Do you get them or you don’t get them? I had the flu once! Chad was probably 7 or 8 years old and I thought I was going to die. Someone else had to take him to school and pick him up. I don’t even remember how I managed to feed him and keep him alive for that first week I was sick. I missed 5 or 6 days of work, then when I went back, I couldn’t make it all day for almost another week. I never want that to happen again.
Every year now, I get a flu shot but it’s with a bit of hesitation. From what I understand, it’s a bit more than a guess as to what strain of flu virus we will have, there are side effects to the vaccine, but I risk it all and get the shot. In fact, I got mine this morning so if you don’t hear from me again . . you’ll know it was the shot. 🙂
Kathy C says
Ad a nurse I was required to get one when I worked in hospitals. I get one every year.
I have seen how awful the flu can be and I have seen people die from influenza. It’s NOT just a bad cold, it’s a nasty disease.
Yes it’s a roll of the duce ad to whether they.pick the right strain but it’s better than nothing.
And NO, you can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine.
MrsB says
Yes I do. Had flu once in 1998. I thought I was dying. Going for pneumonia booster today. Flu shot in two weeks.
Claudia Wade says
Yes, I get my flu vaccine every year. You can’t get the flu from the vaccine, as it is a dead virus. I am also immunized against shingles and pneumonia and whooping cough, which can all be deadly as we get older. At least pneumonia and whooping cough can. A friend of mine’s husband recently passed away from pneumonia and he was only in his mid-fifties. He was undergoing chemotherapy and was weakened by it. The prognosis was that he could have beaten his cancer, but the pneumonia was too much for his weakened system. So sad.
Moneik Stephens says
I religiously get mine every years, since about 12 years ago when my mom had cancer. I didn’t get the shot, got the flu, and was told not to come home for Christmas as it would make mom sick. I ended up in the clinic getting iv’s. Never want to go through that again!
danielle nabozny says
I have always gotten my flu shot since it was make mandatory at work. Now I make sure my husband gets one too. Why? Several years ago we BOTH got the flu…..AT THE SAME TIME! It is not fun to be that sick when there is no one well enough to take care of the other – cook – go to the store etc. It was miserable. It was 2 weeks before we felt well enough to admit we were still alive. Not a good thing to miss 2 weeks of work. Hint – premedicate with tylenol – and get it in the arm that you will be gauranteed to move around a lot the rest of the day. What people assums if “getting sick” from the shot (as pointed out above – you dont) is your immune system reacting to the shot and gearing up!
Anne says
I’ve had the flu twice, was pregnant both times and that was a long time ago. As a nurse I was exposed to lots of flu but never have had it again. I do not get flu vaccines and never have, no particular reason, just don’t feel my body needs more junk injected into it. 🙂
Liz says
I don’t get the flu shot, but will be getting the variety of other shots soon since I am getting to that age!
I guess I never have gotten the flu since I don’t remember getting that sick that I felt like I was “dying”. But, I am very careful during the flu season – one thing I do is carry my dad’s handkerchiefs. It’s a nice memory of him, but it is easy to cover my mouth and nose when I have to cough or when someone else is coughing.
Liz says
I just remembered one reason I am attached to those handkerchiefs – it was one of my first chores. I learned how to iron and Mom didn’t have to worry about me ruining anything. And, it was for Dad. I don’t worry about pressing them at my age. 😉
Anne says
Oh my goodness, I learned how to iron by ironing my dad’s handkerchiefs too!! I figured my mom was the only person on earth that would iron handkerchiefs. So nice to know that others did this too!!
Sue in Desert Hills (Phoenix), AZ (formerly in Scottsdale, AZ) says
Nope, your mom wasn’t the only one! I also learned to iron by ironing my dad’s handkerchiefs and then graduated to doing is shirts. Now I buy things that don’t need to be ironed and make sure my husband’s shirts are wrinkle free!
Carol says
Yes, always get it for exact same reason. Had it in 99 and was home alone most of that time as husband traveled and boys off in college. Thought I would die and afraid I wouldn’t! Shot every year since (and now the super dose) and haven’t had it since. I have gotten all the other recommended vaccines as well.
Lee Young says
I’m a ‘no’. Have had a nasty virus (flu-like symptoms aren’t always the flu) maybe twice, and am troubled about getting a shot for something that’s for a “best guess” strain. I did however, break down and get the shingles vaccine this year as I had a small patch show up about 18 yrs ago, and a grandmother had shingles really badly prior to her death so felt I was more susceptible to that.
Sherrill Pecere says
I get it EVERY fall..wouldn’t take the chance getting the flu (I know, you can still get it even having had the shot) as I’ve seen people SO SICK for SO LONG with the flu. I’ve also gotten my pneumonia vaccine and shingles vaccine because I want to do everything possible to stave them off as well (knowing even with the vaccines, you can still get them).
Verna says
I’ve gotten one every since I had the flu in 1989 and missed a whole week of work. That was the worst I’ve felt in my whole life. My husband had the flu that same week. He’s never gotten the shot and never gotten the flu.
Joyce says
I used to not get them, but my doctor really fusses at me about it, since I have Asthma. I got my shot last week, and wow did my arm get sore from it this year! I also felt really bad the next day until about noon. I don’t know if that was related to the shot or not, but at least it’s done!
Sharon Downey says
I had the awful flu when we were in Germany about 1969 or 70 I think. My whole family had it and for the first 3 or 4 days of caring for a husband and 3 children I was fine and then I got it. Struggled along for another day before collapsing beside my husband in bed. Barely got out of the bed for the next couple of days except to care for the baby, and the 2 year old. So yes I get the flu shot every year. I got mine last month because Kentucky had already had 12 cases reported. I was fine this time except for my arm being a little sore and a red area about the size of a grapefruit for about a week. Good luck.
Sue in Desert Hills (Phoenix), AZ (formerly in Scottsdale, AZ) says
Yes, I get the flu shot every year. My husband used to get sick every year and he would be sick the entire winter – usually starting in Nov. and getting better in April. Since we started getting the flu shots, he has not gotten sick (knock on wood!). We will get our 2nd pneumonia shot in December. My doctor wants us to get the shingles shot but we haven’t done it yet. One of these days we will as I keep hearing stories about how painful shingles can be.
Sue S says
I’ve gotten one every year for the past five years. The first year got the flu anyway but it was much milder than I’ve ever had in the past. Haven’t had it since (knocking on wood right now…) Hubster didn’t get one until he had the flu about four years ago and wanted to die but I wouldn’t let him, so now he’s a convert too. An ounce of prevention… if you know what I mean.
Dot says
I’ve had mine this year, and have been getting them for years. Also have had both kinds of pneumonia shots, and the shingles vaccine. My sister’s mother-in-law had shingles years ago, and it went into her eyes and made her nearly blind for the rest of her life. The temporary discomfort of the shots is nothing compared to the risk one takes by skipping them.
katie z. says
Yes! My BiL had a kidney transplant and my son has special needs, so getting the flu or my son getting the flu would be like the end of the world. I can’t see my BiL and family without the shot because he could die, so we do it!
Cheryl says
We use to but not anymore… we feel we are healthier now and keep our immunity up with the essential oils we use. My MIL gets hers in the nursing home as well as the Pneumonia shot because of existing health issues and the extra exposure she has there.
Cindy F says
I’ve been getting the shots for years so the dilemma for me is when to get it. I try to wait until late October or early November but I heard there are already cases nearby so the plan is to get it tomorrow.
Gale says
I’m also a NO. Can’t see putting that stuff in my body. I haven’t had the flu in at least 20 years. Just build up your immune system with lots of vitamin D3 and stay healthy.
Nancy Boyd says
This year for the first time we got the senior flu injection for over 65. It lasts 8 months. Don’t know why this is the first year they suggested it, guess it also covers more.
montanaclarks says
We get a flu shot every year. When traveling for Kimberly-Clark I was sick all the time then Michael would get sick. A flight attendant on one of the multiple flights I was always taking said, “if you get a flu shot, you won’t get sick all the time.” Makes no sense but guess what–it works, Mike and I rarely even get a cold.