For those who don’t usually get the flu vaccination ...

[KeysDontBelongInTheFridge]

Will you be getting it this year? My children don’t usually get it, but we’ve already had a horrid cold and I’m becoming increasingly more anxious about a winter full of illnesses.

I’m not an anti-vaxxer so please I don’t want this to turn in to a vaccination debate, I just want to hear from people who for the first time may get it this year (or may not)

Thanks everyone

[redbushtea]

Have been declining it for the past 5 years and will continue to decline it.

[LoveFall]

I have had the flu twice, both times caught while traveling. Both times I had to go to emergency due to asthma flareups. I was sick for weeks.

I now make darn sure I get the flu shot. Even more so since both my parents died of flu. In the same week.

I will do almost anything to avoid it. The vaccine is far from perfect but the short term sore arm and achey feeling are nothing compared to flu.

[Greyshaggyrug]

I’m eligible for a free one but I’ve never had it, never had flu either. No one in my family has ever had flu. So no I won’t ever get the flu vaccine.

[Theonlyoneiknow]

I am still undecided TBH. I always struggle to make this decision. On the 2 occasions DD has had the nasal spray she has spiked a really high temp and had a febrile convulsion so hasn't had one the past 3 years.

[Oliversmumsarmy]

No.

Dp is in the at risk group and when he first got type 1 diabetes I had a flu jab with him.

We were both so ill after we decided never again.

Dp did start to get them each year with his company but I had to point out after a few years that every time he had a flu jab he would then have to take a few days off work because he was ill.

Don’t know if it affects others in the same way

[BogRollBOGOF]

My children are signed up for it through school.

I'm not eligible on the NHS listings as low risk. I have no objection to it, but don't rush to get it as there are often shortages and someone else will be a higher priority than me.

[marriednotdead]

I'm mid 50s and considered having one last year but didn't get round to it. I almost certainly will this year as I have since been diagnosed with fibromyalgia so can feel shit anyway without the additional help of a viral illness!

I've had flu 3 times in my life and it was horrendous. 99.9% sure I had COVID In March (testing not available outside hospitals at that point) and comparably would rather do that again than another dose of flu.

[redbushtea]

Have been declining the flu jab for the last few years, and have been absolutely fine health wise.

[QueenPaws]

Get mine free every year so yes I'll be having it

[MrsJonesAndMe]

Yes, I've booked to have it privately. Will encourage DH to have it through his work - they normally offer, he normally declines. DS gets a nasal one through school.

[Feellikedancingyeah]

I won't have it. Had it 4 years in a row when my dad was ill. Every year I was really poorly with flu. Not had it since then and not been poorly again!

[RedRiverShore]

I’ve never had one but this year if they do the 50-64 year olds in good time I will probably have it, but if it drags on until February or so I won’t bother

[AnneElliott]

Yes I will this year. I'm offered it every year (asthma) but always turn it down.

This year I think it sensible to agree so will get it.

[lunar1]

I have had the flu jab for the last 4 years, around 5 years ago I was hospitalised with sepsis following the flu, it was truly horrific. DH and ds2 didn't catch it, they were immunised. Ds1 had to be admitted for IV fluids. Neither of us have underlying health conditions, DH and ds2 do.

[Fyzz]

My fit healthy 23 year old DS was floored by flu last winter and had 3 weeks off work (teacher). He'll be having the flu jab this year.
I get on on the NHS but usually go to a pharmacy for mine. They are fully booked until November.

[Lozz22]

I will I have to have it for work anyway to protect both myself and the elderly and vulnerable people I care for

[Roomba]

I'm not eligible for a free flu vaccine, but I've paid to have one a few times over the last ten years or so. The years that I haven't have been because they were out of stock then I didn't get round to organising it. I wasn't particularly worried about catching flu as I've no health issues, but having had it twice before I'd prefer to avoid feeling that awful if possible.

My kids have always had the free vaccine when offered through school. I'd never prevent them from getting any vaccination, however effective it may or may not be in the end. Why would I?

My elderly aunt refuses her free flu vaccine every year, because her friends have told her it makes you ill. That it actually gives you a mild version of one type of flu and then doesn't protect you from the others. Which is ridiculous, but she's convinced by them! I worry as she has asthma and other health issues which mean flu could be very nasty for her. She said she'll get a covid vaccine, but she still won't get a flu jab.

[Mindymomo]

My husband is having his first one today along with phumonia jab. He is 63, but had heart surgery this year, son was advised to have them. I get one at Tesco pharmacy each year, as when I get a cold it has turned into chest infection and I can feel very rough for 2 weeks and if I can shorten this then I will.

[scrappydappydoo]

DH always has it because of his asthma. I’m booked in for the first time this year and have booked my kids in too. Main reason was that I had that awful flu/cough thing last December and I can’t imagine having Covid on top of that so I’m going to do everything possible to avoid illness this winter - I know it doesn’t protect against all flu but it’s better than nothing. Plus I don’t understand why they feel it necessary that all yr 7’s get it but not yr8 and above?

[EleanorOalike]

@endtimes I was nervous too for the same reasons as you. Did you know you can book yours at Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds etc and they will give you an appointment time in your local branch, usually in a private consultation room? It’s free if you usually get the flu jab as long as you provide details of your GP. My GP practice ended up offering it at the same time routine bloods so it was done during an appointment. The nurse was herself worried about mass vaccination with lots of vulnerable people there at the same time so said it was best to get it there and then and avoid the queues.

[Coriandersucks]

If you're not having it because "it only protects against some types of flu", do you also not wear your seatbelt because "it only protects you in some kinds of car accident"?

love these comparisons - not quite the same is it?!

[endtimes]

I usually have it as I am vulnerable but do not think I will have it this year, I am still shielding in effect. My Gp surgery are doing a mass vaccinating of people all together and I am not going in a room with loads of other people, masks on or not.

[Blurp]

If you're not having it because "it only protects against some types of flu", do you also not wear your seatbelt because "it only protects you in some kinds of car accident"?

I've had flu a couple of times, and it was horrific. Took months to recover - I really don't fancy facing this winter with exhaustion from flu already in the picture.

[RaininSummer]

I have never had a 'flu' jab and have no plans for one. Never had proper flu yet despite being late 50s I am sure I will at some point but because of all the mutating strains, a jab doesn't really seem worth it.

[Abraid2]

I was a slim, fit woman in my early 40s when I caught flu. I was extremely ill and it took weeks to recover. I’m talking temperature of 105f and hallucinations. I lost a lot of weight very quickly and my face has looked haggard since then.

I always have a flu jab.