Have you had your flu shot?

[Flybye]

Interesting read if someone has time. For those who don't know a lot about influenza, it gives a little background ,etc.

Prevention and Control of Influenza

THANKS for the link to this, excellent studies and explanations for everything including vaccination during pregnancy and the use of Thimerosal, and LAIV, and TIV dosing. I started to get confused and to question things after reading through posts, but, as I learned in the good old ISU days, nothing states the facts better than a good study. Excellent resource!!

[mountainchick]

THANKS for the link to this, excellent studies and explanations for everything including vaccination during pregnancy and the use of Thimerosal, and LAIV, and TIV dosing. I started to get confused and to question things after reading through posts, but, as I learned in the good old ISU days, nothing states the facts better than a good study. Excellent resource!!

No worries...I am the queen of flu resources. Though I have not and probably won't get a flu shot (I usually forget or just don't get around to it...)

[HappyAnika]

I don't have a good scientific explanation, but I've read in many places, and been told by several doctors, that when you are pregnant your immune system is somewhat repressed, making you more likely to catch whatever bug comes your way. So far I've been fine, but then cold season hasn't started yet. I counted this morning, after holidays and leave, I only have 25 days worth of work left. I feel my chances of avoiding germs will be much improved when I'm done with work.

I'm going to read the link posted above on the flu. I'm still waiting to hear from my best friend who is a DO (doctor of osteopathy) what she thinks about me getting a shot.

[slmdunc]

http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/weba...93&z=16&page=4

Down toward the bottom of the page. However, if you click on the link called Flu & Pneumonia Shots, it takes you to a page saying that Lupus folks should get the flu shot unless they react to them. The information a couple of years ago was not so pro. My SO does have a reation so she does not do the flu shot. She does get the pneumonia one and does not react.

Good to know! Thanks!

[froglegs]

Between having read detailed descriptions of the 1918-19 flu pandemic that killed 50-100 million people worldwide, and having a number of close friends in epidemiology whose knowledge and opinions I respect--you bet I get a flu shot. No bad reactions here.

I'm currently reading a book about this pandemic, I think it's called "The Great Influenza". It's very interesting but also extremely scary. I don't think most people today really have an idea about how huge of a deal this was... this flu killed millions of people all over the world in a matter of months, had ridiculous fatality rates, basically shut down society for awhile, and often killed people within hours of the first symptoms. Some people seemed fine one minute, and literally dropped dead the next. Young adults (20's) had the highest fatality rates because their robust immune systems produced such a strong response, it basically shredded their lungs and drowned them in fluids. Scary stuff....... still, somehow, I don't get a flu shot and never have. Maybe I will after I finish reading this book.

I had a really bad flu during the summer about five years ago. 104-105 temps, ridiculous aching, convulsions.... it was horrible.

[nomummytummy]

So to me, it's not just about the actual health risk, but a fundamental issue of maintaining business continuity.

That is why the chicken pox vaccine was developed initially. Because mothers would need to not be at work looking after kids w chicken pox & if you have 3 or 4 kids that's a lot of weeks when often then get it one after another not all at same time.

Now we are told all the terrible consequences of Chicken pox. It's just a huge beat up to sell more drugs! The risk to business versus the long term consequences of unrequired medications for those we care about. Sorry Mr Silver, but I can't help but wonder if our world has truly gone crazy!!!

[ClockworkOrange]

I had a flu jab last week and then the nurse promptly gave me a pneumonia jab, I was told this lasts for 10 years.

BTW...........jab is a shot in the UK.

I have had a flu jab for the last 5 years or so, never had any side effects. This has been done because of chest infections in recent years. Also, my work involves working closely with youngsters who have been homeless.

I was given the pneumonia jab because of this COPD thing that I appear to have.

Over here in the UK the vaccinations are free, do you have to pay for yours?

Clock

[Blueberry]

It depends on you insurance company here in the US. Mine offers them free if you get them at your workplace or at your doctor's office (but not at a pharmacy clinic). We couldn't get one at a covered location the last time I took one (sold out, but not a general shortage), and I seem to recall the cost was about $30.

[Flybye]

We had to pay for the adult "jabs" (Mine might have qualified as a "stab" ) but the Nasal FluMists for the kids were free. I am hoping for the same thing this year.

[KnottedYet]

Does anyone know if the Nasal FluMists have less chance of adverse reaction?

Knot-really-doesn't-want-to-get-flu-ever-again

[surgtech1956]

I've gotten the flu shot a few different times. I usually only get the flu every 10-15 years. I'm lucky, I don't get sick that often, I think because I work in a hospital and have built up my immune system over the years. I remember my first year of employment I had about 3-4 colds. Back to flu shots, last year I didn't get one, and I got the flu(over New Years) - but I was under alot of stress. I didn't get one this year, probably should - still under alot of stress.

[boy in a kilt]

Does anyone know if the Nasal FluMists have less chance of adverse reaction?

Knot-really-doesn't-want-to-get-flu-ever-again

I can only speak anecdotally. I haven't felt any reaction at all other than the taste of the medication running down the back of my throat.

[Duck on Wheels]

I don't have a good scientific explanation, but I've read in many places, and been told by several doctors, that when you are pregnant your immune system is somewhat repressed, making you more likely to catch whatever bug comes your way. So far I've been fine, but then cold season hasn't started yet. I counted this morning, after holidays and leave, I only have 25 days worth of work left. I feel my chances of avoiding germs will be much improved when I'm done with work.

I'm going to read the link posted above on the flu. I'm still waiting to hear from my best friend who is a DO (doctor of osteopathy) what she thinks about me getting a shot.

The good scientific explanation is that when you're pregnant you've got a foreign body on board, so if our immune systems hadn't learned to go into low gear when certain hormones signal we're pregnant, then the species would die out.

[salsabike]

Does anyone know if the Nasal FluMists have less chance of adverse reaction?

Knot-really-doesn't-want-to-get-flu-ever-again

Knot, my best friend back east is in public health and I asked her your question. This is what she emailed in response:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

This is a good public website with info. on both kinds of flu vaccine. I think that the risks are about the same and are low for either type of vaccine. Given the fact that FluMist is a live attenuated vaccine might increase the risk slightly; I don't really know. FluMist is only licensed for people aged 2-49 who are considered healthy (without underlying medical conditions).

[KnottedYet]

Hmmmm, doesn't sound radically different from the injection. Wish I knew what it was in the vaccine that does the autoimmune cascade in my family.