Flu Vaccine

NewWayofLife · Oct 17, 2008

I get the flu shot for two reasons- I have a past history of very severe asthma AND I'm a healthcare worker. I've never had a bad reaction, and have never had the flu. Got my shot two days ago, and I have to say the nurse who gave it was AMAZING! Not only did I not get a sore arm, but I really never even FELT the injection. If I didn't bleed a tiny bit, I might not have believed I even got it!

As an aside, I also used to get a severe bronchitis or pneumonia at least once a winter until my pulmonologist recommend the pneumovax. I highly recommend it to those who are eligible.

kythe, LPN · Oct 17, 2008

I'm not getting one this year. I'm at a point where I'm willing to miss work if my children or I get sick, which is what you agree to any time you sign a waiver. We are otherwise healthy and have little risk of hospitalization ourselves. I see no reason to inject foreign particles into our bodies for a disease that is unlikely to cause serious complications for us.

I had the vaccine the year I was a nursing student because I knew I couldn't afford to miss school since you can't really make up 1-2 weeks of clinicals. I won't rule out getting it again in the future if I feel a need. This isn't one of those times.

RNperdiem, RN · Oct 17, 2008

I got mine this year.

Instead of going to occupational health, the house supervisor asked the charge nurse early in the shift if anyone wanted a flu vaccine. If you wanted a vaccine, the house supervisor gave you one when she came to your unit.

lpnflorida · Oct 17, 2008

I get my flu shots every year. Clarify I missed two years since age 18, and wouldn't you know it both of those years I ended up with pneumonia as a complication of the flu I had.

Made a believer out of me.

Whether one does or does not get a flu shot is their own personal choice based on what they know of their own health histories or own beliefs.