Flu shot ??

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How amny people are going to get their flu shot? Anyone already got it? Our teacher has preached to our class about getting one. I have never had one nor have I ever had the flu. One classmate told us that her Dr wont give them till Oct. Then I heard that one of the teachers at school ( classroom across from mine..plus I go in there every day as I have many friends in that class) she has the flu, both strains A and B . Should I try to find someone to give me that shot this next week? Are there any side effects from getting it? Thanks :)

Specializes in ED.

Yes, I get it every year as do my 2 kids and husband. I do not want to take a chance and figure anything that can help I will do. I would feel terrible if my kids got the flu and it could have been prevented. And working in health care I think it is the responsible thing to do.

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All I can say is that I'm generally a healthy person and only get the "flu" or resp. infections every few years or so. A few years ago I got the flu shot and ended up with a severe case of flu about 3 months later. Haven't gotten the shot since and have been fine. Coincidence??? I don't know - but it sure seems like it did more harm to me than good. Perhaps everyone reacts differently to it.

Kevin

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

I will get the flu shot this year due to my respiratory problems. Begore I became ill with pertussis, I usually passed on it. I've had a pneumovax injection as well.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I never got flu shots until my bout with pneumonia initiated by flu in 2000.

After getting so sick that year from flu and then pneumonia, I've been getting my flu shot every year. I haven't had flu since.

The pulmonologist I saw did tell me the flu vaccine is only effective for about 3 months. So if you get the shot too early, you could end up with flu in Feb. or March.

I bet when I start nursing school, I'll be so neurotic -- I can see myself getting a shot in October and another in January!

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we have to get it or we will not be allowed into our clinical placement if a resp. outbreak occurs

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Specializes in Too many to list.

I heard that one of the teachers at school... has the flu, both strains A and B .

Would you mind telling us what state or province you are from?

There have been reports of early flu cases in few states.

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Specializes in ICU, Mother/Baby.
Would you mind telling us what state or province you are from?

There have been reports of early flu cases in few states.

Im in Alabama. I also just heard that there is a case at my childrens elementary school. So the Flu is here guys. I woke up with a sore throat today and my daughetr has a running nose with congestion. Looks like Im gonna wait till we get over this illness we have right now but will be getting the Flu shot sometime in Oct.

Thank you to all that replyed.

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

The hospital where I work prn as a tech is offering flu shots starting in the new few weeks to employees. I usually get one every year (except during the shortage), so will probably do so again this year. I haven't had the flu in years, but have managed to come down with a bad cold once or twice during flu season periodically.

I have some mixed feelings about vaccines, but being an overall healthy person, I figure it really can't hurt me. I really appreciated llg's rationale for continuing to get it, too.

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Specializes in Too many to list.

With federal funding at risk, hospitals launch vaccination campaign

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/health/stories/2007/10/08/fludoc.html

(hat tip flutrackers/snowy owl)

In Massachusetts, the state has ordered nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to offer shots to workers - and to keep a list of everybody who refuses so that if there's a flu outbreak, disease trackers will know who is vaccinated and who is not.

At the same time, a national hospital accrediting agency has told administrators to vaccinate more employees or potentially forfeit the seal of approval that is needed to receive federal funding. Hospitals must track vaccination rates, dissect the reasons behind staffers' refusal to get shots, and then craft a strategy for getting vaccine into the arms of more workers, according to the new rules from the Joint Commission.

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They often peddle the need for this where I"m at school, and at my work, which I think is grossly irresponsible, there was even talk of making it compulosry for health professionals to get the shot.

My issues from this stem from the fact that you're only protected by a previous year/s strand, not any new ones, and the other issue, is people who have medical conditions, particularly allergies, should not be forced to risk their life for a virus they may not even catch.

I perfer to let my immune system pick up the slack.

But I do have to wonder, what the heck ever happened to the concept of "choice", that some health care professionals are being pressured into getting this thing?

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

I respectfully disagree with you. The Flu is a serious life-threatening respiratory problem. There are many at risk patients in LTC, assisted living, pediatrics, patients that have immunity problems.

These are just a few of the individuals who are not only in need of the protection, they may get the flu and other "healthier" individuals may get the flu through them and the people who are not vaccinated. The Flu is just not a virus.

The strains fromt the previous year are looked at regionally worldwide. The vaccine itself offers protection as a booster to combat the strain collectively.

I am no flu expert, but as a health professional with respiratory problems I find it nec for myself and also nec to protect my co-workers, patients, and family, let alone the granny at the grocery store.

I encourage you to read up on these posts under this forum. You may be surprised to find out the real dangers the flu imposes.

You certanly can exercise your right not to receive an injection. You don't "have to have it", you'll probably need to sign a form declning the injecton.

The threat of the Avian Flu is real and we need to remember that as a society, for safety in numbers. We can do this through educating ourselves and thinking of others that we can help.:down:

I will get my flu shot in November.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

I will be getting it only to save my butt. It the flu breaks out on our clinical floor and we have not gotten the vaccine we can't go on the floor. So essentially it can really mess up my schooling and I can't play that game.

That being said the rest of the family will not except 1 child. There are 6 of us in total. I will have it because of school and as of right now my youngest will be getting it on Thursday...now my mind could change between now and then.

That being said I am not 100% pro-vaccination. So my opinion is a general opinion on vaccines and not just the flu shot.

My children do not have the chicken pox vaccine. I don't believe any of my children are technically "up to date" on their vaccines. My oldest might be...she was behind but I believe her dad took her for the ones she "needed" (she moved to her dad's to see what it was like to be with him).

So my opinion of not getting the flu shot doesn't come just based on the flu shot but on the fact that I'm not one that vaccinates like the majority.

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