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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I get the flu jab?

71 replies

Paperclipelasticband · 22/10/2025 16:57

I’ve got the option to have it free through work

I am not in an ‘at risk’ category and I know people who have felt awful after having this years jab

What would you do?

YABU - have the jab
YANBU - don’t have it, there’s no need

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 22/10/2025 18:04

Any side effects are far much better than getting the 'flu. I would get it.

Umy15r03lcha1 · 22/10/2025 18:08

Do you want greatly increase your chances of catching a nasty dose of flu?

Yes - don't get vaccinated

No - get vaccinated

Blingismything · 22/10/2025 18:13

I had flu in my early twenties, I couldn’t lift my head from my pillow for a week, was really awful. So I have had the vaccination every year since. Only ever had a slightly sore arm afterwards.

QuiltPlantCandle · 22/10/2025 18:13

I get it for free. I got it last week. I have never had any kind of reaction to it.

ShelltheOnions · 22/10/2025 18:15

Yeah, I’d get it.

Real flu - rather than a bad cold that people call “flu” - is absolutely awful.

RampantIvy · 22/10/2025 18:15

Paperclipelasticband · 22/10/2025 16:57

I’ve got the option to have it free through work

I am not in an ‘at risk’ category and I know people who have felt awful after having this years jab

What would you do?

YABU - have the jab
YANBU - don’t have it, there’s no need

Nrither DH nor I had a reaction to the flu jab. The covid jab is another matter though.

ClaudiaWrinklemum · 22/10/2025 18:16

I occasionally get side effects so didn’t bother last year. Ended up with the flu over Christmas, off work for 3 weeks. I had the jab this year and felt absolutely fine, just slightly tired the next day.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 22/10/2025 18:18

Had it every year for yonks, never any reaction.

MajesticWhine · 22/10/2025 18:20

I had my jab today at work. I would like to avoid flu. I haven’t had side effects from a flu jab.

unsync · 22/10/2025 18:40

Had mine yesterday, all good so far, no swelling or soreness. I'm a carer for a vulnerable family member so it protects them and also means that they won't need to go into care if I fall ill.

tinyspiny · 22/10/2025 18:49

I had mine at the weekend , no issues at the injection site but my hand on that side was painful for a couple of days , really weird and not something I’ve experienced before . I had the Covid jab in the other arm and that was fine as well .

PocketSand · 22/10/2025 18:51

Lots of people will get the flu jab without any severe side effects. They may not have contracted flu anyway but view it as a risk free insurance policy and believe it protects others.

However there are risks of triggering an autoimmune condition and the risks are greater for those not in the at risk of serious illness from flu group - research suggests women aged 40-60 are at highest risk.

For those unlucky ones the personal and financial costs to the NHS are huge. DM suffered acute onset of severe RA following a routine flu jab. Her doctors reported via the yellow card system and she was told not to have any more flu jabs. But the damage was done. Her initial treatment with steroids resulted in osteoporosis and several fractures. She saw rheumatology every six months for the rest of her life and was on lifelong treatment.

The ‘side effects’ can be much worse than the illness (if contracted).

It is important to be aware of potential risks and benefits to give informed consent to voluntary or paid for vaccination with the flu jab.

Maisieandmia · 22/10/2025 18:53

I think go for it, theres a lot of flu around already this year so it may be a particularly nasty flu season.

WWomble · 22/10/2025 18:56

I am eligible to have it and always do. Flu is nasty, far nastier than the usually mild side effects of a jab. No issues with it this year for me.

Iloveacurry · 22/10/2025 19:02

I had it last Thursday and just felt tired! No other reactions. Definitely have it.

Thepeopleversuswork · 22/10/2025 19:46

I’ve just had mine today as I have done for the past three years. Flu is so much worse than the very mild side effects you probably won’t have from the jab: it protects you and the people around you.

Why wouldn’t you?

OddBoots · 22/10/2025 20:21

There is a lot going around at the moment, some of those who feel unwell after the jab could have picked up a bug rather than it being a reaction.

I have mine every year with no issue, including this year.

MummBRaaarrrTheEverLeaking · 22/10/2025 20:34

I had covid jab in one arm and flu in the other earlier this month. Apart from feeling a bit low on energy and sore arms, but just for the next day, I was absolutely fine.

andfinallyhereweare · 22/10/2025 20:36

I got the flu for the first time this year and ended up in ICU. I’m in 30s and not at risk. Id get the jab.

gamerchick · 22/10/2025 20:38

I would. I started getting it after catching flu and was praying for death. Crawling to the bog because I couldn't stand up properly.

Gave me a bit of a fright. Never missed one since.

CandidAzureBee · 22/10/2025 20:39

Absolutely no reaction, not even a sore arm, this year

Craftysue · 22/10/2025 20:42

I've only had flu twice in my life. The last time I was hospitalised and I genuinely thought I was dying. It took me weeks to get over it
I'm eligible due to being immune suppressed but I would pay to have it if I wasn't

DramaAlpaca · 22/10/2025 20:44

I had no reaction to this year's jab. Occasionally I have a mild reaction to it, but not this year.

AcquadiP · 22/10/2025 20:45

I've recently had my flu jab because I once had flu and I wouldn't like it to have it again. No side effects for the 3rd year in a row.

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 22/10/2025 20:47

I had mine (plus covid) yesterday. I have a sore arm and feel a tiny bit feverish (running hot then cold).

Very glad to have the extra protection.