Is there anyone else who doesn't get a flu shot?

[Art 1]

I never have, but it's not because I'm afraid too. I know they work and are harmless. It's just that I'm lazy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Getting the flu shot is a recent occurrence for me.

I've always been extremely healthy, generally not "catching" everything as it came by my whole life. And I've only had the flu rarely (most notably when I was 7 months pregnant).

All that said, I started getting the flu shot about 4 years ago, when I retired, and we started traveling more. Especially on cruises (enclosed environment, exposed to the same people/illness for prolonged periods of time).

I've not had the flu since I've been taking the shot, but can't say whether I actually would have gotten it or not without the shot. But the price of the shot (no charge in our health plan) is worth the peace of mind.

 

[Bilberry]

What do colds have to do with the flu shot? The flu shot does not nor has it ever been promoted to protect against the cold virus. Getting a cold despite having a flu shot is normal.

Poor choice of words on my part, and true, as is mentioned for the two, flu and colds are often self diagnosed from what I've read. Not a conspiracy theory either about the lack of effectively, or at least several groups have come out finding problems with the flu shot and it's effectiveness. Different groups have come to different results, but one group I remember and as quoted from the article I linked to, the Cochrane Collaboration (a collective of international doctors and scientists supposedly dedicated to objective assessments of treatments by proper review of the evidence), found on average the flu shot helped few. So whether one has the shot or not, it still remains prudent to take other precautions for prevention. I'm glad I'm not required to get the shot for employment.

http://www.drbriffa.com/2010/11/25/...te-what-your-government-may-have-you-believe/

snippet ~

"..Here’s a plain language summary of the study in the authors’ own words:

Over 200 viruses cause influenza and influenza-like illness which produce the same symptoms (fever, headache, aches and pains, cough and runny noses). Without laboratory tests, doctors cannot tell the two illnesses apart. Both last for days and rarely lead to death or serious illness. At best, vaccines might be effective against only influenza A and B, which represent about 10% of all circulating viruses. Each year, the World Health Organization recommends which viral strains should be included in vaccinations for the forthcoming season.

Authors of this review assessed all trials that compared vaccinated people with unvaccinated people. The combined results of these trials showed that under ideal conditions (vaccine completely matching circulating viral configuration) 33 healthy adults need to be vaccinated to avoid one set of influenza symptoms. In average conditions (partially matching vaccine) 100 people need to be vaccinated to avoid one set of influenza symptoms. Vaccine use did not affect the number of people hospitalised or working days lost but caused one case of Guillian-Barré syndrome (a major neurological condition leading to paralysis) for every one million vaccinations. Fifteen of the 36 trials were funded by vaccine companies and four had no funding declaration. Our results may be an optimistic estimate because company-sponsored influenza vaccines trials tend to produce results favorable to their products and some of the evidence comes from trials carried out in ideal viral circulation and matching conditions and because the harms evidence base is limited...."

 

[Terapin]

This year it is predicted to be effective against 30-50% of strains that may circulate. It is being reported that last year's flu shot offered 0% protection against the flu strains that ended up circulating. I haven't gotten the flu in about 20 years, and don't plan on getting the shot this year. I got the shot about 10 years ago and had a mild-moderate flu-like illness that resulted in needing to take time off work, and I wouldn't like to repeat that for such low efficacy. Instead, I actively work on boosting my immune system to be as effective as it can be, and hoping not to get sick.

 

[Micca]

I've never taken the shot, but not because I think it would be harmful, I just don't get the flu any more. Last bout with it was probably 35 years ago.

 

[Skippy918]

We don't do the flu shots either. My kids did get the flu 2 years ago, but it was the strain that wasn't in the vaccine at the time. I worked with someone who got Guilliane Barre syndrome from the flu shot. Really scary. He became paralyzed within a few days and was out of work for 6 months.

 

[HeatherC]

We get it. Had one or two years where we All had the flu along with vomiting and swore never again. Worst winter ever was when we were all basically sick at the same time. Since then we all get the vaccine and haven't had the flu since...and none of us ever seem to be affected by the vaccine, so for our family it is a definite yes to getting it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My 84 yo mother refuses to get one. She insists that the only year she got the flu was the year she got the shot. I've told her that getting the shot is NOT a guarantee because there are so many strains. I also pointed out that many pharmacies offer a discount for purchases on the day you get the shot, hoping that financial gain will encourage her to get the shot. I volunteer at a hospital, so I'm required to get the shot. And I believe that if a hospital requires all its volunteers/employees to have a medical shot, it must be beneficial.

 

[mombrontrent]

I have never had one and neither have my children, I have no plans on getting one

 

[MSLRAC]

We don't get them. I've tested positive for the flu once and as bad as it was, I'm still not getting the shot.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

We all get them. My kids both got influenza when they were really little. Ever since then, we've gotten the shot and none of us have had influenza. There was even a year when influenza tore through their school. It was so bad, two thirds of the kids were home sick, and the school got closed down for disinfecting. I was working at the school at the time. Neither my kids nor I came down with influenza thanks to the shot.

 

[ThistleMae]

I was advised by my doctor to never have the flu shot. Now...this was 50 + years ago and who knows why this was advised. I was never very clear about it. So...I've never gotten a flu shot. The only piece of info I have about the flu shot is that they can vaccinate for one type of virus...but viruses are always mutating....so don't know how a shot for one virus will prevent the flu. But...I am not educated well enough on this subject to really have a concrete opinion. For those of you who will not get the shot.....why not....besides getting it and getting sick right after?

 

[sk!mom]

Fact: you can't get the flu from the flu shot. I don't care what you "believe."

I had the real deal flu ONCE. And, I never, ever, ever want to feel that sick again. It was awful. And, if you've had the "real deal" flu (not something people call the flu...like the stomach flu, or a bad cold, but Influenza), I'm thinking you'd agree. But whatever floats your boat.

We get the shot. Never gotten sick from it, because you can't.

Yes! I've had the flu once and it was honestly scary to be that sick. People call all kinds of things "flu" but if you weren't tested and diagnosed by a professional, I doubt it was actually flu.

We've gotten them for years on the recommendation of EVERY doctor we've ever consulted. Some of them really well respected- All the way to the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Science is science, people. Vaccines are a good thing and those who refuse benefit from the "herd" effect of all of us who get them. While we are compromised by those who refuse- especially small children and those who are immunocompromised.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

so don't know how a shot for one virus will prevent the flu

The flu shot is a combination of several different strains. Those strains that the (not sure) CDC (?) feel will be the most predominate ones from year to year. Since the vaccine has to be made up so far in advance of the actual flu season that it's going to cover, sometimes they get the combination wrong.

Last year the shot didn't have the strain that wound up being the most prevalent. So more people still got the flu, even if they had the shot. But the cases were milder than they would have been without any shot.

This year's vaccine is estimated to be 60% effective. As miserable as the flu is (especial among the older people, and those with other issues) I'll take the 60%. Last year the shot was only about 20% effective.

 

[Bluestars]

My husband and I get the flu shot for free every year from our work. I don't think I've ever had the flu in my life, but I am not going to turn down a free flu shot. At least I will have some protection. We are going on a cruise in December, so I figure the more protection, the better. We have never gotten sick after getting the shot.

Back when the H1N1 was going around, my husband, son, and I got the shot. My daughter and her family did not and they all came down with it. They were very sick and miserable.

 

[Nancy]

These two posts say it all.

I firmly believe that misunderstanding is what fuels all these conspiracy theories about the flu shot. Many people just don't understand what the true flu is.

They get a shot and and then come down with a cold virus or a stomach virus, all common in the winter months, and point to the flu shot and say "see, I got the shot and now I am sick. It doesn't work."

Exactly.

Now, I do not get the flu shot, never have and most likely I never will. I had the "real" flu when I was in my early 20's. It took me weeks to recover from it, but I am now 57 and have not had it since.


Of course now that I said that this will be the year I get sick. LOL

 

[Jaime4004]

I've had influenza 3 times that I can remember. Once after not receiving the vaccine, and twice after receiving it. So it is not a priority for me. If i'm around when it's being given (like at work or if i have an MD appt in flu season), then i'll get it, but I don't make a special trip for it. Same for my kids. I'm a nurse and it is strongly recommended but not mandatory.

 

[Pooh2]

Never had a problem with the flu shot but did get a severe case of flu/pneumonia last year.
(Had a pneumonia shot a few years earlier and got very ill within a day of getting the shot. Would never get that one again!).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Never had a problem with the flu shot but did get a severe case of flu/pneumonia last year.
(Had a pneumonia shot a few years earlier and got very ill within a day of getting the shot. Would never get that one again!).

Well, the pneumonia shot is a one time shot. The flu shot is every year.

 

[charming23]

I had a bad reaction to a flu shot and have never had one since. I also have never had the full blown flu. I just take precautions like washing my hands and staying home when I feel ill.