Do you have the flu jab?

[uka888]

Just that really, never had it before but wondering if I should this year. I’m in my 30s.

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace

No. I'm 53 with absolutely no health issues.

My 50yo stepsister had absolutely no health issues until she died of flu.

Never had it before this year. I paid for mine at Tescos and also for DD3 who is 19. My other DDs had their flu jabs paid for by their employers. DH had a jab for the first time this year too but his was on the NHS after having heart surgery earlier this year. So we are all done. Now we all just need the Covid one.

I had mine at Boots a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I'd advise having one if you can get one....they all ran out at our local town.
I say that as a person who doesn't normally have a 'flu jab, I haven't had one for years as I'm normally pretty healthy and usually don't bother. But I think this year is different. With everything that has happened re. COVID and the likelihood of a difficult winter before everyone gets access to a COVID vaccine, I think it better to go for the 'flu jab....it's one thing extra not to worry about.

Severe asthmatic and last Christmas I had pneumonia so this year I had both the flu and pneumonia one, I have the flu one most years

I stupidly believed Boris & Co when he said he was going to offer the vaccine to over 50's. I didn't attempt to book one with Boots or Lloyds until mid-September, by which time we were simply able to join a waiting list.

I've had flu twice (most recently about 20 years ago).

I don't usually, but did this year. Paid £9 for it at tesco. Was in & out in 2 mins.
Felt a bit crappy the next day, but fine since.

I never usually have it. I'm 43 but I had my first vaccination last week. I've had fu and don't want it again. Nor do I want to stand the chance of having flu and Covid at the same time.

No of course not, I don't get any unnecessary vaccinations.

I don’t bother. I would only do it if I was pregnant or had another health condition. Many years the vaccine just isn’t all that effective anyway. Just keep good hygiene

I'm ever hopeful that the increased uptake on the flu vaccine will be repeated in following years (now most people realise the side effects are mild for the majority) - that way we'd actually get some kind of herd immunity for seasonal flu especially as individuals start to build up resistance to a range of flu viruses (it's a different shot every year) and each year the choice of virus combo for the flu shot is (a well informed) lucky dip. Combine that with the fact that those that probably will suffer the most (the elderly) have the poorest immune systems (it ages as they do), we do our elders a service by getting the jab.

But I agree, the government/NHS do seem to make it quite a challenge to get sometimes - which makes it even more impressive that more people than ever this year have made an effort. Make it easier, and perhaps everyone would do it every year (putting aside those individuals for whom immunisation isn't a good idea). I can dream.

that way we'd actually get some kind of herd immunity for seasonal flu especially as individuals start to build up resistance to a range of flu viruses (it's a different shot every year) and each year the choice of virus combo for the flu shot is (a well informed) lucky dip

I don’t think herd immunity is possible for something like the flu virus which mutates so rapidly. Your immunity to certain strains does not last very long, sometimes it won’t even last through the entire flu season

It’s still a herd immunity of sorts, even if it’s only for that year/season( that’s why you have to have a jab every year for flu, because the prevalent strains change over time).
The less people passing it around, the less likely vulnerable people will catch it.
Yes I do get it every year (through work, but would pay for it otherwise)

The flu vaccine doesn't generate herd immunity because it is not given to enough people.
For herd immunity, you need a much higher coverage.

The flu vaccine is mainly used to protect those who get it. Unlike childhood vaccinations, which do generate herd immunity.

We've all had the flu vaccination this year as a household member is clinically vulnerable.

Ive not had it before so just a bit cautious in case there are any side effects?!

Yes I got it through work along with a costa voucher ✌🏽

Yes, because I work with extremely vulnerable people on a respiratory ward. I wouldn't bother otherwise because my immune system isn't compromised. Im 35 and I've never knowingly had flu.

@Spaghettibetty345

I don't have an autoimmune disorder, however amongst my first and second degree relatives there are diagnoses of variously; scleroderma, Type 1 diabetes, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and psoariasis.

Vaccine side effects include autoimmune disorders. Given my genetics I prefer to take my chances with an acute case of the flu, of which i have a good chance of recovery, rather than a chronic disorder which i will need to live with for the rest of my life and which may shorten my lifespan considerably.

Ive not had it before so just a bit cautious in case there are any side effects?!

If you get any, they will much milder than any actual bout of flu.

"My 50yo stepsister had absolutely no health issues until she died of flu."

@HoldMyLobster that's awful, I'm sorry, and for your friend at 18 too.

@Madcats supermarkets, local pharmacies and superdrug all had availability after Boots and Lloyds said they were full. It's worth trying elsewhere.

I'm just listening to the radio and it sounds as if they've found some more flu vaccine for over 50's.

No big pharmacies in supermarkets round here, but thanks for the suggestion upthread.

I’m a healthy 41 year old I usually have jag at work but the year I missed it I got flu and I’ve never felt so bloody awful I was floored. We are doing peer immunisation on the ward and everyone has had it inc me I had a slightly sore arm afterwards. My sons get the spray, youngest is asthmatic so important for him to get it.

I'm 65 in December and was invited to have one this year although I never have before.
I thought it was a sensible precaution.
I had a bit of an achy arm for a couple of hours but nothing terrible.

I am nearly 60 so the news suggests that I will be offered one in December.

I've never had one before and have only ever had flu once - when I was 13 - so I don't think I am particularly susceptible to it. I wouldn't ask for the jab, but will probably have it if it's offered.

I get because I have had the flu and it is most definitely not an experience I wish to repeat.

I was 20, fit and in perfect health. I had a fever that I am told spiked at 39.9 though I don't remember much of the first two weeks. I just remember feeling very cold and sore and like I couldn't breathe.

My dm is a nurse and said if she wasn't I would have been in hospital. She nursed me at home doing two hourly obs and very nearly took me in when my temp got as high as it did.

I felt absolutely dreadful for a solid six months after it and really struggled to cope with work and exams. My social life vanished as all I had energy for was those two things. I wanted to go out but I also just wanted to sleep all of the time.

Bloody horrendous.

I will take an achey arm and a few days of feeling a bit more tired than usual over that any day.