Flu Shots - you getting them?

I gotten a flu shot almost every year since as far back as I can remember and never had a problem, but last year it made me sick for a few days. I was on the fence whether or not I'd get it this year but my dad prepaid for me to get a shot at the UofL drive-thru on Thursday, so I got one... needles to say I've felt under the weather since Friday and actually have a low grade fever today. Never again for me.

Did you get the nasal live vaccine? If not then it wasn't the shot that made you sick. There is no live virus in the "shot" so the fact that you got sick was just an unfortunate coincidence.

No, I'm definitely under the weather. Now whether or not I have the flu is one thing, but this definitely makes it 2 uears in a row that the shot made me feel bad. Muscle aches and a low grade fever, 100.3 as of 6pm.

My dr told me 10 years ago or so that all people in the food service industry should get a flu shot- for themselves and others. I've done so every year and will get the swine flu shot as soon as I can. I'm also nearly bathing in hand sanitizer- I really don't want to get sick this year.
Adam, I hope you get to feeling better very soon.

I did get the flu shot this year. I will also be getting the swine flu vaccine when it comes available.
I am subbing a ton in the public schools, so I think it's necessary.

I did not get the flu shot last year. I ended up coming down TWICE with it, once with strain A and once with Strain B.

How do you know it was strain A or strain B, whatever those are? I've gotten sick in my life, several times, but I've never been diagnosed with any flu strain. Didn't know they did that.

I guess I just try to avoid doctors, unless necessary (x-rays, etc)....plus occasional tests (infrequent). I've been teaching plus barista'ing for several years, and no flu yet...whoohoooooo (really can't remember my last good fever). Subbing could be worse.

I went to see my doc last week and he didn't even bring up the subject of flu shots. Odd, since one of his specialties is infectious diseases, and he's usually a big proponent of the seasonal shot.

I'm waffling on this, but for now it looks like I'll take a pass on the shot.

By the way, in my opinion one way to help keep from getting these types of viruses is to take heed of common sense precautions. Mostly, wash those hands!

I got the flu shot once, and was SICK, (as in flat on my back with a fever, body aches, chills) for almost 2 weeks. After that, I vowed never to get one again. As far as the H1N1 shot, I have no plans to get that either. I'm young and healthy, and rarely get sick, and I just don't trust it. They can't ever get enough regular flu vaccine to the folks that need it, due to shortages, but we have more than enough swine flu vaccine to go around? No thanks. I'll pass.

I'm over 50, have worked with the public in either restaurant services/sales all my life. I have never had a flue shot due to an allergy to eggs. (I understand that doesn't matter anymore.) I have had the flu twice in 25 years. Once was for about 4 days, the other (about 2 years ago) was really bad for about 2 weeks.I think that's pretty good considering no flu shot and working with the public every day. I will not not be getting a flu shot.

I've already gotten the seasonal from at the office. And when the H1N1 becomes available (hopefully also for free because we are a healthcare concern) I will be one of the first in line giving the fun I've had medically over the past year.

I can't find a link, but there was an interesting interview on public radio about immunization/vaccination controversies.

As I recall:
* almost all European countries and the U.S. have some sort of controversy over a widespread/highly recommended/required immunizations.
* Each country seems to have its own controversy. The Autism issue in the U.S. isn't an issue in any other country. But in Britain they have their big immunization concern, France has another, Germany another, etc.
* the author concluded immunization scares/concerns were largely related to the fact that the government required them. The imposition lead to suspicion and distrust that is not born out by the facts.
* the flu vaccine and its variants are remarkably effective with very few side effects given the millions upon millions who get it.

I can't find a link, but there was an interesting interview on public radio about immunization/vaccination controversies.

As I recall:
* almost all European countries and the U.S. have some sort of controversy over a widespread/highly recommended/required immunizations.
* Each country seems to have its own controversy. The Autism issue in the U.S. isn't an issue in any other country. But in Britain they have their big immunization concern, France has another, Germany another, etc.
* the author concluded immunization scares/concerns were largely related to the fact that the government required them. The imposition lead to suspicion and distrust that is not born out by the facts.
* the flu vaccine and its variants are remarkably effective with very few side effects given the millions upon millions who get it.

Did you know that they add hexafluorosilicic acid to our drinking water? It's a communist plot to infiltrate and rob us of our precious bodily fluids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdd9_nXV ... re=related

I am NOT getting a flu shot ever again, because they contain mercury and aluminum, among many other harmful substances. I would rather get the flu.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... posed.aspx

Incorrect. Please do research in reliable places, not websites that make you register just to read some article from some quack. I do not get the flu shot, but there is not one reason on earth anymore to not get a vaccine. They are completely safe, thimerosal has been removed.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/updates/thimerosal.htm

uh, from the cdc page you linked, in bold letters,

Since 2001, with the exception of some influenza (flu) vaccines, thimerosal is not used as a preservative in routinely recommended childhood vaccines.

So we'd need to know specifics about each manufacturer of flu vaccine as to whether or not there is thimerosal in the doses.

Flu can kill you. There is no evidence that the amount of Thimerosal in the flu vaccine will cause any lasting problems. But, like almost any medical intervention, there is some risk in getting the vaccine--just a greater risk in not getting it.

Don't you think that any vaccine that gets fast-tracked should be questioned? Especially when the "shortage" occurs, because when they can't produce enough vaccine, other compounds such as squalene will be introduced to stretch supplies. These are much more questionable than the vaccine itself. By the time your walgreens or whomever gets the supply, who knows what it will have gone through. A decade from now will we be tracing the latest autoimmune problems to the rushed H1N1?

I am NOT getting a flu shot ever again, because they contain mercury and aluminum, among many other harmful substances. I would rather get the flu.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... posed.aspx

Incorrect. Please do research in reliable places, not websites that make you register just to read some article from some quack. I do not get the flu shot, but there is not one reason on earth anymore to not get a vaccine. They are completely safe, thimerosal has been removed.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/updates/thimerosal.htm

Josh,

Thimerosal (which is half mercury by weight) is still in a bunch of flu vaccines (I think most, actually, by number of doses available). Here is the table:
http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/ABOUT/QA/vaxsupply.htm#table

I'm fairly amazed they haven't phased it out yet. The CDC denies there is convincing evidence that it is harmful, but it is well documented to cause severe damage or even death at higher levels, so the question becomes what level is "safe?" And how are infants whose bodies and brains are rapidly developing affected? Again, heavy metals like lead and mercury have been shown to have a variety of negative effects upon developing brains. What is a safe level? More importantly, why risk it (when you don't need to!!)??????

Flu can kill you. There is no evidence that the amount of Thimerosal in the flu vaccine will cause any lasting problems. But, like almost any medical intervention, there is some risk in getting the vaccine--just a greater risk in not getting it.

Walking across the street can kill you too. But most of us still do it. Life is all about calculated risks. Some of us prefer to take a few chances in life. Here is a neat commentary on risk (and life):

http://derschlaefer.soup.io/post/214630 ... tion-video

Cheers!