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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are you getting the flu jab this year?

163 replies

Rainydays55 · 20/10/2021 21:29

Mid 30s just wondering if I should get the flu jab this year? Wouldn’t normally consider it but keeping hearing how as many people as possible need to get it.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 21/10/2021 01:25

btw I too got Pig flu in 2009, my temperature shot up and my neighbour collected some kind of antiviral for me, there was a bit of a Pandemic process going on, but luckily many of the older vulnerable people had caught a similar strain many years before, leaving them with a degree of immunity, so the death rate was lower than at first feared.

Rememberallball · 21/10/2021 05:23

@Finknottlesnewt

Let's put it this way

If any of you have actually had real flu.. and there is a vaccination that gives you a %chance of not getting it again - you would get it!!!

Only a numbskull would refuse it

Not necessarily.

Having watched someone, who had been vaccinated against flu then due of exactly that 3 months later, I’m afraid I have no faith in the vaccination being any good and will never have one.

Saoirse82 · 21/10/2021 05:43

I'm having mine today and dreading it I had to book it through boots as the GP hadn't called me yet. I always get side effects with vaccines but I get them because I know how important they are. I'm more anxious because I'm 36 weeks pregnant, does anyone know if this will be time enough for my baby to have anti bodies of she's born at 39 weeks? I may be having an ELCS due to her being breech. I think I'd wait til after she's born if she wasn't getting any protection as I get quite quite feverish after vaccines and it causes me massive anxiety in pregnancy. I'm isolating as of next week anyway so the chances of me catching flu are extremely low.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 21/10/2021 05:57

No, I'm not paying for it. 31, never had it in my life aside from when I was pregnant, never had flu.

cliffdiver · 21/10/2021 06:11

Yes, I paid to have it last week.

I have it every year. Last year was the exception - I think there was low local availability.

knittingaddict · 21/10/2021 06:12

Of course. Husband had his too.

mostlydrinkstea · 21/10/2021 06:20

I got the jab as soon as I could. It was free as I'm over 50. I had flu when I was 23 and it was awful. I had it again when I was in my mid fifties and couldn't get out of bed for a week. I had had post viral fatigue for months. Flu is nasty.

Staryflight445 · 21/10/2021 06:21

I’m pregnant and having it on Wednesday.

mooloop · 21/10/2021 06:31

I'm pregnant and have had mine, first time I've had a flu jab actually. Had a bit of a sore arm but no other side effects.

Athinginitself · 21/10/2021 06:39

Yep had it at GPs last week. Felt pretty rough for 48hrs but fine after that.

ddl1 · 21/10/2021 06:42

Yes, already had it.

Littlecaf · 21/10/2021 06:45

Yes mine is booked today (private at the chemist. I don’t want to risk getting it or passing it to my parents. Work pay for it too.)

lifehappened · 21/10/2021 06:48

Oh I had no idea I was supposed to. Got it when pregnant but no other time. If it's a thing then yeah I will, I generally do what they tell me to 😂

sofakingcool · 21/10/2021 06:50

Had mine yesterday, asthmatic so higher risk

DamnitFanny · 21/10/2021 06:59

Yes - already had it. Paid for it myself at a local chemists (£15). This is the second year I’ve done this as I feel I need to be proactive in my own healthcare when the NHS is so overwhelmed. I’ve had flu twice in my life and it’s certainly not to be underestimated - horrendous both times.

mogsrus · 21/10/2021 07:09

Why wouldn't anyone not have it? It beats a fortnight off work anyday

Mydogisagentleman · 21/10/2021 07:25

Yes, 57 and going in about an hour for it

TattiePants · 21/10/2021 07:25

Both DH and I had ours a few weeks ago and we paid for DS (15) to have his on Monday. Just waiting for DD to have the nasal spray at school.

megletthesecond · 21/10/2021 07:26

Yes. I'm 47 and pay for it in Boots every year.

RobinPenguins · 21/10/2021 07:27

I’ve had mine about a month ago. Mid 30s with no conditions so paid for privately. Every little that helps me not get flu (which I’ve had once and once was enough) is worth it to me.

ConstanceGracy · 21/10/2021 07:33

Yes, dh gets it free through work but I pay for mine.
Think it’s especially important this year as all our immune systems are weakened from the distancing and mask wearing.
Had flu a few years ago and it was the worst I’ve ever felt.

BIWI · 21/10/2021 07:34

@Rememberallball

Having watched someone, who had been vaccinated against flu then due of exactly that 3 months later, I’m afraid I have no faith in the vaccination being any good and will never have one

No vaccine is ever 100% effective - and the flu vaccine is no different. Each year the vaccine has to be re-developed/tweaked, because the flu virus mutates. And as vaccines are made in advance of the flu season there's always an element of 'guessing' when they're made.

The person you knew was one of the very unlucky ones. It doesn't mean that the vaccine won't be effective in the majority of people.

And if you've ever had flu, I can promise you that you won't want it again!

Gingernaut · 21/10/2021 07:37

Had mine on Saturday as I'm asthmatic.

Had my Covid booster on Sunday too.

User527294627 · 21/10/2021 07:37

I’m in my early thirties and have had mine. I normally wouldn’t bother as I’m fit and healthy & never get flu, but got it this year to do my part in minimising strain on the NHS.

avocadotofu · 21/10/2021 07:38

Definitely, I get it every year.