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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Anyone NOT had flu jab?

26 replies

UrsulaSings · 27/02/2020 00:07

I was just wondering if anyone on here has NOT had the flu jab, and if so, why?

I didnt think it was a big deal to get it done as I'm offered it every year as I have asthma and never accept it because I had it once several years ago and felt terrible afterwards.

But after seeing another thread and people saying how important it is it's making me think again as I just automatically dismissed it.

I looked at the statistics and 45% of pregnant women have the flu jab, so I wondered where the people were who havent had it.

The biggest thing swaying me is that it protects the baby for a few months after they're born, and as I'm due in september that seems like a good idea leading up to flu season. I never knew that.

OP posts:

Delbelleber · 27/02/2020 01:26

I also get offered it every year and I've declined it in pregnancy also. Everyone I know that gets it feel rotton after having it.

js30 · 27/02/2020 08:41

I haven't had it but had the whooping cough onE to protect the baby when it's born. I just don't like putting unnecessary things in my body with all the added stuff they put in them. Avoided flu all these years I didn't see why it should be any different. I'm actually the only one in my family and friends who hasn't had a horrific cold this year and I'm sure it has something to do with that! Definitely will be vaccinating baby as it's so important but this is very different x

DonnaDarko · 27/02/2020 08:43

I didn't have the flu jab. It wasn't offered to me when I was pregnant, and isn't usually as I'm not in any of the risk groups.

bookiewook · 27/02/2020 11:01

I don't usually get it but am booked to get it next week along with the whooping cough. I took the view that I never get flu, so waited as long as possible as I understand that the baby will get some immunity from it if you have it later in the pregnancy. For me (due in June) that should tide the baby over to six months when they can get their own jabs.

HugeAgeGap · 27/02/2020 11:09

I was offered it a couple of weeks ago by MW and declined. gp then also said I needed it but I said yeah I'll book that even though I have no intention.

I also haven't consented to my 10yo having any of the flu sprays in school each year either.

I feel the same as another poster, think it's unnecessary, the flu jab they use has got rubbish rates of effectiveness against the actual flu doing the rounds at the time and I also hate all the added stuff they put in them these days.

Just to add I'm a very cynical person about anything to do with big pharma which is just my personal opinion and in no way intended to influence anyone else :-) ppl decide for and against based on lots of individual factors and totally respect that.

Wolfiefan · 27/02/2020 11:10

It’s not unnecessary.
Flu can be very serious. Why wouldn’t you protect yourself?
It can’t give you flu. It’s not a live vaccine. If you feel rough after it then you were coming down with something anyway.

Mysocalledlifexx · 27/02/2020 11:51

Ive had the flu jab when pregnant diddnt make me ill ,ive had it 4x now its not a live jab only the kids nasel spray one is.
I was pregnant last year caught flu before i knew i was pregnant i was so ill ,i diddnt get it this time when pregnant as it came out when i was in labour but did get it after as im breast feeding so wanted to protect my baby as much as i could.
Its personal choice i wouldnt give anyone a hard time not getting it, we all have different views so do whats right for u.

Caspianberg · 27/02/2020 11:57

I haven't. I have never had it in the past, and it isn't routinely given where I live so nobody else here has had it either.

maceratedstrawberries · 27/02/2020 12:07

I haven't. Was going to, but this year's jab has apparently not been effective (didn't contain the right strain/s of the virus) so didn't bother...

Bol87 · 27/02/2020 13:27

The flu jab is your own risk. It’s to protect you. It doesn’t cover all flu but it reduces your risk. I’ve had real flu & honestly felt like I was dying. I was in hospital for over a week, needed numerous medications, steroids, oxygen in hospital. My temp was over 40 & wouldn’t come down despite all the meds. It knocked me out for over a month. The idea of going through all that while pregnant doesn’t bear thinking about it. One, you couldn’t have all the meds I had and two, your body is already under a lot of strain, I imagine it’d take a long time to recover!

But equally, you can just take the ‘I've never had flu so I’ll fine’ or ‘it makes you feel poorly’ attitude. Your choice. Seems weird to me but there we go. I’ll happily take every vaccine going to reduce my risk of getting ill! Trust me. Any minor reaction to the jab such as minor cold like symptoms for a day or so are nothing compared to how poorly you feel with actual flu!

abbs1 · 27/02/2020 14:00

I didn't have the flu jab due to severe hyperemesis and being on steroids my gynaecologist consultant said my immune system was too weak to take the jab so I haven't had it. I've had the whooping cough jab.
Also whenever I have had the flu jab I have gotten extremely unwell for over a week with vomiting and fever so I wasnt gonna chance it.

Disneygeek30 · 27/02/2020 14:03

I didn’t have the flu jab simply because I forgot to book the appointment then it slipped my mind.
I go flu at the end of my pregnancy which then resulted in a lingering chest infection leading to sepsis in labour and my life was very much in danger.
Luckily we were born fine but it ended with a traumatic c section and a weeks worth of Intravenous antibiotics for both me and baby which all could have been avoided had I just had the flu jab.
So please get your flu jab.

LTofBR3 · 27/02/2020 14:04

I haven't had it though it has been on my to do list
I have my 16 week check up in a few days so might discuss with midwife whether I should still get one done. Will definitely get whooping cough done as I think that's recommended from 16 weeks onwards

mynameiscalypso · 27/02/2020 14:04

I didn't because of the timing of my pregnancy - by the time it came to flu jabs etc, they had run out of stock.

MrsRose2018 · 27/02/2020 14:05

Had the flu jab - didn’t hurt a bit
Had the whooping cough - had a sore arm

Get.vaccinated.people!!!

I can’t beg this enough, please please please please please please please don’t buy into the hype about “stuff” “toxins” “chemicals” in vaccinations!

Whether you’ve never had the flu or not before, why take the risk?

Women aren’t having hot baths and going In jacuzzis cos of the minuscule “risk” it will elevate their temp and cause miscarriage!

Vaccinations.save.lives

porple · 27/02/2020 14:08

i got it. Is there’s no real reason not to

EverythingChanges321 · 27/02/2020 14:09

I didn’t have the swine flu jab when I was pregnant 10 years ago because I don’t think it’s essential if you’re a normally healthy person. My DH has the flu jab annually because his immune system is knackered but I don’t need it.
I’ve had flu properly once and whilst unpleasant, I think it’s important for maintaining a generally healthy immune system to catch these things occasionally.

user1480880826 · 27/02/2020 14:11

Feeling ill after the flu jab is often a total coincide. You get the jab at the time of year when it’s very common to pick up colds and viruses. I have the jab every year regardless of whether or not I’m pregnant because having the flu is horrendous and it’s worth risking some (low risk) side effects.

Having said that, I’ve never experienced side effects and I’ve had the jab every year for about 8 years.

You would be mad to turn it down.

user1480880826 · 27/02/2020 14:15

@FuckYouBrexitVoters I think you misunderstand how immunity works. Getting the flu every so often does not improve your immunity. Their are countless different strains which is why the vaccine changes every year.

The vaccine is not just for people with weakened immune systems. The vaccine is for anyone who doesn’t want to be very ill and stuck in bed for a week or more. Just because it’s not free for everyone it doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea for everyone to have it. Sadly the NHS just has a limited budget.

IvinghoeBeacon · 27/02/2020 14:23

the timing of some women’s pregnancies will fall outside the window for flu jabs. I’ve always been offered when pregnant and have had it each time (don’t qualify outside of pregnancy)

I don’t understand the “ive never had flu so why should this time be any different” argument. It’s not like you’re likely to be naturally immune or have somehow achieved something through not contracting flu. You are more vulnerable when pregnant and the potential complications more severe. I don’t much care whether other women choose to have the vaccine or not but the reasons given for not having it rarely make logical sense

Catlady32 · 27/02/2020 14:34

It's also irrelevant if you are a normally healthy person with a good immune system...in pregnancy certain parts of your immune system are suppressed regardless of how healthy you think you are. This means you are more susceptible to infections and viruses even if you aren't normally.

Personally I don't see why you would take the risk. You'd probably avoid eating unpasteurised cheeses and improperly cooked meat etc during pregnancy, if you wouldn't take the risk and expose yourself to potential illness through those food items for example, why would you walk around exposed to an easily avoidable risk like flu.

stopchewingeverything · 27/02/2020 14:47

I'm a midwife. Pregnant women are more susceptible to flu than the general population. I have seen women with no other health complications on ventilators during pregnancy because of flu. Women die in pregnancy because of flu. GET VACCINATED. Not only does it protect you but it protects your baby who is unable to have the vaccine themselves until at least 6 months of age.

firstimemamma · 27/02/2020 14:56

"I'm a midwife. Pregnant women are more susceptible to flu than the general population. I have seen women with no other health complications on ventilators during pregnancy because of flu. Women die in pregnancy because of flu. GET VACCINATED. Not only does it protect you but it protects your baby who is unable to have the vaccine themselves until at least 6 months of age."

This is exactly why I got the flu jab.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 27/02/2020 16:24

What is all this bollocks about this year's jab not working?

I dealt with 20-30 unvaccinated kids a day that had it in November-December and despite being immunosuppressed, I didn't catch it. And neither did the kids who had been on chemo who'd had the vaccination.
.

Suppose nature has to thin out the shallower end of the gene pool somehow. Pity that babies and kids have to be on the receiving end of it, though, rather than just the adults who are so confident that their cold and a bit of a sore arm proves pseudoscience or superstition.

maceratedstrawberries · 27/02/2020 17:29

Wow @neverdropyourmooncup - a little harsh and judgy. Thanks for the not so subtle dig, and insinuation that I deserve to be out of the gene pool (and, by implication, that I don't care about my unborn child).

This whole damn forum can be so freaking judgmental and pious.

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