I got mine on Friday.

 

[sam_gordon]

It looks like that article is from the UK.

Here in the US, numbers are much higher.

From the CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/healthcareworkers.htm

I got mine on Friday.

How much of that is employers FORCING folks to get one?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

How much of that is employers FORCING folks to get one?

It's a complex issue, and I don't know that stats and evidence-based results are conclusive yet. It appears to be governed by state law and hospital/facility policy, but there can be medical, reiligious and ethical exemptions. From what I have seen, employees who refuse are generally offered the option of wearing a mask during flu season. I think the general thought is that most hospitals prefer voluntary vaccination, with a goal fof 90% of staff becoming vaccinated yearly by 2020. It appears things are headed in that direction. Some cases are still in litigation for those fired for not getting the vaccination where required.

 

[lakelandgal70]

No I do not get one and haven't had one in over 10years. I feel the less chemicals in my body the better. JMO Hubby doesn't usually get one and hasn't in years but at his new job I believe they are mandatory.

 

[EMom]

I've gotten the flu shot since the early 80s and only gotten the flu once. Before that, the flu loved to target me. In junior high, I got a terrible case and cannot remember a blessed thing for about 4 days of a week long illness. My sister recently mentioned that she didn't get the flu that year, but was kept busy with school and taking care of me AND our parents. I was so delirious that I had not realized my parents even came down with the flu. They apparently got it after me and recovered before me.

I still remember returning to school and being very embarassed because I had lost over 15 pounds and my clothes would barely stay on, even with the belt on the tightest notch. I walked in and almost everyone there looked just like me. The rest of the class was out sick and came back looking like skeletons.

We all get flu shots every year, especially since I have asthma.

 

[indimom]

Entire family got the shot a couple weeks ago. Provided by DH's employer so not cost.
It's a first for our family.
I'm in nursing school and needed the shot for clinicals. It just makes sense. I don't want to carry the flu in and infect someone who is already ill, injured, or immune compromised.
As for the rest of the family...
Last February, DD got the flu for the first time. It was immediately followed by a flare up of another chronic condition that had been stable for over six months. She's still fighting that flare up 8 months later.
Can't prove it was the flu that caused it, but it seems likely, and we decided to take whatever preventative measures we can from now on.

 

[Fjobe]

Yes - we will get our flu shots. Youngest DD got hers at daycare today. DS and older DD will both get them at their schools. DH and I can both get them at work, so we will get them there. DD got the mist since it covered 4 strains while the actual shot covered only 3. She cried because she wanted a shot!

Last year was our first year to get them, and we all got actual shots. DS still got the flu (strain B), but no one in the family caught it from him. He has had the flu 3 times in his lifetime.

 

[disfan07]

Yes. And I have the pneumovax as well. I have asthma and other chronic conditions and I've already spent about 70 days in the hospital this year...don't want to add to it when I can try and prevent it.

But I have an egg allergy so I can only get the shot at my allergists office and they won't get the vaccine until next week,....but we leave for Mayo Clinic for 2 weeks on Saturday so I'm flying to a cold place with no flu shot which does concern me. I'm hoping to get it at Mayo when we get there

Because of my egg allergy no one where I used to live would give me the flu shot. I was in the hospital with the flu and pneumonia every year from 2003-2009I got my first flu vaccine at the end of 2009 and I have avoided the flu every year since I started getting it.

 

[wunkmom]

sadly, the 3 years that i did get the flu shot, i ended up getting the flu later on that flu season. that was when i worked in an office with over 80 people.

now that i'm a SAHM to a homeschooled child, none of us get the shot. we are all very vigilant about handwashing and not hanging out with people who are sick.

 

[robinb]

Our entire family already have had our flu shots. We believe that it protects us against the flu or at least makes it weaker should we come down with it.

 

[LoserMomma]

My son has an egg allergy and gets one every year. He just has to take benedryl and stay in the pediatrician's office for a period of time to be observed. Flu would be deadly for him due to chronic medical conditions.

The husband and I both get them at work. Mine is mandatory, but I'd get it anyway (and have for years) because the flu sucks and the shot really isn't a big deal.

My daughter gets hers without a problem at the pediatrician's office. She could get mist at school, but because of her brother we try to stay away from the live virus.

BTW, you can still get the flu even with the shot (which is why last season was bad) but it will not be as bad.

 

[Dean1972]

I'm having mine on Thursday.
We are flying from Australia to Europe in a few weeks before heading to WDW.
Being a diabetic it is recommended by my doctor too

 

[mom2d&b]

We got ours Sunday at Target. DH & I from the pharmacy so we could take advantage of double rewards. DD13 and DS11 got theirs in the Target clinic since the pharmacy can't inject anyone under 18.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Our doctor will not give our family the flu shot. He says that we are all healthy, not elderly, have no underlying medical issues, and therefore have no need for a flu shot. He suggests practicing common sense medical regimes (hand washing, good nutrition, etc.) and carrying on as normal.

My mom's doctor vaccinates EVERYONE.



DH's employer offers it to employees who wish to take part in the flu shot program (he works for an auto parts manufacturer, and the plant has a work force of about 700 people). I work in a tiny office of 3 (including me) so my risk of exposure would certainly be less. DS attends a local Catholic high school of 520 students and works in the youth department of our local YMCA. My mom instincts say he should have it but the doc disagrees.

 

[robinb]

DH's employer offers it to employees who wish to take part in the flu shot program (he works for an auto parts manufacturer, and the plant has a work force of about 700 people). I work in a tiny office of 3 (including me) so my risk of exposure would certainly be less. DS attends a local Catholic high school of 520 students and works in the youth department of our local YMCA. My mom instincts say he should have it but the doc disagrees.

I would be worried about your son working with so many little germ-machines. He may not be able to practice hand-washing as often as he needs to and I think anti-bacterial gels are bad for you. Does your doctor know he works with kids?

 

[Deb in IA]

Yes. And I have the pneumovax as well. I have asthma and other chronic conditions and I've already spent about 70 days in the hospital this year...don't want to add to it when I can try and prevent it.

But I have an egg allergy so I can only get the shot at my allergists office and they won't get the vaccine until next week,....but we leave for Mayo Clinic for 2 weeks on Saturday so I'm flying to a cold place with no flu shot which does concern me. I'm hoping to get it at Mayo when we get there

Because of my egg allergy no one where I used to live would give me the flu shot. I was in the hospital with the flu and pneumonia every year from 2003-2009I got my first flu vaccine at the end of 2009 and I have avoided the flu every year since I started getting it.

My son has an egg allergy and gets one every year. He just has to take benedryl and stay in the pediatrician's office for a period of time to be observed. Flu would be deadly for him due to chronic medical conditions.

The husband and I both get them at work. Mine is mandatory, but I'd get it anyway (and have for years) because the flu sucks and the shot really isn't a big deal.

My daughter gets hers without a problem at the pediatrician's office. She could get mist at school, but because of her brother we try to stay away from the live virus.

BTW, you can still get the flu even with the shot (which is why last season was bad) but it will not be as bad.

This year, an egg-free vaccine, Flublok, is available for people between 18 and 49.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_flublok-vaccine.htm

 

[disfan07]

This year, an egg-free vaccine, Flublok, is available for people between 18 and 49.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vacc...get the flu most either because of my asthma.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I got it because I don't want to live like . . .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I would be worried about your son working with so many little germ-machines. He may not be able to practice hand-washing as often as he needs to and I think anti-bacterial gels are bad for you. Does your doctor know he works with kids?

Yep, he knows. Apparently he thinks my 180 pound, 6' tall offspring has good natural antibodies.

Sigh.