When do you get your Flu Shot

[Bilberry]

We have pretty much 100% participation in the work flu shots because we lost a co-worker in 2014 to the flu. She was only 47, no other health issues, one of those health nuts who watched what she ate and ran marathons on a regular basis. As all the Doctors said she was the picture of health, but they feel her not getting the flu shot was her only health mistake.

I guess that is meant for me, being my age and mention of avoiding the flu shot and eating well. I'm glad you and your colleagues feel the flu shot is doing you good. I hope that is the case. Keep in mind that is opinion being stated, and there can be reasons for avoiding the flu shot. Some doctors, particularly overseas feel the flu shot is ineffective an can cause harm and even death in some cases. You can read about that here:

Flu vaccination is most certainly not a ‘no-brainer’

http://www.drbriffa.com/2013/11/22/flu-vaccination-is-most-certainly-not-a-no-brainer/

excerpt from Dr. Briffa's sight:

Some people claim that the evidence for the life-saving effects of flu vaccination are to be clearly seen in the figures showing declining mortality in recent years. However, as the following graph shows, flu mortality dropped dramatically and started to ‘bottom out’ well before flu vaccination became widespread.

Dr Doshi even asks questions about the safety of flu vaccination. He points out that:

Australia suspended its influenza vaccination program in under five year olds after many (one in every 110 vaccinated) children had febrile convulsions after vaccination. Another serious reaction to influenza vaccines—and also unexpected—occurred in Sweden and Finland, where H1N1 influenza vaccines were associated with a spike in cases of narcolepsy among adolescents (about one in every 55 000 vaccinated). Subsequent investigations by governmental and non-governmental researchers confirmed the vaccine’s role in these serious events.

Currently, legal action is being taken on behalf of 38 individuals who appear to have developed narcolepsy as a result of vaccination with GSK’s ‘Pandemrix’ (for swine flu). The UK Government has admitted that there does indeed appear to be a genuine link here. For more on this story, see here.

Dr Doshi’s analysis goes us a great service, I think, and may cause many to consider when flu vaccination is really the ‘no-brainer’ its often presented to be.

References:

1. Doshi P. Influenza: Marketing vaccine by marketing disease. BMJ 2013;346:f3037

&

Vaccination and Renal Patients: A critical examination of assumed safety and effectiveness. ~ Suzanne Humphries, MD

http://drsuzanne.net/2015/03/vaccin...afety-and-effectiveness-suzanne-humphries-md/

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

We have pretty much 100% participation in the work flu shots because we lost a co-worker in 2014 to the flu. She was only 47, no other health issues, one of those health nuts who watched what she ate and ran marathons on a regular basis. As all the Doctors said she was the picture of health, but they feel her not getting the flu shot was her only health mistake.

Exactly how many doctors did you speak to about this health nut's death? I really would like to know how so many doctors knew of her prior health history. Seems this claim is smug.

Sorry, I really dislike the term "health nut" to describe someone who watches what they eat and exercises, as if such people crazy for doing so.

 

[nancygirl1]

Never. I've gotten it twice in my life and those are the 2 times I got deathly ill with the flu. I haven't gotten it since and have not had the flu again.

 

[Gary M]

I got my flu shot a couple of weeks ago. I think they work. I haven't had the flu in years and have had the shots in years. I'm old and the doctor says DW and I should get them because of our age.

 

[MataHari22]

So true. I have a friend who is a nurse and it drives her crazy when someone says, "I have the stomach flu." The flu is respiratory, not stomach related. If you are having stomach problems, it's a stomach bug.

Not true. Swine flu in particular often is associated with vomiting and diarrhea.

 

[katie01]

It was mandatory for me the last three years working in health care. Of those three years, even with getting the vaccine, I got influenza (blood test confirmed) two out of the three of those years. And it wasn't a lighter version of the flu either. Last year was the worst, it went into pneumonia, and it was months before the residual effects went away (fatigue, shortness of breath, and rib pain from all the coughing). This year I'm not working in health care so I'm really debating if I should get e vaccine. In the years prior to these past three, it was hit or miss in whether I was vaccinate did not, and I rarely got the flu. Maybe one other time?

 

[lynxstch]

Never have, never will

 

[MinnieMouse84]

The only vaccine I've ever had a bad reaction to was tetanus. As awful as it was (and it was really awful), I felt fine after a few days. I'm very strongly pro-vaccine.

 

[indimom]

I work in healthcare so I get my vax.
I haven't had the flu in decades, neither has DH who rarely gets the vax (I think he's gotten it twice right around the H1N1 time frame.)
I believe it works for the particular flu strains it is created for each year. But I could certainly catch other variants and get sick each year. That doesn't mean it doesn't work for the strains it was intended for.
Obviously, living a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid disease. But, healthy people can pick up a bug at the grocery store just like anyone else when the circumstances are right, and healthy people can become very ill with some strains (an unhealthy person would have an even more difficult time fighting off the same bug). Basically, being healthy makes a big difference, but it's not a cure all.
I've never had a reaction to any vaccination beyond a sore arm.

 

[bcla]

It's going to be like most viral vaccines in that it's about 95+% effective against whatever strains are in the vaccine. Overall it's supposed to be about 50-60% effective against the flu in general.

Another issue is that it's hard to determine if something is influenza or not. A severe case of the common cold has similar symptoms.

I just brought my kid to the pediatrician for a "flu shot event" this morning. They're not normally open Saturdays, but they're providing flu shots for free to patients, and I think they're charging if an adult wants one. Most of the pediatricians don't seem to be in, but their technicians are in and administering the shots. The really weird thing was my kid first got the shot (I held my kid down) and then I was asked "any egg allergies?" The answer was no, but it seemed kind of late to be asking that question.

 

[jam217]

I'm getting mine the first Saturday in Nov. Our local hospital has a "drive-by'' flu shot clinic in the parking lot of a local amusement. It's totally free. You drive in, stick your arm out the window and get the shot. Usually in and out in 20 minutes.

 

[tvguy]

I guess that is meant for me, being my age and mention of avoiding the flu shot and eating well. I'm glad you and your colleagues feel the flu shot is doing you good. I hope that is the case. Keep in mind that is opinion being stated, and there can be reasons for avoiding the flu shot. Some doctors, particularly overseas feel the flu shot is ineffective an can cause harm and even death in some cases. You can read about that here:

Flu vaccination is most certainly not a ‘no-brainer’

http://www.drbriffa.com/2013/11/22/flu-vaccination-is-most-certainly-not-a-no-brainer/

excerpt from Dr. Briffa's sight:

Some people claim that the evidence for the life-saving effects of flu vaccination are to be clearly seen in the figures showing declining mortality in recent years. However, as the following graph shows, flu mortality dropped dramatically and started to ‘bottom out’ well before flu vaccination became widespread.

Dr Doshi even asks questions about the safety of flu vaccination. He points out that:

Australia suspended its influenza vaccination program in under five year olds after many (one in every 110 vaccinated) children had febrile convulsions after vaccination. Another serious reaction to influenza vaccines—and also unexpected—occurred in Sweden and Finland, where H1N1 influenza vaccines were associated with a spike in cases of narcolepsy among adolescents (about one in every 55 000 vaccinated). Subsequent investigations by governmental and non-governmental researchers confirmed the vaccine’s role in these serious events.

Currently, legal action is being taken on behalf of 38 individuals who appear to have developed narcolepsy as a result of vaccination with GSK’s ‘Pandemrix’ (for swine flu). The UK Government has admitted that there does indeed appear to be a genuine link here. For more on this story, see here.

Dr Doshi’s analysis goes us a great service, I think, and may cause many to consider when flu vaccination is really the ‘no-brainer’ its often presented to be.

References:

1. Doshi P. Influenza: Marketing vaccine by marketing disease. BMJ 2013;346:f3037

&

Vaccination and Renal Patients: A critical examination of assumed safety and effectiveness. ~ Suzanne Humphries, MD

http://drsuzanne.net/2015/03/vaccin...afety-and-effectiveness-suzanne-humphries-md/

It's a personal choice. Just explaining what circumstances influenced my co-workers.

 

[tvguy]

Exactly how many doctors did you speak to about this health nut's death? I really would like to know how so many doctors knew of her prior health history. Seems this claim is smug.

Sorry, I really dislike the term "health nut" to describe someone who watches what they eat and exercises, as if such people crazy for doing so.

Sorry I don't have a head count on the Doctors. I would expect her Primary Care Physician, the Hospitalist, an Infectious Disease Specialist and the Coroner were among the Doctors involved. It did grab the attention of the wife of the Governor of California, and made national news.
Death is not smug.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-sty...n-died-h1n1-urges-flu-shots-article-1.1598023

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

Sorry I don't have a head count on the Doctors. I would expect her Primary Care Physician, the Hospitalist, an Infectious Disease Specialist and the Coroner were among the Doctors involved. It did grab the attention of the wife of the Governor of California, and made national news.
Death is not smug.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-sty...n-died-h1n1-urges-flu-shots-article-1.1598023

So what was the purpose of calling her a health nut? People that are careful about their diet and exercise can still get sick with disease or plague. I'm not convinced though, just because her family has urged everyone to get vaccinated that it would have saved her. Most people that contracted that strain of flu lived.

Tons of people that are vaccinated still get the flu because the strain can be different than the actual vaccine.

Effectiveness in flu shot: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/flu-v...n-u-s-even-less-effective-in-canada-1.2902091

 

[tvguy]

So what was the purpose of calling her a health nut? People that are careful about their diet and exercise can still get sick with disease or plague. I'm not convinced though, just because her family has urged everyone to get vaccinated that it would have saved her. Most people got that contracted that strain of flu lived.

Tons of people that are vaccinated still get the flu because the strain can be different than the actual vaccine.

Effectiveness in flu shot: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/flu-v...n-u-s-even-less-effective-in-canada-1.2902091

Your life. Your right to choose.

 

[kirbydog48]

I'm getting mine Tuesday. Never used to, but DH has a compromised immune system, so don't want to take chances!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I had mine yesterday, as did my two boys. DH had his at work a few weeks ago. I work with disabled preschoolers, some with compromised health. I neither want to catch the flu from my students nor pass it to them. I also do not want to risk giving the flu to my 91-year old dad. He gets his shot. We get ours, and hopefully we're all protected. So far, so good.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I normally have mine done by now, but I was sick so I'm waiting till next week. I also work in healthcare and my employer believes strongly in getting the shot, so, while it's not mandatory, there's a lot of pressure to get it. DH already had his, and DD and DS will get theirs at college. I took care of someone this weekend with Influenza A who really didn't have a lot of flu-like symptoms, yet tested positive anyway, which was a little unnerving (ie that one could have the flu without being traditionally symptomatic).

 

[sasywtch]

I got mine two weeks ago as it's free with Kaiser. A nurse once told me that those who get sick later are sick with the strain the shot doesn't cover and they would have gotten sick anyway since the shot doesn't cover that strain. I will do the shot for the strains it does cover and hope I'm not around anyone who has a strain that isn't covered in this year's shot. **I'm only saying what the nurse told me as I have zero medical knowledge.

 

[cathyce2]

Got my last one in 1989 and never again!