Flu Shot

[Lezah]

I have gotten one every year for 12 years ever since I started working in a GP's office. My son has been getting them ever since he outgrew the egg allergy 3 years ago (the vaccine is grown in egg, so he couldn't get it previous to that), since he has severe asthma. I got it before so that I wouldn't bring it home to him since he couldn't get it. My hubby gets it for the last 4 years since he has become a part-time firefighter as he runs a lot of medical calls. I still haven't talked him into getting his HepB shots yet, but we're still working on it. We have had a rush on the flu shots at our office for the last 3 weeks, but after the recent news of places running out, I anticipate that all those that were waiting will be calling wanting to get it now. I have gotten sick after the shot every year but this one, not from the vaccine, I know, but coincidentally instead. I was actually suffering from a terrible stomach virus when I got it this time, cause I figured I was already feeling awful why not! My docs are recommending it for anyone who cannot afford to take 10 days off work if they get the flu, or of course for anyone with an immuno suppressed system. They are leaving it up to individual parents whether to give it to their healthy kids. I don't think if my DS didn't have asthma whether I would give it too him, but we'll never know that. JMHO

 

[off2disney]

I've been getting the flu shot for about 7 or 8 years now, since I have diabetes. People with supressed immune systems, or with chronic diseases, are recommended to get the flu and pneumonia shots. I also got my pneumonia shot about that long ago, which was supposed to protect you from 20+ strains of puenmonia (they said it was a lifetime protection, but since then they are recommending a booster after about five years)- I just got a booster this year.

Of course, as other posters have said, sometimes the flu vaccine is "designed" for a certain strain but if it mutates or changes from the original strain, you can still get the new version. Usually, whatever strain of virus is going on in Austrailia (who has the flu season before us) is the basis the scientists use for their formulas.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

My daughter and I just got our shots at the allergy clinic. They recommend the shot to people with asthma or allergies. They asked us to wait in the office for 15 minutes after getting the shot to be certain we didn't have an allergic reaction to the egg. I asked the nurse what kind of side effects we could expect. Her response was that she had never seen anybody have any kind of side effect other than a sore arm or needle anxiety.

I'm glad we got our shot because I sure don't want the flu. We have a trip to Disneyland planned for late January and I don't want either of us to be sick for it!

 

[KingKobra]

I got the flu shot about a month ago and just this week I caught the flu. Apparently theres a mutated strain that the shot doesnt protect against. Or maybe i just got a less severe version of the regular flu. Regarldess I was out of school all week and it took me 7 days to get better.

 

[tinaluis]

DH and I and all three DDs got our flu shots this morning. My oldest DD has ulcerative colitis and is on steroids so her pediatrician STRONGLY recommended the shot for all of us, which he doesn't usually do. No side effects, other than a few sore arms. My SIL called today to say that her daughter had a 105 degree fever all night and they were taking her to the hospital. Not sure if it's the flu, but it's the first thing I thought of. I hope she's OK. My DDs pediatrician also said that the CDC changed their recommendation this morning and are only recommending the vaccine for those who are chronically ill or with chronically ill family members because there's been such a run of people coming in for the vaccine and they're worried that those that need it most won't be able to get it. The recommendations are changing from day to day, but we're glad to have it done.

 

[DocRafiki]

I was wanting to get one this week, but after reading the last post, I might feel guilty since I don't really NEED it other than the fact that it's nearly impossible for me to take off from work. Hmmm...

I'm amazed at the low incidence of vaccine reactions. I see 2-5 vaccine reactions per week in pets.

 

[chell]

Dakota_Lynn are either of you allergic to eggs?

 

[wilderness01]

My daughter has a terrible reaction to her first flu shot several years ago. She got the first dose in her leg and within 4 hours she could not walk. It affected the fluid in her joints. She was unable to walk for 4 days and then poof she was fine. I brought her back to the Dr. the next day when they reopened and they ran a series of tests, x-rays. Although the Dr. said it had nothing to do with her getting her flu shot I did not believe him. I am an RN and when I went into work and explained the story to the Drs. I work with they said it definately sounded like a reaction and not just something that would have occurred anyways. She has never had a reaction since and is not allergic to eggs. Although she has never had the shot in her leg again either. Now it is always in her arm and she has been fine. Just a little sore which is to be expected.

Most people don't understand the the "flu" that you can get vaccinated against is a fever, chills, respiratory and ache kind of thing. Like a bad cold. They mistake it for the stomach "flu" which is really not a "flu" at all but a GI problem.

 

[SeaSpray]

As I've mentioned in other threads, we've ALL had our flu shots this year, as we do every year. DSs ages 15 and 12 BOTH said they didn't feel a thing, and they had no reactions, not even a sore arm. DH and I each had a slight sore spot at the injection site for less than 24 hours. The only time I knew it was sore was that night when I went to bed and rolled over onto my left side (I had the shot in my left arm).

ANYONE who has REALLY had the flu, and not just a bad cold, understands how painful and debilitating it can be. It can be deadly in many segments of the general population.

I still don't understand why anyone *wouldn't* get vaccinated against this. It takes a second to get the shot, there's NO chance you can catch the flu from the shot, and most insurance companies cover the cost. Mine doesn't even require the usual co-pay for the flu shot. Also...IT DOESN'T HURT!! Just ask my DSs who HATE injections of any kind!

 

[cassmat]

my husband got his at The Doctor's one monthe ago! The kids and I went to a flu clinic in our hospital, 3 weeks ago!! No side effects! I was surprised that the needle itself didn't hurt!

We have gotten it for 3 years, for the same reason. We always go to Disney in December/January and do not want to be sick!

 

[wld]

Just saw in the paper that the companies are out of vaccine and it is all either gone or on the way. Wow, just last week they were telling our pharmacy department there was plenty. Our hospital has 100 vials on the way. Hope I can get some for employee health as I know there will be more people on the way wanting one. Health Care Workers are in one of the high risk groups.

 

[Lanshark]

DH, DD DS and I got it last week. No reactions by anyone except the area around the shot turned red on mine. About the size of a half dollar. No itching and no soreness. It went away in a few days.

It was the most painless shot I've ever had. I have no idea why but hardly felt it. DD(17) and DS(13) said the same thing.