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Flu Shot, or Not?

Most of us have a definite feeling about getting or not getting a flu shot. Do you or do you not? Care to share your reasons why?

I am about 99% opposed to a flu shot because, in my limited (very) medical knowledge, the shot is a best guess as to what particular strain of flu bug might be active for that year. I do not trust the government to make the right decisions about much, nor do I have much faith or trust in the CDC, WHO, FDA or whichever agencies work on the vaccine. Those of you who know me and know how I think know how I feel so I will say no more.

But . . the 1% wins out with the flu shot and here’s why. Probably 20 years ago, I managed to come down with the flu. I had not taken a flu shot that year, nor had I ever had a flu shot. I was 20 years younger and thought I was going to die! Chad was in 2nd or 3rd grade and I couldn’t fix food for him, I couldn’t take him to school, I couldn’t do anything. I was really sick in bed for 7 full days. You know I am not a wimp and was even less of a wimp back then. When I finally felt like going back to work, it was about 2 weeks before I was able to work a full day without going in to the attorney I worked for and saying “I can’t make it any longer! I’m going home!”

Each year, I feel like I’m rolling the dice when I get a flu shot. Will I have an adverse reaction? What may happen months or years from now because of the vaccine? And worse  . . If I don’t get the vaccine and get the flu, I’ll have to listen to Vince say “I told you to get the shot!!”

So, I’ve now had the shot . . and I’ll hope for the best.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I never get a flu shot. I had one once and found out I am very allergic to the preservative they use. I got really sick. So now I take my chances.

  2. I don’t. Most statistics says it is only 60% effective. And, for some odd reason, it is not as effective for older people. I just turned 50 and never had a flu shot. I haven’t gotten the flu in eons!

    Stats aside, the biggest reason why I haven’t gotten a flu shot is fear of needles! Seriously. I get panic attacks. The last shots I received was when I got so badly sick in the summer of 2013 with diverticulitis and needed pain meds and antiobiotics to get me through testing including blood work. Before that, it was 2009 for tetanus and antibiotics due to severe cat bite. As you can see, it is a rare thing for me to deal with needles. 🙂

  3. Never got one – and last year ended up in hospital with h1n1, that was 6 days, then got blood clots – in hosp 2 more weeks – I’m getting a flu shot this year

  4. We were just having this very same argument at the office. So funny that you should mention it. The flu shot is being offered onsite where I work today – for $25 – but I’ve never had one and, like so many others, I rarely get sick. (knock on wood) I also know that if I get the flu, I’m going to hear about it. … and I do have an elderly parent that lives with me, so maybe I’ll need to rethink this, but for now I don’t plan to get a flu shot. Someday I probably will. Maybe.

  5. This is definitely a hot topic this time of year! I get my flu shot mostly because I am diabetic and my doctor strongly recommends it. I am curious though, you mentioned after getting your shot you wonder about side effects later on . . . have you ever had any side effects?

  6. No, I don’t get a flu shot. Never have. But, then, I’ve never had the flu. I’m sure if I get stricken at some point, I will get a flu shot after that. I also don’t generally come in close contact with people who are most susceptible (little ones or the elderly or people with compromised immune systems), or I might also get one for that reason.

  7. well if you live out where you do Judy and aren’t in hordes of general public I think its easier to avoid getting sick and might not need it. But I live in the city and am around the great unwashed regularly so do get it as I cant afford to be sick for weeks or I cant pay the rent. So disregarding all the arguments of how effective is or is not every year, I figure the consequences of getting sick are worse for me than taking it, so I do.

  8. We never used to get flu shots and every winter my husband would get very sick – not necessarily the flu but he would be sick from November through April. We decided to get the flu shot (oh, this must be at least 15 years ago) and he has not been sick once during the winter since then. So … every September/October we get our flu shots and keep our fingers crossed that the powers that be who decide what goes into the shot made the right decision this year. I’m like Judy, I don’t trust the CDC, WHO, FDA, or any of those bureaucratic agencies but so far the flu shot has worked for us.

  9. I just got one this week. I get it because living in a large city, you never know what the person standing next to you in line has. Also, if you happen to still get the flu, it should be a mild case. I have never had a reaction to the shot.

  10. I have gotten the flu shot for years. I’m a big fan of preventative medicine. I am prone to bronchitis/pneumonia, so anything that can help me keep healthier (whether it’s proven or not) is good for me. I may still get the flu, but at least I know I’ve done my best to prevent it.

    It’s a tiny needle, it barely pinches (in my opinion) and it’s over as quickly as it began. Give me a shot, try to keep me healthy. I worked as attendance secretary in our local high school which means every sick kid at school came to my desk before they went home. I was sick every time I turned around, so I was so conscious of washing my hands, not sharing pens, pencils, the phone, etc.

    (I have also had the shingles vaccine — that one gave me a lot of side effects, but I’ve had shingles 3 times in my life, so it was a “no brainer” in my book. I have had pneumonia twice, so I have had the pneumonia vaccine, too)

  11. FLu shots – such an interesting topic with so many opinions. I always get the flu shot. Had the flu once in college and decided never again. Having a flu shot helps those who cannot get the shot so you are not only protecting yourself but others as well. This principle applies for all vaccinations.

  12. I had a flu shot several years ago – had the worst case of flu I’d ever had.
    My parents both had a flu shot & had the worst flu they ever had – it lasted 3 weeks & they were unable to get out of the house or out of bed; I had to run over there every day to feed them chicken soup & tea & make sure they had plenty of fruit & liquids at hand. I was really scared for their health.
    A friend at work, whose mother had had the flu shot took a bad reaction & now has very bad kidneys which the doctor attributed directly to the shot.
    There have been cases where folks injected received a live virus – not good. Why risk your health.

  13. Like you, Judy, I had the flu about 20 years ago. Thought I was going to die and actually wanted to die to end the suffering. I’ve gotten a flu shot ever since. Last year my trainer said he would never, ever get a flu shot. He was too into healthy living to ever put that c**p in his body. Well, you guessed it. He got the flu. He was out for two weeks. Says he’ll be getting the flu shot this week.

  14. I get one each year. I usually have a reaction about 7-10 days later (but not always) and a dr told me that if I have a reaction then I would be more likely to get the flu if I hadn’t gotten the shot. Now I’m in my late 60s and have just gone through chemo … shots were given at the oncologist’s office so I guess I know how they feel about it.

  15. Now that I’m 71 I need to start getting the shot on a regular basis. I just don’t want to be laid up or in the hospital for days. I had the Hong Kong flu in ’69 and I thought I would die. Hubby in Vietnam, two small kids and no one to help. Never again. Get the shot and cross my fingers.

  16. If you look at the Cochrane database, the meta-analysis shows that 71 people need to be vaccinated to have one case of flu prevented. Considering that the shot contains additives that can suppress your immune system, it’s probably better to take vitamin D3 and exercise if you’re trying to prevent getting the flu.

    What does work is washing your hands frequently.

  17. Yes I get one. I agree I sure don’t trust the government. They lie more than they tell the truth, for sure. I know they use their best guess on what strain will be prevalent this year. I figure that with my diabetes it is a must. I seem to catch everything and well hey it’s a gamble one way or the other, but I err on the side of just in case …shoot me 🙂

  18. I absolutely get the flu shot every year, even though it may not be entirely effective against the current strain. I started getting it the year my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, and once I realized how many immun0-comprised people are in the community, I consider it my civic duty to help those who are unable to get the flu shot (or other vaccines for that matter). This year is especially important to me, as my daughter had a baby girl two days ago, that can’t be vaccinated.

  19. We get the flu shot. Have never had a reaction. My husband has chronic kidney disease. He will be having dialysis soon. I figure I need to help protect him.

  20. I have gotten the flu shot for most of my adult life. The reason it is medically advised for me is that I got walking pneumonia in my late 20’s. Since then I have gotten bronchitis every year at least 2 or 3 times.

    All of that has caused a bit of damage to my lungs so the doctors are worried that if I got a full blown case of the flu (or pneumonia) it might cause even more problems.

    Of course, even with getting the shot there is no guarantee of not getting the flu. The past 2 years I got the flu which then turned into pneumonia. . . but the doctors said that both cases were a lot less hazardous than if I had not had the shot.

    DH & I are also diabetic so that is another “push” to get one.

  21. My husband and I both always get a flu shot. I don’t want the flu and if there is even a small chance the shot will help I am for it!

  22. As a hospital employee we are strongly encouraged to get the flu shot. It is free to employees and since the chance of exposure is so great I get one. It may not have exactly what we need, but I hope each year that they have guessed correctly. I have not had the flu in over 40 years!

  23. I’ve gotten a flu shot each year for a long time. I have asthma so every illness ends up in my lungs! My MD tells me they are somewhat cumulative so even if the vaccine isn’t right for this year it may protect you in the future. I’m all about building immunity.

  24. I had never had a Flu shot until my husband was diagnosed with cancer, 6 years ago. His immune system was so weak I just felt I had to, and actually they recommended he get one too, when he was feeling a bit better. He passed away in January this year, so I have been debating about whether or not to get it again, but then I remember that my bosses family have young grand children always bringing the latest cold/flu bug home from school, and then sharing it with grandma and poppa when they visit every week, that I feel it necessary for my own defense. I just turned 50 this year, and I have had the flu before, not fun.

  25. I do try to make sure to get my flu shots. My job takes me into about 30 different school districts on a regular basis and those buildings are a germ infested environment during the flu season. Sometimes I hate to touch door knobs or other surfaces.

    Last year I had my flu shot early in October, and mid-March I got the flu anyway. But I wasn’t nearly as sick as most who got the flu without the shot. So I’ll continue to get my shots, and I just can’t make myself worry about side effects down the road many years.

  26. Do not trust the alphabets either. Drug companies are not out to discover cures but to sell drugs. I am retired and not out in public or around children, so I will wipe off the shopping cart and wash my hands often. If there is an epidemic, I will stay home, craft, and eat my stock piled food. Everyone must look at their circumstances and make their own choice.

  27. we get them every years , i like you had that flu once and don’t want it again

  28. I have never gotten a flu shot although I probably should. I have allergies and asthma, so my immune system is already compromised. That said, I follow the good practices of hand washing, etc. and hope for the best. My boss is big on telling us to stay home if we’re sick. (He doesn’t want to catch anything either.) That probably helps a little bit.

  29. I do not, for reasons similar to yours. In addition, I’ve had the flu many times. One time, about 2004, I think, it was as you described your awful bout. The other times, it was nothing much. I know there are strains which kill millions – my great grandfather was one of the statistics of the 1918 flu. I’m not willing to take the shot and the dangers that go with it, but prefer to suffer the dangers of getting the flu. It’s been … well, since 2004 since I’ve had the flu, and I’m not getting it. If they come up with an ebola vaccine, I might get that one, though!

  30. I had that terrible flu in 1969 over and over. I gave it to my sister and she gave it back to me. I get the flu shot every year. This week I was planning to go and Saturday I came down with a sore throat and now I’ve got a head cold. As soon as I’m better I’ll be getting the flu shot.

  31. In 1987, me, my husband, mom, and 5 year old daughter got the Taiwan flu. All four of us were deathly sick. Took the longest time after we all got well to feel back to normal and get our energy back. I was 24 at the time and very healthy as were all of us. We all get the flu shot every year since because we never want to be that sick again. I actually don’t know anyone that has had the severe flu and not gotten the shot each year afterward because its awful being that sick.

  32. I always get the flu shot and I’ve never had the flu since I began getting the shot every year. There are no guarantees in life, but the flu kills people, and I believe the flu shot can and does prevent a lot of unwanted illnesses and death. So I always get the shot.

  33. I get one every year because I teach and am in contact with close to 100 children each day. If I did not work with children or in the public, I would probably consider not getting one.

    But then again, Larry is a paramedic so he is exposed to all kinds of things he could bring home to me, also.

    I guess I am saying, it depends on how many people I come in contact with.

  34. I had a similar flu experience to yours back in the 90’s. It took weeks to recover fully. I have elderly parents and a sister with a weakened immune system, so I get my flu shot every year. I hate needles, but I’ve not had the flu since then.

  35. I had the flu 25 years ago and missed a whole week of work. I’ve gotten a flu shot every year since then (recommended since I have asthma), and haven’t had the flu since. On the other hand, my husband also had the flu that same week, he’s never gotten a flu shot, and he hasn’t gotten the flu since either.

  37. I was going to get mine at the pharmacy yesterday, but the pharmacist, knowing my medical problems, told me to check with my doctor first. I have an appointment Thursday and will definitely ask him. I’ve had a mild case of the flu a couple of times. Others around me were deathly ill. They did not get their shot. I did. I rest my case! 🙂

  38. Yes….I have gotten the flu shot for at least 10 years….it has worked well for me and I don’t worry about the small things…..

  39. I do because I have immune-compromised family who could die if they catch the flu. There are worse things, and I don’t have a reaction, so it’s worth it to me.

  40. I work an an elementary school with young children who have not yet learned to cover their coughs and sneezes, don’t quite know how to blow their noses and are not very good at washing their hands. I was never a big fan of flu shots until one year when I was very sick – at home for a week and another several weeks to fully recover. I now get a flu shot annually, as soon as it is offered AND a pneumonia shot as recommended. I haven’t been sick like that since.

  41. I’m a nurse and I don’t do flu shots. I had the flu when I was pregnant with both my kids, that was a LONG time ago. I did have a week of what felt like the flu this past year, but I wasn’t diagnosed with flu.
    Many people who say that they have the flu, haven’t seen a doc and they don’t really know if they have the flu or not. There are a lot of virus’ that mimic flu (so says my doctor) symptoms, so unless you are tested and diagnosed with it, it might be something else.
    I took care of all kinds of sick patients, and have worked with all kinds of sick nurses and yet, I haven’t gotten sick. I think I have a great immune system and I do what I can to make sure I boost my immune system so it takes good care of me. 🙂

  42. I haven’t had the flu in years and I get the flu shot every year for 3 reasons: to protect myself, to do my own small part to protect society at large, aka “the herd”, and thirdly to make my own small and private protest against the growing anti-science or junk science type of thinking in this country.

  43. I get the flu shot every year. Last year I believe the vaccine was for Type A and I came down with Type B. When I got sick I immediately went to the Dr and got tami flu. It made a big difference. I was only down for a few days. I will continue to get the shot and hope for the best.

  44. We take the flu shot for basically the same reason you do. Once you’ve had it, you’ll do just about anything to avoid it. Haven’t had it for years, but will never forget when we all had it. Awful.

  45. I don’t because a) the vaccine commonly available is cultured in chicken eggs and I am allergic to eggs, b) there is a non-egg version but it’s not available here, and c) even if it were, my insurance won’t pay for it and it’s a LOT pricier than the egg-cultured vesion!

    I WISH I could as I have had the flu like you have in the past and want to avoid that; and, given my tendency to bronchitis and since I suffer from asthma, i really can’t afford to have it ever again!

  46. As healthcare workers we are not only strongly encouraged, we are downright required to get one yearly whether we want one or not. I do anyway but some others do not.

  47. Galen and Dad got the stronger version of the shot before Dad went to the hospital. I haven’t had time yet but plan on getting it tomorrow. Started getting the shot when Mom was diagnosed with cancer. Get the pneumonia shot every 8-10 years. Have had the flu and at Christmas. Definitely was not fun.

  48. Lynn and I get one every year and he gets a pneumonia shot every 5 years. He is a heart patient and has emphysema. The flu or pneumonia could be fatal for him due to his bteathing problems.

  49. I have never gotten a flu shot and every year I threaten to. I work in a school so I have been exposed to a lot of germs. However, with my auto immune diseases I think it would be a good idea and hope to get one this year finally.

  50. Similar to your case, since having the flu 16 years ago and being miserable for 3 weeks, I have faithfully gotten the shot every year since and have not had it. Thought I was going to die and afraid God would let me live! Awful. For that reason, and the fact that I have had a grandchild every 2 years since 2003 and anyone who is around young children is strongly advised to get the shot, I have had no problem with getting one. Simple and I don’t even know I have had it. This was my first year to get the higher dose that covers 4 strains instead of the one most people get that covers 3 strains. The nasal mist is a lower dose for children or those with compromised immune symptoms. ALSO, I have been going to the International Quilt Festival every year for about 10 years now, staying all week and taking classes, so I make sure I get mine a few weeks before the show. I kinda shudder to think of thousands of people altogether and all those germs. My brother is a physician and he advises it’s so important to take extra precautions in public and NEVER touch your eyes, nose or mouth when in public. I faithfully wipe off shopping cart handles in any public place year round and NEVER use a pen that is provided in the doctor’s office! I take my own pen out of my purse and sign in with it. Same when leaving if I have to sign for anything. I know I still get plenty of germs when out but I am trying to do what I can to prevent illness at my age.

  51. Like several others have mentioned – the hospital where I work requires all employees, and contractors to get a flu shot, or wear a mask at all times while in the hospital for the entire flu season. And they provide them at no charge. Got mine first day they were offered and this year, barely had any soreness in my arm. Much less hassle than wearing a mask for months, and provides some protection even when I am out in “the world”

  52. My doctor is in my Sunday School class so I REALLY trust him. If he says ‘get the shot’, I get the shot. And I always get the shot!! Rather that than be SO sick like you were or like others I’ve known. That would be AWFUL! I talked to my doctor at church Sunday and he said they don’t make ANY money on giving the shots. More often than not, they don’t get any reimbursement because there are so many pharmacies and emergency clinics that give it, insurance companies and Medicare expect people to go there & pay out of pocket for the shot rather than going to the dr.!

  53. I have found the years I skipped the shot I got sick, so these days I get the shot. I find It easier than dealing with the illness.

  54. I am a not for the flu shot. The worse case of flu I ever got was the year I had a flu shot. My daughter who worked in a doctors office had called me in the fall and told me not to get the shot because all the neurologist in her office had refused the shot so she did not think I should get one. But it was to late. That is the same year that one of her co-workers had a flu shot and developed Bells palsy. Her doctors at the neurology clinic attributed it to the flu vaccine.
    Since then I have avoided the flu shot.

  55. My husband and I always get the shot. For our sake. Usually a day or two after a family gathering I get a call from one of the family members. One or more of them have the flu, or mumps or whatever and are really sick. For the same reason I keep the whooping cough shot up to date so that I won’t unknowingly pass something to one of my grandchildren. We also have a new disease that may eventually be widespread in our country also. Hopefully not. But our 101st. from Ft. Campbell is getting ready to go to Africa to help in the fight. If your immune system is weakened with the flu would you stand a chance of fighting Ebola? So I agree with Shana. It’s easier to bear a little discomfort than fight the illness.

  56. I’m suuuuuuure you probably know how I feel… 🙂

    I’m a RN. I work with cancer patients. I basically HAVE TO get the flu shots, so I’ve had them for the majority of the past 8 years.

    I’m a pretty big proponent of preventative medicine, even though many/most of the measures we take are not 100% effective.

    If you get the flu shot, and end up still getting the flu, the case you have will likely be MUCH lighter than it would if you had not had the shot. Then, there is the issue of what you can pass along to someone else, even if you don’t end up being affected by that particular bug. So, you can be exposed to the flu bug, but your immune system kicks in enough that you don’t even realize it (or, maybe you feel like crap for a day or two, but that’s it – so you don’t realize “that was the flu”), then you go somewhere and are around someone with a severely compromised immune system… you talk to them for awhile, maybe shake their hand, give them a hug, or a pat on the shoulder, or whatever it is you do (share a glass, or a fork, or whatever). You may have just completely unknowingly passed the flu to this person and they’re going to get severely ill. BAM – who knew?!

    So, for me, I don’t want to get the flu, but even more importantly, I don’t want to pass it to anyone else.

    Love & hugs to you – I really DO understand the side of the “no shot” folks. I just can’t bring myself to agree with it. I’m glad you got one, and I really hope you don’t have a reaction to it this year! xo

    🙂

  58. I work in a MAJOR hospital where it is strongly encouraged that we get the shot. I do not choose to do so. I feel like they are guessing on the potential strains and make the mix from there. The flu that happens to go around may or may not be that strain. You may or may not contract it. I just don’t want to have anything put into my body that is not absolutely necessary. I don’t have strong feelings about those that do but it is not something I would choose. I am not anti vaccine either.

  59. I get the flu shot. Like you, I got the flu one year that morphed into pneumonia. I was sick and scared. Since then I’ve gotten a flu shot every year.

  60. I am amazed at the number of people who trash the government employees at the CDC who are highly educated and trained in the field of imunology and yet the comments are such you would think they were throwing a dart at a board to determine what flu strain to attack in the vaccine! Why is it acceptable to denigrate people who work for the government? Granted not everybody in every profession is ethical or competent but remember, these employees are somebody’s mother, brother, father,daughter etc. that you are denigrating. Lots of the slams are from educated people who would be offended if you suggested their education was a waste, so why are we doing it to educated people who are making a career with the government and not for people who choose the private sector? Please try and be kind to others!!

    • Since you have a .gov address, I can guess that you and I have different opinions of the government. I know they do some things great but too much is done horribly due to political game playing. I have absolutely no confidence in the CDC, especially after the way ebola has been handled in Dallas. Enough people are calling for the CDC director to step down that I think that says a lot.

      As far as your argument about employees being someone’s mother, brother, father, etc., so are terrorists, criminals, child abusers, etc. I am not comparing government employees to those types of people but simply stating that your statement is kinda comical. Because someone has a mother, brother, sister or whatever does not make them a good person, a competent person or anything else.

      If you feel the government does all things well, good for you. I do not! I am not anti-government but I feel there isn’t a whole lot they’re doing well right now. It may be that there’s too much bureaucracy, lack of leadership, corruptness, or it simply may be that it’s too big and impossible to properly manage. Whatever the reason . . we’re all entitled to our opinions and I thank you for yours.

  61. I’ve already had my flu shot. As soon as the shot is available I get it done. I have multiple health issues and the first question from my doctor is, :have you had your flu shot?” No adverse reaction this year – I say go get the shot and be done with it.

  62. We always get the flu shot. We’ve had influenza several times, and it seems to be less severe after shots. DH and DD work where they get lots of exposure to it.

  63. I always get the flu shot. My son is a pharmacist and insists on it. He say even if it’s not the right strain the shot will lessen the effects of any flu and since I had pneumonia a few years ago, it is doubly important.

  64. I get the shot… the first time I got one (about seven years ago) I got a pretty good reaction about a week after, but it didn’t last long. The next year I had no reaction, nor on any year since. Since I started getting them I have not had that extremely horrible bad flulike illness. We can sign up to get them free at work. My hubby doesn’t get them, says his Dr doesn’t care (his Dr also doesn’t care if he goes for a colonoscopy or other cancer screenings. I call him Doctor Duck — quack quack). When he does get sick, and he does every year, it’s a three week ordeal. I don’t know if it’s the illness or if it’s just the guy thing though. Could be, you get a cold and you carry on, THEY get a cold and the world stops turning!

  65. We don’t get the flu shot. Even when I worked with the public all the time I would not get the shot. Every time….yes, every time I would get the shot I would get sick. Obviously I react to the vaccine. Not happening here. Clean hands, wipe off grocery carts etc, helps.

  66. I always get the flu shot and because I know the biology behind it, don’t believe half of the people who claim they are having a bad reaction from it. (Don’t bash me for saying what I believe!). I do think it’s for the betterment of public health to get the flu shot, especially if you are in the public or work world and are exposed to or could expose a lot of people. I’ve had a pneumonia shot (need to get another one of those this year or next), and have gotten the shingles vaccine (before age 60). In my opinion, no government agency is great, but I do think public health authorities have a better handle on things than I do. On another health note — I do think we are entering a very frightening era of health crisis with strains of germs that we can’t fight with antibiotics because we’ve over medicated our kids and the germs have become stronger while our own immune systems have weakened. We over sanitize ourselves — hand sanitizers in every doorway at my office — geez. I remember 25 years ago a neighbor mom freaking out because I was letting all of the 4 year olds in our back yard drink out of the same glass. Come on! But this has nothing to do with vaccines.

  67. I have a compromised immune system so I get the flu shot every year. I also keep up with my doc’s recommendation for pneumonia vaccines. Since getting the shots, I no longer get the flu each year. It works for me but to each his own.

  68. now you have one more reason to get the flu shot–Addie! it’s recommended for everyone who has contact with little ones.

  69. I have only gotten the shot twice. Got the flu both times. Sicker than sick. The second time I ended up in the hospital with dehydration and pneumonia. Haven’t gotten the shot sine and haven’t had the flu.

  70. I’m 84 years old and afraid *not* to get the flu shot. I’ve got a flu shot for the past 20+ years and will continue to do so as long as *I* continue:)) I had a triple bypass and aortic valve replacement in 2011, and am dealing with interstitial lung disease, but so far so good — my shelf life expired generations ago, but as long as I’m blessed with another day to enjoy, life’s good!

  71. I get the flu shot at work, covered by my employer sponsored health care. I work in a large university and come into contact with a lot of students, foreign and domestic. I also spend a great deal of time with my 93 year old father and I owe it to him to get the shot. I do not know if it has really done any good or bad for me, but I have the peace of mind that at least I’m tryin’….

  72. My DH and I both volunteer at the UW hospital where the shot is required fo all volunteers. DH also volunteers at another hospitals as well where it’s also required to volunteer. We both have young grand kids which is another good reason. And this year my arm didn’t hurt at all afterwards!

  73. I am relatively healthy, so have never had a flu shot.
    I do believe that if your health is compromised in any way, especially your immune system, it’s a good idea to get one.

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