Flu Vaccine

Fortunate in saying that I too have a good immune system, but--------for the last couple of years after having had the flu injection and for two Christmas's on the run I've been quite ill !
Throughout the year I don't get so much as a cold but as soon as that jab hits me, my body goes into overdrive so I'm seriously considering giving it a miss to see how I get on.
It's not as though I'm often among crowds or even working for germs to be flying around so I'm not really prepared to be left feeling as though I'm on my last.

Even a healthy older person's immune system is not as robust as when young. The flu can kill you, the vaccine won't. I won't hesitate to have mine, especially as we are often away from home during the flu season.

I've refused till last year when my GP caught me on the top when seeing about something else, he said can I just give you your flu jab? I had no ill effects but I also can't remember when I last had a cold never mind flu. I don't know about this year yet ?

That should be on the hop lol

Only had flu once two decades ago and didn’t just think I was dying, I actually wanted to be put out of my misery!

I’ve paid for the jab every year since and once or twice I’ve felt slightly off colour after it - but nowhere near as bad as the real thing.

I’m in my sixties now and hate to think how I’d cope with flu now.

You shouldn’t have to pay should you?
I got mine free even before I was 60 because I was teaching in a secondary school (loads of bugs!) and Paw was on immunosuppressants. Neither of us actually got flu until (me). 3 months after he had died and I think life caught up with me. But I know I was not nearly as bad as many others have been.
Sure sign of Autumn isn’t it- thinking about our flu jab?

Same here, Pantglas. I’ve paid for the jab for a few years now, and will be having my first free one next month.

I have had the jab for well over 20 years now and, apart from a headache after the first one, I've had no reaction - and no flu. As I live on my own, I would be very worried if I was as poorly as I was at the age of 17 when Asian flu caught up with me.

My argument is that when I was ill, it was full-blown flu and all my Christmas fayre I had to give away because I couldn't eat. I was even scared to go to bed one night. Never in my life had I had flu until this last couple of years after my jab so it really puts me off.
Tell a lie, 1956/7, Asian flu while working at the hospital---yes,I was ill then, but maybe it gave me an immunity ?

Fortunately I don't have any chest problems so didn't have a cough. I can't ever remember having had a cough in all my years either.

I believe flu vaccination operates on the 'herd immunity' principle, i.e. the resistance to the spread of a contagious disease within a population that results if a sufficiently high proportion of individuals are immune to the disease, especially through vaccination; for flu the necessary vaxccinated proportion is 70%. That's really what makes me get the vaccination, as I've never (touch wood) had flu...

I have booked up later this month for my flu jab. I would not dream of not having it done. Sorry, two negatives- the pedant brigade will be chasing me!

I agree with humptydumpty. I've had flu' - over twenty five years ago. I felt so ill that I really thought I was going to die. One night I got up to the loo, and was so weak that I fainted, hitting the furniture as I went down (bruises for weeks). Additionally I had a chest infection: DH was fantastic in looking after me, despite me leaking from every orifice every time I coughed. (Sorry to be so blunt, but it's true!) My advice is to have your flu injection. We are so fortunate to have this available to us.

I had flu a few years back and it really frightened me. I felt that I could actually die for the first time in my life. I've had the vaccine every year since. Absolutely no reaction to it and I have ludicrously sensitive skin.
On a more serious note my sister's partner got the dreaded H2N1 flu and had to be airlifted to a hospital down south for ECMO ventilation. My sister was warned to prepare for the worst. He did recover (unlike many in the ward) but has been in poor ever health since. They had always refused the vaccine. They don't now.

Strange how posters are wondering whether or not to have the flu jab. Last year when there were shortages and delays to getting the jab, Joe Public was up in arms about the possibility of missing out.
I think we are very fortunate to live in a country where the flu jab is free and available after a certain age, and before then if one has certain medical conditions.
But personal choice obviously.

At what age are you entitled to the free flu jab?

FWIW, I've had an invitation from Boots, and that includes both free vaccination where NHS criteria are met, and private vaccination for £12.99, so it's available to everyone over the age of 16 (though only selected Boots stores will vaccinate - there's a link on their website www.boots.com/health-pharmacy-advice/vaccinations/flujab)

fizzers

65 years of age.

Had the flu jab for the past twenty years.
Never had a bad reaction.
Never had the flu since having the jab.

Having had proper flu one Christmas when I was a lot younger, I always have the jab. That dose of flu knocked my stuffing right out for over 3 weeks.
(Gross alert!!). I coughed so much that for quite a while afterwards my over-strained muscles meant that every time I coughed I both leaked wee and farted at the same time.
And as I said, I was a lot younger then.
Having the jab is a no brainer IMO.

The pharmacy adjoining our G.P’s surgery (Boots) started offering flu jabs last year, booking you in when you collected your prescriptions. Worked very well, no cattle market queue like it is at the surgery.
When I went for an annual asthma check a little while later, the nurse was very put out that I had been ‘done’ at the pharmacy. Gave me a lecture how they ordered in sufficient quantities to cover all eligible patients, and how I had inadvertently messed up the system! Not the only one obviously! She finished by instructing me to have it done at the surgery in future.
I pointed this out at the pharmacy later, said I understood perfectly how they all get paid to do the jabs so it’s a free for all, but also said what a pity they cannot all work together.
P.S. Have booked at the surgery for this year, what a coward I am!

Alas MawB, at 63 and in fine fettle generally, I don’t get it for free although I did ask when DH was getting his due to heart/asthma. I trot along to Asda and pay £7/8 which is well worth it IMO.

I have any jab going and feel psychologically better afterwards.

For a few years now, I have had the flu vaccine done at our local chemist.
I still pay for mine.
DH qualifies for at free one, he always takes up the offer.

After an OP I came down with shingles (winter 2014/15) possibly due to my immune system being a bit low, Just recovered when wham, I came down with my first Flu.
I says first, as everything else pales into insignificance.

For over a week I could hardly move from the couch, no way could I contemplate the stairs.
First high fever and then cold sweats.
Sipping only water, could not eat any form of food.
Every part of me ached and head had a constant drumming.

For months afterwards I felt weak and my bones physically hurt.

I am fit and reasonably healthy at the moment. But I do not want to go through that type of flu ever again,

I can't advise others, but for me it's the flu jag.
Fingers and toes crossed that the scientists have identified the correct strain for 2019/20.

My Dd has a yearly flu jab and my Grandsons have the flu nasel spray.

My husband had 'proper' flu and was flat out in bed so I had to look after him. As I have asthma, I had had a flu jab and I did not catch his bugs.

He is horrible when he is not well and I remember waking him up to drink a pint of water and take some paracetamol. I expected a torrent of abuse but he just meekly did as he was told and went back to sleep.