Do you take the flu vaccine?

shinyblue.rn · Oct 20, 2004

Yes, I usually take a flu shot. Been a nurse 20 years and have taken it about every year after having a bad case my second year of nursing. Four years ago I was working in a nursing home (Mds cordinator) and decided not to take it when one of the patients died the day after receiving it. I know, I know it wasn' t the vaccine,but one of the employees also took it--she was fine the day she took it and the next day she called in and sounded like death warmed over. So I thought, I've not had the flu for years--THINK I will just pass on this one. So of course I had the flu that February, with strep throat and bronchitis at the same time. Thought I was going to die! :uhoh3: Then that fall, we were late getting our vaccine-were supposed to get it the first week of December.Guess what? On Thanksgiving weekend me AND my three year old daughter both came down with the flu. And yes,I have signed up at work for the vaccine this year. I seriosly considered not taking it,but I work a lot on the swing bed unit and if I take the flu, I will expose the patients to it. So if we get it, Iwill take it. And if we don't get any vaccine, I'll just have to have the flu. :rolleyes:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2004

Is there really a shortage? That's debatable.

As a healthcare worker I know I should. But I've never taken it and won't bother this year.

hypnotic_nurse · Oct 20, 2004

I have taken it for at least the past 10 years.

This year I'll skip it unless it becomes more widely available.

caddie · Oct 20, 2004

Do you usually take the flu vaccine?
And with this years shortage will you take it if it is offered?
IONtereste dinyour reponse..
we are having a wild time in TN . it is sad..elderly people lining up at dawn to get a dose of flu vaccine

I have never taken the Flu Vaccine. There is NO guarantee that the vaccine will cover the strain of flu that will hit. I believe the use of masks, if need be and alcohol hand gels reduce the risk significantly. Last year we lost many residents from the complications of the flu and from pneumonia and I did not miss one day of work.

prmenrs, RN · Oct 20, 2004

I take it--I'm 59 and health issues of my own, AND, more importantly, take care of premies and newborns.

JnJTyson · Oct 23, 2004

What do you mean the shortage is debatable?? Here in Florida, we have 4-5 hour wait times for a flu shot at the grocery store..every time I call in an RX to a pharm, there is an announcement about canceling this years shots...and we are still fussing with Adventis and our ordering company about getting shots...its awful!!!

Jules

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Nov 2, 2004

I got one. And I was VERY brave. Didn't cry or nothin'.

SugarMagnolia · Nov 5, 2004

I never take it. We're still waiting for our supply to come in. Pam

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Nov 5, 2004

I finally got one at work 2 days ago....~sigh of relief~.....I hadn't missed a year since 1992, and with my asthma, I didn't want to risk a repeat of that year when I was in & out of the hospital all winter!

The funny thing is, I've never had a reaction to a flu shot other than a sore arm; this time my arm never hurt at all, but I felt like crap all day yesterday.....achy, feverish, off my feed, just all-over yeccchhhh. I'm OK today though, and even if I weren't, it would still be worth a couple days of being under the weather to not worry about getting REALLY sick later on. :)

laurasc · Nov 14, 2004

I have never taken the Flu Vaccine. There is NO guarantee that the vaccine will cover the strain of flu that will hit. I believe the use of masks, if need be and alcohol hand gels reduce the risk significantly. Last year we lost many residents from the complications of the flu and from pneumonia and I did not miss one day of work.

No, there's no guarantee, but if you do get the flu, it's far milder with the vaccine than without. Last year I caught the A-Fujian, the strain that wasn't covered by the vaccine but was only sick for 3 days instead of the usual 7 to 12 because I did have partial immunity from the vaccine.

I never go without the flu shot.