Flu shot

[East TX granny]

 Are you going to get one? Do you think they keep you from getting the flu or not?

[Syble]

I have read that they are only effective 10% up to 60% of the time depending on the year and they have to guess what type flu is going to be prevalent for any particular year.  That info came from the CDC.  

I haven't had a cold or flu since 2007 and I went 5 years without getting a flu shot.  I did get one last year but not sure if I am going to get one this year.

I think that is a decision each of us has to make on our own and depending if we are still in the work force and what our underlying health condition is.

I probably won't get one this year. 

[Jozee]

I will be getting one. Especially with the autoimmune disease that I have.

[Patricia]

We both got ours even though we are probably in for the season and won't be as exposed as usual.

It will help not overwhelm the hospitals with flu cases in this pandemic.

[East TX granny]

 I have to get one per my job. You have to have a doctor's letter saying you are allergic to it or proof it's against your faith to not get one. A couple of years ago I got 2. One at work and when I went to the doctor she asked if I had one. I told her yes and then the nurse came in and gave me two shots and I asked her why I got an extra shot and she told me a flue shot and a Pneumonia shot. When I told her I already had a flu shot all she said was oops. That year I had the flu worse than I ever had before. Thought I was going to die.

October 1st they will come to my job and line us up for the flu shot.

[MTwoman]

I'll pop into Walgreen's in a week or so and get mine. Get one every year and haven't had the flu in over 20 years. Does anyone really listen to the CDC anymore? I'm generally healthy...bad back doesn't count, but never take chances.

[Grandma Helen]

I get one every year.  Back in 1977 me, my husband and oldest son then one year old all got and we were down for the count for almost a week..  I have asthma and diabetes so I get one every year.  I don't take the one for over 65.  I did in 2018 and was so sick within 12 hours.  I told my doctor here and she said don't get it again.   I had to be put  on Prednisone for three weeks to kill it.  

[East TX granny]

 I didn't know they had a different one for people over 65. I guess they just give me the regular one at work because they all come out of the same tote. I just wonder if they gave me that one at doctors office because it was the first time I had the flu in over 25 years.

[Leftygrl]

I am definitely getting a flu shot. At 45% effectiveness this year, I think it's well worth getting a flu shot.

The Truth About the Flu Shot

Here's what you should know. According to the CDC's estimates for the 2018-19 season, vaccinating only half of all Americans prevented 4.4 million cases of the flu, 58,000 hospitalizations, and 3,500 deaths. That was in a year that the vaccine was only 29% effective.

How effective is the flu shot this year 2019 20?

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report features interim estimates of effectiveness for the 2019-20 seasonal influenza vaccine. According to the report, the overall estimated effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines is currently 45%.

[Eaglewoman]

I got mone a few weeks go at Walmart - the pharmmitist told me it was the one for over 65- not sure I knew there was a different one.

[Grandma Helen]

I just talked to my doctors office and they have it.  If it wasn't pouring rain, I'd already have it, but she called after we got back from Walmart and neither of us get.  Whatever changed I don't achy and sick from it like in the 90's  I read somewhere last year that the over 65 ones is like 4 times stronger than regular.  I hadn't used Prednisone for over 15 years for asthma and I was on a major dose of it after that shot.  Never again.  Most folks don't have a problem with it.  

[OneEyedDiva]

I have never taken nor do I intend to get the flu shot this year. The one year I considered it (because my Dr. always asks), I found out the efficacy was only about 40%. I said, heck I'll do better boosting my immune system and started taking zinc. Haven't gotten sick since.