Flu jab yes or no

[C1239]

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?

I've been getting it annually for over 10 years now, slightly sore arm usually but never any other problem. My mother has been getting it without a problem for over 5 years now.

Yes it’s fine.
I get one every year and never any problems. I really, really do not want flu. I’ve had it only a few times in my whole life and it’s absolutely horrible, doesn’t go away quickly and has the potential to become serious (e.g. develop into pneumonia).
Vaccines of all types can have side effects but they don’t actually make you ill. You might feel ill for a day or two but that’s just part of the expected inflammatory response to vaccination, which varies from unnoticeable to properly feeling unwell. It’s not at all like having an infection - your body isn’t being invaded by rapidly multiplying viruses or bacteria.

statisticsbyjim.com/hypothesis-testing/flu-shots-effectiveness/

Really interesting breakdown of the societal benefits, also a really interesting site generally

I’ve been having the jab since my 50s. Before that I had flu twice. Believe me, whatever the side effects from the jab, and I have never had any, they can’t be as bad as flu itself.

I have been having one since my late 30’s and am now 50. I had this years a couple of weeks back with my covid booster. I had an achy arm, for a couple of days but it’s nothings compared to flu (or covid in my case).

Got it. Not even a sore arm this year (though it does vary). Had flu three times in my life, but never since starting the jab every year. It's worth it, flu is serious.

I was fine after mine just had a sore arm! I had covid jab in the other arm at same time, also fine just sore :)

Had mine - slightly sore arm, thats all

(I get a sore arm with just about every jab I've ever had)

God after having flu I'll never miss a flu jab. Ever. That's one scary experience.

I've had the flu jab for 3 years. Zero side effects. Not even a sore arm.

Had it many years ago I was so ill never had it again.
Thinking maybe I should reconsider now I'm older

The flu this year is awful. Have it.

What side effects do you think are worse than flu?

Having had flu twice as an adult, and as a single adult with no one to take care of me, I’ve never skipped my vaccinations since.

You do know people die from flu?n

I had mine the other week due to being pregnant. I had a sore arm, and also a runny nose, which I didn't actually equate with being a side effect until MIL said she had had one after her flu jab. I was worried I was getting a cold and relieved when it didn't last more than I day.

I've had it for years with no issue apart from once where I actually came down with flu a couple of days later. I think that was timing rather than the vaccine though and it was so awful I'll happily take the vaccine

Yes looking back it was xmas time and after talking to a friend she thought I was already going down with flu so just conicidental, I was out of it for nearly 2 weeks can only remember a bit of boxing day when husband was giving me some meds.
Think I will take the advice and get it from now on .
Thanks all.

I've had them both together only downside is 2 slightly sore arms instead of one.

We pay privately to get it every year, including for the kids. My mum's a GP and is a huge advocate. On an anecdotal level, she says they're seeing some truly awful flu this year, which, personally I'd like to avoid. Had mine yesterday and had so little reaction I totally forgot I'd even had it until I felt the little plaster in the shower last night.

@ZeroFuchsGiven

I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's the injector's error- I know someone else who had something similar with the second covid vaccine. He's much better after a course of physio and a steroid injection- have they given you any kind of treatment plan? I will say, I do get every vaccine, but since hearing about that, I always watch where they're about to inject and make sure it's not too near the shoulder. Hope you make a full and speedy recovery.

ZeroFuchsGiven · Today 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.

I had it in mid-October. I get it every year. Zero side effects this year, not even the achy arm.

Always have mine. Slightly sore arm that’s it, far better than having flu.

Definitely a yes from me . Have had flu twice in my twenties and was in bed for two weeks each time . Only ever had a slightly sore arm but any side effects are generally mild and last a couple of days . Doesnt protect from every strain of flu though , usually the main four predicted for that year .

Yes from me too... had mine on Saturday... covid one arm , flu in the other. No side effects at all.

DH had the same, he got a sore flu arm and a temperature that night. Fine after.

I had mine a month ago and have been under the weather since.. cough/cold.

I think I just react badly to vaccines....extremely poorly/red flagged after the covid jab

But having had real flu twice I'd take the vaccine any day. Some people think they've had flu and still gone to work etc...that's not flu. Believe me once you have it you'll never forget.

I got the flu a few years ago. It was awful. I couldn't stand up for days. Since then I've had the flu jab every year, through work most years. I've never had any side effects.

I've found, touch wood, since I had the jab that I don't even get minor coughs and colds now. Maybe it's a coincidence but I really think it's because of the jab. I can sometimes feel a cough coming on but it doesn't set in and goes away.

If I was you I would wait until you're feeling better and then I'd definitely have it done.

I really don't understand why you wouldn't have it, especially if it's offered at work for free. It's one less thing to worry about