Today Vince and I went to deliver eggs, then to United to get a few groceries for the week, then home. Two stops. I can do that!
While I was buying groceries, Vince wandered over to the pharmacy because we had been at CVS the other day and the pharmacist asked if we wanted our flu shots. I told Vince I wanted to wait til closer to October, plus, if we get them at the United Pharmacy, we each get a 10% off coupon for groceries.
So, Vince was telling the pharmacist that the CVS guy offered us flu shots but we’re waiting and the pharmacist said he wouldn’t recommend waiting because there are already cases of the flu around town. What? I’m still kinda shocked that I was with Addie for 12 days, had lunch with her at school with a million other kids, spent several hours in the E.R. with her, and didn’t get sick this trip. Vince decided we needed to get our flu vaccines today. While I was checking out with the groceries, he went to get his shot. Then I realized . . I don’t have my wallet. I don’t have my insurance card. The pharmacy has my Rx card but not my red, white & blue card. I went over and the pharmacist checked and nope, they didn’t have my info on file.
Vince got his flu shot; we went home and as I was loading the freeze dryer, I realized ants have invaded part of my sewing room, apparently after Boots’ food so we had to go back to town to get ant traps or bait or whatever it is so I said “I’ll bring my wallet and we can go by United and get my flu shot.” We did and the pharmacist said “You should probably think about the pneumonia vaccine too.” Great . . two shots . . one in each arm.
Hopefully the flu shot this year will be effective against whatever strain of flu comes along. I know a lot of people don’t get the shot. I’m not telling anyone what to do (not that anyone would listen to me anyway!) but I had the flu once when Chad was about 7 years old, which was 25 years ago. I have not forgotten how sick I was nor have I forgotten how long I felt horrible – weeks! I was not a wimp. I missed an entire week of work and when I went back the next week, I think it took all week before I was able to stay at work all day. I was so sick! I was 25 years younger back then so I surely don’t want to experience that kind of sickness now so I will probably always get a flu shot.
I lean more to being against so many vaccines than for them but I’m just not willing to risk the flu or pneumonia at my age and being around Addie and having lunch with her at school, I know my risk is elevated over what it would be if I stayed at home and went to the grocery store once every 10 days or so.
There’s a chance I may feel kinda bad for a few days but we have nothing planned. Our menus this week will have easy foods so everything should work out well.
Paula Nordt says
I totally agree with the flu shot opinion! We had a similar experience. We had three kids under the age of seven. My husband, I and all three kids got the flu at the same time. What are the odds of that?! We camped out on pallets in front of the fireplace for a week, but I swear it took three weeks before we really started to recover. My kids are all grown up and have their own places now, but I never, never, never want to go through that again.Plain old colds are bad enough!
Linda says
I totally agree with you. We (my mom, myself, husband and five year old daughter) had what was called the Taiwan flu in 1987. Never been that sick in our lives and it lasted for weeks. Have had a flu shot every year since then. I think people that have not had the true influenza virus are the ones that don’t think the shot is necessary. A sore arm and maybe not feeling well for a day or two is a small price rather than a nasty flu bug.
Nancy says
A few years ago I got the pneumonia shot. I had a reaction to it. Boy was I sick. I hope you are not impacted that way. I sometimes get the flu shot. I didn’t bother last year when I read how ineffective it was. Previous years I have had it.
Mandy says
Living in Australia we saw one of the worst flu seasons this winter on record, getting the flu vaccine is a great idea but always talk to your doctor if you have medical issues. The vaccine didn’t stop all from getting the flu but it reduced the effect on those that did.
dezertsuz says
I haven’t gotten the shot. I’ve had 24 hour flus and 7-day flu (twice in my life) and it is bad, that’s true.
Nelle Coursey says
Before they changed the formula, I always got sick when I took the shot. But now I don’t get sick. My arm hurts for a while but it is well worth it. I have to get it due to Pat not being healthy and I sure don’t want to get sick and give it to him. I feel sure you are the same with Vince. I got the Pneumonia shot that is for life. Mine was a one time deal and I don’t think I have to take it again. I will do anything to keep Pat from getting sick
Teresa F. says
I’ve been getting flu shots in October for the last 5 years. I’m the type of person who hibernates inside as much as I can during cold & flu season. Two years ago I got the flu in March. It eventually took the remainder of the hearing I had left in one ear. This past March, I caught the mutated virus courtesy of a grocery worker who freely coughed out in the atmosphere without covering their mouth. I was never bedridden during either one but it was days before I felt back to normal and I coughed for weeks. It’s hard to predict the timing of when a flu shot will be most effective.