OT: seasonal flu shots for those of us over 65

[zonker]

was wondering about this. saw a wee ad in a game app i play. walgreen's urging those over 65 to get their seasonal flu shots. i didn't click it because i HATE giving them more information than i have to.

but it DID get me to thinking.

when ARE we old birds suppossed to get our shots?

[Pugsy]

Probably fairly soon I suppose. I think Sept and Oct for supposedly optimal protection.

I gotta think long and hard on this one though myself. I haven't got a flu shot since the Swine Flu shot that was rushed through FDA eons ago and I had a bad reaction to it and got the GB syndrome from the flu shot. If you want to read up on some interesting reading...try that. More people had a serious problem with the flu shot than with the actual flu....and yours truly was one of them.
I am NOT an anti vaccine person....but from my own personal experience I don't have a lot of faith in the safety either.
They scare the hell out of me. I have first hand experience....been there and done that and I thought I was going to die. I simply haven't taken a flu shot since that Swine flu shot. Now I have had the Pneumonia vaccine and I plan to take the shingles vaccine (as soon as I get about 300 bucks to spare for the 2 shots) but I am having a hard time with the idea of the flu shot.
I know, I know....stupid but hey. I never said I was perfect or a genius.

If I was still working in the medical field or was around small children or wasn't a hermit....I might look at things differently.

[Dog Slobber]

I typically get my flu shots every year, but this year it's not all that important to me.

My thoughts are, (hopefully) we are all still social distancing, limiting contact, wearing masks, etc.

These steps that are protecting us and limiting the spread of COVID-19, should also be limiting the spread and protecting us from other viruses and illness such as the flu and common colds.

[zonker]

Probably fairly soon I suppose. I think Sept and Oct for supposedly optimal protection.

I gotta think long and hard on this one though myself. I haven't got a flu shot since the Swine Flu shot that was rushed through FDA eons ago

i remember johnny carson calling the swine flu vaccine as "the cure for which there was no known disease."!

[zonker]

I typically get my flu shots every year, but this year it's not all that important to me.

My thoughts are, (hopefully) we are all still social distancing, limiting contact, wearing masks, etc.

These steps that are protecting us and limiting the spread of COVID-19, should also be limiting the spread and protecting us from other viruses and illness such as the flu and common colds.

hadn't thought of that. may have to think some more. i would hate to be so careful about covid-19 then the come down with the "regular" flu.

[chunkyfrog]

The bullfrog and I got our quadrivalent senior strength vaccine a couple weeks ago,
when it arrived at Costco.
The early bird, etc.
We waited until Halloween last year, and had to get the adjuvant vaccine.
Better to get the quad--more strains covered.
At least that was my understanding.

[Lucyhere]

Words from my doctor:

Everyone over 65 should get a flu shot around the middle of October. (for us that means the senior shot). The more protection we have the better if god forbid we got Covid. Immune system might not be as compromised. We are doing the "right" things... distancing, masks, only going out for essentials, but unfortunately, you never know.

Speak to a doctor you trust... then make your own decision.

[chunkyfrog]

Yeah, I waited til October last year, and nearly missed getting the shot at all.
Better to risk needing another shot later than miss the first wave without protection.

[babydinosnoreless]

was wondering about this. saw a wee ad in a game app i play. walgreen's urging those over 65 to get their seasonal flu shots. i didn't click it because i HATE giving them more information than i have to.

but it DID get me to thinking.

when ARE we old birds suppossed to get our shots?

Got mine last week @ work. Governor Ducey has been pushing them hard.

[Janknitz]

My daughter the almost doctor (last year of medical school!) won't let me alone until I get my flu shot.

One year I got the flu shot. Got the flu. Got pneumonia and nearly died. Guess what? It gave me religion about getting my flu shot EVERY year. It was a year they missed guessing the right strain in the vaccine. So the shot didn't help prevent the flu that year, and it didn't CAUSE the flu either (some people think it does ). But I learned just how sick it is possible to get, and --been there, done that, ain't going to do that again--my goal is never to get the flu again.

I'm thinking if we maintain social distancing, vigilant hand washing, and masking up, the chances of flu are going to be lessened, but I'm still not going to be taking any chances.

Pugsy, I understand your hesitation. I had some Swine Flu GB patients as an occupational therapist around that time. Have a good talk with your neurologist whether you are more at risk than the general population. Meanwhile, keep up the social distancing.

[ChicagoGranny]

In 2016 I got in a FB argument with a 64 year old friend who is an anti-vaxxer. She was saying she had never had the flu, had never taken a flu shot, and would never take a flu shot.

In 2018, I was reading my newsfeed and there was a post from her.

OMG! I almost died. I was very sick with the flu for a week. It turned into pneumonia and I was in the hospital for a week. I was sure death was near!

The dumbass couldn't make the connection.

Friends, our immune system becomes less effective as we age.

[khauser]

I haven't got a flu shot since the Swine Flu shot that was rushed through FDA eons ago and I had a bad reaction to it and got the GB syndrome from the flu shot.

I have a friend that got GB some time ago. His doctor has said no, not yet. Until this year ... now it's a go.

He described what happened to him and if it were me I would be scared silly to get the shot no matter what the odds were.

Definitely a tough choice

[zonker]

just to be sure, my original question was on the timing.

and dog made me think twice about getting it. but i'm leaning towards it anyway. why take a chance?

[Dog Slobber]

just to be sure, my original question was on the timing.

and dog made me think twice about getting it. but i'm leaning towards it anyway. why take a chance?

Didn't (and don't) mean to talk convince anyone not to get it.

It just got me thinking the COVID life changes we're making should be helpful for reducing much more than just COVID.

[zonker]

just to be sure, my original question was on the timing.

and dog made me think twice about getting it. but i'm leaning towards it anyway. why take a chance?

Didn't (and don't) mean to talk convince anyone not to get it.

It just got me thinking the COVID life changes we're making should be helpful for reducing much more than just COVID.

no, i didn't take it that way. i'm a grown-ass adult and can make my own decisions. i just like to hear from intelligent people, is all.

but i'll listen to you, too.