Did you get a flu shot this year?

[TooPatient]

Lots of luck, TooPatient! Your life is really not fair.

Hugs,
(((TooPatient)))
Deb

Thanks, Deb!
I was so happy to be told it is "just" my back out of alignment and can be corrected. Luck was on my side getting a same day appointment with a chiropractor to be checked out. That was a very scary morning.

 

[luv2sparkle]

No, I never get a flu shot.

 

[HappyNewLife]

No. My lyme disease is in remission, but any sort of immune response can bring it right back out. It happened before. My kids, of course, got theirs though

 

[TooPatient]

No. My lyme disease is in remission, but any sort of immune response can bring it right back out. It happened before. My kids, of course, got theirs though

I know a woman struggling with lyme disease. Awful stuff! I hope yours stays in remission.

 

[lyra]

Yes I got it. Next year I'll try the high dose one as I do qualify. I had absolutely zero side effects. Not even a sore arm.

 

[HappyNewLife]

I know a woman struggling with lyme disease. Awful stuff! I hope yours stays in remission.

thank you!

 

[princessandthepear]

Received the flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccinations. This was the first year that I could take a shingles vaccination since previous vaccinations were live virus. Due to the transplant am unable to do live virus vaccinations.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

The one time I got a flu shot was the sickest I have ever been in my life, knocked me out for two weeks, and I'm a tough cookie. Took me a lot longer than that to completely recover from it. I don't believe I will ever volunteer to get it again.

 

[MeowMeow]

Yes today my husband and I both did. My husband took us today since the baby was due for the rest of her vaccines anyway. I tried to wiggle out of it but DH didnt let me. I'm hoping I don't get sick anyway. Last time I got one I got sick anyway and didn't get better for a long long time. Hoping to have better luck this time.

 

[caf]

Yep!

 

[Maisie]

I have Diabetes so I get one free. I missed last years and had flu over Christmas. I also had the worst ear infection ever and was deaf for weeks

I still haven’t had it done this year. I’m an idiot.

 

[VRBeauty]

Yup.

 

[Dancing Fire]

So far is about 50/50.

 

[missy]

I have Diabetes so I get one free. I missed last years and had flu over Christmas. I also had the worst ear infection ever and was deaf for weeks

I still haven’t had it done this year. I’m an idiot.

You are not an idiot @Maisie! It is only early November...but get one this week if you can. As you know it takes 2 weeks to get the full flu vaccination protection so definitely better to get it now than wait much longer. However we are not yet in peak flu season so do not beat yourself up. You are still in good shape if you get it this week! (((Hugs))).

 

[MarionC]

Useful thread! I had Lyme disease and did not know that the flu shot could be detrimental.

 

[missy]

Some helpful info re the flu vaccination FYI.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm

Misconceptions about Flu Vaccines
Can a flu vaccine give you the flu?
No, flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines given with a needle (i.e., flu shots) are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ (killed) and that therefore are not infectious, or b) using only a single gene from a flu virus (as opposed to the full virus) in order to produce an immune response without causing infection. This is the case for recombinant influenza vaccines.

Are any of the available flu vaccines recommended over the others?
CDC recommends use of any licensed, age-appropriate influenza vaccine (inactivated influenza vaccines [IIV], recombinant influenza vaccine [RIV], or live attenuated influenza vaccine [LAIV4]) with no preference expressed for one vaccine over another during the 2018-2019 flu season. Nasal spray vaccine (LAIV4) is again a recommended option for people for whom it is otherwise appropriate. Different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people. Factors that can determine a person’s suitability for vaccination, or vaccination with a particular vaccine, include a person’s age, health (current and past) and any allergies to flu vaccine or its components.

Unlike the flu shot, the nasal spray flu vaccine (also known as the “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or “LAIV”) does contain live influenza viruses, but the viruses are attenuated (weakened), so that they will not cause flu illness. In addition, these weakened viruses are cold-adapted, which means they are designed to only replicate (multiply) at the cooler temperatures found within the nose. These viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas where warmer temperatures exist.

Is it better to get the flu than the flu vaccine?
No. Flu can be a serious disease, particularly among young children, older adults, and people with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes. Any flu infection can carry a risk of serious complications, hospitalization or death, even among otherwise healthy children and adults. Therefore, getting vaccinated is a safer choice than risking illness to obtain immune protection.

Do I really need a flu vaccine every year?
Yes. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for just about everyone 6 months and older, even when the viruses the vaccine protects against have not changed from the previous season. The reason for this is that a person’s immune protection from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccination is needed to get the “optimal” or best protection against the flu.

Why do some people not feel well after getting the seasonal flu vaccine?
Some people report having mild reactions to flu vaccination. The most common side effects from flu shots are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur. If these reactions occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get inactivated flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got the flu shot. There were no differences in terms of body aches, fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat.

Side effects from the nasal spray flu vaccine may include: runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, fever, sore throat and cough. If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after vaccination and are mild and short-lived. The most common reactions people have to flu vaccines are considerably less severe than the symptoms caused by actual flu illness.

• Carolyn Bridges et al. (2000). Effectiveness and cost-benefit of influenza vaccination of healthy working adults: A randomized controlled trial.
• Kristin Nichol et al. (1995). The effectiveness of vaccination against influenza in healthy working adults. New England Journal of Medicine. 333(14): 889-893.

What about serious reactions to flu vaccine?
Serious allergic reactions to flu vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination. While these reactions can be life-threatening, effective treatments are available.

What about people who get a seasonal flu vaccine and still get sick with flu symptoms?
There are several reasons why someone might get a flu symptoms, even after they have been vaccinated against flu.

1. One reason is that some people can become ill from other respiratory viruses besides flu such as rhinoviruses, which are associated with the common cold, cause symptoms similar to flu, and also spread and cause illness during the flu season. The flu vaccine only protects against influenza, not other illnesses.
2. Another explanation is that it is possible to be exposed to influenza viruses, which cause the flu, shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period after vaccination that it takes the body to develop immune protection. This exposure may result in a person becoming ill with flu before protection from the vaccine takes effect.
3. A third reason why some people may experience flu like symptoms despite getting vaccinated is that they may have been exposed to a flu virus that is very different from the viruses the vaccine is designed to protect against. The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends largely on the similarity or “match” between the viruses selected to make the vaccine and those spreading and causing illness. There are many different flu viruses that spread and cause illness among people. For more information, see Influenza (Flu) Viruses.
4. The final explanation for experiencing flu symptoms after vaccination is that the flu vaccine can vary in how well it works and some people who get vaccinated may still get sick.

Can vaccinating someone twice provide added immunity?
In adults, studies have not shown a benefit from getting more than one dose of vaccine during the same influenza season, even among elderly persons with weakened immune systems. Except for some children, only one dose of flu vaccine is recommended each season.

Is it true that getting a flu vaccine can make you more susceptible to other respiratory viruses?
There was one study (published in 2012) that suggested that influenza vaccination might make people more susceptible to other respiratory infections. After that study was published, many experts looked into this issue further and conducted additional studies to see if the findings could be replicated. No other studies have found this effect. For example, this article [99 KB, 5 pages] in Clinical Infectious Diseases (published in 2013). It’s not clear why this finding was detected in the one study, but the preponderance of evidence suggests that this is not a common or regular occurrence and that influenza vaccination does not, in fact, make people more susceptible to other respiratory infections.

Top of Page
How Well Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work)?

There are many reasons to get a flu vaccine each year. Below is a summary of the benefits of flu vaccination, and selected scientific studies that support these benefits.

• Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu.
  
  • Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year. For example, during 2016-2017, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 5.3 million influenza illnesses, 2.6 million influenza-associated medical visits, and 85,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations.
  • In seasons when the vaccine viruses matched circulating strains, flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor with flu by 40 percent to 60 percent.
• Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization for children, working age adults, and older adults.
  
  • Flu vaccine prevents tens of thousands of hospitalizations each year. For example, during 2016-2017, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 85,000 flu-related hospitalizations.
  • A 2014 study showed that flu vaccine reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission by 74% during flu seasons from 2010-2012.
  • In recent years, flu vaccines have reduced the risk of flu-associated hospitalizations among adults on average by about 40%.
  • A 2018 study showed that from 2012 to 2015, flu vaccination among adults reduced the risk of being admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with flu by 82 percent.
• Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.
  
  • Vaccination has been associated with lower rates of some cardiac events among people with heart disease, especially among those who had had a cardiac event in the past year.
  • Flu vaccination also has been shown in separate studies to be associated with reduced hospitalizations among people with diabetes and chronic lung disease.
• Vaccination helps protect women during and after pregnancy.
  
  • Vaccination reduces the risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection in pregnant women by up to one-half.
  • A 2018 study showed that getting a flu shot reduced a pregnant woman’s risk of being hospitalized with flu by an average of 40 percent.
  • Getting vaccinated can also protect a baby after birth from flu. (Mom passes antibodies onto the developing baby during her pregnancy.)
    • A number of studies have shown that in addition to helping to protect pregnant women, a flu vaccine given during pregnancy helps protect the baby from flu infection for several months after birth, when he or she is not old enough to be vaccinated.
• Flu vaccine can be life-saving in children.
  
  • A 2017 study was the first of its kind to show that flu vaccination can significantly reduce a child’s risk of dying from influenza.
• Flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.
  
  • A 2017 study showed that flu vaccination reduced deaths, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, ICU length of stay, and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized flu patients.
  • A 2018 study showed that among adults hospitalized with flu, vaccinated patients were 59 percent less likely to be admitted to the ICU than those who had not been vaccinated. Among adults in the ICU with flu, vaccinated patients on average spent 4 fewer days in the hospital than those who were not vaccinated.
• Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

*References for the studies listed above can be found at Publications on Influenza Vaccine Benefits. Also, see the Why Get a Flu Vaccine[237 KB, 2 pages] fact sheet.

Top of Page
[paste:font size="4"]ACIP recommendations. While delaying getting of vaccine until later in the fall may lead to higher levels of immunity during winter months, this should be balanced against possible risks, such as missed opportunities to receive vaccine and difficulties associated with vaccinating a large number of people within a shorter time period.

[paste:font size="3"]Is it too late to get vaccinated after Thanksgiving (or the end of November)?
No. Vaccination can still be beneficial as long as flu viruses are circulating. If you have not been vaccinated by Thanksgiving (or the end of November), it can still be protective to get vaccinated in December or later. Flu is unpredictable and seasons can vary. Seasonal flu disease usually peaks between December and March most years, but disease can occur as late as May.

Top of Page
pregnant women or people with pre-existing medical conditions to seek special permission or secure written consent from their doctor for vaccination if they get vaccinated at a worksite clinic, pharmacy or other location outside of their physician’s office. With rare exception, CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant women and people with medical conditions.

A variety of flu vaccine products are available (Table 1). Vaccine providers should be aware of the approved age indications of the vaccine they are using and of any contraindications or precautions. Providers also should appropriately screen all people getting vaccinated for allergies to vaccine components or other contraindications. People who have previously had a severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccine or any of its ingredients should generally not be vaccinated.

There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine without first speaking with their doctor. These include:

• 
  
  
  • People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with or without a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated), and
  • People with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive vaccine. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you.

Pregnant women or people with pre-existing medical conditions who get vaccinated should get the flu shot.

If a person is vaccinated by someone other than their primary health care provider, the vaccinating provider should ensure that the patient and, if possible, the patient’s medical provider have documentation of vaccination.

For a complete list of people who should not get the vaccine before speaking with their doctor, please review the influenza Vaccine Information Statement for the flu shot.


[paste:font size="4"]Misconceptions about “Stomach Flu”
Is the “stomach flu” really the flu?
No. Many people use the term “stomach flu” to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria or even parasites. While vomiting, diarrhea, and being nauseous or “sick to your stomach” can sometimes be related to the flu — more commonly in children than adults — these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.html#not

Some people should not get this vaccine
Tell the person who is giving you the vaccine:

• If you have any severe, life-threatening allergies.
  If you ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of flu vaccine, or have a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, you may be advised not to get vaccinated. Most, but not all, types of flu vaccine contain a small amount of egg protein.
• If you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (also called GBS).
  Some people with a history of GBS should not get this vaccine. This should be discussed with your doctor.
• If you are not feeling well.
  It is usually okay to get flu vaccine when you have a mild illness, but you might be asked to come back when you feel better.

 

[missy]

Useful thread! I had Lyme disease and did not know that the flu shot could be detrimental.

@Jimmianne speak with your doctor...since your Lyme disease is no longer active you probably can safely get the vaccination but definitely speak with your healthcare professional.

https://www.treatlyme.net/guide/should-i-get-the-flu-vaccine-probably-not

It is not always a good idea to get the flu vaccine in Lyme disease. In this video and written article I describe the risks and benefits of getting the vaccine so you can make the best choice for your health. I also describe treatment alternatives at the first sign of the flu.




It is my observation that after the flu vaccine in Lyme disease there is often a decline in the health of the person receiving the vaccine. I hypothesize that this has to do with immune suppression against the Lyme germ, although there are no studies that I am aware of that confirm this. As an alternative to the vaccine, a person should keep thymic protein Aand olive leaf extracton hand to stop the flu. For more on this see Keep This Cold and Flu Package On Hand for Fast Results.

Marty Ross MD Discusses the Flu Vaccine in Lyme Disease

Background on Flu Vaccine in Lyme Disease
Studies about the effectiveness of the flu vaccine show it may only work 60% of the time when the vaccine and the strain of the flu virus for the year are correctly matched. However, some years the flu vaccine is not correctly matched with the flu virus of the year and the success rates are actually lower. Each year there is a different strain of the flu virus. Scientist predict what the strain of the year will be to figure out what the vaccine of the year should be.

So in deciding about vaccines I have my patients consider the possible benefit versus the possible harm as I have outlined above. I also advise that if it appears that during the flu season that it is a "killer" year, then the flu vaccine may be warranted.

One other note, most even with Lyme will get over the flu without any adverse outcome. However, there are some more high risk groups for having marked complications with the flu. These groups are people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and those 65 years of age or above.

I am still baffled as to why we are vaccinating as a national policy those under 65 who are otherwise healthy. In making the consideration about recommending flu vaccines for all, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did a cost benefit analysis. On economic terms, due to improvements in days lost at work, the vaccine was recommend. However, the long term effects of vaccination have not been adequately studied. There are some theories regarding vaccination in general that when one gets an illness, the immune system may develop immunity to other infections as well. Thus vaccination against one germ, may cause the body to be more susceptible to others.

Recommendation and Alternative
So what do I recommend? Generally for the reasons described above, I recommend against the flu vaccine in Lyme disease. As an alternative I highly suggest that people keep on hand thymic protein A and olive leaf extract. These two supplements taken at the very beginning of a viral syndrome can limit the duration of or even stop the illness in its tracks.

 

[ringbling17]

All six of us in the house got the flu shot.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Yes, and as usual I was sick for 2 days after receiving it. I know the reason I get ill is my body's immune system response to the shot, so I plan accordingly and make sure I get the shot before I have a few days off work. Since we do not know what strain of flu will rear it's ugly head this year there is no guarantee that the flu shot will protect us against this year's influenza strain. But since it is required where I work, every year I get the shot and hope for the best.

 

[SparkleFest]

I got mine yesterday at Walgreen's. Pharmacist said it is 'the good one with all 4 strains', so there you go! Sore arm this time, happens once in a while and I do admit I feel a bit off and tired today. I am a pretty sensitive person physically so I think I'm feeling my body's response to it.

 

[Maisie]

You are not an idiot @Maisie! It is only early November...but get one this week if you can. As you know it takes 2 weeks to get the full flu vaccination protection so definitely better to get it now than wait much longer. However we are not yet in peak flu season so do not beat yourself up. You are still in good shape if you get it this week! (((Hugs))).

Thank you! I saw the doctor today and asked about the jab. Apparently they have run out. I need to wait or pay for it myself at a pharmacy. It’s about £8 so not too bad.

 

[Gabbycat]

Absolutely, yes. Job requires it, but I would do it anyway. Had the flu once and didn't love it. Have never gotten it since getting the shots. It does make me feel fairly crappy the day of, and my arm is sore for a few days after, but totally worth it not to be down for weeks at a time.

 

[AprilBaby]

I have no spleen so I had the flu shot and both shingrex shots.

 

[Jambalaya]

I haven't had mine yet but I plan to get it asap. I get one every year.

 

[Ellen]

So far is about 50/50.

You?

 

[AprilBaby]

He never answers his own questions as you know...

 

[soxfan]

Just got mine. And today is shoulder day.

 

[babs23r]

Very Important Thread.... YES, unless you have a medical exemption from receiving the vaccine, it is really important to get the shot. We know of a healthy 25 year old who died in the hospital from the flu.
If you have any sort of respiratory problems, such as asthma, go NOW.
My son who had his, wound up in the hospital with other viruses. He has asthma. and don't want to think what would have happened if he wasn't protected form this years flu strain.
I know I sound like a public health announcement, but being a health care provider, I have seen and heard of a lot of flu related deaths.

 

[Ellen]

He never answers his own questions as you know...

I know.

DF, I'm waiting.

Don't be rude.

 

[Dancing Fire]

You?

I never took a flu shot in my life. The last time I caught the flu was like 37 yrs ago.