Fifty Plus (50+) - Getting a FLU Shot ?

I did (although I didn't last year). What do you think about it: like dropping an A-bomb on your immune system or a safe way to at least reduce the risk of infection during the flu season? :)

- haven't had one in a couple years... perhaps this year...

Today we had several mentions on the UK radio about a few medical things that may affect us-

No 1 was to ward off colds and Flu- Take a brisk walk for 30 minutes every day.
I suppose the exercise will make you fitter to enable you to fight the colds etc.

No 2 is that flu jabs are only benificial to the infirm or elderly, and that most of us will have the immunity to fight the flu
We have a FREE national health and as Flu jabs are part of that FREE service-If they can get less people taking them- it will cost the nation less

My view is that If I prefer to get natural immunity and do not fancy the reaction to a Flu jab that seems to be as bad as the flu in the First place.

No 3----This has to be the best. The Obesity problem that we have (Yes it is beginning to occur over here as well) Can now be blamed on Air Pollution.
The fact that most obesity seems to be in Cities and Towns where air pollution from Industry is based seems to be where they have drawn this fact from. The simple matter that Most Obese people do not exercise- Eat junk Food and drink a lot of beer does not seem to come into it.

Sorry but This is a decision you have to take on your own. If you have an illness that may make you prone to Flu turning into a life threatening problem then have the jab. If you get out and keep yourself fit- then whats a couple of days in bed with a Video of the TDF to keep you company worth- even if you do feel rough while watching it.


My comments about the obese are not meant to run down any of us on here that may feel obese- but I do get fed up with those that will do nothing to help themselves in their problem. So If I offend any one here- Sorry

Today we had several mentions on the UK radio about a few medical things that may affect us-

No 1 was to ward off colds and Flu- Take a brisk walk for 30 minutes every day.
I suppose the exercise will make you fitter to enable you to fight the colds etc.

No 2 is that flu jabs are only benificial to the infirm or elderly, and that most of us will have the immunity to fight the flu
We have a FREE national health and as Flu jabs are part of that FREE service-If they can get less people taking them- it will cost the nation less

My view is that If I prefer to get natural immunity and do not fancy the reaction to a Flu jab that seems to be as bad as the flu in the First place.

No 3----This has to be the best. The Obesity problem that we have (Yes it is beginning to occur over here as well) Can now be blamed on Air Pollution.
The fact that most obesity seems to be in Cities and Towns where air pollution from Industry is based seems to be where they have drawn this fact from. The simple matter that Most Obese people do not exercise- Eat junk Food and drink a lot of beer does not seem to come into it.

Sorry but This is a decision you have to take on your own. If you have an illness that may make you prone to Flu turning into a life threatening problem then have the jab. If you get out and keep yourself fit- then whats a couple of days in bed with a Video of the TDF to keep you company worth- even if you do feel rough while watching it.


My comments about the obese are not meant to run down any of us on here that may feel obese- but I do get fed up with those that will do nothing to help themselves in their problem. So If I offend any one here- Sorry


Reason number 4 - so that you won't be passing the flu along to other family members, co-workers, etc.

FWIW, I've never had a "reaction" to a flu shot, and the immunity it confers is entirely "natural" in that it simply helps your immune system to be able to recognize a virus before becoming exposed to it.

I get one every year they let me. A couple of years ago I was to young and not pregnant enough to qualify. (shortages)

Got one this morning for the first time ever. I work for a municipality and they provided it as a service to all employees. I'm curious to see if it has any effect, one way or the other.

The best flu shot - 1) wash your hands constantly, 2)keep an alcohol based hand sanitizer handy and use it, 3)keep your hands off grimy things like public door handles and railings and if you touch them, go back to 2), 4) keep your hands out of your eyes and your nose and 5) take 1500mg of chewable Vitamin C daily.

I haven't had the flu in more than 10 years following those little recommendations. Flu shots in my humble estimation are a waste of time and money unless you're at serious risk of dying from it.

I'm a classroom teacher. Beaucoup germs in my life-space. I always caught the flu until 10 or so years ago when I began getting the shot. No flu since. No reactions. Just me and the (other) oldsters standing in line down at the local supermarket/drug store every fall joking with the shot-ladies. I'm a believer.

No vaccines for me! The last one I got for the shot for Lyme disease, which has since been taken off of the market! Before that it was the swine flu shot (long ago) from which some ended up with guillambarre syndrome (I know I didn't spell it correctly!) After the last two vaccines were proven to be dangerous to your health, I just don't trust vaccines. Don't feel enough testing is done before they are given to the public.

I had mine two weeks ago, nary any kind of problem. Again, it is playing the percentages. With my previous heart deal, it makes good sense to me.

My insurance pays for it.

I got one when I joined the army in the summer of '69. That sucker's been working ever since!

I got one when I joined the army in the summer of '69. That sucker's been working ever since!

No doubt with that high pressure shot "gun" favored by those smiling medics...it left my arm bloody.

I've taken the shot 3 of the past 5 years. No problems from it. Plan to take it again this year.

Just got mine yesterday. In my previous employment (25 years) I was exposed to raw sewage every day. It was common to have several colds every year and the flu about 3 years out of five.... this even with good personal hygeine practices such as frequent hand washing and use of alcohol gel disenfectant. Ten years before I retired, my employer began a voluntary free vaccination program for all employees. We were given flu shots every fall and a course of shots for hepatitis A on a schedule determined by the county public health dept.
I have not had even a minor case of the flu since starting on a yearly vaccination program. I have kept up with the flu shots after retirement even though it is not covered by my insurance.

Never had one. Had the flu for the 1st time in ages about 6 years ago. Ran a 103 fever and dropped 15 lbs in 3 days. Better than dieting! Haven't had the flu since! Bronchitis is another story!

My job gave me lots of public contact so I got a shot every year (I pay for my insurance & the insurance pays for the shots). Haven't had the flu for many years & now that I'm retired, expect to continue with the shots.

I tend not to suffer too much from colds and the flu, so I don't worry about getting shots. We've just come out of the flu season (I'm in Oz) and, you guessed it, I got the flu. Man did I get the flu. The flu that ran around Australia this year is a nasty one - it'll take you out of action for a week and keep you off the bike for close to three ... if you're keen.

I'm guessing that'll be the same strain of flu that you lot in the northern half of this planet are about to cop.

So my advice is, get the shot. This year's flu isn't worth messing with.

Richard

In my previous employment (25 years) I was exposed to raw sewage every day.

Were you in politics, sales, or criminal justice?

Were you in politics, sales, or criminal justice?

It was a blue-collar job in the public service sector. As I said I worked there for 25 years... heard all the jokes... none of them were as funny as the teller seemed to think.

No 3----This has to be the best. The Obesity problem that we have (Yes it is beginning to occur over here as well) Can now be blamed on Air Pollution.
The fact that most obesity seems to be in Cities and Towns where air pollution from Industry is based seems to be where they have drawn this fact from. The simple matter that Most Obese people do not exercise- Eat junk Food and drink a lot of beer does not seem to come into it.



Wowser! This line of reasoning (not stapfam's) is gold. Pure Gold! Rather akin to visiting an overweight person's home, looking in the freezer, and finding it stuffed with Weight Watchers' frozen meals. Naturely, you conclude that Weight Watchers causes obesity.

To the original question, I got a flu shot today, and do every year, except for one year in which it was rationed. I trust it to do no harm, and expect at least some benefit. Now, remembering the complications from that swine flu shot in the 70's, I would be very wary of any immunization developed on a crash basis in response to a new flu version. That is, I try to make my best guess based on the possible severity of the new virus, the likelyhood of catching it, and the possibility and severity of complications from the shot itself. In other words, a guess based on a bunch of guesses.

My favorite wife works in a local hospital and they all get the shots. This year it seems that the local pharmacies have taken on the role of giving the vaccines. Stand in line, fill out questionaire, pay your 30 bucks and get the shot. I will get one as will all 3 of the kids. Public schools and universities are breeding grounds for the latest strain of everything. Even if I get it, the bout should be less severe than if I hadn't been vaccinated. Of course, the vaccine is based on last year's strain and what they think statistically will be this year's version.

Since she is considered to be 'high-risk' for exposure, I'm next in line to get from her, or the kids, or my students. SSP's hygiene recommendations are excellent ones - except that those aren't gonna apply when I'm around my cro-moly baby on cold evenings...:D

My favorite wife works in a local hospital and they all get the shots. This year it seems that the local pharmacies have taken on the role of giving the vaccines. Stand in line, fill out questionaire, pay your 30 bucks and get the shot. I will get one as will all 3 of the kids. Public schools and universities are breeding grounds for the latest strain of everything. Even if I get it, the bout should be less severe than if I hadn't been vaccinated. Of course, the vaccine is based on last year's strain and what they think statistically will be this year's version.

Since she is considered to be 'high-risk' for exposure, I'm next in line to get from her, or the kids, or my students. SSP's hygiene recommendations are excellent ones - except that those aren't gonna apply when I'm around my cro-moly baby on cold evenings...:D


I can still remember it happening to me- Even Though my kids left school years ago. If there was any infection going round the schools- Then My kids got it and so did I.
Only Flu shot I had was many years ago in the forces. You stood in line and they vaccinated you for everything. It was only a couple of days later when all of us in that Line came down with violent headaches and temperatures that they decided to stop the Flu vaccination as a matter of course- as we were the only ones to get the Flu jab and it had an adverse affect on all of us.

Over my 30-year professional career, I have missed a few days of work due to injury, but only extremely rarely due to illness. The only time I have missed more than two days in a row was about two weeks after my first-and-only flu shot. Coincidence? Probably, but ...

Never had a flu shot and don't plan on starting now.

I get one every year. It takes 2 seconds to get the shot, my insurance pays for it in full. I figure, why not. True my immune system will help me fight it, but it won't prevent me from getting it. And in those yers when it seems like everyone you know has the flu? Well then it seems like a pretty smart decision.

I can't understand why anybody WOULDN'T get the shot. It's derived from a killed virus and can't possibly give you flu, despite the stories you hear about people who "got the flu from the flu shot." It's cheap, easy and nearly painless.
The clincher for me, though, is that I have four neighbors who are physicians--two family practice, one internal med specialist and a pulmonologist (lung specialist). All four got the shots, gave them to their families and very strongly urged their staffs to get them.

Well, every injectable product has its risks. That's why the EMEA and FDA banned the Flu shot a couple of years ago because the manufacturing firm had some serious problems. For them to stop shipment of the shots, it must have been really serious problems and a health risk to take the shots. But this year there are no manufacturing problems.
So I'm getting the shot, tommorrow.

Does the potential benefit outweigh the tiny risk? I think so!
Hygiene helps, but because it is airborn, it's not as important as for bacterial diseases.

I don't get a flu shot mainly because it is only effective if they guess right on the strain. Remember they have to mfg these before the flu season. The CDC looks at the current strains running around and then makes an educated guess as to what strains to mfg the vaccine for. If they guess right they pick a strain that is either the one going around or closely linked to that strain. If they guess wrong then you get no protection whatsoever. The main worry right now is the Avian Flu mutating into the population and staying both as virulent as it is but increasing its properties to air born infection. Currently there is no vaccine for the H5N1 or H9N2 avian flue strains, although they are working on developing them.

This is what happened to me: I am very reluctant to get any medicine including flu shots. I have many stories to tell.
Well, last winter I caught the bug. It was remarkable. I was healthy as a horse and reduced to misery fast. High fever (well over 100-102). Most important breathing problems. It felt as if my lungs were filled with water. I finally, in desperation, go to a walk in clinic (my wife had to drive me). They ran all the tests. Some were unpleasant like sticking things up my nose. The outcome?---The common Cold-----!
No flu shot would have prevented that. My wife got a flu shot this year. She volunteers in a hospital. We will see what happens.

You betcha' I get 'em. . .got mine earlier this month. I was a clinical microbiologist in a former life [couldn't handle all the money and respect so I went to cyber security]. Anyway, like wearing a helmet, it's a risk reducer not a risk preventative. There's a bit of voodoo in the decision of exactly which viruses to throw into this year's brew. . .after all how does one predeict which handful of strains [out of hundreds] will cause next winter's epidemic[s]. . .but that's why CDC gets the big funding. . .no wait.

Influenza is a nasty customer and if I can pay a coupla' bucks to reduce becoming a pulmonary cripple or worse, I'm happy as coyote in the trash bin.

Getting mine Wednesday at work, company pays for it for everyone who wants one. Wife works in the local middle school clinic, got hers last week compliments of the district. With all the stuff she's exposed to at work, it's a no-brainer for both of us....

B'Dog

You all must have short memories. I truely almost died from Gerald Ford;s foray with having everyone get a swine flu shot. My wife was pregnant at the time and it seemed like the thing to do. Never had one since.

If you have ever been sick enough to think you would be better off dead this is how it went down for me.

Wow, someone who actually listened to Gerald Ford.:eek:

Biggest problem with people NOT getting a flu shot is having large numbers of people running around with no immunity, so if the vaccine is worth while (as someone pointed out, it's a guess what virus will be the bad boy any particular year) the unvaccinated people will pass it on like crazy, omcreasing the risks for the vaccinated people. Eliminate the potential reservoir of people with no immunity, and you have largely wiped out the influenza problem. Vastly decreased it anyway.
A good example is whooping cough vaccine - perfectly effective, but some parents too lazy to get their kids vaccinated, so now we are seeing outbreaks of whooping cough when 30 -40 years ago there was almost none. Mumps the same. People die from these diseases, yet when the rare side effect occurs, (like the Guillan Barre Syndrome) it get remembered and parotted on and on forever!
Undoubtedly WAY MORE people die from influenza than the rare person with a side effect from the vaccine! Not even counting the morbidity from it!
How do you think we managed to wipe out Smallpox and (so far) almost wiped out Polio? Of course some people died from the various vaccines, especially the earlier ones, but was it worth it? Of course it was!

Wow, someone who actually listened to Gerald Ford.:eek:

"Eat what you want, but eat what you take" (the cure for "stagflation")

Never had a flu shot, but I'd like to get one. My company eliminated the benefit, though.

Never had one...don't know if I ever will. I can't recall the last time I had a real flu so the reasons for getting one seem small. I prefer to stay away from the medical "experts" as much as possible. :rolleyes:

Ain't never gonna get me no freakin' flu shot. Never had one, never will.

Haven't had the flu in 7 years. I have been getting flu shots for 7 years. Used to get it (the flu) every year. I will take my shot with thanks!

7or 8 years ago I got the shot---I got the flu. I decieded I didn't need the flu so I don't get the shot. It works for me so that's what I do.

7or 8 years ago I got the shot---I got the flu. I decieded I didn't need the flu so I don't get the shot. It works for me so that's what I do.

Sounds like you slept through science and statistics...:rolleyes:

Last flu shot I got was the swine flu one back in '76. It must have worked, I haven't gotten the flu since, even though I'm around a lot of people all the time. My insurance doesn't pay for the shot. But I suppose I should really get one. Then there's my wife. Her employer pays for her shot. Last year as per usual she got her shot. A month or so later she got the flu. Hmmm. I didn't get it. Hmmm. I just don't believe in being sick. That seems to work.

I've had the flu shot two times, both times got the flu or a reaction to the vaccine with flu like symptoms. Sick for a week, won't do it again.

Have never had one. Maybe when I get old I will start (only 61 now).

I've been generally healthy most my life. Can't tell you last time I had the flu. But I just went through cancer treatment so I asked my dorctor if I should get a flu shot. He was adamant, unless I had an auto immune disease or some other illness I should not start getting flu shots until age 60. So at 55 I have 5 years to go. In the meantime, I just avoid people... ;)

Got mine today.

36,000 people die from the flu every year. It is no joke.