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Original poster

Flu jab - yes or no?

146 replies

BetterCallSaul99 · 17/09/2020 20:45

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.

OP posts:
goose1964 · 17/09/2020 21:58

I have it every year, never had any reaction to it. My husband who is more at risk won't.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 17/09/2020 21:59

@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 cannot give you the flu. Some people may have a pronounced antibody reaction for a day or so but this is not the flu.

The flu vaccine takes about 2 weeks to take effect so you may have been unlucky enough to catch flu during the wait, but the vaccine cannot cause an influenza infection.

Please stop posting misinformation.

Stanleyville · 17/09/2020 22:01

The kids nasal one does have side effects (www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine-side-effects/) one of my DC always get these. This year we are not getting it as I know the side effects will mean time off/confusion with CV symptoms and I want to prioritise school attendance.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 17/09/2020 22:01

@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 thank you.

Is that an actual medical doctor, or a quack?

Incrediblytired · 17/09/2020 22:02

I have it, my 74 year old mum has it. It’s totally fine.

Deelish75 · 17/09/2020 22:03

Have it most years, sometimes I get a sore arm afterwards, but never been ill.

FiveToFour · 17/09/2020 22:04

Absolutely yes.I'm asthmatic,even normal colds make my chest close up,and flu is awful - I have no desire to ever have it again.
And I've never been ill afterwards,a sore arm is as bad as it gets Smile

WrongKindOfFace · 17/09/2020 22:05

I have the flu vaccination every year. I usually get a sore arm for a day or two. I’d rather have a sore arm than the flu.

Marmunia1975 · 17/09/2020 22:05

Unlikely as he’s been a consultant for over 10 years.

LynseyLou1982 · 17/09/2020 22:07

I've just had mine on Monday , qualified for a free one as I'm pregnant. So far no side effects at all.

SimonJT · 17/09/2020 22:07

@Marmunia1975

Unlikely as he’s been a consultant for over 10 years.
He lacks the intelligence to understand incredibly basic research, if I knew him I would be reporting him for spreading incorrect medical information.
HelloDaisy · 17/09/2020 22:09

We are all having the vaccine this year as I had flu a few years ago and was very ill for at least 3 weeks.

Sadly my step father was ill after his jab one year so decided not to have it the following year but then came down with flu which turned into pneumonia from which he didn’t recover. Doctors said he may have survived the onslaught if he had the injection.....

Gancanny · 17/09/2020 22:12

One of my friend who’s a doctor refuses to vaccinate his children

How come every anti-vaxxer "knows a doctor" who is anti-vaxx? Do you think it's the same doctor or is there some sort of anti-vaxxer script that tell them to throw in details of a fake doctor that they have made up know?

You can't get flu from the flu jab. I always feel a little bit ropey for a day or two after having mine but this is not flu, it's an immune response which is completely normal in some people and means the vaccine is doing what its meant to be doing.

I had flu when I was a child and was ill for nearly two weeks then weak and easily tired for another 2-3 weeks after that. At its worst, I remember lying in bed hallucinating, in and out of clarity while my parents rang an ambulance. Not something I'd like to go through again or to put my DC through.

WanderingMilly · 17/09/2020 22:13

Never have a flu jab, despite being offered one with previous job for years. Never had flu either.
But this year, with COVID and everything else, I decided I would have the flu jab, I have booked up via Boots and will have it in October (long waiting list already).

MaudebeGonne · 17/09/2020 22:14

Yup, I have it every year through work. I'm a midwife and hate the thought that I could be a fly carrier and infect someone. Never had any side effects.

MrBucket · 17/09/2020 22:16

I did have a mild temperature spike after my flu jab last year (came down with paracetamol and rest). I hadn’t had that before but it is a known side effect. Would be inconvenient this year of course

KeepSmiling89 · 17/09/2020 22:16

I always had the flu jab due to asthma and now offered through work as I work in the NHS. Pregnant now as well so will be getting it again this year. Can't remember the last time I had the flu and never had any side effects from the vaccine. I'm 31 now.

Mangofandangoo · 17/09/2020 22:18

Having had flu several years ago I promised myself I'll never miss my flu jab again. It wrecked havoc with my whole body and I have never felt so unwell

TenDays · 17/09/2020 22:21

YES. Have had 'flu and don't want it again.

pourmeanotherglass · 17/09/2020 22:21

Yes i have one every year for work. I dont think ive ever had flu but it sounds pretty horrible.

DinosApple · 17/09/2020 22:21

I've paid for one every year since I've had DC.

I once got flu so badly I was off work for 6 weeks, a) I can't afford to be off work for that long again and b) I sure as hell don't want to look after kids at the same time!

Igotthemheavyboobs · 17/09/2020 22:22

Well my dog walker's boyfriend's aunt thinks that vaccines are just a way for the government to track us and they are really putting little chips into our arms. These make us sick, which they want because of reasons.

Persoanlly I just don't think it's worth the risk.

Dee1975 · 17/09/2020 22:23

I’ve got it every year since having DC. I’ve never had any side effects and thankfully no flu.
I think this comes down to your views on vaccines / medication etc ...

1002fru · 17/09/2020 22:24

Sore arm is the worst side effect I'v ever got from it.
Off the top of my head it takes about 2 weeks for the jab to become effective so some unlucky people will pick up the flu in that interval.

BexR · 17/09/2020 22:28

I pay for it every year. Usually go to Boots. My next one is already booked. I nag friends and family to get one.

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