The flu shot is in

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I just got mine last week any one else planing on it

 

[kimblebee]

I didnt get one in years past and this year will be no different.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Nope. After several years of getting them and still getting the flu because they covered the wrong strain, we gave up on them.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Nope

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I get it for free at my office.

 

[Lisaloo]

No

 

[fly girl]

Usually get one in October when employer has the flu shot along with cholesterol, BP, and BMI screening for free.

We have a program if you are taking strides to monitor your health and getting yearly exams, they'll add extra money into your HSA. Since I do all of those anyway might as well get an extra $500.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I I get it the flu shot is useless but I feel the need to try given I volunteer with kids and it is free meaning insurance covers it

 

[daughtersrus]

DD, DH and I all got the flu last year. It was horrible! DD ended up in ICU for almost 10 days. It was the first year that she didn't get the shot. I already have an appointment set for her to get the shot this year.

 

[alliecat523]

My previous employer required it even though I was against it. New employer has no rules for it so I'm skipping it. I really don't believe they help.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I rember back it 1999 I got the flu shot then ended up sick as a dog I wonder if they changed the shot sens thenn

 

[nkereina]

Is it too early to get it? Last year, the flu didn't ramp up until late December/early January. How long does the shot last for? I'll be getting one late September/early October, before we go on our trip.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I wonder if they changed the shot sens thenn

The actual strain used for the shot varies from year to year, based on what the medical community thinks the dominant strain will be that year. Since this decision has to be made before there are really any statistics, they can sometimes get it wrong.

Last year's shot had a different strain then actually wound up being the flu strain going around, so people still got the flu, despite getting the shot. In some cases, they probably had milder case, however, because having the shot.

I never got the flu shot when I was younger. Mostly because I only got the flu about every 6-8 years, and then a mild case. But, since we've started cruising (mostly long cruises where you are basically in close confines with upwards of 2-3 thousand other people for days on end), I've been getting it. Seems worth the effort.

 

[pweyl36]

Is it too early to get it? Last year, the flu didn't ramp up until late December/early January. How long does the shot last for? I'll be getting one late September/early October, before we go on our trip.

Yes,flu season is I think nov-jan. the shot only last 3months.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I did not know that something to keep in mind for next year I th some one told me it lasted a year

 

[sam_gordon]

It's offered for free from my employer, but I still don't get it. My kids' pediatrician has even told me if they're generally healthy, there's no real need to get it.

 

[RitaE]

I've never had the flu and never bothered to get the shot before, but the past couple of years I've had to get it because the only way to strong-arm my Mom into getting a flu shot is to go with her and get one too. Mom really needs to get the flu shot because she has some respiratory issues, so I take one for the team. We usually go in October.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yes,flu season is I think nov-jan. the shot only last 3months.

I did not know that something to keep in mind for next year I th some one told me it lasted a year

According to the CDC, the length of effectiveness varies:
Vaccine Effectiveness
Influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) can vary from year to year and among different age and risk groups. For more information about vaccine effectiveness, visit How Well Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work? For information specific to this season, visit About the Current Flu Season.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

Generally, you get a shot just before flu "season", and the effectiveness wears off over the next year. That's why you need to get on every year.

 

[DVC-Don]

I get mine the first half of October.

 

[debknight]

I I get it the flu shot is useless but I feel the need to try given I volunteer with kids and it is free meaning insurance covers it

It is not useless. You are doing the right thing, especially being around children. Every little bit of protection is helpful. Also, frequent hand washing is important.