Flu Shot

[Christine]

I tried to places to get a flu vaccine today. Both places, a rite-aid and giant food store , told me I had to have an appointment.

I do have an appointment for next week, but I was hoping to get it done sooner.

Anyone know how long it take to kick in? A few weeks???

2 weeks to kick in. I thought the flu shot used to be closer to a month but not sure on that.

 

[Dan Murphy]

On another subject, sort of, my son, Vince, came down with a breakthrough COVID Friday. He is fully vaccinated, Pfizer, as of back last Dec, 2020, like 11 months ago. He felt congested, headache, coughing. He is a FF/paramed and his wife is an ER nurse. They have quick tests at home. He did the test, positive. Took temp, 102º. Quarantining in downstairs MIL 'apartment' at their house. He did go to the immediate care where his wife works sometimes. He got a PCR test there. A quick test there also was positive. They told him to go to her hospital and get an infusion of monoclonal antibody, Regeneron. He did and went back home last night. Have not talked to him yet today.

The COVID boosters are important. He is the 4th FF/paramed (smaller Chicago suburban FD) to get a breakthrough in the past 6 or so weeks. All were vaccinated, Pfizer, back last December, 11 months ago. None have had their boosters. 4 out of about 16 or so FF's is a lot of people getting sick. They have all been fine for about 8-9 months, doing their jobs, dealing with lots of people, in their faces and what have you. As has been said by CDC, vaccine protection appears to wane after 6 or so months, so a booster is appropriate.

So, my son did get his monoclonal antibody on Tuesday. The doctors said it probably would not kick in for about 2 days and then he should start feeling a bit more decent. I talked to him yesterday, still really under the weather. Headache, temperature, congested lungs, no taste/smell. I talked to him twice today, early afternoon and just now. He sounded much improved earlier today and even more so tonight. He said he has a little, very little taste back, no smell though.

As for me, since I had been with him last week on Monday, I did a quick home test on Tuesday, negative. I did a PCR test yesterday, results today, negative.

So, that's the update from here. Thank you for your good thoughts, words, wishes and prayers.

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[mom2rtk]

So, my son did get his monoclonal antibody on Tuesday. The doctors said it probably would not kick in for about 2 days and then he should start feeling a bit more decent. I talked to him yesterday, still really under the weather. Headache, temperature, congested lungs, no taste/smell. I talked to him twice today, early afternoon and just now. He sounded much improved earlier today and even more so tonight. He said he has a little, very little taste back, no smell though.

As for me, since I had been with him last week on Monday, I did a quick home test on Tuesday, negative. I did a PCR test yesterday, results today, negative.

So, that's the update from here. Thank you for your good thoughts, words, wishes and prayers.

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Glad he's on the mend. That's great news. I was thinking about his story as I spur of the moment decided to get boosted on Tuesday.

 

[FQLover]

So glad he is feeling better @Dan Murphy. I am just over a break-through case (six months, Pfizer) and got the antibodies just in time for that 10 day window. The ER doc told me that it would take 24-48 hours for them to kick in but that I would start feeling a lot better. That was true! I hope that he continues to improve quickly and that no one else in your family gets it. Glad that you received negative tests for yourself, Dan.

You have to wait 90 days after the antibodies to get a booster. I will get it on that 90th day. I don't want to ever have Covid again. My case was "moderate" not mild, as I had Covid pneumonia with the lung infiltrates.

 

[CynBeth]

My DH has health issues so his doctor told him to space out the flu shot and booster. He got his flu shot 2 weeks ago and then his booster a few days ago. When he got the initial Pfizer doses had no side effects just a sore arm for a day. With the Pfizer booster he was a little chilly Wed night and then a little warm Thursday morning and his temperature was 99 and had a sore arm but felt pretty good. He is fine today.

 

[PezRuth]

Just to chime in, I had my booster moderna on Wednesday. I was not able to sleep at all Wednesday night mostly because my arm was sore and I sleep on that side. Took yesterday off just to rest if needed. Today feel just fine other than a sore arm which I suspect I will have for awhile.

 

[dcassetta]

No issue with flu shot this year. Just got my Moderna booster. The first two were fine, so hopefully this will be too. I do like to get shots on Friday so I have the weekend. The last vaccine that kicked my butt was shingles.

 

[lorimay]

I took the J&J in March, had a booster of Pzifer last week, way less pain in my arm then with the J&J.

But here's a fun story, went to my primary yesterday for my psychical and asked for my flu shot, in comes a new MA with a shadow and draws my blood, fine no issues. She gives me the flu shot and some of the vaccine runs down my arm
She says "oh the needle was in." Just my luck. I hope I received enough to be protected.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

DH wound up with a big red rash on his arm after his Pfizer shot on Monday. It was hot and itchy. We put some cortisone cream on it twice a day and outlined it, and thankfully it’s gotten a lot better. He didn’t have anything like that happen with his first Pfizer shots. He also had about 12 hrs of chills and fatigue, but then was fine.

My fatigue lasted a little longer than I expected it to, but finally back to normal now.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is a good article for anyone who has questions about whether they should mix their vaccines.

Should I Mix or Match My Booster Shot?

 

[Christine]

DH wound up with a big red rash on his arm after his Pfizer shot on Monday. It was hot and itchy. We put some cortisone cream on it twice a day and outlined it, and thankfully it’s gotten a lot better. He didn’t have anything like that happen with his first Pfizer shots. He also had about 12 hrs of chills and fatigue, but then was fine.

My fatigue lasted a little longer than I expected it to, but finally back to normal now.

My coworker gets that red area also. He had a bit on his second shot and way more on his third.

Like you, my fatigue lasted longer than expected. Didn't stop me from getting through life or anything. I had my booster on a Thursday morning and I don't think I felt 100% until Tuesday morning.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My coworker gets that red area also. He had a bit on his second shot and way more on his third.

Like you, my fatigue lasted longer than expected. Didn't stop me from getting through life or anything. I had my booster on a Thursday morning and I don't think I felt 100% until Tuesday morning.

Same, about the same length of time!

 

[mickey916]

We went yesterday to our local CVS. I made an appointment and chose "flu shot". When we both went to get our flu shot the nurse said "the computer ordered a type of flu shot we don't have so you need to go to the pharmacy and have them change it to the one we have in stock"...so we had to go speak with the pharmacist who typed a bunch of stuff and said "you're all set." I asked what that meant and what difference it was between the two shots and the very unfriendly pharmacist responded "it's nothing and she could've walked over here herself"...so.....not really sure what we got for a flu shot and wasn't able to get any details about what the difference was...customer service at its finest.

 

[Christine]

We went yesterday to our local CVS. I made an appointment and chose "flu shot". When we both went to get our flu shot the nurse said "the computer ordered a type of flu shot we don't have so you need to go to the pharmacy and have them change it to the one we have in stock"...so we had to go speak with the pharmacist who typed a bunch of stuff and said "you're all set." I asked what that meant and what difference it was between the two shots and the very unfriendly pharmacist responded "it's nothing and she could've walked over here herself"...so.....not really sure what we got for a flu shot and wasn't able to get any details about what the difference was...customer service at its finest.

So it doesn't say on your receipt? No matter where I go for a flu shot: CVS, Wegman's, Walgreens, I get a printout of what was run through the insurance or, if not ensured, just the printout of the prescription receipt because a flu shot given at a pharmacy falls under prescription services. Each year, it's pretty clearly printed out which flu shot variant I received.

 

[mickey916]

So it doesn't say on your receipt? No matter where I go for a flu shot: CVS, Wegman's, Walgreens, I get a printout of what was run through the insurance or, if not ensured, just the printout of the prescription receipt because a flu shot given at a pharmacy falls under prescription services. Each year, it's pretty clearly printed out which flu shot variant I received.

Didn't even get a receipt since it was covered under my insurance. But, I did call today and was told it was the quadra-variant (or something like that) just a different manufacturer so I guess I'm good...

 

[Christine]

Didn't even get a receipt since it was covered under my insurance. But, I did call today and was told it was the quadra-variant (or something like that) just a different manufacturer so I guess I'm good...

Yeah, mine is covered too by insurance but they always give me the printout. Talks about what you got, possible side effects, etc. I'm really shocked that they gave you nothing. It is so routine here to always be handed that.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yeah, mine is covered too by insurance but they always give me the printout. Talks about what you got, possible side effects, etc. I'm really shocked that they gave you nothing. It is so routine here to always be handed that.

They didn't for us and we went through CVS. When we've done the clinic from my husband's work you didn't get a print out either (which was not through CVS). I would imagine many places don't actually do a receipt. The only time I have ever gotten a print out of possible side effects was the covid vaccine. Back when I had Gardasil didn't have that either (other than a card that had the schedule for the other 2 doses), didn't have paper with with Tdap.

We did hear what we were getting for the flu shot this year verbally and I can look up this in my CVS account. It shows afluria quad.

Last year though honestly have no idea what I got. I know you can always ask though.

 

[wenrob]

Yeah, mine is covered too by insurance but they always give me the printout. Talks about what you got, possible side effects, etc. I'm really shocked that they gave you nothing. It is so routine here to always be handed that.

Same. I’ve never walked away from a Pharmacy without a receipt and flyer/pamphlet on side effects insured or not. Wonder if it’s a state thing? Until the last few years you couldn’t walk away without a “consultation” where they tell you what’s in the pamphlet.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I tried to places to get a flu vaccine today. Both places, a rite-aid and giant food store , told me I had to have an appointment.

I do have an appointment for next week, but I was hoping to get it done sooner.

Anyone know how long it take to kick in? A few weeks???

This says about 2 weeks, which is why I generally aim at the first week of October to be solid by what used to be Halloween Parties for my kids when they were little, all the little hands sharing treats is impossible to prevent. Some years I'd book but might need to postpone a smidge if someone in the house was actively sick but I ALWAYS was finished 2 weeks before Thanksgiving and the holiday visits came into play. It's tricky, best case scenario I want coverage to be humming along by get togethers but it also needed to last through the end of Flu Season into Spring. Even if I was stuck though, I'd get it whenever I could, anytime is better than not at all since Flu counts only grow as time goes on.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm

 

[dvcgirl67]

My coworker gets that red area also. He had a bit on his second shot and way more on his third.

Like you, my fatigue lasted longer than expected. Didn't stop me from getting through life or anything. I had my booster on a Thursday morning and I don't think I felt 100% until Tuesday morning.

I got the moderna booster and flu shot on Friday late afternoon. My doc said it’s fine to get them together,,,so I did. I’ve never had any side effects from flu shot. I was hoping since moderna booster is 1/2 the dose it wouldn’t hit me as hard as shot #2. Unfortunately it did…. About three hours after I got the headache…. Went to bed and woke up with 101.6 fever, body aches, chills In the middle of the night. Fever returns when meds wear off… just took my temp again and 101. Hopefully I’ll feel better tomorrow likeI did after second shot.