Flu Vaccine

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 4, 2008

I used to get it yearly when I was a CNA, then, when I went to nursing school, I didn't, because I was not working at the time, so, it wasn't available to me. I did get the flu that year, and it was horrible, but only lasted about two or three days. I seem to have a type of system that tolerates flu season very well by just getting some aches and pains that old folks remedies have helped. Now, for some reason, I am not interested in getting the flu shot and haven't gotten it for three years. Funny, however, I am thinking about getting the meningococcal vaccine. I may discuss it with one of the doctors at my job and get an order from her to have it administered.

hikernurse · Oct 4, 2008

I get it every year--all of my famly, too. Having the flu is miserable (plus I had a healthy--and young--friend die from it a few years ago) and if a vaccination can reduce my chances, then I'm all for it.

I also work with an immunocompromised population and frankly, I don't want to put them at risk.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 4, 2008

I get the flu shot every year for two reasons: a) I don't have time to be sick and b) my asthma. The last time I didn't get a flu shot, I bounced in and out of the hospital for months with several bouts of status asthmaticus. I've never missed the vaccine since. And I've only gotten the flu once, which was this past winter when the vaccine wasn't a good match for the prevalent strains.

I also STRONGLY encourage my staff to get the shots---I don't want them bringing in flu to our residents and killing them! I won't FORCE anyone to get the shot, but I have more ways of talking them into it than you can shake a stick at. In my last workplace, we went from 25% compliance to 90% in just one season because I pushed so hard for it. I'm not militant about many things, but I am when it comes to diseases that threaten my residents' lives and are yet so preventable.

OK, off my soapbox now. LOL

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2008

Yes, I'll probably get it. I work with elderly folks with heart failure and pulmonary disease, and I don't want to expose them. By the time I realize I'm sick, I'm already infectious. I don't want to kill anyone.

guest64485 · Oct 4, 2008

Yes, I'll probably get it. I work with elderly folks with heart failure and pulmonary disease, and I don't want to expose them. By the time I realize I'm sick, I'm already infectious. I don't want to kill anyone.

Thank you. This is probably one of the best reasons to get the flu vaccine.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2008

I get it every year faithfully. I love it for me but refuse to let my 7 year old get it. I'm not sure if that doesn't make sense, but I'm just scared for the kiddos with certain things.

I read recently about how the focus of vaccination programs is shifting toward vaccinating the kids, since they are the primary transmitters. Makes a certain amount of sense.

suespets · Oct 4, 2008

I don't get the flu shots,as I always get sick ,flu like , after. I have only had the flu once, prior to having taken them at all. I'm told by don I simply get a different flu after.Every time? I think I may be reacting to something else in the vaccine, thimerisol?

mondkmondk · Oct 4, 2008

My oldest son has asthma so he gets it regardless. I usually suffer from diarrhea up to 2 weeks after taking it, but now we have a toddler to think of too. I will probably take it and maybe the pneumonia one too if it is available.

I'm in between jobs, but patients are patients so whatever job I get, I certainly would hate to think I could possibly transmit it.

Blessings, Michelle

dylansmama · Oct 4, 2008

I got one last week....I'm in nursing school, and have an 18 month old son who just started daycare. He's getting one in a few weeks. I don't have the time or the money for either of us to be laid up with the flu.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Oct 4, 2008

Yes, I will be getting it pretty soon, and so will ds.

dream'n, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2008

No I don't get one.

Katie82, RN · Oct 4, 2008

No. Never get it.. Too many vaccines out there. What's the point ? Vaccines have become so controversial.. Babies have to get a zillion of them in their first year.. Is autism in kids connected to the "mercury" still in vaccines. How come we have to destroy all the mercury thermommeters and fillings in our teeth but they still use it in vaccines..
Also, how do they know what "strain" of flu will hit this season? We are NOT getting the specific vaccine for what will come.. They just pick one and put it out there. I saw a nurse all crippled and in fetal position until she died after having the Swine flu vaccine in the 70's. No thanks!!
I realize I have opened myself up for attack from well meaning nurses on this one. HaHa. That's OK...

I worked at a county health department. We used vaccines with no mercury preservatives. To this day, there has still been no concrete evidence that vaccines cause or contribute to autism. THe benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the side effects until they do offer a scientifically proven link. Epidemiologists do not "know" what strain of flu will strike in a particular season, they are making educated guesses based on global data compiled over the year. The Swine Flu debacle was back in the day of live virus vaccines. Vaccines now (with the exception of FluMist) are produced from a dead virus. They will not give you the flu - I can't believe I still hear that one. If you happen to be sick or immune-comprimised when you receive the vaccine, you may get "flu-like" symptoms, but this is not the FLU. I had the Hong Kong Flu back in the late 60's and I thought I was going to die, even though I was young and healthy at the time. I cannot imagine what it would have done if I had been elderly or had a chronic disease. As a healthcare provider, I consider it a responsibility to get a flu shot, I don't want to risk getting it and spreading it to my patients.