#%@&$ Flu Shot!

33-weeker · Oct 24, 2006

i'm right there with you about hating vaccines, but since i had my spleen removed to put my itp in remission, i don't have a choice any more either.

i'll be achy and flu-ish soon, too. take a tylenol and hope for the best.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 25, 2006

I love them. I have gotten them for over 20 years now and can count on ONE hand the number of flu illnesses I have endured since. While there is a lot said that is bad about vaccination, I read an interesting article that discussed the correlation between people getting flu shots several years in a row with decreased incidence of flu illness in these same people, versus those who do not get their flu shots.

I am sorry you are feeling ill. I have always made it a habit to take Motrin the morning before getting the shot, taking lots of fluids and resting well. I have not had a flu shot make me ill since 1980-something when I was in the military. I am convinced they were using non-attenuated viruses then, cause EVERYOne got sick.

Feel better.

suzy253, RN · Oct 25, 2006

Had my 1st flu shot in a long long time just a couple of weeks ago and I was concerned.....but no reaction to it.

chelli73 · Oct 25, 2006

In years' past, we were encouraged to get flu shots. This year it is mandatory. I never got them before because the only time I did I was feverish and sick for a couple of days afterward. I have only gotten the real flu 1 time in the past 20 years! So, yesterday I dutifully went for my flu shot and here I am with a fever and feeling sore and miserable. And, yes, they expect me to go to work tomorrow. Hopefully the fever will be gone. I HATE flu shots!!!:angryfire

I totally agree! I have never received a flu shot being in healthcare for 10+ years...(but if it was MANDATORY, then I guess I would obey), and have only had the flu like twice in that 10 yr period!!! I'm all for vaccines, but that flu shot has always been so controversial.... :uhoh3:

cookie102 · Oct 25, 2006

i too take either motrin or tylenol 30 minutes before i get the flu shot and it really helps, give it a try

prmenrs, RN · Oct 25, 2006

Got mine yesterday! So did my 2 co-workers. One is s/p cardiac surgery--she hates shots, we were taking bets on when she would blame some mishap on the flu shot. Sure enough, an hour later, she almost forgot to do something, blamed it on the shot. Later complained she was sore. And would she take the tylenol/motrin when we offered it to her earlier? Nope. I think she's gonna blame the dang flu shot for every hangnail from now til spring!

BSNtobe2009 · Oct 25, 2006

Can a hospital require you to take a flu shot legally? That doesn't seem right.

Vaccinations, I can understand, but a flu shot?

Almabella · Oct 25, 2006

Can a hospital require you to take a flu shot legally? That doesn't seem right.
Vaccinations, I can understand, but a flu shot?

I don't see how. My workplace only offers flu vaccines preserved with thimerosal (mercury derivative). NOrmally I get the flu shot, but I'm pregnant now and no way I'm injecting mercury into my body. Not to mention it's category C! If my midwife offers the thimerosal free vaccine I'll get it (the prefilled syringes by sanofi pasteur seem to be) but otherwise no way and my employer absolutely cannot make me take a category C med while pregnant!

I realize the flu shot is recommended for pregnant women. I personally don't feel enough research has gone into the whole thimerosal issue.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 25, 2006

I too have problems with mandatory flu shots. Had to get them when I was active duty but never again. I never get sick (I worked in a level one ER for 10 years) and would probably dig my heels in just because they said it was mandatory.

CHATSDALE · Oct 25, 2006

i have had very good luck with flu shots, very happy to take them because i have very bad luck with the flu...horrid flu which kept repeating for a whole winter..this has happen at about 3 winters over the years

had no problem when flu shot was available, at least not withthe intensity of sx

MemphisOBRNC, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2006

I can see that Military would be mandatory but your workplace is not, unless your state is different from mine. Work can say it is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED but not mandatory. If you refuse, there should be a Declination form that you sign and it is placed in your HR file.

Those of us that were born during a specific time were strongly encouraged to get revaccinated for MMR. I was revaccinated 10 years ago and opted to have a titer drawn to see if I was now immune. I wasn't. We will be 'strongly encouraged' to get the Pertussis vaccine when it becomes available.