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I get one almost every year. I'm an asthmatic that when I get sick that time of year, if I didn't get the shot, then I get a lecture from the doctors.

I don't ever get them anymore. I also haven't been as sick since stopping them. I don't get them for my kids either. For the kids it's just the risk of vaccines in general, for me I don't see the need as the shots are often the wrong strains anyhow.

I've gotten the flu shot for so many years I can't remember just when I got the first one, but I've had two pneumonia shots as well and won't need any more of those so I've been getting the flu shot 12 years at least. The worse reaction I've had was a little itching at the site one year.

I've been on an immuno-suppressant medication since early 2003. One year, I did get a mild case of the flu. My daughter, son-in-law, both granddaughters and husband all came down w/it and were dragged out for a good 3 weeks from it. I had two rough days and it took another 3-4 days before I had my full energy back compared to their 5 days of misery and 3 weeks of sapped energy.

I have COPD and whereas I used to get a pretty rough "cold" twice a year like clock work, this past January and again in July were the first exacerbations I've had since starting to get the flu shot each year.

MTH asks... Flu shot - Do you get one? Good idea?

I always get one. Furthermore, I nag my kids and relatives into doing the same.

Yes, it's possible to get a strain of flu that is not included in the vaccine. The vaccine usually is a mix of two different type A influenza serotypes, and one type B. Even if you are exposed to a flu strain that's not included, there is always the potential of at least some cross-immunity.

The flu can be much more serious that some realize. Each year, it's responsible for over 20,000 deaths. And the disease itself makes one feel as though they were dying. It can be awful.

So, what's to lose?. A sore arm for a day or so, and you are good to go.

Regards all - -

Captain Getthatshot Midnight

I have a heart defect, and my cardiologist STRONGLY recommends it. So I do.

It doesn't necessarily stop the flu. But the year before last, most of the people in my office got the flu. I did too, but I was back in a couple of days, and they missed a full week. My symptoms were lots less severe.

Just my $0.02

CH

I too got a flu shot today - free - in most places in my area (NGA) price is 30 dollars - my local health department has been giving them away today and tomorrow as a prep for a possible pandemic. I got the flu a few years ago (102 fever) told hubby I knew I was dying - told him no one could feel this bad and live Best wishes to everyone.

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I never did, my old doctor advised was no point unless you are (more) aged or infirm. However, the company I'm with gives them at the start of each winter for free, and my new doctor thinks that's wonderful & they're a great idea. Maybe since I last enquired I've hit the more "aged or infirm" category of course!

Never have any side effects, takes 30 seconds if you've already done the paperwork, and you're out of there. No drama.

I always get the flue shot. I have it for free, since I work in the hospital and in contact with all sorts of sick people.
Don't forget that the older you get, the less efficient the shot can be; at age 70 it will cover you for about 60%.
Why? Because it works with your immune system, and as you age it also becomes less efficient! That's an even better reason to get it!
My second point is that when the reserchers decide on what strand of virus they'll work on for the vaccine, they go about it with previsions from last year, or what's going on in Asia.
So it could be that the strand of virus that made you sick last year wasn't the one that you got vaccinated for....so of course you'll be sick!

Still...better safe than sorry....It'sreally sad to see some young and older people hospitalized and sick as dogs when this could have been prevented.
D.