Page 2 | Flu jab - yes or no?

BetterCallSaul99 · 2020-09-17T19:45:37+00:00

My parents are in their 70's. Never had it. They are great for their age, fit and healthy. Me and my husband are pretty much the same. But wondering if it would be for the best. I hear so many stories about people who have been ill after that immunisation I genuinely don't know what to do myself or advise my parents. Me and my husband did have flu a couple of years ago and it was the worst illness we have ever experienced. Would not want to experience it again however isn't it certain strains so having the jab is no guarantee anyway? Thoughts please.

ClickandForget · 17/09/2020 21:27

I have the flu jab every year now. My arm is sore for a couple of days after. I've had the flu twice in my life and it's grim.

Marmunia1975 · 17/09/2020 21:29

Definitely not. Our daughter got the flu vaccination in her nursery year and ended up in hospital one week later with.....yep you’ve guessed it! The flu! The doctor on A&E looked at me and I looked at him and we both knew.

rorosemary · 17/09/2020 21:29

You can't get flu from the jab. It takes two weeks before it works so people who got ill just after the jab were simply infected before or before it worked.

SimonJT · 17/09/2020 21:30

@Marmunia1975

Definitely not. Our daughter got the flu vaccination in her nursery year and ended up in hospital one week later with.....yep you’ve guessed it! The flu! The doctor on A&E looked at me and I looked at him and we both knew.

Knew what?

If a doctor is stupid enough to think a vaccine that isn’t live can cause the illness he/she should be sacked.

rarotonga2 · 17/09/2020 21:33

I always used to get it when I worked for the NHS. I never had any symptoms following it. Since leaving the NHS and not having the flu jab I have noticed I get flu every year! I have booked to have it privately this year. I highly recommend it.

Austereorange · 17/09/2020 21:34

I’ve had mine today. Had it for the last 4 years. 5 years ago I had flu with complications (pneumonia) and I don’t fancy another run at that with a now asthmatic DS in the house.

Achy arm (as per last doses, won’t be able to sleep on that side for a few days) but that’s it - small price to pay.

Marmunia1975 · 17/09/2020 21:34

In case you think it was a fluke, I got the vaccine when I was pregnant and ended up a week later with...yep...the flu! I had hyperemesis for nine months and wasn’t out of bed so I wasn’t in contact with anyone apart from DH. Likewise my mum got the fly jab years ago and ended up with ..... yes... the flu.

Marmunia1975 · 17/09/2020 21:35

The flu vaccine doesn’t prevent the flu.

Notonthestairs · 17/09/2020 21:38

I'm classified as a carer and I get it every year. Mild sore arm. No other issues.

SimonJT · 17/09/2020 21:40

@Marmunia1975

In case you think it was a fluke, I got the vaccine when I was pregnant and ended up a week later with...yep...the flu! I had hyperemesis for nine months and wasn’t out of bed so I wasn’t in contact with anyone apart from DH. Likewise my mum got the fly jab years ago and ended up with ..... yes... the flu.

The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine. It is impossible to get flu from the vaccine, that isn’t an opinion, it is a scientific fact.

penpotted · 17/09/2020 21:41

I was offered one free at an old workplace. Had it and then had a horrific resurgence of genital herpes after which had only ever bothered me once before (HSV-1 which is unusual to recur). Felt rotten and the worse part was I couldn't even tell anyone what had happened due to the stigma around genital herpes.

Thought it was a fluke, got the flu jab again the following year and once again felt so run down after and got another lovely round of genital herpes.

Never again - after reading up online it's a common problem!

Mistigri · 17/09/2020 21:42

I got the vaccine when I was pregnant and ended up a week later with...yep...the flu!

This is not that surprising as it takes a couple of weeks for immunity to build after the vaccine.

We all have a flu jab every year and have never had any side effects.

MaryShelley1818 · 17/09/2020 21:45

I had mine on Monday (19wks pregnant) and toddler had the flu nasal spray for the first time. Both absolutely fine afterwards.

Marmunia1975 · 17/09/2020 21:48

Do you know what you’re injecting yourself with? One of my friend who’s a doctor refuses to vaccinate his children. He puts on the ‘it’s good to vaccinate’ face in public. I’ve not had the flu since 1997 anyway.

Marmunia1975 · 17/09/2020 21:48

...apart from the vaccination disaster.

Curiosity101 · 17/09/2020 21:48

@Marmunia1975 @SimonJT is correct. You can't catch flu from the vaccine. Presumably, you went somewhere to get the flu jab? You were probably exposed that day. Your family has had some really rotten luck, but you can't catch flu from the vaccine.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-vaccine-side-effects/
www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/misconceptions.htm

itsamaybe · 17/09/2020 21:50

Never had the flu jab nor would I and haven’t had the flu for many years.

SimonJT · 17/09/2020 21:50

@Marmunia1975

Do you know what you’re injecting yourself with? One of my friend who’s a doctor refuses to vaccinate his children. He puts on the ‘it’s good to vaccinate’ face in public. I’ve not had the flu since 1997 anyway.

Yes I do, I would also refuse to use the services of a medical professional who chooses to ignore medical research.

TheDuchessofMalfy · 17/09/2020 21:52

I have it every year.

It can’t give you the flu as people have said. It doesn’t work immediately though, so you could catch the flu just after having it but before it kicks in. Or catch another strain that wasn’t predicted. Or have caught it just before having it.

Cryalot2 · 17/09/2020 21:54

We are all have got it for years. My arm swells up at times and is very painful for a few days ( normal for me) some of us had what was supposed to be a mild flu at times, and if that was mild I would hate the full blown affair.
Well worth getting. I have friends who would buy it and have it as they felt it worthwhile.

Rudolphian · 17/09/2020 21:54

Already had it last week
I'm gone and never usually have any side effects apart from a sore arm.
I personally think if you have it regularly you're less likely to have side effects.

Oly4 · 17/09/2020 21:55

Yes. My son was almost hospitalised with flu a few years ago. I’ve never had a side effect from the jab.
You can pass flu on to vulnerable people without being ill yourself - think of other people.
It’s a no brainer

Splendidseptember · 17/09/2020 21:55

Flu is evil, I'd do anything not to have it and when I hear 'covid is just like flu' I feel like the incredible hulk '.

Mine is booked in already...

Oly4 · 17/09/2020 21:56

Marmunia, well your doctor friend is ill informed and shouldn’t do some more
Medical reading

Octopiggy · 17/09/2020 21:57

Yes - for some reason the winter I was pg with DS in 2013 I was never made aware of it, then in 2016 when I was pg with DD I was offered a free one and I had it, and have since paid for one every year since (apart from a free one through work last year). Other than fainting on the floor of the pharmacy one year (embarrassing) I’ve had no adverse effect from the jab itself besides a slightly sore arm. DH and I are booked in for them at Boots, DD is having her nasal spray at the GP next week, and DS will have his at school.