FLU SHOTS? Not me...

[suzimar57]

DH and i have gotten flu shots every year - and each time, we get really sick (feverish, achy, flu-like sick) immediately after getting the shots

plus, we both also wind up getting the flu anyway....

this year, no flu shots - we're both sick already (DH for past 2 weeks)

i work in a library - can't tell you how many sick children and the elderly have already been coughing, sneezing and everything else on me (as well as at church - can do without that "peace be with you" portion of the show...)

nah - no shots this year.

 

[HelenePA]

Got mine the day I got discharged from the hospital with my baby. Along with an MMR booster.. Been fine since.

 

[CruiserMom]

I too tend to get sick after having flu shots, but I know it's not the flu I'm getting. I've gotten flu shots each year for the past 5 years, and each year my reaction is worse. Last year, both armpits swelled up to where it hurt to put my arms down by my sides, then my lymph glands in my neck swelled up, I lost my voice for 3 days, and was feeling sick for about a week. I know it's my immune system's response to the shot, but my doctor says he has never seen anyone have that reaction.

I'm not allergic to eggs, but I've often wondered if there was something else in the shot I could be allergic to. I want to try the FluMist this year, but since it uses the live, weakened virus, I'm worried I'll have a bad reaction again. I guess I won't know until I try it, though.

 

[clgwli]

I have gotten the shot every year for the last 15 years. Never once have I gotten sick or the flu. I've had the flu once prior to the shots and I never want to get it again.

 

[KelNottAt]

I think people who say they got the flu BECAUSE of the shot really mean they got the flu IN SPITE of the shot.

Remember, there are lots of flu strains out there. Scientists only make educated GUESSES about which ones will spread each winter. Overall, they're about 80% correct. (Last year they were dead wrong.)

So, if you don't like 80% odds, go ahead and skip the shot. It's only your health and the health of your children you're talking about.

I've NEVER gotten the flu shot, and have only had the flu maybe once or twice in the last 5 yrs....
My kids haven't ever had it either....

(color mine)

If you've REALLY had the flu twice in the last five years your post wouldn't use the word "maybe." You would definitely know.

 

[HOGFAN]

I will get the shot due to working in the healthcare industry.
I did get the shot last year and got the flu anyway.

 

[HonnyDipp]

I have a rare muscle disease, so my doctor insisted I get the flu and pneumonia shots last week. My DS's have bad asthma, so they also got there shot's this morning

 

[delilah]

I have had flu shots every year since I started medical school. I have never had more than a little achiness. I actually haven't had the flu that I know since forever. I had a fever once about 15 years ago, or so, but, not the flu. My son didn't get the flu shot two years ago, and got the flu on his birthday. Poor thing. Last year, he got the flu shot, and didn't get the flu. Didn't miss a single day of school, either. We all got our flu shots this past Friday.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I have had flu shots every year since I started medical school. I have never had more than a little achiness. I actually haven't had the flu that I know since forever. I had a fever once about 15 years ago, or so, but, not the flu. My son didn't get the flu shot two years ago, and got the flu on his birthday. Poor thing. Last year, he got the flu shot, and didn't get the flu. Didn't miss a single day of school, either. We all got our flu shots this past Friday.

Hi Delilah. Glad to see you here. What's your take on the FluMist?

 

[Nancy]

I've NEVER gotten the flu shot, and have only had the flu maybe once or twice in the last 5 yrs....
My kids haven't ever had it either....

I haven't ever had the shot either and the last time I got sick with the flu (and yes it was the flu) was when I was in my early 20's. My kids have never had them either..we just don't get really sick all that often. The last time my kids got sick was 16 years ago, 2 kids and DH all got really sick, not with the flu but with whatever stomach bug was going arround then that lasted 2 or 3 days, I was pregnant with #3 and never got it. DD #3 has never had the flu.

 

[delilah]

Hi Delilah. Glad to see you here. What's your take on the FluMist?

I wish FluMist was more available. We don't stock it at our office. This is because of insurance reimbursement--not all insurance pays well enought for us to be able to afford to give it. It needs to be used with caution in those who have asthma or COPD, which actually reduces it's utility, since those are the people most at risk from flu. I wanted to get it for my son, who knows that there is such a thing as FluMist, and is absolutely terrified of shots (what 10 yo isn"t?). The pharmacies don't stock it either. So, he had to get the standard flu shot like we did.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I wish FluMist was more available. We don't stock it at our office. This is because of insurance reimbursement--not all insurance pays well enought for us to be able to afford to give it. It needs to be used with caution in those who have asthma or COPD, which actually reduces it's utility, since those are the people most at risk from flu. I wanted to get it for my son, who knows that there is such a thing as FluMist, and is absolutely terrified of shots (what 10 yo isn"t?). The pharmacies don't stock it either. So, he had to get the standard flu shot like we did.

Thanks. I was wondering why I haven't heard much about the FluMist, makes sense with the insurance.

 

[Mommy22]

not for me

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Nope. No flu shots here.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I think people who say they got the flu BECAUSE of the shot really mean they got the flu IN SPITE of the shot.

Remember, there are lots of flu strains out there. Scientists only make educated GUESSES about which ones will spread each winter. Overall, they're about 80% correct. (Last year they were dead wrong.)

So, if you don't like 80% odds, go ahead and skip the shot. It's only your health and the health of your children you're talking about.

(color mine)

If you've REALLY had the flu twice in the last five years your post wouldn't use the word "maybe." You would definitely know.

Wow! That's kind of rude don't you think?

 

[mum4jenn]

To receive a Flu Shot:


You should NOT have an active infection or be on any antibiotics.

You should NOT be allergic to eggs, thimerisal,gentamicin,or other aminoglycosides.

Pregnant women must have a written prescription from their doctor

This is the info printed on a flyer that came from Sams Club yesterday.

I have only taken the flu shot a few times because it sems everytime they come around to give it at work I seem to have a cold or something and figure I should not have it.

I do plan on getting it this year.

 

[lucyanna girl]

So, is there anything you can do if you seem to be allergic to the flu shot? I have had the flu shot twice in my life and became very ill both times. My doctor says I must be allergic to eggs. I wonder because I can eat eggs (I do so rarely) and that doesn't bother me.

I seem to catch a lot of colds and would like to take the flu shot but am afraid to. Is there any alternative?

Penny

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You could be allergic to the other things in the flu shot.

 

[Nancy]

Wow! That's kind of rude don't you think?

That's what I thought too. I guess I didn't care about my kids health when they were little.

But since 1 child has made it to age 16 without getting the flu and she rarely gets sick at all and the other 2 have made it to age 19 and 20 without getting more than a stomach bug that laid them up for a few days a few times. I am thinking I have made the right choice in just teaching them to wash their hands with warm water and soap to avoid getting sick.

 

[MinnieMe87]

Nope. No flu shots here.

Same here!