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 think that we forget ourselves as the first wave of flu receivers. We get close to everyone and frequently get coughed on. We have to get those shots as badly as the elderly since we are first in line to getting sick and transmitting all that airborne sickness to each other and the patients we take care of.
Facts: Statistically speaking, getting a flu shot helps prevent the flu, or, in the event of flu, helps prevent complications especially in seniors and infants.
It is recommended that health care workers and any others providing essential community services get the flu shot.
Visit the cdc web site for full information; it's getting to be a complex issue, but if we believe in preventive medicine, we are morally obliged to get that shot and help protect those who are not able to be protected.
I personally do not like taking them. I had 2...the first one I got the hot spells, chills and dizziness...but they warn you about that. The second time I was fine. But I don't work on Continuing Care anymore, and I rarely get sick, so I didn't bother. I know some hospitals require you to get it...it's just recommended here. I hear that the long-term effects aren't good, but I havent' done any research on it. I just prefer to leave it alone. I'm not opposed to regular immunizations, but I also like natural immunity.
I also work in the NICU, and will be getting flu tx this fall, but I'm springing for the $22 nasal spray vs. the $10 shot this time.
Because the nasal spray allows you to shed the virus for up to 3 weeks after getting it, my hospital (a children's hospital) is not allowing anyone here to get it. Anyone who gets it will be forced to take the 3 weeks off because the possible risk to the patients.
Before you get that nasal spray, you ought to check with your occupational health department at work. The NICU is one place I wouldn't want to be spreading that live virus around.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
I'm one of the first in line each fall for my flu shot. Like so many of you, I can't afford to be sick even for a few days. Since I work in a pediatric ICU and am exposed to all manner of nasty bugs, if I can protect myself against even one, baby, I'm there!
Then there's the liver transplant my son had almost 15 years ago... gotta keep him safe. He attends a day program for handicapped adults now, and many of them struggle with serious resp compromise, so their program provides the shots annually, along with Pneumovax for those who need it.
DH remembers the flap surrounding the swine flu shots in the mid 70's and although I don't remember HIM having a problem, he refuses on principle now. (He knows very well where to find sympathy...:chuckle It's in the dictionary, in between "$#!+" and "syphilis"! His line, not mine! )
I just went for a check up and it was posted @ my Dr.'s that the Flu shat was available. I have gotten one for the last 8 years. I have not been sick, but I hadn't been sick prior to those 8 years either. I think it is a matter of personal chioce. Maybe a little bit of "mind over matter".
I had a liver and kidney tranpslant, so of course i am immunosuppresed, but I have only gotten the flu shot once adn that was when I was underdoing CAPD. Some yell at me for not getting the shot since I work in healthcare (OR) and am immunocomprised,but I have never gotten the flu that bad or nearly at all. don't know if any one else is in this situation, but if you are do you get a flu shot?
Specializes in Gen Surg, Peds, family med, geriatrics.
Having had the flu (yes, influenza, not a gastro) 3 times I now get my flu shot.
In fact, here in Ontario we have a government funded flu shot program and anyone who lives here can get the flu shot.
This year in my clinic, we're gearing up for a very busy flu shot season....I already ordered 5000 doses and probably will have to order another few thousand sometime around Christmas. I also ordered over 8000 3cc syringes with needles and over 2000 1 cc with needles.....there's syringe boxes stored literally everywhere!!
Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.
The thing about the flu shot is such a false misconception that getting a flu shot will give you the flu. Fact: If you are going to get the flu you will get it regardless of a flu shot or not, just not as severe if you have a flu shot. Elderly and those immunocompromised should always have a flu shot.
Why bother injecting Live viral organisims into your already tired and overworked body.......I have read that the average person will only get an episode of "flu" twice in their lives.....the rest are common colds and respiratory viruses................
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LadyNASDAQ
317 Posts
I think that we forget ourselves as the first wave of flu receivers. We get close to everyone and frequently get coughed on. We have to get those shots as badly as the elderly since we are first in line to getting sick and transmitting all that airborne sickness to each other and the patients we take care of.