I can’t take up the offer of the Flu Jab

[EndeavourVoyage]

Earlier in the year I discovered I had a condition that made me eligible for the flu vaccine but I am a vegan so cannot bring myself to have it. Will the doctor think I am really ungrateful to refuse it?

ADastardlyThing

Well, tbf it's won't, not can't.

You sound like my DH
Yes I mean I am not willing!!!

being given stuff that is either tested on animals
All drugs are tested on animals, it's the law.

Reasons for and against from a medical perspective aside, as a GP myself I can pretty much promise you they won’t give a shit.

Have your children had their vaccinations OP?

Just don't have it then. I was eligible when I was a new mother. I didn't want it so didn't have it. No one gave a shit. I did my want daughter to have the full immunisation schedule plus a couple of extras, so she has. Make your choice and stick with it.

So you were already certain you will not be accepting the invitation to have the jab, there was no RSVP attached to the letter demanding a yay or nay (and/or reasons for declining), you understand the pros and cons of having/not having the jab, and you're perfectly happy with all of the above.

What are you asking again? What do you say if you bump into your GP in Whole Foods, and they confront you?

I think you're daft to refuse is but that's your call. Do you have an advanced directive for if you're seriously ill and can't have any medication as they're tested on animals?

I do agree with PP though, your GP doesn't care why you're not having it.

The vaccine is so diluted from the original that animal products are negligible. Muslim patients have the flu jab as their Iman encourages it. They want to look after their health.

I had flu last year and it was truly horrendous. Nothing like a bad cold or chest infection. Literally face down, star fished in bed, sweating and freezing at the same time. A trip to the loo required DH assistance. Honestly have the jab. Would you refuse a local anaesthetic on vegan grounds? What if you needed an emergency c section?
For what it’s worth I try to follow a vegan diet and I agree with your dilemma in principle. I really do. But honestly flu is sooo dreadful. I can fully see how millions of people died in 1918 of Spanish flu. It’s bad enough in a lovely centrally heated home, with food good and fluids and warm blankets etc. The thought of having it in a damp freezing Victorian hovel, with no money for doctor, no warm blankets or adequate food. Just doesn’t bare thinking about.
HRT I would really try and manage without. The cruelty that goes into that is awful. But I have also seen the suffering of people who need it, and I cousknt promise that I wouldn’t take it in their position.

ShatnersBassoon

No I don’t think I am certain.

I have my DH saying that I am daft and putting him and myself at risk if I don’t have it. My DH has a heart condition do is also eligible. He says I should just get over myself.

I just really want to see if everyone thinks I am daft really, and I did think I had to tell them I didn’t want it tbh!

bombardier
My children are all grown up and don’t live with us.

In that case you will, I assume, decline all medication including antibiotics and blood products too?
And accept full responsibility of isolating yourself when/if you contract an infection or flu in order to prevent it passing on to others.

do you take any medicine at all?
each and any medicine is tested on animals. it's the law. so no medicine ever is strictly vegan.

there are some vaccines that are grown in cell cultures instead of eggs (usually to give to allergic people), ask your dr about that.

Maybugger
That is what my DH has been asking me today, and I honestly couldn’t answer him

any
At the moment I don’t take any medicine so it has never come up before. I am 51 and I have been vegan for 20 years.

Firstly...

Oh no, I can’t have it, i don’t have HRT neither. I am very proud of my vegan principles. I am just thinking how I tell the GP so she doesn’t think I am ungrateful, that’s all.

then...

No I don’t think I am certain.

All this confusion! Now people are chatting about veganism and its principles - who'd have thought?

ShatnersBassoon
There really is no need to be nasty, I am clearly confused I truly don’t know what to do here.
I am trying to stick to my principles but I am in a quandary and came here to get opinions on my dilemma not my lifestyle choice.

I am very proud of my vegan principles.

I’ve not RTFT, I couldn’t get passed this.

So proud you’re happy to put your own life at risk, put other lives at risk and (I’m assuming) have no qualms accessing an overstretched service for a preventable scenario.

Honestly, that’s one fucked up analogy.

Yeah, living with someone who has a heart condition and not getting it is the height of selfishness

I think you're daft. Have it, don't tell anyone, halo stays intact

Asterado
Cheers for you help.

I’m vegan and have the flu jab - I do my best but my mantra is to not let perfect be the enemy of good. If 99% of occasions that present themselves I make the vegan decision, I’ll forgive the 1% where I can’t/don’t want to.

I think on balance you’d do more harm if you got flu - to both animals and resources. You need to look at the bigger picture.

Well it’s the bottom line isn’t it OP. Do you not see the hypocrisy? I’ve just read your DP has a heart condition. You could quite possibly be willingly putting him at risk of death because of your principles around a negligible amount of animal product.

there are some vaccines that are grown in cell cultures instead of eggs (usually to give to allergic people), ask your dr about that

There haven't been any vaccines that aren't incubated in eggs this year.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/733430/Ovalbumin_influenza_vaccine_content_table_2018_2019.pdf

Thank you makelemonade you have made me feel that I should think more carefully about accepting the jab.