Flu shots

[laurasc]

I just did two days of flu shot clinics run by the local health department. I figure I shot between 120 to 150 arms (and one leg) those two days. The turnout was okay, but it could have been better. Our provincial government is making the flu shot available to everyone this year, not just the high risks. So there's a real push to get people immunized. Problem is, not many people are going for it. Last year there was a study that showed that only about 30% of health care professionals in the local hospitals were immunized against the flu. That's pretty dismal statistics and they are hoping to improve it. At work (I work in a pediatrician's office) I called all of our high risk patients (about 200 of them)and invited them to come to the office for the flu shots. Just under half have taken advantage of it. My next step is to nab our primaries.

What's happening in your neck of the woods? Are they immunizing against the flu there yet? Is there a push to have it done? Have you had yours yet? (I have, three weeks ago)

I think this is a very important nursing issue. What are your feelings on the flu shot?

Laura

[BlueBear]

The flu shot is made with a killed virus, so you CANNOT get the flu from it. However, you can have side effects from it. I received a flu shot last week and it was the first one I ever had. They say that if you have never had the flu shot before, or have not been exposed to the flu before, your risk for side effects is greater. This is because your body has not had to fight off this virus before so now it has to work extra hard to build up your immunity. The shot knocked me out the day I had it. I was exhausted, achy, and generally felt lousy. The next day I felt fine, except for a sore arm. Will I do it again next year? Yes, because the side effects from the shot were not nearly as bad as actually getting the flu. Hope this helps!

[SharonH, RN]

I just spent two days giving flu shots for a local agency here. First of all, there is a shortage of vaccine so that limits how much we can give. However Atlanta must be unique because these people are going bonkers for flu shots! We had enough for 100 people the first day and we gave all of it in about 21/2 hours. The next day we had enough for 120 people and gave it in 21/2 hours. Both days the lines were out of the door, people were coming in 1 hour before the clinic was to start and they went nuts when we ran out! I'm not doing the clinics next year.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

http://web.thestate.com/content/columbia/2001/11/07/opcolumn/kleinberg_web07.htm

This editorial was in our newspaper last Wed. It seems it's not so much a shortage as a distribution problem. (Sounds like Nursing doesn't it?)

Back in '96 I didn't take the flu shot. I was going on vacation and didn't want to get sick from it......well my last day was Oct. 10th and we went on our trip.

Well to make a long story short........I caught the flu, it turned into mycoplasma pneumonia, that caused pulmonary fibrosis, I had to have 10 xrays, 2 PFTs, and 7 weeks out....I survived and went back to work Jan 2.

I NEVER missed another flu shot. I'm getting mine Monday.

[NurseDennie, BSN, RN]

Hi - I'm in Nashville, TN and we have the shots here, but right now it's supposed to be for the high risk people. Which is starting to include me!

I've never had the flu shot and I've never had the flu (I'm a baby-boomer, too, and I've been through several MAJOR flu outbreaks without ever getting sick). I'm a bit afraid to get the shot, but I'm going to do it this year. The reason I've never had the shot is that I'm allergic to thimerosol, a preservative they use. So when I went to the employee health office to get my shot, I was told, nope, you're allergic to a component, move along.

NOW one of the research projects I've been working on is in peds infectious disease dept and that's what these folks specialize in. I'm told that my allergy is NOT a contraindication. So, okay, I'll give it a try. Wish me luck!!

Love

Dennie

[prmenrs, RN]

We are required to get them in our unit (premies don't have much of an immune system), and I have some chronic health problems, so would have qualified anyway, according to the guidelines. Flu shots for me!!

To minimize side effects from this or any other vaccination, pop 2 Tylenol @ the time of the injection and every 4-6 hours for 24 hours. It really helps!

[RNPD]

Originally posted by JennyP "My husband has M.S. and is immunosupressed; his doctors feel it is very important that we (the family) have the vaccine every year to reduce his chance of getting it from us. Interestingly, his doctors could not agree for the first few years if he should have the flu shot or not; his neurologist didn't want him to have it, but his Internist thought he should have it. We finally consulted with both an Infectious disease doc and a Pharm. D. and they both felt that his having the flu vaccine was the prudent thing to do."

I was under the impression that MS actually causes a HYPERACTIVE immune system-at least that's what my previous neuro doc told me. Thta is why the immune system goes haywire-once something stimulates it, it is difficult for it to turn off, causing a hyper response that begins to attack the myelin sheath. Any vaccine works by stimulating an immune response, which is why my doc does not recommend it for people with MS. Did your husband have any side effects and if so did it cause an MS flare not long after the immunization?

Orignally posted by Bluebear "The flu shot is made with a killed virus, so you CANNOT get the flu from it. " I was under the impression that the flu shot is a live attenuated (weakened ) virus. Where did you get the info that it is a killed virus? Live or attenuated immunizations seem to trigger a hyperimmune response more than killed viruses.

[Researchnurse]

I got my flu shot last week...the University where I work gives them to every employee for free. My husband is urged to get one as well by his Doc due to his COPD...a common cold gets him down for 2 weeks! 2 years ago he got the flu, and almost died of resp. failure. I would not let a year go by without getting one.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Everything you need about the flu: type of vacine, who should be immunized and best time (Oct + Nov. for chronically ill adults, those over 65 AND health care workers), spanish lanuguage information, pediatric indications including vaccine side effects & contraindications available here:

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/Flu/default.htm

[oramar]

I hope everyone that reads this thread realizes that the first 11 post are a year old.

[NurseTami]

Every year we seem to have a shortage, and it always seems like the highest risk population never gets their shot.

I have never had the vaccination but as a former Infection Control nurse at a larger ECF, have given many! I NEVER had a reaction beyond a sore arm, and maybe an elevated temp or two.

The Pneumonia Vaccination is one that needs to be repeated q 5 years.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

oramar..... I hope everyone that reads this thread realizes that the first 11 post are a year old.

Well it just goes to prove that the more things change the more they stay the same.....or in modern lingo...what goes around comes around.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Originally posted by NurseDennie

Hi - I'm in Nashville, TN and we have the shots here, but right now it's supposed to be for the high risk people. Which is starting to include me!

I've never had the flu shot and I've never had the flu (I'm a baby-boomer, too, and I've been through several MAJOR flu outbreaks without ever getting sick). I'm a bit afraid to get the shot, but I'm going to do it this year. The reason I've never had the shot is that I'm allergic to thimerosol, a preservative they use. So when I went to the employee health office to get my shot, I was told, nope, you're allergic to a component, move along.

NOW one of the research projects I've been working on is in peds infectious disease dept and that's what these folks specialize in. I'm told that my allergy is NOT a contraindication. So, okay, I'll give it a try. Wish me luck!!

>>>>I am allergic to thimersol in contact lens solutions-no problem with the flu shot or the hep series....I checked with my doc first to be on the safe side

Dennie