topic Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot in Wellness

Reconsidering Flu Shot

ALRATIBA — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:33:27 GMT

I've been getting email reminders to get a flu shot - and this morning it occurred to me:

Why? We are wearing masks and social distancing. Why do we need a flu shot?

Last year, I was feeling awful for two weeks after the shot - and I've been putting off getting the shot.

There have been a couple of years I got both the flu shot and the (diagnosed by doctor) flu, and the flu didn't last as long as the side-effects of last year's shot.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

ahoymate — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:39:06 GMT

Really? Questioning a flu shot during the Covid19 virus and the current surge in the US? It's a no-brainer! Masks, social distancing, 6 feet, wash your hands frequently & get a flu shot.

Come on.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

KingstonsMom — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:39:12 GMT

I've never had any side effects from the flu shot other than some mild site soreness and I've never had the flu (knocking on wood).

I had mine for this year last week.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

Icegoddess — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:49:10 GMT

I haven't had the flu shot since adolescence and I've never had the flu. I don't remember ever having any side effects from the flu shot when I was a child though. I don't think the fact that we're wearing masks and socially distancing should really factor into your decision though. It's what I've always chosen to do and what I still choose to do.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

Sadiesadie — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:51:33 GMT

@ALRATIBA : You remind me a bit of my sister except she took it to an extreme. She'd say the flu shot made her feel like she got the flu so quit getting them. She'd even scoff at those signs advertising flue shots and say, "good luck people".

Then 3 years ago she got so sick with the flu she wasn't sure she would make it. Ran a fever for almost 2 weeks. Can't remember the other symptoms. Took her to the doctor who confirmed it was the flu that was going around.

Anyway, after that she won't skip her flu shot and interestingly, has not said she has felt sick afterwards.

Good luck and I sure hope you stay well.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

Snowpuppy — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:53:07 GMT

On the advice of my dr I don't get a flu shot because of my auto immune disorder.

What concerns me is that people get their immunizations on the advice of advertising and not a consult with their dr.

What's new this year is the appearance of a new heavy duty flu shot for those over 65. The marketing is well, more is better!

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

Susan-QVC — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:55:54 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC unkind towards another poster

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

Vivian — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:57:04 GMT

I've written about the one year I didn't get the flu shot, caught the flu, and almost died. I have asthma and it was awful. My fever was 105 for days and I couldn't move. Worse yet,I had to cancel a trip to Paris. My husband took great care of me and yet he never caught it. From that horrible experience, I never forgot my flu shots every yeàr, especially in 2020. Masks are very important but they are not 100% foolproof. Why not take EVERY precaution to avoid the Grim Reaper.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

Nonametoday — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:59:43 GMT

@Snowpuppy wrote:
On the advice of my dr I don't get a flu shot because of my auto immune disorder.

What concerns me is that people get their immunizations on the advice of advertising and not a consult with their dr.

What's new this year is the appearance of a new heavy duty flu shot for those over 65. The marketing is well, more is better!

@Snowpuppy Flu shot does not do us any good, so no need to get it. Save it for someone else.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

Susan-QVC — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:01:46 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC unkind

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

Nonametoday — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:03:03 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
I've been getting email reminders to get a flu shot - and this morning it occurred to me:

Why? We are wearing masks and social distancing. Why do we need a flu shot?

Last year, I was feeling awful for two weeks after the shot - and I've been putting off getting the shot.

There have been a couple of years I got both the flu shot and the (diagnosed by doctor) flu, and the flu didn't last as long as the side-effects of last year's shot.

@ALRATIBA That's a decision you and you alone can make, but I would hope you make that decision after discussion with your primary care physician. I wish you the best whatever you decide.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

qualitygal — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:04:54 GMT

Just my opinion, so for what it's worth: first check with your doctor and see what he recommends. At my age, I've had mine. Insurance pays for it, I hate being THAT sick, I get really sick with the flu, and it's SO hard on my body now.

But I'm not in favor of Russian roulette.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

Miss Pepsi — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:06:09 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
I've been getting email reminders to get a flu shot - and this morning it occurred to me:

Why? We are wearing masks and social distancing. Why do we need a flu shot?

Last year, I was feeling awful for two weeks after the shot - and I've been putting off getting the shot.

There have been a couple of years I got both the flu shot and the (diagnosed by doctor) flu, and the flu didn't last as long as the side-effects of last year's shot.

No one is more scared of people contact than I have been the last 8-10 months but I am smart enough to know its important to get a flu shot. I called one place last night, asked if they were busy, they said no, I went in with my mask on the onlyperson I came in contact with was the person giving the shot, we both had masks on, my head was turned away, from the time I left my house til th time I got back in my recliner was 20 minutes.

My doctor is all about the flu shot so yes I get one every year. seldom a bad reaction. My arm is a tad sore this morning but I anticipate by tomorrow I will be good as new.

I may be scared but i am not stupid, Flu shot it is.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

kaydee50 — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:06:43 GMT

I don't think calling someone "stupid" because they feel they are doing the best for themselves is a good idea.

I've been back and forth about getting a flu vaccine. I am 70, in good health and have never had the flu. Considering that the flu vaccine, as I understand it, is at best 50% effective and that there can be serious side effects from getting the vaccine, I am still undecided.

I stay away from people, keep my hands away from my face and wash my hands frequently.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

geezerette — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:10:29 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
I've been getting email reminders to get a flu shot - and this morning it occurred to me:

Why? We are wearing masks and social distancing. Why do we need a flu shot?

Last year, I was feeling awful for two weeks after the shot - and I've been putting off getting the shot.

There have been a couple of years I got both the flu shot and the (diagnosed by doctor) flu, and the flu didn't last as long as the side-effects of last year's shot.

I brought up that exact point with my doctor about a month ago.

I asked him with those precautions in place, wouldn't the flu be relatively hard to catch? His response: "That's what we're hoping. But you know, people don't all follow the guidelines..."

I got my flu shot. But I did only get the regular strength even though I'm a senior. I just had a bit of a sore arm for a couple of days. Nothing else.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

hopi — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:13:11 GMT

So many strains of the flu.... Totally agree with you

To many acquaintances get sick other issues with these shots

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

ID2 — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:15:30 GMT

It's silly to blame your "two weeks of being sick" on your last flu shot. The vaccine is not a live virus! I just can't understand the reasoning of not getting a vaccine to prevent one from getting sick.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

vsm — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:21:33 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
I've been getting email reminders to get a flu shot - and this morning it occurred to me:

Why? We are wearing masks and social distancing. Why do we need a flu shot?

Last year, I was feeling awful for two weeks after the shot - and I've been putting off getting the shot.

There have been a couple of years I got both the flu shot and the (diagnosed by doctor) flu, and the flu didn't last as long as the side-effects of last year's shot.

What does your doctor say? If your doctor recommends the flu shot, and you won't take it for your own sake, please do the responsible thing and consider taking it for those you might infect if you get the flu. Tens of thousands of people die in this country every year from the flu -- if you could do something to spare someone else that horror, why wouldn't you?.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

firestorm — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:38:28 GMT

Think about this: with the virus, the third wave of the infection in the US now, hospital ICU's full, some have set up tents, wards to care for the overflow. Some are going to have to ration care. What does that mean?

When they look at an elderly person, you may be the one they select to forgo care. Especially if they see you didn't even care enough about your health to get a flu shot in 2020. Think about that.

Re: Reconsidering Flu Shot

freakygirl — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:28:09 GMT

i haven't gotten the flu shot since i was a child. this year, i'm going to. i don't go out, but i'm still going to get it. that, plus a host of other vaccines i never even got in my life. just feels like i should.