Did you get a flu shot this year?

[lyra]

There have also been studies linking flu shots themselves given to pregnant women to a higher risk of autism in their unborn.

Studies have not linked flu shots in pregnancy to autism in unborn babies. Getting the flu while pregnant is possibly linked with autism.
http://medcitynews.com/2012/11/study-tentatively-links-flu-in-pregnancy-and-autism/

 

[House Cat]

From what I understand, you can be a carrier of the flu virus and infect others without having any symptoms.

 

[VRBeauty]

I started getting the flu shot back when I routinely traveled on packed airplanes on a weekly basis. I haven't traveled that much in ages, but I feel the flu shots are even more important now that my parents are getting frail and have respiratory problems.

That said - I used to think of a bout of the flu once a year as my weight control regimen!

 

[madelise]

I got my shot at work, but had to stay off work the next day as I had a really sore arm and fever. It was no biggie and Ill be getting one next year too.

Ditto, I always get a bit of a reaction, and have a HEAVY, weak, and sore arm. But it goes away in a few days to a week. Being out of commission for WEEKS while suffering the flu isn't an option for me.

Sick a few days > Sick a few weeks.

However, I also can't get the flu shot now because I can't be out of commission even for a few days. 3 more weeks later, when I'm done with all my finals and final projects, I will go get my flu shot. Hopefully I am not sick by then!

 

[pandabee]

I have to get it every year for my job. Working with sick people...I would not want to get sick myself. And yes, it is also very much that you are protecting those around you, and not just yourself. I have never had issues getting sick after the flu shot. My arm was kinda sore the day of this year, but it went away.

I can also stick ya with the shot if you come visit me!

 

[AprilBaby]

Nope, but I got the shingles shot. If all of you get the flu shot, I won't get the flu

 

[Haven]

I got my shot at work, but had to stay off work the next day as I had a really sore arm and fever. It was no biggie and Ill be getting one next year too.

Ditto, I always get a bit of a reaction, and have a HEAVY, weak, and sore arm. But it goes away in a few days to a week. Being out of commission for WEEKS while suffering the flu isn't an option for me.

Sick a few days > Sick a few weeks.

However, I also can't get the flu shot now because I can't be out of commission even for a few days. 3 more weeks later, when I'm done with all my finals and final projects, I will go get my flu shot. Hopefully I am not sick by then!

The flu shot didn't hurt me at all, but the TDAP shot they gave me was miserable. I could not lift my arm for a week, and forget about sleeping on that side. Now I know--if I ever get that shot again, don't get it on the side that I sleep on at night!

 

[Loves Vintage]

I will get one. I completely forgot! Thank you for the reminder.

Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreen's often administer the flu shot. Easy peasy. Will try to go to CVS tomorrow.

 

[blackberry16]

Both DH and I get one every year (I'm a teacher). Our pediatrician also recommend that our 11 month old son get one as well.

 

[stargurl78]

I haven't had the flu shot for the last couple years and have been much healthier than the years I got the shot. The previous 3 years before that I got the shot and ended up with the flu anyways and the last year that I got the shot, I had the flu twice and it was absolutely the sickest I have been in my adult life. Maybe it was just coincidence and it really does help but with all the mixed thoughts out there, I think I'll continue to skip it.

 

[iheartscience]

I will get one. I completely forgot! Thank you for the reminder.

Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreen's often administer the flu shot. Easy peasy. Will try to go to CVS tomorrow.

Ditto! I went by CVS to get it a few weeks ago but it was around lunch time and there was a wait, so I went back to work. But I'll go tomorrow at an off time and get it!

 

[KaeKae]

I did about a week ago, for the first time in years. I knew I wanted DD1 to get one (DD2 got one last month at her annual exam) but hadn't made an appt to go to the doctor. We were in CVS, I noticed the sign, and decided on the spot to get it done. She HATES needles, so I agreed to go first, and we both were brave, though she complained the shot site hurt for days after. Well, I'd rather have a sore arm for a few days (mine was slightly sore for maybe two) than get the flu, and that's what I repeated to her, several times. I just hope we don't come down with another strain of the flu this year, that would be my kind of luck!

 

[movie zombie]

i have never had a flu shot....and don't plan to do so.

 

[Skippy123]

I haven't had flu in at least 10 years, so no. Never have had a flu shot. I'm thinking about a shingles vaccine, though, because I had chicken pox as a kid & shingles ain't no fun from what I read.

Oh, it's terrible. My father has shingles. If there's a vaccine, get it!

I actually TRIED to get the shot for shingles and they wouldn't let me they said you had to be 60 or older! I still don't understand why they don't let people get that shot if they are not at least 60???

 

[Skippy123]

I got my shot at work, but had to stay off work the next day as I had a really sore arm and fever. It was no biggie and Ill be getting one next year too.

Ditto, I always get a bit of a reaction, and have a HEAVY, weak, and sore arm. But it goes away in a few days to a week. Being out of commission for WEEKS while suffering the flu isn't an option for me.

Sick a few days > Sick a few weeks.

However, I also can't get the flu shot now because I can't be out of commission even for a few days. 3 more weeks later, when I'm done with all my finals and final projects, I will go get my flu shot. Hopefully I am not sick by then!

My arm hurts too for a few days after; this year it was really sore, from the flu shot, like I lifted 200 lbs type sore. I notice if I massage my arm after the shot it tends to help, this year I forgot!

 

[soocool]

I got my shot at work, but had to stay off work the next day as I had a really sore arm and fever. It was no biggie and Ill be getting one next year too.

Ditto, I always get a bit of a reaction, and have a HEAVY, weak, and sore arm. But it goes away in a few days to a week. Being out of commission for WEEKS while suffering the flu isn't an option for me.

Sick a few days > Sick a few weeks.

However, I also can't get the flu shot now because I can't be out of commission even for a few days. 3 more weeks later, when I'm done with all my finals and final projects, I will go get my flu shot. Hopefully I am not sick by then!

I got my flu shot this year with the new intradermal needle instead of the regular needle. Absolutely no sore arm.

 

[justginger]

I got my shot at work, but had to stay off work the next day as I had a really sore arm and fever. It was no biggie and Ill be getting one next year too.

Ditto, I always get a bit of a reaction, and have a HEAVY, weak, and sore arm. But it goes away in a few days to a week. Being out of commission for WEEKS while suffering the flu isn't an option for me.

Sick a few days > Sick a few weeks.

However, I also can't get the flu shot now because I can't be out of commission even for a few days. 3 more weeks later, when I'm done with all my finals and final projects, I will go get my flu shot. Hopefully I am not sick by then!

I got my flu shot this year with the new intradermal needle instead of the regular needle. Absolutely no sore arm.

Me too, soocool. We've had them for at least the last two seasons, if not three. Makes a big difference, hey?

 

[soocool]

I haven't had flu in at least 10 years, so no. Never have had a flu shot. I'm thinking about a shingles vaccine, though, because I had chicken pox as a kid & shingles ain't no fun from what I read.

Oh, it's terrible. My father has shingles. If there's a vaccine, get it!

I actually TRIED to get the shot for shingles and they wouldn't let me they said you had to be 60 or older! I still don't understand why they don't let people get that shot if they are not at least 60???

My DH had shingles twice. The last time it was on his forehead just above his eye. He thought it was poison ivy and did not want to listen to me when I said you better see the doctor so I made the appointment and lied that it was my appointment and he had to drive me. Doctor told him it was extremely serious because it could have affected the optic nerve. So when he went forbhis flu shot this year he asked about getting the shingles shot and the doctor told him that he hadvto wait until hevwas 60.

 

[chrono]

The only reason I got mine is because it was offered at work for free.

 

[NOYFB]

I work in a hospital, so yes. I get one every year. I haven't had the flu since undergrad, knock on wood!!!

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Since there's a lot of Doctor type people in this thread...

Is my fear of creating a stronger and stronger flu virus through vaccines unfounded?

 

[justginger]

In short, yes. The heat attenuated strains of the virus injected into your body will have no effect on the flu strains in your environment. They are processed by your immune system and cleared from your body in a week or so. The only thing tht remains is your immune "memory" of the unique surface proteins of the strains of flu you were exposed to - so your body is able to mount a rapid response from the time of exposure. Viruses mutate so very rapidly on their own, there's not much you can do to make it any worse - not at all like the issue of overprescribing antibiotics and the scary progression of resistance in bacteria.

Please feel free to correct me if this is incorrect, micro MDs.

 

[pandabee]

What justginger said sounds spot on to me!

As for the shingles vaccine, I don't think it is necessarily required that you are 60, but more that the original advisory group for immunizations under the CDC recommended it for people 60 and older. Last November the CDC came out with an update that it's recommended for adults 50 and older. It's probably more so a case of your insurance won't pay for it unless you are a certain age but it'll be different for each plan so check with your insurance. Along that line, some plans cover it under medical (get at doctor office) or pharmacy so that is another thing to ask about.

 

[JaneSmith]

Yes. I also have got myself adult boosters for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in recent years.
Anyone thinking of becoming pregnant or who is around newborns should get a pertussis booster.

I used to be an "irresponsible dumbass" like this:

I never get the flu, so I don’t need the vaccine. Irresponsible Dumbass. I have never had a head on collision, but I wear my seat belt. And you probably don’t use a condom either. So far you have been lucky, and you are a potential winner of a Darwin Award, although since you don’t use a condom, you are unfortunately still in the gene pool.

Some good flu info from an infectious disease MD, and some more laughs:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/protect-yourself/#more-22914

 

[Skippy123]

I haven't had flu in at least 10 years, so no. Never have had a flu shot. I'm thinking about a shingles vaccine, though, because I had chicken pox as a kid & shingles ain't no fun from what I read.

Oh, it's terrible. My father has shingles. If there's a vaccine, get it!

I actually TRIED to get the shot for shingles and they wouldn't let me they said you had to be 60 or older! I still don't understand why they don't let people get that shot if they are not at least 60???

My DH had shingles twice. The last time it was on his forehead just above his eye. He thought it was poison ivy and did not want to listen to me when I said you better see the doctor so I made the appointment and lied that it was my appointment and he had to drive me. Doctor told him it was extremely serious because it could have affected the optic nerve. So when he went forbhis flu shot this year he asked about getting the shingles shot and the doctor told him that he hadvto wait until hevwas 60.

that is awful his doctor told him he had to wait too! I am so sorry!

maybe a healthcare professional can tell us why they don't give people under 60 the shingles vaccine?

 

[diamondringlover]

Yes I got one, my teenage son got one and hubby is getting one next week. My oldest son refuses to get the shot in spite of him having Asthma...he said it just a consiperacy...he has some strange notions....

 

[Skippy123]

What justginger said sounds spot on to me!

As for the shingles vaccine, I don't think it is necessarily required that you are 60, but more that the original advisory group for immunizations under the CDC recommended it for people 60 and older. Last November the CDC came out with an update that it's recommended for adults 50 and older. It's probably more so a case of your insurance won't pay for it unless you are a certain age but it'll be different for each plan so check with your insurance. Along that line, some plans cover it under medical (get at doctor office) or pharmacy so that is another thing to ask about.

ops, sorry, I see you posted! thank you. I wonder how much it costs without insurance?

 

[smitcompton]

Hi, Shingles Vacine

I asked my Dr. to find out the cost when it first became available, before any insurance provider paid. At that time it was about 155.00. I think you still can get the vaccine, its just insurance won't pay until age 60. I was going to pay for it myself, but then my insurer ended up paying.


Annette

 

[pandabee]

Yep I'd say it ranges from 160 to 240 or so I believe. Some people say that is too much but I've had patients who say they would pay that to never suffer through it again. (Yes you can get the vaccine even if you've had shingles). Hope that helps!!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Yes, I got my flu shot and I get one every year. I had the flu about 25 years ago and that is pure misery. Funny how people mistake colds and viruses for the flu - if you have the real thing, you know it. It is not something you get over very quickly either. I have gotten the shot ever since and have never had the flu again.

I recently got the pertussis vaccine too - particularly because of my infant granddaughter!