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Original poster

Has taking the flu jab actually made a difference for you?

29 replies

sha160528 · 01/05/2025 21:59

Hi,

Has taking a flu jab actually made a difference for you?

My immune system is awful and although I do get offered it I’ve not taken it in years. However, I’m starting to wonder if it helps as I’ve had an awful few months with various flu strains - don’t expect it to be a magic cure but is it better than not having it done?

Thanks

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 01/05/2025 22:03

Yes, I've had a lot less coughs and colds in general too. But I also take a good multivitamin as well so it might be down to that.

Of course it depends which strain they vaccinate you with compared to the strains that are about as to whether you are protected properly or not but I like to think the protection doesn't wear off fully each year.

helpwillalwayscometothosethatneedit · 01/05/2025 22:05

Have it every year. I worked in HC and will have any vaccine going.

Itsjustsodepressing · 01/05/2025 22:05

I don't know whether it's coincidence or related but since I've been getting the flu jab I rarely get colds.
I do think it's been beneficial to me.

Isitmeyourecookingfor · 01/05/2025 22:06

The one year I didn't get the flu jab (I work front line NHS) I got the flu and was off work for 3 weeks ill. I felt the.worst I have ever felt. I always get the jab now.

Sahara123 · 01/05/2025 22:07

I think you’ve answered your own question there! No flu jab and you’ve had several flu bouts ? You’re right in that the jab won’t stop flu completely, but it can certainly lessen the severity . I always have it

MadeleineAllbright · 01/05/2025 22:08

I get the flu jab every year and I’ve never had anything more than a cold over the winter months.

But of course, there’s no way of knowing whether I would have had a nasty case of the flu had I not had the flu jab in any particular year, so I can’t say for sure that it’s made a difference.

finallyskinny · 01/05/2025 22:08

I got mine last year, as every year around november/December I would get run down with flu/chest infections and end up in hospital. Didn't catch a thing since I've had it! could be coincidence but I highly doubt it

blythet · 01/05/2025 22:09

I don’t know for definite but assume it does. I’ve had it every year for the last 14 years and rarely had a flu - and when I have it’s been relatively mild.

so it either works or I’ve been very lucky 🤷🏻‍♀️

MadeleineAllbright · 01/05/2025 22:10

Itsjustsodepressing · 01/05/2025 22:05

I don't know whether it's coincidence or related but since I've been getting the flu jab I rarely get colds.
I do think it's been beneficial to me.

Complete coincidence - cold viruses and flu viruses are completely different viruses. The flu vaccine only protects against the strains of flu that epidemiologists have predicted will be the most virulent that winter. It cannot protect you against cold viruses.

TwilightAb · 01/05/2025 22:10

I didn't have the flu jab this year yet my Dh, ds and dd all did. My dd had flu, pretty mild, was off school for 1 day and then fine. I caught it off her and had the full works, i was ill for weeks. I've never felt so ill! Both my dh and ds didn't catch it at all. So this year I am definitely getting the flu jab!

sproutsandparsnips · 01/05/2025 22:11

Flu jab will only protect against strains of flu. If you have fewer other viruses this coincidence. Though much to be desired.

DGPP · 01/05/2025 22:13

Yes and having seen both my children with horrendous flu, I now it get for them too

Temporaryname158 · 01/05/2025 22:13

I never get it and have had flu twice in 44 years.

outerspacepotato · 01/05/2025 22:14

Well, I get it yearly, I don't get influenza and considering my grandmother died from it, that's a good thing.

MigGril · 01/05/2025 22:17

Yes it makes a huge difference. Everyone in our house had the flu vaccination (DS gets the nasal spray as that what they give kids in school) except for DD as she was to old to get it from school but I find it hard to find somewhere who will give it here as she always faints with injections (pharmacies don't want to know).

Well unfortunately DD got flu, how do I know it was flu mainly as she was the only person in the house to be ill. She was quite poorly with it to, I'm sure if it had been any other cold (or covid) then we all would have had it, as that is normally what happens in our house. I really must see if I.can get her the flu jab this year.

LolaJ87 · 01/05/2025 22:19

Yep. I got it this year because I’m pregnant. My husband and son both got really ill over Christmas, I stayed well and was so glad to have had it.

Whoarethoseguys · 01/05/2025 22:19

sha160528 · 01/05/2025 21:59

Hi,

Has taking a flu jab actually made a difference for you?

My immune system is awful and although I do get offered it I’ve not taken it in years. However, I’m starting to wonder if it helps as I’ve had an awful few months with various flu strains - don’t expect it to be a magic cure but is it better than not having it done?

Thanks

It's impossible to tell. But I had the jab and I haven't had the flu when I have been in contact with people who have.

BeNiceWhenItsFinished · 01/05/2025 22:20

I've had the flu jab the last few years, and have had a few colds which have left me with a cough that lasted a while (and I got covid), but not the flu.

reyann · 01/05/2025 22:22

Yes, I got the flu jab when pregnant. My husband caught the flu when my son was 2 weeks old, I didn’t stay away from him as I assumed it was too late for me to avoid and yet both me and my son remained healthy, thankfully.

LeftieRightsHoarder · 01/05/2025 22:24

Yes. I used to get frequent colds every winter, which often led to chest infections. I don’t know if I’ve ever had flu — not that I know of.

The first winter I took the flu jab, I stopped catching every cold that came past. Since then, for many years, I’d be unlucky to get more than one cold a year.

But the last couple of years I’ve had a lot of respiratory infections. Researchers have to make the flu jab in advance, before they really know all the viruses that are on the way. So I think some years the flu jab hits the spot better than others.

ilovesooty · 01/05/2025 22:25

Itsjustsodepressing · 01/05/2025 22:05

I don't know whether it's coincidence or related but since I've been getting the flu jab I rarely get colds.
I do think it's been beneficial to me.

Same here.

ilovesooty · 01/05/2025 22:28

MadeleineAllbright · 01/05/2025 22:10

Complete coincidence - cold viruses and flu viruses are completely different viruses. The flu vaccine only protects against the strains of flu that epidemiologists have predicted will be the most virulent that winter. It cannot protect you against cold viruses.

Show quote history

Fair enough, but ever since I've had the flu jab I've never had flu. I suspect that the fact that I've had one cold (last year), in the last 12 years might be down to having little exposure to common sources of germs.

MilnersGold · 01/05/2025 22:30

I work in a primary school. I have done for well over a decade, I missed my annual vaccination this year. I certainly won't make the same mistake again.

pointythings · 01/05/2025 22:31

I'm 57 and I've had an annual flu jab for 24 years, so since I turned 33. Prior to age 33, I'd had real, proper full on flu three times. Since getting the jab - not once.

I work in the NHS so I get it free, but the one year I was not working, I paid for it. It's worth it.

aquashiv · 01/05/2025 22:31

I had it and have had the worst cough and cold for years