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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think the blasted Flu Jab is more trouble than its worth

119 replies

Oldsu · 28/09/2021 01:28

Had mine Sunday very early so went and had a full English breakfast, a lovely walk by the sea, a scenic bus ride and then a strawberry ice cream sundae I was just thinking life doesn't get any better than this and WHAM my legs went from under me, by the time I got home I was very ill, hot and cold shivers, headache, total fatigue the lot I was in bed by 7pm, still feel ill today and my bloody arm STILL hurts, DH had his at the same time and was fine . The thing is I have never actually had flu not until they inoculated me against it, luckily it didn't include the covid booster I have got that to look forward to

OP posts:

Onelifeonly · 29/09/2021 11:27

I have had a few flu vaccines and no after effects other than a sore arm. But last year I was warned of being a bit off colour after it and I was. I have had flu a few times - once back in around 2009 it was pretty bad. Felt awful for 6 days. One day in middle so bad I could hardly get out of bed and just lay there all day trying to sleep. Afterwards I had two weeks of fatigue and couldn't go back to work or concentrate on anything properly. I'd swap that for a day or two in bed, especially as, if combined with covid, it could be much worse.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 29/09/2021 11:28

Just had mine today 🤞🏼🤞🏼

HardStaringBearFromDarkestPeru · 29/09/2021 11:33

Had the jab a couple of weeks ago & if I hadn't watched the whole process - unwrapping the dose, watching the needle go into my arm & the plunger going down - I wouldn't know I'd had it.
Same in 2020.
2019 however was another story & I felt like crap for a few days.
2017 pneumonia jab & my arm went red & swollen & I was in bed sweating & feeling awful for 5 days. A situation worsened by the discovery that original Lucozade doesn't taste as it used to...

Everyone reacts differently & it can change from year to year.

georgarina · 29/09/2021 11:34

I've never had the flu. But the one year I got the jab I was extremely ill (started feeling ill on the walk home from the doctor). I was unwell for almost a week and felt very tired for a long time after.

I don't care who says it's 'not possible' or that I somehow coincidentally caught something at the same time - I know I had a bad reaction to it and I wouldn't get it again.

PhoboPhobia · 29/09/2021 11:52

I am by no means an expert but here's my take, I could be way off.

When you have a vaccine, a foreign substance is introduced to your system. In order for the vaccine to be effective, your immune system has to deal with what has been injected and process it so that it will be ready if/when you get a flu virus.

Your body is working hard to do all of this, your immune system is in full swing and so, in some cases, you feel a bit shit. I think it's called an inlammatory response but don't quote me!

CatTerrier · 29/09/2021 12:18

Fuck no, having 'flu is horrific, I can remember not moving for a day, I didn't even have the energy to use the TV remote. I couldn't catch my breath, it was hellish.

Sloth66 · 29/09/2021 13:17

I’ve been having flu jabs for many years , and despite the occasional side effects, I’m pretty grateful to have it.

ShaneTheThird · 29/09/2021 13:27

@Yamaya

IF thia actually happened, I would contact your doctor because this wasn't caused by the flu vaccine. I've had it every year for about 15 years and never had a reaction like that.

Oh so because YOU haven't personally experienced it means it's not real or related to the vaccine?

I know several people who take bad reactions to the flu jab and have decided against ever having it again. I'm not saying they have flu from it because it's not a live vaccine, but they do have reactions to it that makes them really ill for days. People should acknowledge this instead of spreading shit saying it's not true and has nothing to do with the jab when it does.

Vaccines are amazing and we should be grateful they exist. However some people do react badly and shouldn't be shut down or called a liar for saying so.

justasking111 · 29/09/2021 13:28

I was concerned by the media blurb of flu and covid booster on same day. Not happening here flu jab on Saturday and covid whenever the health board letter arrives.

Our GP is banging on about flu jab to all patients. Well I suspect most are sitting in a warm chemists to have it. Whereas at my surgery you have to queue outside in howling weather on the seafront no shelter at all. If I was elderly I know which I would choose

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 29/09/2021 13:29

@georgarina

I don't care who says it's 'not possible' or that I somehow coincidentally caught something at the same time - I know I had a bad reaction to it and I wouldn't get it again.

You can not care all you like, but you are wrong. It’s not a matter of opinion. It’s not possible to get a flu infection from a flu vaccine.

It is however most definitely possible to have a noticeable immune response to a vaccine. But this is not flu.

It’s also possible to have already got flu immediately before the vaccine and to have developed symptoms at the same time as the vaccine.

It seems to me insane to risk getting actual flu if you’re in a higher risk group. If your vaccine caused such a dramatic response, imagine how much worse an actual infection would be.

longtompot · 29/09/2021 13:35

I've had the flu twice. It is bloody awful. Three days or so of being out of it with a high temperature, every single joint aching even my finger joints, headache, delirious as well. I have heard people do have a reaction to the jab, but I really don't think it is as bad as getting flu.

justasking111 · 29/09/2021 13:38

@longtompot

I don't recall huge stretches of time, I scared flat mates when I had flu at 19 young and healthy

fiftiesmum · 29/09/2021 13:50

You could have picked up a cold or something standing in a queue outside the GP surgery.
That is brave of the GP actually opening their doors to the public although I do believe they get extra payment for vaccination

Nosilayak · 29/09/2021 13:50

I had my flu jab on Saturday morning. It was the first time I've ever had it and I was extremely grateful to be invited for it. It didn't hurt a bit and I was perfectly fine all Saturday. Then, on Sunday afternoon my arm started to really hurt and was pink and hot where the needle had gone in. It was the same all day Monday but was much better on Tuesday. Today its completely back to normal. When I had the first AZ jab my armpit hurt for a couple of days and I was unwell but I had no problems at all after the second. I think these jabs affect different people in different ways and just because one person has not experienced any issues, it doesn't mean others who do are making it up. I am extremely grateful for the all vaccines I have received and I would advise anyone to go ahead and have them as whatever the side effects are like, they are bound to be a lot milder than actually having the illness they are preventing. Discussing possible side effects of vaccinations is not done to put other people off having them, but it helps to warn others what could possibly happen and reassurance that other people have also experienced these side effects, they are not something to worry about and that they do eventually pass.

TwooThirty · 29/09/2021 13:51

You can not care all you like, but you are wrong. It’s not a matter of opinion. It’s not possible to get a flu infection from a flu vaccine.

It is however most definitely possible to have a noticeable immune response to a vaccine. But this is not flu.

@WiseUpJanetWeiss but @georgarina didn’t say she had the flu from the vaccine? Just that she felt very unwell and must have had a bad reaction/response.

Lavender24 · 29/09/2021 13:56

WiseUpJanetWeiss Because I am young, fit and healthy and my hba1c is in target. I'm aware that having flu would be very unpleasant but I don't feel that not having the flu vaccine is a risk to my life.

justasking111 · 29/09/2021 13:57

@fiftiesmum

You could have picked up a cold or something standing in a queue outside the GP surgery. That is brave of the GP actually opening their doors to the public although I do believe they get extra payment for vaccination

Nurses have done all the jabbing not GPs 🙄

fiftiesmum · 29/09/2021 14:02

The nurses do the work (as usual) but at GP surgery

goingtotown · 14/11/2021 18:27

I’ve been having the flu jab for years with no side effects.
I had the jab 3 days ago & still feel unwell, shivers headache no energy, my eyes hurt too.

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