Flu shot

[jevs]

Is it worth us getting the flu shot before we come over? I missed out on having it this year as was sick when I was suppose to get it, then forgot about it afterwards. How germy is the States at the moment?

I have travel insurance that is pretty extensive but having to find a GP and possibly a chemist when away from home will irritate me no end.

My GP has left it up to me to decide, which isn't a good thing this week - I can barely decide what shoes to wear daily.

Yeah, breaking my own rule here

Thanks.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We are well into Flu season. I'll be getting mine this week - I would've gotten it sooner but I had bronchitis.

 

[Disneylover99]

Skip the flu shot and have a drink.

 

[tarheel618]

A coworker of mine was diagnosed on Monday with the flu. I would definitely get the shot. Im located in central Florida. He is the 2nd person I know in a week who has had the flu.

 

[Poohlove]

My sister works at an urgent care and says that they are seeing a lot of people with the flu but it is also right next to a college campus and it is primarily college kids they see. The flu isn't the only thing being spread too (she never reveals identities FWIW)

 

[Bluestars]

I would get it. What's the harm? Unless you are allergic to eggs, you shouldn't have any issues with the shot. My husband and I got one last week. I don't think the US is extra germy, but traveling does expose you to a lot of germs while you are in close contact with others. One trip my daughter sat next to someone who was sick on a plane and she came down with it too. Anyway, it doesn't hurt and it might help. One year we visited another state and my son and husband were sick as dogs for several days from something they caught. If a shot could have prevented it, they would have gladly had one.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I get the flu shot every year, though I don't know if I would bother specifically for traveling.

You're likely to pick up something other than the flu when traveling anyway.

 

[Southernmiss]

I got my shot last week. Lots of respiratory junk has been going around here since September. I had 2 colds in September.Ds at college went to Dr. Yesterday with a sinus infection.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I get the flu shot every year, though I don't know if I would bother specifically for traveling.

You're likely to pick up something other than the flu when traveling anyway.

I never got the flu shot until I started cruising. Being in a basically enclosed environment for days on end with 2000 of my new best friends - yeah, I'm getting the shot.

 

[Poohlove]

Lots of respiratory stuff here too, I think the crazy weather has a lot to do with it. My daughter's friend has had bronchitis several times since school started in September, we take her to school everyday and the poor kid has been coughing her head off since September.

 

[dotfurio]

Assuming you're going to be visiting crowded tourist attractions, where people will suffer through the flu (and share their germs) rather than cancel their vacation, I'd get it just to be safe.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Assuming you're going to be visiting crowded tourist attractions, where people will suffer through the flu (and share their germs) rather than cancel their vacation, I'd get it just to be safe.

 

[tarheel618]

Honestly I would be tempted for my family to wear mask once on the plane but then I can be a germophobe at times. But then again, I don't want to be sick on vacation and not enjoy it

 

[kimblebee]

I can't get it (live vaccine) but even if I could, I wouldn't. There's too many strains of the flu..the vaccine is just for a few of them. Douse yourselves in rum and you should be fine

 

[jevs]

Yeah, there will be crowds.

On the cruise I stupidly booked.
In NYC for Christmas.
And the killer, NYE at Disneyland.

I have a script for Maxalon and will also bring across over the counter gastro meds - I've never had to use them on previous trips. I realise the US isn't SE Asia but it's handy to have them just in case.

I think the biggest concern is as I'm the sole adult, if I get sick there isn't anyone else to look after the children.

 

[Poohlove]

Yeah, there will be crowds.

On the cruise I stupidly booked.
In NYC for Christmas.
And the killer, NYE at Disneyland.

I have a script for Maxalon and will also bring across over the counter gastro meds - I've never had to use them on previous trips. I realise the US isn't SE Asia but it's handy to have them just in case.

I think the biggest concern is as I'm the sole adult, if I get sick there isn't anyone else to look after the children.

I know where you are coming from there, my kids are 16 and 18 now but when they were younger that was always a concern of mine.

I never leave home without immodium, not having it leaves too much to chance. I also always have ibuprofen and benadryl. Each time we have been to Disney someone has gotten sick and I was glad I had my bag of medicine.

 

[anniemae]

I can't get it (live vaccine) but even if I could, I wouldn't. There's too many strains of the flu..the vaccine is just for a few of them. Douse yourselves in rum and you should be fine

the flu shot is not a live vaccine.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

the flu shot is not a live vaccine.

They may still use the attenuated version in Canada?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

the flu shot is not a live vaccine.

Right. The nasal spray alternative was a live virus, but the injection isn't. And they aren't recommending the nasal spray for this season's protection.

And, even if it only includes a minimal number of the many various strains, getting the shot can reduce the severity of a non-included strain, if you get that instead.

 

[Poohlove]

My sister, BIL and niece get shots every year because my niece has asthma and my sister (not to repeat myself) works in Healthcare. My BIL is sick off and on all winter but my sister and niece seem to fare well. My stepmother has only gotten the shot once and she got the flu that year. I think it's a crap shoot, like others have said it all depends on the strain. Drink lots of rum and wash your hands a lot.