Wellness

[ThinkingOutLoud]

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@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.

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For what it's worth, last week I heard a dr on tv say the flu Down Under was mild this year (he cited the distancing, etc).

If you're hesitating, maybe your gut is telling you something. Do what you feel is best for you.

[furbabylover]

Its interesting to see all the positive votes for the flu shot. My husband and I asked our doctor about it and he said that the shots are only about 40-50% effective. When we pressed him about it he would only repeat the numbers and not give a yay or nay about it. Its so confusing!!

[MarthaStewardess]

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@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.

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I'm the opposite.  I don't do flu shots, but got one this year.  I do my best to stay healthy and follow all guidelines, but I work with the public and also have an elderly parent that lives with me.

[geezerette]

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@furbabylover wrote:

Its interesting to see all the positive votes for the flu shot. My husband and I asked our doctor about it and he said that the shots are only about 40-50% effective. When we pressed him about it he would only repeat the numbers and not give a yay or nay about it. Its so confusing!!

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@furbabylover 

My doctor never pushed me to get flu shots.  He was always more concerned about pneumonia and shingles vaccines.  Not that he was ever against getting a flu shot.

But he did say that this year it wasn't a bad idea.

[BirkiLady]

All of my physicians (PCP, DDS, and specialists) highly recommend annual flu shots. I'm over 65 with several autoimmune diseases. Of course I wash hands frequently, wear an approved mask and practice social distancing! But does anyone know how the flu is really spread?

It's been decades since I 've had it and if memory serves me well, I'd like to keep it that way. I have an appointment tomorrow with my PCP's nurse for my flu shot. Never want it too early; mid-to-late October seems to work best for me.  

BTW: Make sure you are up-to-date with all your other vaccines (or boosters), too! They are equally important for your health. STAY WELL!!

[Chimi]

I read that the it takes the flu shot two weeks before immunity kicks in. If you have been exposed to the flu prior to that, and if you get sick, it is from the active virus not the shot which uses the dead virus.

[Kachina624]

@ALRATIBA. I can't imagine the horror of getting the flu and covi19 at the same time.  That's why they're urging people to get the flu shot.  For most seniors, it would probably be a death sentence.

The flu vaccine contains no live component so it couldn't give you the flu.  If you felt badly afterwards, it was for some other reason.

[pdlinda]

@Icegoddess  I agree with you 100%.  Never got a flu shot.  Never had the flu.

[sunshine45]

i have never had a flu shot and do not plan on getting one this year either.

my mom is almost 80 and she is planning on getting one, although she has not gotten it yet. my daughter works in a healthcare facility and she is required to get one.

last year my mom had the flu shot and still got the flu.....it was pretty bad. she was sick for over a month and could pretty much not do anything other than lay around the house.

[goldensrbest]

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@Nonametoday wrote:

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@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!

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

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That is not true.