To ask if you’re having a flu vaccine?

Hopefully you actually don‘t (how could you actually know) as having a great immune system makes influenza much more dangerous. It leads to a cytokine storm and is the reason so many young people died in the 1918 epidemic.

And yes, as PP has said, having flu tells you nothing about your symtoms. I have tested positive for flu and been completely asymptomatic, and you can also have mild cold symptoms. Getting the vaccine is not only because it can be bad, but also because it can be mild and without knowing what you have you can pass it on to elderly relatives and infants etc.

It absolutely will not weaken it - it will strengthen it. The vaccine basically presents a safe version of flu to the immune system so the immune system knows what to look out for and is therefore quicker off the mark in repelling flu if you ever encounter it.

Vaccines are basically like showing pictures of burglars to security guards so that if the burglars come along, the security guards are well prepared to repel them

And it drives me nuts when people post myths about flu. Flu can be asymptomatic, mild, moderate or severe. Not everyone is unable to get out of bed.
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/yahoo-life-why-does-the-flu-make-some-people-sick-but-not-others

(This does not mean that you shouldn’t get the flu vaccine)

This is a really odd reason not to get the flu jab.

I too was fit and healthy and hardly every got so much as a sniffle but I still found myself hospitalised with flu.

Do you think it will weaken your already great immune system? just curious as i am undecided

I had mine on the 1st of October along with my covid vaccine. I am on immunosuppressive medications

Thanks for this thread @MzGG It's acted as a reminder. Just booked to get mine (Private as not eligible for the NHS one) £19.99
I had Flu for the first time earlier this year and it was horrid so fingers crossed will avoid it again with the vaccine..

Edited to add - I'm one of those who are not normally ill either. Rarely have a cold even.... But didn't stop me catching flu earlier this year.

I've never had flu. I'm never ill. I've only ever had a couple of colds in my whole life and thats it. I don't feel the need for a flu jab.

Got it free as I'm a carer, but sadly had to pay privately for COVID

Had mine in October, over 60, I think they were hoping to just have to vaccinate us oldies and those with medical conditions, but the recent flu strain is quite bad, so they are doing further rounds of vaccines.

Had mine in October. Flu is awful and takes 2 weeks out of your life.

Can’t believe the couple of posters moaning that it’s not free so not having it. £15 in Asda. Clearly they have never, ever had real flu.

Yes, had it already.

I’ve had flu twice in my life and never want to experience that again.
dh (unvaccinated) recently had flu and couldn’t get out of bed for 2 weeks. Another 2 weeks after that he still feels dreadful.

Had mine and Covid too.

Flu and Covid weeks ago. My immune system is virtually non existent so it's a no brainier for me. Besides, I don't want to get told off by my lovely but slightly formidable consultant.

I felt poorly for about 12 hours afterwards, no idea if it was the flu or Covid that caused that but no other side effects.

I had the flu jab in October and covid a month later - got one free on the NHS, and claimed the other back through work. I don't usually react to vaccinations, (rabies jab was the exception,) and didn't this time, either. I'd always take a vaccination if offered, despite never knowingly had flu, and covid only mildly first time asymptomatically the second (and possibly any other time - I only knew about it as we still had to test before going into the office at the time.)

I had mine about a month ago and paid privately at the local pharmacy (£15). My 19 year old went to Boots for his. I always get the flu jab. For years I got it free because I was a carer but now I have to pay. I have never had any problems with it and t's worth it not to have flu. I wondered about paying for the Covid one but that's about £100 so I didn't bother partly on the basis that they are no longer giving it to people with heart conditions so if the powers that be have decided the risks are lower for them, they should be for me too.

I've always qualified for the COVID booster as well, this year I don't.

Flu done though, scary shit flu is.

No. Usually pretty healthy so it's not needed. I would if I were elderly or vulnerable though.

Hell yes! I'm just old enough to get it free, but have happily paid for it over the last few years. I've considered paying for the Covid one, and might well do so in future.

Yes, I’m in remission from cancer and I work with the public, I got it the start of October.

Got mine in September. Had pneumonia, a collapsed lung and sepsis from the flu when I was perfectly fit and healthy in my early 30s.

Yes, I’m not entitled to a free one so had it at the chemist in October.

Had mine in October.

My asthma is poorly controlled (treatment under review), so if the flu led to a chest infection it would be bad.

I’ve never been offered one and never had one. I also don’t think I’ve ever had flu (possibly once as a child but I’m not sure).