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Original poster

Flu jab yes or no

103 replies

C1239 · 16/11/2022 10:57

Got the option through work to have the flu jab this year, early 40s, sounds silly but just don’t want big side effects! Are most people getting it this year?

OP posts:
Reallybadidea · 16/11/2022 11:09

I've seen enough previously fit and well people critically ill with flu that I would never turn down the offer of a jab. Anecdotally some hospitals are seeing some very nasty cases already this season.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 16/11/2022 11:10

I am not Anti Vax

Just needed to say that before I comment.

I had mine 5 weeks ago yesterday and although I had no side effects they warn you about I had something completely different happen which I didnt know could.

When they jabbed me they done it (i believe) too high up my arm, this caused nerve damage in my shoulder and I have honestly never felt pain like it, the pain started about 36 hours after I had it. I m still not fully recovered and still have no feeling in 3 of my fingers. I couldnt sleep laying down and could only sleep in my office chair upright. 5 weeks on and I am still on 20mg Amitriptyline at night and strong co codamol and ibuprofen through the day.

Obviously I know this is rare but I wish I had known the risks of this happening beforehand.

bananaboats · 16/11/2022 11:11

I've been getting it the past few years with no side affects. I've noticed a big difference, dh has had the flu this year and last year couldn't get out of bed for weeks and I've been fine whereas before I picked up everything going so def worth it for me!

ZeroFuchsGiven · 16/11/2022 11:12

Just to add, My dp had his at exactly the same time and had no side effects at all.

Namechanger355 · 16/11/2022 11:12

Had it for years through work - never any side effects whatsoever

flu season this year is meant to be bad so def get it

DeclineandFall · 16/11/2022 11:13

I had flu in my early 30s. It was the sickest I've ever been and left me with a terrible post viral condition. From then I got it privately whenever I could. Never had any side effects apart from a couple of times of feeling a bit shit a few days after. This years was fine.

YoureSuchADramaLlama · 16/11/2022 11:13

I'm not even sure what the common side effects are.
Redness/swelling/sore arm.
it can make you feel a bit under the weather for a couple of days.
It can’t give you flu, it’s not a live vaccine. It takes up to 2 weeks for immunity to kick in so you could still get flu and be poorly in that time.

I have mine every year in work, I’ve only once felt a bit under the weather in around a decade that I’ve been having it.

rubydoobydoo · 16/11/2022 11:14

Definitely go for it - the one year I was late getting mine I got the flu and it was much worse that any side effects from the jab!

I don't normally get side effects apart from a sore arm - I did with this year's (headache, aches and feeling a bit fevery and shivery ), only lasted for a day though and was able to work through it with the help of paracetamol and hot chocolate!

I think the fact the jab made me feel so rough this year means the current strain of flu would be really bad!

BigScreen · 16/11/2022 11:15

Yep. Get it free. Had it for the last 5 years.

Flu is horrendous.

RoomOfRequirement · 16/11/2022 11:16

Minor headache the next day and arm a little sore.

I've had the flu 3 times (when working in Healthcare, so surrounded) Once was without the flu shot and I thought I was going to die. It was awful. Most years I don't get the flu, but I've had it twice with the flu shot and the symptoms were 100x better. I wouldn't have really known about it without getting a flu test.

Rauha · 16/11/2022 11:16

Yes, I'd definitely take the jab

JenniferBarkley · 16/11/2022 11:16

Yes I get it every year. Most of the time I have a slightly sore arm, every few years I feel a bit miserable overnight and then I'm fine. The risks of anything more serious are very very low and well worth taking to avoid the flu.

Original poster
C1239 · 16/11/2022 11:18

And is it ok to get it done if you are feeling a bit tired/ getting over a cold?

OP posts:
TortugaRumCakeQueen · 16/11/2022 11:25

I had my Covid booster and flu jab, at the same time on Sunday. About 12 hours later, I felt a bit shivery and tired, and both arms were sore. Only lasted one day and now I'm protected. Job done. I'm almost 53.

GetOffTheRoof · 16/11/2022 11:29

Had mine this week. No side effects at all and it usually knocks me out for 48hrs so that was a pleasant surprise!

The NHS is overburdened. God forbids one of us needs urgent help this winter - 58hr wait for a hospital bed at our local hospital. I do not want to be lying on the floor of A&E for two days before being admitted with something that I might have avoided with a jab. Hopefully, this way all I'll get if I catch it is a week in bed feeling crap.

It's not a guarantee that you'll not get flu with it, but it's worth a go.

OnlyFannys · 16/11/2022 11:30

I have severe asthma so get offered it every year. Had this one and no side effects at all not even a sore arm.

I missed it one year as I just forgot to book it in, I caught the flu that year and ended up in A&E fighting for my life with pneumonia. Since then as you can imagine I have been all over the flu jab as soon as it is offered and would never consider not taking it

MarshaMelrose · 16/11/2022 11:30

I had mine. No effects so I forgot I'd had it. Which led to me trying to get it again! 🙈

CruCru · 16/11/2022 11:33

Had mine on Monday. Bit of a sore arm and felt slightly under the weather yesterday so had an early night. Am fine today.

Realistically I have too much on right now to risk being out of action for the two weeks that flu might mean.

columbo83 · 16/11/2022 11:33

I never have one

Purpleavocado · 16/11/2022 11:35

I'm 51, no health issues. Had mine a few weeks ago, no side effects other than a really sore arm for 3 days.

wonkylegs · 16/11/2022 11:36

I had mine 6wks ago no side effects not even a sore arm, followed by covid booster 10days later and no side effects from that either bar a slightly tender injection spot.
DH had his and had a tender arm for 12hrs
I know it's anecdotal evidence but I've been very pro flu jab as having the flu at 19 proved life changing for me.
It's what triggered my autoimmune disease and meant that I have spent the past 25yrs on immunosuppressants and in and out of hospital. I now don't have a properly functioning immune system so have to have the flu jab as another bout could have more serious implications.
In all the years I've had the flu jab I've had very few side effects and more importantly I've never had the flu despite people around me catching it.

ColdHandsHotHead · 16/11/2022 11:37

Always get my flu jab, have had it for the last 15 years or so. I'm guessing you've never had actual flu, OP? Trust me, you don't want it. Get the jab.

Cherrypies · 16/11/2022 11:37

Supposed to have mine today, but got cancelled, nurse gone off ill.
As I have copd, due to have the pneumonia jab on the 28th, doctor says ok to have the both together, has anyone had both together and was there any side affect?
I had the flu jab last year, with no problems, first time for the pneumonia one.

Lottapianos · 16/11/2022 11:37

I get mine through work and I'm so grateful. We're all different, but the worst side effects I've ever had were a headache and a day of feeling shivery. This year I had a sore arm for a day or two, that was it. It's such a relief knowing that I'm protected

Lcb123 · 16/11/2022 11:37

Had mine, sore arm overnight but no other effects. I’ve always had it-never had flu and never want to have it!