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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you and your children have/had the flu jab?

86 replies

Pinkbutton85 · 31/01/2018 11:44

Mine are booked in on Monday. Late I know.

I’m dubious after years of living with a conspiracy theorist...

I’ve read for and against views. People say it isn’t a live vaccine but have gotten ill after the jab?

I’m sat outside Tesco contemplating going in and getting it done now and just not telling OH...

OP posts:
Littlebitshort · 31/01/2018 11:45

Why would you not tell your OH?

HollyBayTree · 31/01/2018 11:46

No side effects this year, not even a sore arm. usually I havea day or two of sniffles. And the nice nurse gave me a sticker !!

Trinity66 · 31/01/2018 11:46

Never got on, neither have my kids, my Dh actually got one this winter and strangely he's the only one of us who's got a cold so far

AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 31/01/2018 11:47

It's likely that people got a cold after getting the jab (due to the time of year) and just assumed it was the jab. Both my kids have had it and have never gotten ill from it.

MiddleClassProblem · 31/01/2018 11:47

Dd has the nasal one, no issues. Why wouldn’t you tell your OH? It’s a joint decision surely...

Sarahh2014 · 31/01/2018 11:48

Yes my ds has he had no side effects

Original poster
Pinkbutton85 · 31/01/2018 11:48

He’s the conspiracy theorist who believes the jabs are filled with nasties..

OP posts:
WonderLime · 31/01/2018 11:48

The jab isn't live. The likelihood is that it may temporarily weaken your immunity so more likely to pick up a cold - plus its cold season anyway and it doesn't immunise from infections.

I did have it. DS is 6 months so I'm hoping some of the immunity is passing through to him from BF. I've had flu once before and it was the absolutely worst time of my life. I was in Halls at Uni, and the one thing I remember most clearly is being desperate for a drink, getting out of bed to get to the fridge (just outside my room) and decided 2 steps in that I'd never make it back again.

If there's any chance that the vaccination will lessen my chance of the flu, I wouldn't even consider not taking it.

Original poster
Pinkbutton85 · 31/01/2018 11:49

Sorry, I meant my children’s jabs are booked in for Monday at the Doctors.

I’m questioning whether or not to get MINE done and not tell OH

OP posts:
TheTurnOfTheScrew · 31/01/2018 11:49

DC and I have had it - they've had the nasal spray, I had the jab. No side effects whatsoever for any of us.

formerbabe · 31/01/2018 11:49

My dd had it at school. My ds is in a year group that hasn't been offered it. Ideally I'd like us all to have it because I've heard bad things about flu this year. My dd had a temperature and was very lethargic the following day but recovered very quickly

dementedpixie · 31/01/2018 11:49

Ds had nasal one and dh had the jab. Dd and I didn't have it

Angrybird345 · 31/01/2018 11:50

Why would you have the flu jab anyway (unless there are other health issues)?

And not telling your OH - bizarre.

Original poster
Pinkbutton85 · 31/01/2018 11:50

Do people not just get it regardless of health issues to protect themselves?

Or do I not need it? Hmm

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 31/01/2018 11:52

No children here but I haven't had it. I have a needle phobia so it's unlikely I ever will.

Steeley113 · 31/01/2018 11:52

I’ve always been very ‘meh’ about flu jabs. If it was convenient to have it (such as them doing it at school or when we have them come into work) then yeah sure but I wouldn’t go out of my way to have one as I don’t think they are that effective. Well this year, me and my 5 year old both had them. Mine was at a routine maternity appt and he had his at school and I’m so glad we did. It means we’ve skipped flu strain a with just a minor cold whereas my OH and ds2 have been very unwell.

Trinity66 · 31/01/2018 11:53

Do people not just get it regardless of health issues to protect themselves?

Some people do, I'm not against flu jabs as such but I don't get the flu often enough for it to be a priority I guess, neither do the kids. DH only got it because they were offering it at work

dementedpixie · 31/01/2018 11:53

Dh got it as he was going to a place with higher rates of flu. Ds got it at school. Dd and I don't get it as standard so didn't get it at all

CruCru · 31/01/2018 11:53

My children have both had the nasal spray. I haven’t had the jab (although I think they do it at my local chemist for £12).

There’s no reason to fill vaccinations with nasties. Doctors don’t want to make people sick.

AnnaMagnani · 31/01/2018 11:58

Yes, get one every year. Whether you have a cold or not is irrelevant - it protects again flu, not colds.

The 2 years I forgot I had the flu and it was bloody miserable - off work for 2 weeks each time, felt like I was going to die, and was still ill when I went back. At the time, I had no additional health issues and was fit and well - I was completely floored and coughing up blood, could barely get out of bed.

Never had any more side effects than a slightly sore arm.

Any opportunity to lessen my chance of getting the flu again is very welcome to me!

ReinettePompadour · 31/01/2018 11:58

My dc are in the wrong age bracket for it so they haven't had it. I haven't because I just don't think as a healthy adult I need to take it especially when stocks were running out previously I just see that it should go to someone more vulnerable.

DH had it at work as hes emergency services and it was compulsory. Within days he had the worst flue he had ever experienced. He was carted off to hospital with drips and all sorts. He was very very ill I even checked the will was up to date . Occupational Health claimed its because the nurse doing the jabs had been in contact with several people who already had influenza and was herself unwell at the point of administering the jab to everyone Hmm . He is reluctant to have it again, even if the evidence says it won't make you ill you cant help but feel it was a contributing factor. The hospital said that the reason he still got so sick was because its only effective in 60% of cases. He was 1 of the unlucky ones Sad

TinaMena · 31/01/2018 11:59

Your body can still react to a foreign agent, even if it isn't live

Readermumof3 · 31/01/2018 12:00

I have just booked a flu jab. Our 400+ pupils get a flu vaccine but none of the staff do Hmm. I've just lost my cousin to flu in her early 40's so the whole family is booking jabs ASAP.

SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace · 31/01/2018 12:00

I've had mine (as I'm pregnant) and so has my 3 year old ds. My 10 year old hasn't though. I did fall poorly after and my arm was killing me but I trust the benefits out way that discomfort. My ds was fine though!

Storminateapot · 31/01/2018 12:01

I get it every year because I have health issues. Sometimes I feel a little bit off colour for about 24 hours a couple of days after the jab. No side effects at all this season and the needle used for the prepacked jab is so fine I didn't feel it either.

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