Flu Shots - Do You Get One Yearly?

[LTS3]

Work is offering flu vaccinations next week to employees. I've never had one before, I guess because Mom always discouraged it saying that if you get yearly shots and then skip a year, you end up getting a really bad case of the flu. Is that true? I'm guessing not. Is it worth getting a yearly flu shot? Any cons to having it done?

 

[Winchester]

I've never had a flu shot in my life. One of my co-workers gets the shot every year and every year he ends up sicker than a dog from the shot. I really don't know if flu shots are good or bad.

Since I'm older than dirt now, I should probably consider getting a flu shot.

 

[Columbine]

I've had flu shots for a while now, as my immune system isn't great (chronic illness), and it takes me a long time to recover when I do get sick. My parents (both in their 70s) get them too.

My understanding is that the shots only give immunity to one strain of the flu virus, and the strain used changes every year (I think to stop the bug learning and developing a vaccine-resistant strain). On that basis, I can't see any reason that you'd suddenly get much sicker if you had the shot for a few years, and then missed a year or stopped having it. I'm not sure how effective the shots are, but I think they at least lessen severity of flu if you do get it.

The main downside is that which you'd have with any shot: side effects. I've had anything from a really sore, heavy arm to a mild bout of flu immediately the vaccination. Sometimes I don't get much reaction at all, but it's rare (my body tends to be drama queen-ish with side effects from pretty much any med or vaccine). My parents tend to react less than I do, so my reactions aren't always typical!

 

[cassiopea]

I get flu shorts - along with other assistance they have helped. Considering I have congenital chronic kidney disease it is important for me. I not only get it for myself but to especially help prevent spreading to other high risk individuals like cancer patients, people with heart disease and asthma, pregnant women, elderly, folks with HIV etc

Too many people believe in silly conspiracy theories, lacking actual facts and research - heresay and Dr Google. Evil ingredients that are bad for you, big pharma crap, people thinking they are a magical cure all and don't need anything else (Healthy diet, washing hands, sleep etc vaccinations also work as herd immunity) While seemingly ignoring Gov of Canada info or CDC or health clinics or actual DOCTORS and infectious disease specialists, where every single bit of info is out in the open, including what is it them. Thousands of people are hospitalized and die from the influenza every year, which is the target ailment by the vaccines, not simply the common cold. It is very dangerous to get. It's peek being the epidemic of 1918 where death rate reached millions. People always forget history!

Your immunity does decline every year, which is why it is important to get the shot yearly. If you get a cold shortly after the shot, it is unrelated to the vaccine, as it takes about two weeks for it to kick in. Vaccine does not cause the flu or symptoms contrary to popular belief. Types of flu viruses are also always changing too, thus the adaptation according to type that year and other factors like your age. It is it not just one fits all poke.

I think the "worst" that ever occurred was when that one year the vaccine wasn't going to be as effective or something.

Pardon my babbling snippyness It is people's choices of course, just desire a more thought out one. I get reminded of moron parents who don't vaccinate their kids against childhood diseases (Different topic/circumstance I know, but vaccine connected topic nevertheless) so I get all "HOLD ON A SEC YO"

Anyway it isn't something that is beautifully perfect, but don't think it deserves so much "hate" either.

It has prevented 5.3 Million cases of influenza in the year 2016-2017. It is not chopped liver. It also cut down on babies and kids being admitted by around 70%. It is a wonderful time to be lucky and appreciative enough in this modern age to have access to something that would have killed millions of people decades earlier.

 

[Columbine]

Your immunity does decline every year, which is why it is important to get the shot yearly. If you get a cold shortly after the shot, it is unrelated to the vaccine, as it takes about two weeks for it to kick in. Vaccine does not cause the flu or symptoms contrary to popular belief. Types of flu viruses are also always changing too, thus the adaptation according to type that year and other factors like your age. It is it not just one fits all poke.

Maybe I should clarify my first post - I'm well aware that the vaccine doesn't actually cause flu. It can sometimes trigger a fever and transient flu-like symptoms though:

The most common side effects from the influenza shot are soreness, redness, and tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur.

(from Seasonal Flu Shot | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC)
As this significantly compounds my 'normal' (non vaccine) symptoms, I'll end up feeling like I have the flu, or even going into a full blown 'flare'. However, I know this is just a reaction, not my actually getting flu as a result of the vaccine

I totally agree with everything you said cassiopea

 

[Kieka]

I did a graduate project with a city health department about the flu shot. People can get low level flu like symptoms for a few days following the shot but it is much better then getting the actual flu. That said, I haven't gotten a flu shot myself in years. Not because of any actual objection to it, but just have not been in a place where it is when it is happening.

39-Year-Old Man Nearly Dies of Flu - Now Shares His Story | Mercy

 

[denice]

I was required to get them while I was in the Army. I then went years without them. I am 62 now so I have started getting them, I just got mine this past Saturday. I have read that getting the flu every few years which is what happens without the shot will leave you with a stronger immunity then if you get the annual shot. At my age though a bad case of the flu could be serious so I decided to start with the shots.

 

[sivyaleah]

I never did until the past few years, as I'm getting older now. Plus, the possibility of being out for the count for a week would really impact my job - I'm the only one who does what I do and it is all the fiances of the firm. Nobody else can run payroll for instance. I can't afford to be out of commission that long. Plus it isn't fair to others around me either to potentially pass it along.

I think I've shamed my husband into it this year too. He recently read a horrible story of a person that had a deep downward spiral from the flu which scared the pants off him. Guy nearly died from complications. It truly can be deadly, most don't take it seriously enough.

 

[denice]

Many people mistake a bad cold for the flu. I think that is why they think it is no big deal. Some years the virus that is going around isn't too bad but there are years when a particularly vicious strain is going around. Everyone also has times especially during the holidays when they get run down, getting the flu when you are run down can become serious.

 

[sivyaleah]

Many people mistake a bad cold for the flu. I think that is why they think it is no big deal. Some years the virus that is going around isn't too bad but there are years when a particularly vicious strain is going around. Everyone also has times especially during the holidays when they get run down, getting the flu when you are run down can become serious.

This.

I really get bothered by my staff that call in sick saying they have the flu and show up the next day. The flu really will knock you down for days. You can NOT function that quickly. A bad cold is pretty bad also, but sometimes you can manage after a day or so. Each time I had the flu it was nearly a week of being in bed alternating between shivering and overheating, in agonizing pain and all else. Quite a difference

 

[DreamerRose]

I've gotten a flu shot for years, and I haven't had the flu since. It protects against several strains of flu that the CDC expects to be widespread that year.

I also got a pneumonia shot, which lasts for years, after I caught pneumonia and was sick for 6 months. I have no desire to repeat that. The pneumonia shot protects against 21 strains and only needs to be repeated if there is a vaccine that includes new strains.

 

[Willowy]

I never have gotten the shot before, but I'm considering it this year. The last time I got sick (and I don't know if it was the flu or a bad cold because I never went in for testing), I was sucking on my inhaler just about constantly and the recovery took a long time. I guess I'm getting too old for this now (considering the above link of a 39-year-old dying from the flu!). So I suppose the next time I'm in a store that has the flu shot lady hanging around I'll pop in.

 

[AbbysMom]

It was on the news this morning that someone in Connecticut died from the flu.

Yes, I get it every year. I’m in a higher risk group. My normal reaction is maybe a little soreness at the injection site and feeling a little more tired. One year I did have a bit more of a reaction with aches and just being extremely tired to the point I had to go to bed. A lot of people I know had a similar reaction that year.

I’ve had the flu that turned into pneumonia with a side of pleurisy for fun. I never want to repeat that so I get the shot and keep up with the pneumonia shot. There’s a second pneumonia shot now that I will probably get at some point.

 

[denice]

I was drug out and tired the day after. I still have a little soreness at the injection site but nothing at all like some shots I have had, I think a tetanus shot causes a lot more soreness.

 

[Lari]

I should because of herd immunity and all that, but I don't because I prefer to build up my immunity the old fashioned way. If I'm ever told I need one for work or because I get pregnant, then I will.

 

[Kat0121]

Yup. We are offered a free flu shot at work every year and I always get mine. I'll be rolling up my sleeve on Thursday. I've never had any side effects from it. Any extra protection is good in my book.

 

[SillyCalico]

I’ll never get another flu vaccine. Nope. I’ll pass on that disaster. Nope.

 

[LTS3]

My understanding is that the shots only give immunity to one strain of the flu virus, and the strain used changes every year (I think to stop the bug learning and developing a vaccine-resistant strain).

With my luck, I'd end up getting a strain of the flu that the vaccine doesn't cover

I've heard about the soreness and tiredness after getting a flu shot. How long does that typically last?

39-Year-Old Man Nearly Dies of Flu - Now Shares His Story | Mercy

I read that article, too. It's scary to think that you can be healthy one day and wind up in the hospital the next day with a severe case of the flu and nearly die from it

I'm not required to have the flu shot for work. It's just something that is offered to employees.

 

[1 bruce 1]

Nope.

 

[Pucks104]

I typically get a flu shot. I have had the flu a few times in years before I started getting the flu shot. Nearly ended up in the hospital a couple times. I haven’t had the flu since I started getting flu shots.