Ugh! This was NO fun!!!

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Our IF nurse brought a vial of flu vax to the ER for our staff today. A coworker and I injected each other, and within minutes both of us had reactions....she got a rash around the site and I was lightheaded, flushed, and nauseous. And both of us had weird aches in our arms, different from the "I just got a shot" ache. The boss pulled the vial and is going to turn it back into IF tomorrow, but for now that's all that's to be done. I ended up signing in for the documentation.

Years and years ago I took the flu vax once and got the flu. Never took it again until I got pregnant three years ago and was made to take it. I didn't have a problem then so I took it after that, and now I'm rethinking that one.......

I got one last year and my eyes got all puffy, the nurse at the Dr office told me it was probably a reation to the shot I am not sure if I should get one this year!

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Good, 'cause the vial specifically stated NOT for use in children!!

Apparently there is a new law...not policy, LAW...passed for this year that states pregnant women and children under 3 cannot receive the vax with preservative in it, because it's mercury-based.

Interesting. Do you know if this is a federal or state law? I'd rather not have the mercury (don't care what the experts say!). I always get my flu shot. Thinking nefarious thoughts at the moment about saying I'm pregnant when I go for the shot...don't know if I can do it? Hmm.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I got my flu shot (3rd year in a row today). Every other time I've gotten the flu-like symptoms, but they are mild and last less than 24 hours, so I can deal.

But for the past three years, I still get the flu one time/year. UGH! I guess that is what comes of doing pediatric primary care and having children slobber, sneeze, and cough on you all day long! We always keep the drug reps samples of Tamiflu (which are very scant) for us office people to keep us from missing work. In the middle of flu season it isn't unusual for me to see 15-20 kids who are + for flu a or b per day.

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Specializes in OB.

the one and only time I ever got a flu shot I felt worse than I ever did with the flu!

:sofahider

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i haven't had a flu shot in years and haven't been sick with the flu since the early 90s. i don't believe in the flu shot. i see a chiropractor regularly and never get sick.

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Where do I find info on that law?

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Pedi vax is on hold because of this change, babies are only to be given preservative-free vax. I'm sure it's a national thing. Our county health department put out a memo about it and I saw it yesterday. Unfortunately I'm at home now so I can't share it.

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Specializes in Rural.

Me and both my kids have had a flu shot for the last three years, this is the first time we all had muscle aches, and my daughter had a local reaction at the injection site that lasted for 2 days.

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I work in a pediatric facility and we give everyone a flu shot at discharge...doesn't matter the age .. we have already started giving them this year.. I am intrested to hear about the mercury thing I never heard of that but I guess we could be giving mercury free ones.. I'll have to look into that :)

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

My pediatrician instructed parentsprior to give a dose of acetaminophen to children prior to leaving for office appointment for scheduled immunizations...decreased reactions.

I figured same advice must work for adults and since I have arthritis/ hx bronchitis been taking it 30 min before flu shot with PCP ok. Minimal discomfort and soreness past 10 years along with no flu. Ask your PCP if this might work for you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.
Thinking nefarious thoughts at the moment about saying I'm pregnant when I go for the shot...don't know if I can do it? Hmm.

Hmm, just say no thank you!!! Flu shots are not mandatory.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Years ago flu shots were made from equine serum - so almost everyone had a flu like reaction to them. That isnt the case anymore.

A mild short duration reaction, or a localized respose of redness in the area that clears afer a short time is normal and acceptable. Your body would be abnormal if you didn't have SOME sort of response. That's what a vaccine is supposed to do - induce a response. The response is what triggers the build up of antibodys.

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