Do you feel that they are an absolute necessity for children, elders and other's who are immuno-compromised but perhaps not for a relatively healthy adult?
I understand the concept that the flu vaccine only protects against the type of flu that scientists believe will be the most prevalent during the flu season, but is it true that that the vaccine only protects you for two months if you opt to get it?
I'm just wondering if I should get it or not. I have not received a flu vaccine in a number of years and wondering if I should.
I had gotten the flu shot for 11 years straight and remained relatively healthy. Didn't get it last year, because the year before my arm swelled, red, painful, turned the most lovely yellow-green after the redness left........Anyway ended up sick as a dog last year with the flu and every other bug the kids dragged home from school. Think I'll try it again this year, but will watch my arm closely!!
Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.
With all we are exposed to??...yeah, I think all health care workers who can tolerate it should get it...if not for you, then for your family and your patients.
...and no shortage on vaccine predicted this year!
I last came down with the flu on Halloween night of 1992. Spent all the rest of that fall, winter, and much of the spring bouncing in and out of the ER with out-of-control asthma, took prednisone for 2 months and gained 25#, and felt like something the dog found under the house. I have gotten a flu shot every single autumn since then. I haven't been truly ill in all these years.
And that's all I have to say about THAT.
I've gotten it for the last 6 years and haven't gotten the flu from it or anything else. It seems worth it to me. Especially the thought of trying to keep transmission rates down. Also, the hospital I work in has a LTC that you walk through to get to the cafeteria. When someone gets sick, it invariably gets to these dear elderly people and I'd rather not be the one to pass it on.
interesting thread. i hear that a flu shot was given in one dose. my pediatrician tried to get me to consent to 2 doses (different visits) for my baby. i refused the second dose because i could not find any info. that two doses were needed. i figured the md was trying to get more money out of me.
The CDC official recommendation is that children under the age of 9 who are receiving the vaccine for the first time get 2 shots, 1 month apart. After that, 1 dose every year just like everyone else. Here's a link to the information sheet from CDC.
When my oldest son was 5 he got the flu lasted a week. When he was 6 he got it twice lasted a week both times. One of the Doc's I worked with mentioned that I was probaly taking it home to him ( I worked LTC then) OK a lightbulb went off. I started getting the vaccine and he has never gotten the flu since. He's 12 now.
Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.
I used to get a good cold/flu once a year, ever since I have gotten the flu shot, I have not gotten anything but a mild cold, if that. So, it works for me...
Regarding flu shots.. I had never had a major problem with the flu but about 7 years ago it was a particularly horrible flu season predicted in my area.. so i figured well i might as well go and get my flu shot.. ( i tend to hate getting injections so had never had a flu shot before that.) :-)
Well i had a nasty horrible allergic reaction to something in the flu shot and was told by hospital to never get a flu shot again since i rarely got the flu and had such a reaction to it..
I for one am NOT willing to chance such a reaction again.. (wonder why. hmmm ...
I do think it is a good idea for those that are vulnerable and would anyone else in the catagories to get one..
Our employee nurse says we should get it because of SARS. I guess she thinks that if we get the shot and wind up with flu like symptoms, then it is probably SARS. I should hope not but I am getting mine this year just to keep her off of my back.
I hate getting flu shots, my arm aches all the next day and I have 2-3 days of mild flu-ishness afterwards.
but, I get it anyway, both because I couldn't afford (economically) to get the real-deal flu and because I feel it's important to protect others from it. Especially now that I'm working with babies!
I get a flu shot every year...I work in an NICU and our dep. head encourages it. Last year I had the shot as usual in Nov. In March I got the flu....BAD...Had to be hospitalized...Type A flu...I don't have a lot of faith in them now....but still get them. MPA
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sunnybrook83
75 Posts
I had gotten the flu shot for 11 years straight and remained relatively healthy. Didn't get it last year, because the year before my arm swelled, red, painful, turned the most lovely yellow-green after the redness left........Anyway ended up sick as a dog last year with the flu and every other bug the kids dragged home from school. Think I'll try it again this year, but will watch my arm closely!!