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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that although the flu jab isn't a live jab it can make you feel bloody poorly

100 replies

JustMyLuck84 · 20/09/2017 21:45

Flu jab on fri (12 weeks pregnant). All this week bunged up, achey, sore throat etc.
AIBU to think it's more than coincidence?!

OP posts:
opheliacat · 20/09/2017 22:28

Yes, of course they are the same.

Look, vaccinations work by giving you a mild version of the disease. However, it isn't an exact science and some people will have adverse effects. If it has made you very unwell in the past, you are best steering clear in future.

Ankleswingers · 20/09/2017 22:29

My DM and FIL both had terrible flu after having the flu jab. Not coincidental at all.

HiJenny35 · 20/09/2017 22:39

The flu jab only covers a few different strains of flu, they pick the ones that they expect to be bad each year (by looking at the weather etc) so obviously you can still catch one of the othe types so the whole "I had the flu the same year as the jab" argument is ridiculous! By the same measure I've had the jab 4 times, so has my partner and my child and we've never had any side effects or the flu. It also means that if you do get one of the strains of flu it's likely to be a milder and quicker illness. But hey maybe it's all a conspiracy and the NHS are trying to get us to all have the vaccine for fun.

Userwhocouldntthinkofagoodname · 20/09/2017 22:43

I would say i have a reaction 1 in 3 years of the jab. Just makes me really tired, lasts about 24 hours but much prefer that than the flu.

Youcanttaketheskyfromme · 20/09/2017 22:44

Ofcourse it's coincidence. It's not a live vaccine.

People are so stupid.

HiJenny35 · 20/09/2017 22:44

www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm
You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. Please stop spreading rubbish that might scare people from getting it. The flu is deadly for those with weakened immunity who often cannot be vaccinated and herd vaccination is vitally important.

Youcanttaketheskyfromme · 20/09/2017 22:44

I can't believe people believe this crap I really can't.

It's like being on the anti vaxxer pages.

scrabble1 · 20/09/2017 22:45

I started to have a flu jabs on advice of my GP. Had the jab for 4 years and every year since I've ended up poorly with flu! refusing to have it this this year

Scholes34 · 20/09/2017 22:48

Whether or not to have the vaccine is a personal choice. I've had full blown flu (not pleasant). I've had the vaccine through work on a number of occasions and have suffered side effects. I've decided this year not to have the vaccine. There's no guarantee that the strain of flu you're vaccinated against is the type doing the rounds in any year. However, I'm fortunate not to be classed as vulnerable to flu, so can rely on my immune system to help me deal with it, if I'm unlucky.

robbiebabbie · 20/09/2017 22:53

YANBU.

The point of a jab is to mount an immune response. The fever, aches, feeling 'fluey you get with 'flu is all part of... the immune response. So it's not surprising you get some symptoms when you've had the jab.

The difference is, the jab is a hell of a lot less likely to put you on ITU, and/or kill you and your baby, than actual wild 'flu is. So jabs all the way.

Kyyria · 20/09/2017 23:13

The flu vaccine is not a live virus so cannot give you flu.

JamPasty · 20/09/2017 23:19

I had the flu jab last year - I got given a lollipop (No, I'm not a child). Flu vaccines therefore cause lollipops! I am going to try for a different flavour this year.

On a serious note, you can't get flu from the flu vaccine. If you got flu, you were going to get it anyway.

Petricor · 20/09/2017 23:21

IHeartKingThistle and any one else who is unsure:

Another voice saying that it really, really won't give you flu. You may get flu DESPITE the vaccine, but you will not get flu BECAUSE of the vaccine. It is of course a personal choice, but the vaccine won't give you flu. You might feel a bit poorly (as other posters have mentioned), but that is the immune response that is getting ready and "practicing" in case real flu comes along and it has to fight it.

Bloomed · 20/09/2017 23:24

Yes youcant and highjenny
These misconceptions can be so dangerous.

Ollivander84 · 20/09/2017 23:27

I'm immunosuppressed and having it. I have to inject myself once a week with a drug that gives me a fever, bone pain and headache anyway so some side effects aren't really a problem!
Had flu once, would rather not have it again. Last year my arm was sore for a few hours, that's it

CalmanOnSpeeddial · 20/09/2017 23:27

The OP didn't say she got flu, she said she felt bloody awful. If you feel bloody awful immediately after a treatment whose known, common and documented side effect is feeling bloody awful then it might be a coincidence but it probably isn't. She also didn't say "and therefore the flu vaccine isn't a good idea".

Binglesplodge · 20/09/2017 23:37

The OP is not unreasonable to feel side effects from the flu jab. As others have said, it stimulates a reaction in the body.

However, I really think the NHS and GP surgeries in particular need to be doing more to educate their patients until they understand that the flu vaccine absolutely can't give you flu. It's not a live vaccine. If you come down with actual flu right after being vaccinated you've been incubating it yourself beforehand or even have caught it in the waiting room. The vaccine takes 2 weeks or so to become fully effective and that's plenty time to contract flu in flu season.

Nobody should be put off having the jab by bad science scaremongering. It saves lives. The news from Australia is that this year's flu is particularly dangerous.

ZebraOwl · 20/09/2017 23:42

Genuinely a bit shocked by the number of people who insist that the flu jab can give you flu. Because... no. And also because science. Oh and because reality. It is literally impossible to get flu from the jab. So if you get flu after/despite the jab, you were either incubating the virus OR it's a strain not included in the jab.

JamPasty - you got given a lollipop?! My GP surgery do biscuits, I think, but I don't pay much attention because of food allergies... v jealous you got a lollipop... (not the NHS can really afford that sort of thing, let us face it)

JustMyLuck - I usually have a few days of feeling utterly wrecked from flu-jab side-effects. During which I like to repeat the It Is Better Than Having The Flu mantra. Hope you feel better soon.

GallicosCats · 20/09/2017 23:49

It's also worth saying that the flu vaccine often doesn't work very well in older people as their immune response isn't as efficient. All the more reason for younger people to have the jab and limit the spread of the illness.

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 20/09/2017 23:52

Gawd, some people are massive twats. Of course a vaccine can give you side effects. You can have flu like symptoms post injection without thinking it "gave you flu". I get ill after the flu jab but every year, I time it badly and I inject my weekly immunosuppressive meds too close to the vaccine. I shall test my theory this year.

kaytee87 · 20/09/2017 23:52

It always makes me feel a bit grotty for a few days

Leostar · 21/09/2017 01:03

My daughter had it last Nov, was ill immediately after and has been ill ever since. Never again. She is a wreck and the GPs and paeds are useless. Absolutely furious and so upset for her. This past year has been horrific for her

TinselTwins · 21/09/2017 01:09

FFS people KNOW you can't get ACTUAL flu from the flu vax, but it CAN cause a flu-LIKE reaction! I don't know why people find this so challenging to understand! It's the vaccine working but it CAN make you feel awful. Not as awful as full/real flu, but still awful!

CheeseandGherkins · 21/09/2017 01:17

The provisional end-of-season vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates showed an adjusted all-age VE of 39.8% (table) against influenza-laboratory- confirmed primary-care consultations for influenza. Effectiveness was 40.6% in 18-64 year olds, with no significant effectiveness in ≥65 year olds. VE was 57% for A(H3N2) for 2-17 year olds receiving quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine and 78.6% for influenza B.

From www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/641162/Influenza_vaccine_effectiveness_in_primary_care_1617_final.pdf

Sprinklestar · 21/09/2017 02:44

I live in the US and we all get flu jabs every year as standard. Never had a problem. The jabs don't cause flu!