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Original poster

Flu vaccine when very healthy but mild asthma?

29 replies

sleepraptor · 29/09/2020 09:22

I've been offered the flu vaccine for the first time this year, due to having asthma, presumably because they've widened the criteria due to Covid. I've never had flu, I'm very healthy, fit, eat a ton of veg each day which means I don't catch colds (despite the multitude that the kids bring home from school). No evidence either way as to whether anyone in the house has had Covid. The kids are having the nasal vaccine at school which would be my main source of contagion. My asthma is very mild - 2 attacks in last 6 years maybe - but I know I have small lungs and for my level of fitness I do get out of breath more than you would expect.

It seems loads of people want (need?) the vaccine this year so I don't want to take one if I don't need it. I'm happy to have vaccines / medicine etc if absolutely necessary but I really don't like to if not necessary or "just in case". I also don't want any potential side effects of the vaccine which might mimic Covid symptoms leading to need to isolate unnecessarily.

Should I have the vaccine or not?

OP posts:
PrayingandHoping · 29/09/2020 09:27

Have it... the reason u are eligible is because if u did get flu you would suffer worse because of your asthma.

A lot of people think flu is a bad cold and it really isn't. It knocks u out and with an underlying condition could he nasty. They are
Trying to protect people who would suffer the worst to keep them out of hospital as they are most likely to end up there with flu than people without underlying conditions

MrsPerfect12 · 29/09/2020 09:31

I would say I was the same as you - healthy with mild ash than. I've always been offered the vaccine.
I've had the flu once and I was very ill, it took 3/4 months to recover back to normal.

bettybyebye · 29/09/2020 09:33

My asthma is even more mild than yours (have only ever had one attack in my life 16 years ago and I’m 37) but I still have the flu jab every year. Have also had flu once in my life and it was horrendous. There is a reason asthmatics are on the flu jab list

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FTMF30 · 29/09/2020 09:34

I personally wouldn't have it. You are ydoing the right thing for your immune system by being healthy eating fruit and veg.

MJMG2015 · 29/09/2020 09:35

I'm diabetic and get offered the flu vaccine every year, I've always turned it down. I've never had flu (or not knowingly anyway) & hate the thought of having all that injected into me.

However, the email they sent this year asking as many people to have it as possible to have it, to protect others and to keep NHS beds free, really made me feel it was something I should do.

They will be prioritising doses so there's enough for people who need it, I wouldn't worry about that. There's plenty on offer for those who want it.

mxjones · 29/09/2020 09:37

I'm surprised you have been offered it, are you abroad ? The nhs guidelines are only to give it to asthmatics on regular preventative medication and not those with only a reliever.

FourPlasticRings · 29/09/2020 09:40

I'd have it. You might've never had it before but that doesn't mean you'll never get it. Don't asthmatics usually qualify for the flu jab anyway, regardless of COVID? Essentially, if you do get it and end up in hospital, you'll increase pressure on the NHS during what's likely to be a very difficult winter. There's no suggestion that there is a flu vaccine shortage, so you're putting the NHS at greater risk by not getting it.

FWIW, I had the flu jab last week and it's been fine. Slightly sore arm for a day but that's been it.

CurbsideProphet · 29/09/2020 09:40

The flu jab doesn't cause loss of smell / taste, or a dry persistent cough. I have it every year and just tend to get a bit of a sore arm. I used to pay, but I get it free now that they widened the criteria. I would still be happy to pay but no pharmacies where I live are actually doing them and getting it done at the GP surgery is my only option.

kittykarate · 29/09/2020 09:43

I have mild asthma (my preventer dose is child sized and I haven't had an attack for 15 years) but I get a flu jab every year since diagnosis. Even though I'm generally healthy I know that any illness that gets onto my chest will give me an absolute kicking and I'll take longer to recover than a normal person.

So I'd get the jab. The surgery will have looked through who needs a jab and ordered enough doses to cover you and other vulnerable people. You're not stealing resources from someone else.

1990shopefulftm · 29/09/2020 09:45

I'd get it, I have mild asthma which barely ever causes me issues, but then I got flu like symptoms a couple of years ago and coughed too hard with the wheezing on top so ended up with a broken rib.

DizzyPigeon · 29/09/2020 09:48

They want as many people as possible to have it this year.

Why wouldn't you?

mxjones · 29/09/2020 09:51

@DizzyPigeon

They want as many people as possible to have it this year.

Why wouldn't you?

Yet our gp surgery have refused it for the first time this year and said I have to pay because I've come off my preventer inhaler
spottygymbag · 29/09/2020 09:53

Definitely. I have mild well controlled asthma and last year I didn't get mine in time. I came down with influenza B and it was awful. First thing in the morning I called work saying I was coming down with a cold, be back in tomorrow. A couple of hours later DH was driving me to to hospital unable to breathe. Several nights in hospital and then a good couple of weeks at home before I started to come right. DH and DD both got it too but much shorter recoveries for them and they did fine with panadol/pamol/lemsip.
This year our whole family got the shot early and will have a booster to cover us through to next year.

DizzyPigeon · 29/09/2020 10:00

Yet our gp surgery have refused it for the first time this year and said I have to pay because I've come off my preventer inhaler

Then unfortunately you no longer fit the criteria. Maybe I should have said 'they want as many people that fit the criteria as possible to have it this year'.

mxjones · 29/09/2020 10:06

@DizzyPigeon

Yet our gp surgery have refused it for the first time this year and said I have to pay because I've come off my preventer inhaler

Then unfortunately you no longer fit the criteria. Maybe I should have said 'they want as many people that fit the criteria as possible to have it this year'.

It's frustrating because I can't get the vaccine even if I pay, typical now I have an asthma flare up and have had to ask for my inhaler but can't get an appointment until the end of October. Other people who have mild asthma are being offered the vaccine but seemingly I can't get it
IpanemaFlowers · 29/09/2020 10:12

I get the flu jab every year as a mild asthmatic. I’m currently on a higher dose of preventative steroid inhaler after having viral pneumonia in March. My lungs still haven’t recovered fully.

I would have the vaccine, I’m going to even though I’m nervous as my immune system isn’t back to normal after my March illness.

And to the pp about a healthy diet, being enough. I eat loads of veg and fruit, I was very fit/strong too and I was still very unwell in March with pneumonia.

DizzyPigeon · 29/09/2020 10:35

Why can't you get it if you pay for it mxjones? I thought anyone could pay for it.

mxjones · 29/09/2020 10:38

@DizzyPigeon

Why can't you get it if you pay for it mxjones? I thought anyone could pay for it.
Nowhere round here seems to have it and the gp surgery don't do it privately
Fluffycloudland77 · 29/09/2020 10:40

I have no health issues but I get it every year to do my bit.

If enough of us had the vaccine we could potentially avoid a flu season this year.

I get it free this year as dh was shielded.

RedCatBlueCat · 29/09/2020 10:41

We have no underlying conditions, and are both booked in for a flu vaccination (privately) in the middle of October. Kids should both get it through school, tho not heard about the Y7 yet.
Flu isnt something I want to risk (I think I've had it once) this winter.

DizzyPigeon · 29/09/2020 10:42

Nowhere round here seems to have it and the gp surgery don't do it privately

Ah, yeah. Demand is really high this year. Keep checking, hopefully it will get easier to find.

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/09/2020 10:44

My mum was seriously ill when she was 38-39 when she got flu. The dr said she ought to be in hospital but there was no beds. Must’ve been early 1980’s.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 29/09/2020 10:50

Why would you not have it? It’s £9, takes 10 minutes.

It’s not just the weeks that you’d be ill or the possibility of underlying asthma making it worse and you needing to take up a hospital bed. It’s also the possibility of triggering long-term heatlth issues - permanent worsening of lung issues or chronic fatigue, or an immune disorder like Type 1 diabetes.

People who are blessed with good health have no idea how easily and quickly and permanently that could change.

mindutopia · 29/09/2020 11:38

I have fairly well controlled asthma and I always have a flu jab every year. If you are offered one, it's because you're deemed to need it. Mine is booked for Saturday.

greenlynx · 29/09/2020 12:17

I and DH have flu jab every year by choice, we missed one year and turned out in the situation when both of us were unwell and only managed to get out of bed to take DD to school and to pick her up. Whereas she was full of bounce as she had her nasal spray on time.
Have a jab if you are offered.