Flu shot

Funny you should ask that .............

by IAN MC - 2020-10-20 11:56:08

.......... because I had one this morning.

I can think of no good reason for not having one. ( apart from known allergies ). What made you change your mind ?

Ian

Dumb, really dumb

by AgentX86 - 2020-10-20 12:50:23

The flu kills tens of thousands a year.  Unless there is a GOOD reason not to and there aren't many, you're a fool not to get one. There are versions that aren't based on eggs, so that excuse is gone too. Add pneumonia shots to the list.

Flu vaccination or not?

by Selwyn - 2020-10-20 13:30:28

You only need a vaccination if you are 'at risk'. Having a pacemaker or ICD is not a risk factor. 

Your should have the vaccination if you

are 65 and over (including those who'll be 65 by 31 March 2021)
have certain health conditions ( see below) 
are pregnant
are in a long-stay residential care
receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
live with someone who's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)

Heath Problems of

respiratory conditions, such as asthma (needing steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and bronchitis
diabetes
heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
chronic kidney disease
liver disease, such as hepatitis
neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy
a learning disability
problems with your spleen, for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or taking medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

Some groups  qualify because of their key roles at work, such as emergency workers and health care, carers.

Natural immunity is general better than that of a vaccination. Herd immunity is important to reduce epidemics. Vaccinations are not 100% at giving immunity, and then there is the effectiveness in the real world. A workng idea to have is that vaccination roughly halves your chance of getting 'flu.  

All the advice that applies for Covid prevention applies for 'flu. 

Flu shot

by JIMMYANDJEREMY - 2020-10-20 13:38:20

Thank you for your comments I am going to go get the shot want to do it this year cause of covid

Selwyn

by IAN MC - 2020-10-20 14:38:59

I'm not sure that I agree with your statement  " You only need a vaccine if you are at risk "   .   I believe that vaccination helps prevent the spread of the flu from the healthy to the vulnerable.

The same willl apply to a Covid vaccine when it eventually appears.

Ian

Had my flu jab a week ago

by LondonAndy - 2020-10-20 18:14:31

Always get it, and am in several risk categories (eg diabetic), so have already had mine.  Never had any noticeable side-effects.

No shot for me either

by Victoria99 - 2020-10-20 20:00:59

 I am 51 and have never had the flu shot and NEVER WILL!!! I am fat, have autoimmune diseases, learning disabilities and live with an elderly mother who also will NEVER GET a flu shot. Combined we probably have had the flu 6 -7 times in our lives. When I was in my early 20's I wanted to take some college classes, they required an MMR vaccine before taking classes. I was sick as a dog for almost 3 weeks after that shot. Had a tetanis shot a few years later and my arm was almost immoble for over a month and from the shoulder to my fingers ached, swelled and throbbed for the next 6 months. I would rather fight the flu as God intended than trust some mad scientist with their 6 way concoccion. Who knows what's in the dose. They don't have to list things that are below a certain percentage or if it's recognized as a preservative or a stabilizer that is all they have to list it as.

Why...

by ROBO Pop - 2020-10-21 18:26:25

So some of you refuse to get a flu shot...why? Then Why did you get a pacemaker or defibrillator ? Think about it, you'll figure it out

Flu Shot

by MakeAmericaPaceAgain - 2020-11-11 20:58:50

I am 67 and had my PM implanted in August and in a follow-up visit with my new 25-year-old GP (who is a sweetie) he recommended that I get a flu shot - so I did. I was a lot more sore in the shot arm than I was expecting. Never got one before. But in days of COVID-19 - it made sense - so guess I will get one from now on out. Miss my old GP I saw for decades but can't see him now because he has a huge practice with thousands of patients - so avoiding his office now. Lots of changes being a new PM implantee. First time had to face the specter of mortality - had always been healthy - and took that for granted. Not so much now. Now to continue vigilance to not get COVID-19. Love to all pacemaker buddies❤️. You've helped a lot.