What's your opinion and plan about the flu shot?

[ChatWithVera]

Usually, my husband and I get an annual flu shot. With last year's big flu scare, we had 2 shots each - regular (?) flu shot and H1N1 flu shot. There was lots of controversy over the shot/s last year, but we chose to go ahead and get the shot.

This year I understand the shot is a a mixture of "seasonal" flu and H1N1. What is your take on this shot for this year? Dangerous? Effective? Better off with it than without it? Etc., etc.

Also, what is the consensus on the optimum time to have the shot?

[KellyMarie]

I have never had a flu shot, I know it's silly but I am scared to death of getting one, not because of the needle....years back my mother became very ill right after she received a flu shot and I have been scared of them ever since.
My kids have had them and had no problems
Sorry, I guess I don't have any useful information for you Vera lol

[KarrenOliver]

My husband gets his at the VA. I get one and so does everyone in our office, due to our exposure to everything. (I work in a dental office) Our doctor orders the vaccine and gives them to us at cost. The vaccine is 15.00 for one. He will also order extra if we want someone in our family vaccinated. So far *knocking on wood* I have not had the flu, nor has my DH.

We get our shots in October each year.

[KarrenOliver]

Kelly, years ago they used live vaccine and a lot of people got sick. Now they don't.

[KellyMarie]

Kelly, years ago they used live vaccine and a lot of people got sick. Now they don't.
I have been told they are safer, it's a mental thing for me....luckily I have only had the flu once!

[carlajworkman]

We get flu shots and the kids do as well. The biggest reason being that DS is still too young and him getting it would be so very scary. I actually took DD to the first H1N1 vaccination clinic last year- we waited 2 hours for a vaccine. All because of the hype of how it was going to be very widespread over the winter and DS was a newborn :( Felt silly months later when the vaccines were EVERYWHERE lol

[carlajworkman]

Kelly- my MIL was terrified of flu shots for the same reason as you. We had to tell her a trillion times how she would be fine- and when the H1N1 was so bad around here last year, and her working in the school system- I basically told her to get the vaccine or not see the kids until every thing calmed down. Seems cruel I know...but with all the unknown and the 100's of kids out of school with it- I didn't want to take chances. She eventually went (whining the whole time I may add lol) and got it! And didn't get sick...

[KellyMarie]

Actually, up until last year the grands weren't in school yet and my kids were long out of school........but here we are with 2 grands in school, one son traveling all over the country, another son and almost DIL working in a close knit office, almost ex DIL working in a nursing home, another son and hubby working out in the weather and DD home with 3 kids.....and we all get together multiple times a week.....could be a nasty mix if the flu bug was in the mix, especially with 7 grands all age 5 and under!
Maybe, just maybe hubby and I will get one.

[wendy1214]

the kids usually get it but hubby and I don't

[Allison]

I get the flu shot every year. I can get it for free from work. My doctor told me that the flu is getting around early this year so get it as soon as possible so I got mine last week. I was told that it takes 2 weeks for it to become effective so most people who get sick right after its because the either already were getting sick or came in contact with the flu before the shot is effective.
The one year I didn't get the shot I got very sick so I'm never skipping it again!
As far as the controversy surrounding the H1N1 vaccines last year, I think my main problem with it was they rushed it out and didn't give themselves enough time to test it an make sure it was safe. I do not have a problem with it being included in this years vaccine.

[AshPriest]

I had never had a flu shot until last year. Since my parents live overseas, I didn't want my mom getting the flu from me, carrying it on a 25 hour trip and giving it to my diabetic father. I didn't get the H1N1 shot simply because if you had a flu shot already, you didn't need it. The city offers us and any of our family members the flu shot for $15. Since my parents are still living overseas, I'll probably get one this year as well. I think it's also a good idea for me since I deal with prisoners all the time. The kids and DH have always taken them.

[Maggie]

I'm still not sure about them. My youngest son can't have them because of his egg allergies (he's doing bloodwork this afternoon, actually to see how his egg allergies are--going away or still the same). My oldest son has had it once and didn't get sick from it. I've had it once in my adult life (in 1999) and got flu-like symptoms the next day! :eek: So, I'm scared of it honestly. Hubby had it a few times and never got sick.

I'm really just not sure about it. That H1N1 thing... bah! I'm a conspiracy theorists, sorta. I think the gov't likes to always have us on our seats with fear of things... :behindsofa:

[Delissa]

I've only ever gotten one when I was pregnant with Bella, I suppose I will get one again this year for the same reason. DH has no choice, the Marine Corps says you get one, so you do. Not optional. I haven't had the flu since I was in jr high. Bella has never had the flu either, knock on wood, even though she has been in day care/preschool/school most of her life. My niece who was only one and a half got the H1N1 virus last year and that was scary. Isn't it odd how some children are almost always sick and others almost never are?

[AshPriest]

What concerned me last year about the H1N1 vaccine was it was rushed out by the government and frankly, I don't trust anything at all that's "rushed" for any reason. Plus, my aunt is a nurse and she told me not to get the H1N1 vaccine because some of the nurses at her work got it and they got very, very ill. Not flu like symptoms but central nervous system trouble. That scared me to death! Then I was watching CNN and they said that if you got a flu shot already, it wasn't necessary to take the H1N1 vaccine because they couldn't see any difference between the regular flu shot and the H1N1 shot.

[karenv]

I NEVER get flu shots....I dont get any shots without being tied down....I am deathly afraid of needles....when I was first started working for this group of doctors he INSISTED I get the flu shot...well I got it and was never so sick with the flu in my life.....vowed I would never get another one.....But DH and my kiddos get em every year....Yea, I am crazy

[AshPriest]

I NEVER get flu shots....I dont get any shots without being tied down....I am deathly afraid of needles....when I was first started working for this group of doctors he INSISTED I get the flu shot...well I got it and was never so sick with the flu in my life.....vowed I would never get another one.....But DH and my kiddos get em every year....Yea, I am crazy

You're not crazy! Lots of people are scared of needles. I'm not a huge fan (don't tell my tattoos that lol) but I figured I didn't want my mom and dad especially getting sick because I had no idea what kind of medical care they had in Kuwait. KWIM?

[Jeanne]

My dh is diabetic so he gets it
My kids did get it, but I am not sure this year with the combo shot
I do not get the shot I am allergic to eggs. Last year they were pushing them at wags and I told the girl I can not get it do to being allergic to eggs and she said what does that have to do with the shot! I thought really you are giving the shot and have no clue!