Flu shots anyone??

I did. It has mutated, but the partial coverage can still give you some protection, so even though you might get it, the severity of your symptoms may be lessened because of it.

Anyway, it's a crapshoot, regardless, but since every one of us in my family are on Humira (me - fistula/IBD, daughter - indeterminate colitis, hubby - psoriatic arthritis), going to try to prevent it.

Though I got a whopper of an URI right now that isn't flu, but it's almost worse.

I got mine. It's much, much better than nothing, even if less effective than the best years.

The flu shot is NEVER 100% effective and the only way it is effective at all is by having as many people as possible being vaccinated. Even with reduced effectiveness, it is better than nothing. Anyone in a risk category (chronic disease is one of them) should get vaccinated, along with anyone in their household.

Jan

I rarely took the annual flu shot but after my neighbor died last year from the flu (my age, healthy, no issues with compromised immune system) I opted to get the annual shot this year. Like Jan says, I know it doesn't protect me 100% but it provides a measure of assurance that I did something to reduce my chances of getting the flu.

Sue

I've been taking it for about 20yr...I was told that although it is not perfect it is a whole lot better than ending up in ER on I.V. for dehydration or worse...
I can't afford to get sick so the 6€ pricetag is really cheap for me...
Wouldn't go through a winter witout it...Especially since I take the subway every day.
Sharon

Definitely. I never hesitate on the flu shot and make sure my whole family gets it. I believe my daughter got the flu this week (not diagnosed, but looked like flu symptoms), but she's better after just one day, so the shot may not prevent flu but can make a case of it less severe. For me, even if it's not 100% effective, even if it's only 20% effective, I am all for doing what we can to lessen the pain and misery of any infection in our household. I figure we have enough to deal with and juggle.

Just got out of the hospital with flu A. I almost died, this is no joke. Get to the hospital if you're ill. I waited two days too long. Anyway, next year I will consider getting the shot.

Yes... I will get one from now on.
I am just getting over it. Terrible.
I don't know how I did it but I made it through... Pushed and pushed myself everyday to go to and get through work. Terrible. I was not contagious when I went back to work but I was so worn out it was unreal. Get a flu shot. You do not want this flu.
Richard.

This year I got flu, pneumonia, and shingles vaccine shots, all of which were covered by insurance. The flu shot doesn't cover everything out there and did not stop a bad head cold I had end of October which my PCP said was likely caused by a virus.

Right now there is a terrible mumps outbreak in the National Hockey League, including at least 10 diagnosed players including Sidney Crosby, who is the best player in the league. Mumps is preventable by vaccine - I had it as a kid when there wasn't one.

I must be the only one who doesn't understand the flu shot. You all sound so convincing. I don't ever get it because I don't want to take a chance of getting sick from it. I understand you can get a lesser version of the flu or bad cold from getting the shot. Plus I don't like having some strange mixture of lord-knows-what put in my body. One of the old vaccines was blended up infected monkey organs or something. And isn't the flu vaccine made in eggs? I usually don't like to show my ignorance about certain topics, but I wanted to air my concerns so you guys would understand and possibly refute them. It's really the chance of getting a mini version of the flu that keeps me from it. I really fear getting sick after all I've been through.

I am still getting over the flu.
If you get the full blown version you will wish you had a flu shot. It has been three weeks and I am still weak from it. I will get a flu shot.
I was not afraid of any of your concerns.... Just too lazy to get it. Not anymore. First time I had the flu and it kicked my butt!

The nasal spray contain live (weakened) virus, but the shot contains only killed virus. You can get some decent information here:
Key Fact About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Immunosuppressed people, like those on biologics, etc., and those getting things like IVIG should not get the nasal spray flu vaccine. Only the dead attenuated virus in the shot form is safe for those folks.

Tulsa,

Try not to believe what you hear, but believe the facts, such as those in the link from the CDC that Scott posted. There are a lot of people who spread untrue things about vaccines.

Yes, the virus for most vaccines are grown in eggs. That means that if you are severely allergic to eggs, you need a special type of vaccine. It does not mean you cannot have any vaccines. If your allergy is mild, you can have the vaccine with precautions.

You CANNOT get the flu from the vaccine. You can get a mild case of the flu, but not from the vaccine. It is the vaccine that prevents the full blown flu if you were already exposed before you had enough time to develop enough antibodies. Feeling a little off or having some injection site pain is not "getting sick."

As for putting God-knows-what into your body goes, every time you enter a room full of people you are exposing yourself to viruses. THAT is the big unknown. Your choice is to either live in a bubble, take your chances, or protect yourself as best you can. Smallpox is considered eradicated due to vaccines and polio is greatly diminished. They don't even give those anymore. It is up to you what risks you find acceptable. Just make choices on facts, not rumors.

Flu vaccine will always be needed because it mutates from year to year. I have been getting the flu vaccines for decades and have never had a problem. I just WISH I could get the shingles vaccine, but I can't because it is live virus and I am on a biologic. I did start the hepatitis B series recently on my doctor's advice.

Jan

Sad to say, I was making a serious medical decision without bothering to get to know the facts. Very, very unlike me. I guess I jumped on the flu rumor bandwagon before my obsession with researching everything. I kind of knew that one day I'd have to learn the truth. Thanks everyone for the info and the personal stories. They really hit home. I will change my stripes and join the group of people who take precautions instead of counting on luck. Y'all have a great, flu-free holiday season!!