The flu vaccine, do you ever suffer from side effects?

[Rustydogtail]

As I'm now in my 50's, suffer from a few chronic health issues (not respiratory), care for an elderly parent with advanced dementia and have myself suffered from flu in every decade since my 20's I've decided to have the flu jab this winter.

However, I'm really concerned that it'll make me feel like crap. I know if it does it's unlikely to last long but I already feel like crap every day (IBS, perimenopause, endometriosis) and really don't want to feel worse than I do although from experience I know a dose of the flu will make me feel dreadful so a small price to pay I suppose if I do react.

Do you get your shots and do you ever have reactions from it?

I have a bit of an ache in my arm for a day after but nothing else from it.

I have had a fluid vaccine every year for 15 years. Most years I have zero side effects, or at worst limited to a slightly sore injection site. I rarely even realise I have had it.

From what I can remember I only reacted to it once. I was at uni and still recovering from freshers flu and should really have postponed it. Had some flu-like symptoms that were gone within 24 hours.

Usually nothing, very occasionally an achy arm. I have it every year because the flu is so awful.

Sometimes my arm really hurts, and I may feel a bit under the weather for a day. As you say, a price well worth paying for not getting actual flu, or (if unlucky) a much milder version.

I have autoimmune issues, flu makes me very ill so I’ve had the jabs for a few years now. I can feel a bit headachy and tired, sore arm etc. I just take paracetamol and rest for a few days (don’t make plans to be busy).

I haven’t noticed any side effects. I’ve had the flu jab most years for the last 15-20 years.

I've had the flu jab probably for 30 years. Never had a reaction other than a slightly achey arm sometimes.

Absolutely nothing been getting it for aslong as I can remember.

Usually no side effects, but had flu and covid jabs yesterday and felt a bit headachy and tired for a couple of hours. It wore off after a while.

I usually get very feverish and feel awful for the rest of the day, then wake up the next morning feeling fine. Arm hurts for a day or two as well.

I usually have no reaction at all. Just had it done and didn't even get an achey arm afterwards.

I had mine on Friday. My arm was a little tender yesterday (Saturday) but no other effects than that.

I’ve been having the flu jab for years. Sometimes it makes me feel a bit achy for 24 hours, but I’ve never (touches wood) had one that seriously impacts the following day/s.

Had mine yesterday. Slight ache at injection site for about half an hour, otherwise nothing!

I've never had it but dh has it every year. He always feels bit coldy for a few days afterwards then it clears.

I had covid and flu jabs at the same time due to taking immunosuppressent medication. I always get a sore arm from the covid and I've had a bit of a headache and feeling stuffy, not sure if its the flu jab or covid, but the arm where the flu jab went in is completely pain free.

I get it every year and mostly my arm is tender around the injection site for a couple of days.
A few years ago I had one where my arm was really sore for 5 days! I think that was probably down to the nurse giving it rather than the actual vaccine. I’ve never had any more general symptoms though, always just locally in my arm

I had it this year for the first time in ages, with the same issues as you. It has been fine and that's been 4 days now so I'm hoping no issues. Sore arm, slight headache and that's been ir.

I have had flu injections over past few winters and had no side effects, thankfully. My wife says her arm was a little sore but nothing bad at all.

I usually feel a bit coldy for 24 hours and sometimes my arm is a bit sore. Morning that stops me from going to work though.
I had my 2026 jab yesterday and feel fine so far.
The shingles one was worse but you only need two of those six months apart and then you’re covered forever.

Don’t have flu and covid on the same day though!

I’ve been having the flu vaccine yearly for about 30 years. Never had flu. No side effects other than a slightly sore arm for a day or two. Don’t over think it!

I had mine yesterday. Today I have slightly dodgy guts , but that may or may not be related. Nothing bad enough to put me off having the jab again. I had a worse reaction to the Covid jabs, but that was still mild and short- lived.

My husband had flu and Covid jabs yesterday one same arm.

He started feeling shivery in the evening and had a bad night, but this morning he’s ok except that he has cold symptoms.

I haven’t had a flu (or Covid) jab for a few years, but when I did the only issue I had was an aching
arm.

Had mine yesterday, sore arm which was uncomfortable if I lay on it in bed, and felt slightly under the weather. Fine today, arm still a lit bit sore. It's been this every time I've had a flu shot but is a small price to pay.

I've had 8 covid jabs, never had an issue with them.

I got mine yesterday. All I have is a sore arm.