Are You Getting a Flu Shot This Year?

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Are You Getting a Flu Shot This Year?

October 7, 2008

My aching right arm is evidence that I've just gotten my annual flu shot. I've been getting them for years, and I'm a strong believer in the shots but I know many folks are opposed to the vaccination. So I am curious, will you be getting a flu shot this year?

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57 Comments

Herecomestrouble 4 years 32 weeks

Last winter I got a terribly severe case of bacterial pneumonia that put me in the hospital for a week. I am only 25 and normally very healthy. Although my doctors told me that getting a flu shot would not have prevented the pnuemonia, it would have lessened its severity. I wish I had gotten one last year.I am definitely getting one this year because now I am at greater risk for respiratory illnesses, thanks to the pneumonia.Sometimes being young and generally healthy is not enough. If everyone around you has the flu, vigilance alone is probably insufficient. Do yourself a favor and get a flu shot.

Herecomestrouble 4 years 32 weeks

Last winter I got a terribly severe case of bacterial pneumonia that put me in the hospital for a week. I am only 25 and normally very healthy. Although my doctors told me that getting a flu shot would not have prevented the pnuemonia, it would have lessened its severity. I wish I had gotten one last year. I am definitely getting one this year because now I am at greater risk for respiratory illnesses, thanks to the pneumonia. Sometimes being young and generally healthy is not enough. If everyone around you has the flu, vigilance alone is probably insufficient. Do yourself a favor and get a flu shot.

Allytta 4 years 32 weeks

tngirly, it's not our fault the author chose this combination of words. i do belive the flu shots work, but it's like playing dice, you never know which flu will surface. so i'd say "no, i don't want to put in money and my immune system into something that might or might not work"

vitisva 4 years 32 weeks

I'm really thinking about it

vitisva 4 years 32 weeks

I'm really thinking about it

rocketgirl 4 years 32 weeks

Nope. I got one once and got pretty sick afterward. I've only had the flu once (when I was 7) in over 20 years so I think I'll just take my chances.

Melo D 4 years 32 weeks

Never had the shot and doing just fine.

crazylovevbug 4 years 32 weeks

i don't get a flu shot and am not planning on getting one either.

Kimpossible 4 years 32 weeks

I've never had a flu shot.

Kimpossible 4 years 32 weeks

I've never had a flu shot.

Spectra 4 years 32 weeks

I work at a hospital, so they pretty much MAKE us get a flu shot because we're around it all the time during respiratory season. So I'll have to get one, but I've never had one in the past and I've never gotten the flu. The biggest factor that affects whether or not you'll get the flu is how healthy your immune system is. If you get plenty of sleep and eat lots of nutritious whole foods, you should be able to fight it off pretty well.

wackdoodle 4 years 32 weeks

No- I cannot get the flu shot because I am allergic to the suspicion medium they use for the virus and to the base virus.I had Swine Flu as a child and I was always told by the military doctors and my pediatrician when I was little that I can never get any of the flu vaccines.A couple of years back my primary care doctor convinced me to try it. She thought enough time had passed plus she was like there's no way you had Swine Flu as a child. Since my mom and dad had long since died I couldn't confirm it with them so she talked me into it. And the funny thing is my sister, who's a RN, does the Flu Shot Clinics and so our family would get the shot first and free (now it's free through my insurance). She would never allow me to have the shot and didn't even want me to help her at the clinic because she didn't want me exposed at all.So I got the flu shot and within 15 minutes I was flushed and shaking. My doctor was like "oh you're nervous". So she finished my appointment and by the end my body was swelling up, I was having serious respiratory arrest and the spot where they gave me the shot was swollen and oozing.After a few days in the hospital everything was good then a week later - no joke -I caught the flu. Since then even Blue Shield knows - no flu shot for me and indeed she did have Swine Flu as a child as well as other allergies that most of the population doesn't have.

wackdoodle 4 years 32 weeks

No- I cannot get the flu shot because I am allergic to the suspicion medium they use for the virus and to the base virus. I had Swine Flu as a child and I was always told by the military doctors and my pediatrician when I was little that I can never get any of the flu vaccines. A couple of years back my primary care doctor convinced me to try it. She thought enough time had passed plus she was like there's no way you had Swine Flu as a child. Since my mom and dad had long since died I couldn't confirm it with them so she talked me into it. And the funny thing is my sister, who's a RN, does the Flu Shot Clinics and so our family would get the shot first and free (now it's free through my insurance). She would never allow me to have the shot and didn't even want me to help her at the clinic because she didn't want me exposed at all. So I got the flu shot and within 15 minutes I was flushed and shaking. My doctor was like "oh you're nervous". So she finished my appointment and by the end my body was swelling up, I was having serious respiratory arrest and the spot where they gave me the shot was swollen and oozing. After a few days in the hospital everything was good then a week later - no joke -I caught the flu. Since then even Blue Shield knows - no flu shot for me and indeed she did have Swine Flu as a child as well as other allergies that most of the population doesn't have.

graylen 4 years 32 weeks

First off, the flu shot doesn't protect against all variances of influenza. Therefore, if you got the shot and then got the flu, it still probably worked- just not against the type you caught. I have gotten the flu shot for the last 6 years. I've gotten the flu once since then and it was a much milder version. I only had to miss 3 days of work as opposed to the normal 8-9 days it would normally take. I get the flu shot because my body reacts to sickness with extreme fatigue. Therefore, if I can prevent any of it, I will.

Red Sharpie 4 years 32 weeks

No thanks. I've never gotten one and I've never gotten the flu. It doesn't seem to be too effective anyway. A good diet and a strong immune system are better defenses.

Angela123 4 years 32 weeks

I've never gotten one, but I think I'm going to as I've already gotten bronchitis this fall, and have gotten the flu the last couple years, and its sooooo awful. I don't get the controversy.

wiggle 4 years 32 weeks

I used to avoid the flu shot, but last year the entire family got them and we did well. My hubbie got the flu, but it was over in two days as opposed to the 7 days our friends suffered through, who didn't get the flu shot.

sepiaraven 4 years 32 weeks

I don't feel the need for it since I'm young and healthy. People here are only offered it are the elderly, infants and those at high risk eg. cancer sufferers.

CBirck 4 years 32 weeks

I got mine last week! I've gotten one every year since college and haven't had the flu. But this year my arm hurt a lot and still hurts a little.

Lilybeth84 4 years 32 weeks

I have asthma, so I have to get a flu shot, or risk getting really ill. Plus, its free through work!

TxRdRaider 4 years 32 weeks

Get mine through work for free...so why pass it up?

greatscott200 4 years 32 weeks

The 2 times I got the shot I got the Flu BAD. The rest of the time, I only got the flu once and it wasn't as bad.

Leene 4 years 32 weeks

I have only had a flu two times. Last January I had it for second time. It's nothing compared to normal cold.But I'm not getting flu shot. They don't work always and I believe people should build their immune system stronger other ways. Of course elderly people are another case, but even kids should stay away from them IMO.I wash hands all the time and eat lots of fruits etc.

Leene 4 years 32 weeks

I have only had a flu two times. Last January I had it for second time. It's nothing compared to normal cold. But I'm not getting flu shot. They don't work always and I believe people should build their immune system stronger other ways. Of course elderly people are another case, but even kids should stay away from them IMO. I wash hands all the time and eat lots of fruits etc.

bchicgrl 4 years 32 weeks

I've never had the flu shot because I don't see a point in getting one for myself. I understand that seniors and younger children should get them since their immune system is probably weaker but I've had the flu before and rest and otc meds have kicked to the curb.

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