Community Chat

[Montana]

I don't think there is any way to predict how any flu shot will affect you.

I got the regular flu shot in September.  It did not hurt going in and my arm never got sore.  Usually, the shot stings a little and I have a sore arm for a few days.  Not this time.

Some people have problems with the senior shot and some people don't.  I feel it's either a call by your doctor or your own decision whether or not to give it a try.

[haddon9]

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@chrystaltree wrote:

I'm 57 but my doc gave me the over 65 flu shot last year because I have had some autoimmune issues and he said that 65 isn't written in stone, it's judgement call.  It was no different than any other flu shot, no problems.  Why would there be?   It's funny, last week I had the regular flu shot and for the first time ever;  I had pain and stiffness in my arm for 2 days and I had to take Tylenol.  I also had the pneumonia vaccine in the opposite arm and I had pain and stiffness in that arm too but not nearly as severe.  Whatever.  I really don't care.  I don't play around with my health so a little arm pain sure beats having the flu or pneumonia.   

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@chrystaltree . Maybe because not everyone reacts in the same way to all pharmaceuticals as everyone else.

Have you ever seen commercials on TV that list all of the possible adverse reactions one could have by taking any particular drug?  Vaccines are no different.  Why would they be?

[sissel]

It's earlyOct so maybe wait a few weeks. On our local news a lady lost her husband with flu never got the shot & she was so upset so OK we will get it soon. I am 64yrs so get all of the shots. My Dh gets the shot & gets a few days of small like flu problems maybe it's mental who knows. They said bad flu this year but they say it every year. I never get the shot but this year will do it. 

[Vivian]

My husband and I had the over-65 shot last month and we were both fine...no negative side effects.

[LexaMom]

I am 68.  Got my over 65 flu shot 2 weeks ago. My arm was sore for 2 days but not any worse than it ever felt with the regular shot.  It always gets sore for 2 days.

[Yardlie]

I'm over 65, but got the quadrivalent regular flu shot. It covers 4 strains of flu. There is also a trivalent flu shot that covers only 3 strains. The "over 65" flu vaccine is 4 times stronger, but only covers 3 strains. From what I read, some of the manufacturers are beginning to phase out the trivalent vaccine.

[Moonchilde]

Interesting...

The first year I got a 65+ shot I had a pretty severe “typical” reaction - a lot of swelling, very hot and very red and sore arm for a good five days, as well as a body malaise for at least three days. The second time I got one I had similar reactions, but not quite as severe and lasting maybe three days total.

I had one yesterday and my arm is slightly sore but so far (not quite 24 hrs in) that’s about it. Not swollen, not hot and not red yet (might bloom later today). I was extremely sleepy yesterday afternoon and last night and was asleep by 9 pm, but have not, and do not this morning, feel the virus-ish malaise I always have before, just tired.

1) Maybe with each year your body builds up more and more immunity to the 4X strength.

2) Maybe the strains included each year have an effect on your reaction.

3) Maybe the person giving the shot can have some effect on the overall reaction.

In any case, I will no longer automatically dread the 4X flu shot, as whatever the reason, it has “improved with age” on my body.