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?

@EndeavourVoyage I really would love to comment something sarcastic and bitchy but I'll be an adult instead (for once) you should be proud of yourself that you take something you feel so strongly about to this level. BUT your husband has a heart condition and regardless of whether he has the jab you will still be putting him at high risk if you contract the virus! Iv worked in an elderly ward and seen what flu can do to people with the slightest health problems. It's a tiny amount of animal product and could be the difference between you and your husband being seriously ill.......

someonekillbabyshark
This is all very right and I feel, yes I am being selfish and must as my DH puts it “get over myself”!!!

Will the doctor think I am really ungrateful to refuse it?

I very much doubt it. Why would they even care or give it a second thought if you refuse.

You don’t have to tell your GP you don’t want to have it. Just don’t book an appointment for it. But even if you did tell your GP, he/she has got more important things to worry about than a patient’s principles.

I don’t think I could in all conscience put a human I loved over and above a vaccine cultured in an egg.

Every drug has been tested on animals. That includes paracetamol, ibuprofen, decongestant, gaviscon and the such. Reducing animal product consumption is a worthwhile endeavour but not at the expense of your own health or your family’s. Frankly you can do it at the expense of your own health, but risking your husband’s? I don’t think that’s on really.

Your doctor is probably quite busy thinking about lots of other things like their (many, many) other patients; the politics of their relationships with their colleagues; the latest requirements of the CCG; whether it's them or their partner that's taking the kids to football tonight; that they have to remember to send their mum a birthday card this week; the car needs refuelling before they go for the weekend away to celebrate their friend's child's christening. Trust me. One of their hundreds of patients declining a flu vaccination really won't register, they don't care that much on a personal, individual level. Why on earth would they?

As an immunocompromised person, and on behalf of immunocompromised, infirm elderly people, and sickly children who are genuinely unable to have the vaccine and will be at risk of catching flu by being anywhere near you - fuck you.

I can understand why you might be upset that the op used can't rather than won't to explain her situation but otherwise I think you are being unfair.

You are no more likely to catch the flu from her as any of the other millions of people who will not be invited to have the vaccine.

Barking is the word that comes to mind .... if you don’t want to eat animals or by products or wear them go for it however to risk your health and your dh ‘s health is crazy.

People have told you how ill they were having flu , for you and dh it is life threatening

I've got a medical condition that puts me at risk if I get the flu and I've just received a text message inviting me to have it next week.

It just asked me to reply "No" if I don't want it, I presume to stop them chasing me so if you really don't want it just ring the surgery and they can make a note.

I think you should have it done. If the whole point of being vegan is to do no harm, think how many people you could make ill if you pass on the virus and the resources you and they might take up.

I find it really hard to believe you have a condition serious enough to be in the "at risk" categories for a flu jab but do not take a single medication, and havent taken any for the 50 years you have been vegan.

There is your principles and then using a bit of common sense. You may not be using the small amount of animal product that comes from the vaccine but in turn you will put many others at risk including your own DH and if you were to catch the flu would likely need/want medications containing animal products anyway!

Meh it's the flu jab

Other vaccines I'm very pro but they always announce it's not effective against whatever the strain is that actually did the rounds

They have to predict it and often you'd be lucky to catch the actual strain of flu your vaccinated against

Take some decent probiotics, wash your hands well, and take vitamin C

I can't get worked up over someone refusing a flu jab tbh

When it's the one that covers all strains that they're working on - that one Id think you were stupid to refuse but not this

relissa

With all due respect you know nothing about my condition and I anve only been a vegan for 20 years and truly during that time I have never taken any medication.
I did not ask for opinions on my lifestyle choice just this particular dilemma.

penisbeakers

Would you say that to someone who is not in an eligible category why would I be any more of a risk to you than they are.
So with all the respect. “Fuck you too”

OK, but even eating veg results in the death of animals. The vast majority of consumables have animal fatalities from paper to cotton. Anything made with biorganic components is either made from animals or from crops which have been treated with pesticides (either synthetic or organic) and/or requires disturbing habitat spaces (even in sustainable farming the farmland will sometimes double up as a habitat for instance tree plantations for wood/paper). Unless you 100% sustinanace farm and are very careful not to kill anything causing harm to animals is unavoidable. Why have you fixated on the flu vaccine in particular?

brownpaper

I think you should have it done. If the whole point of being vegan is to do no harm, think how many people you could make ill if you pass on the virus and the resources you and they might take up

Thanks, that is so true. I am truly questioning myself.

Most people on this thread have given me good advice and made me seriously question my initial thoughts but some people have been frankly rude and not at all helpful.

Racecardriver
Whilst I appreciate your thoughts, I think you are commenting on the wrong thread, I don’t need my lifestyle questioned in any way shape or form.

I am vegan and am eligible to have the flu jab. For me it's all about doing least harm. Everyday I make the 'vegan' choice about numerous things, so I don't beat myself up when I have to make a small unethical choice for the greater good eg take a medication, and accept blood transfusions.
I safeguard my health where I can because not to do so would could cause untold harm to my children. It's a case of least harm for me in the case of worst possible scenarios.

Mama1980

Thankyou for you kind words

If your husband has a heart condition you really shouldn’t be risking bringing flu into the household. No medication (vaccines included) are 100 % effective and you would be introducing a risk to both of you. Also all medications have gone though animal trials at some point so in you aren’t having vaccines then by the same principle you shouldn’t be having any medications ever- even paracetamol. Also vaccines aren’t grown in eggs the viruses are sometimes cultured in chick fibroblast cells.

I'm not giving any opinions on your lifestyle .

I don't really believe that in 20 years (with or without an at risk medical condition) that you have not taken a single medication, any pain relief, over the counter medicines but okay....

DD is vegan.

She weighs up each situation as to what is best and what will do least harm in that situation.

In this case she would have the flu jab.

In fairness it's won't not can't......🙄

You are being more than daft putting yourself and possibly others at risk.....but rather you (or someone close to you) than the animals yeah??

My DS and DDIL are vegan; both would have died when in hospital (very serious infection and emergency CS respectively) had they taken your stance op.
I hope that you carry on being able to refuse all medication and medical procedures involving testing on animals or animal products, you are far braver than I. Just bear in mind that in an emergency you may not be in a position to do so, so perhaps carrying some kind of warning card might be appropriate?

It's your choice whether you want it or not.