ooouucchhhh

thecuddleeffect

I just got my flu shot. Now my whole arm hurts. I'm pouting.

Did you get a flu shot this year? If you didnt, what made you choose not to. 

blueeyedblossom

Yup. I always get one.
1) I want to be healthy and protected.
2) I get one for free (work)
3) If we don't get one, we have to wear a mask at all times while in the unit. Even while not in direct patient contact.

ETA- my arm hurt for 4-5 days afterwards. Make sure you keep moving it, and it won't get as stuff and sore.

Xan921

I've never got the flu shot and don't think I ever will.  I've been fine all these years without one so I don't see the point in putting something in my body that isn't needed at this time.

LooneyLife

I prefer not to. It's not a good excuse (or probably medically accurate) but I've never gotten the flu and everyone I know that gets the flu shot gets sick. Ignorance is bliss, basically. I know, I know.

This year I had full intentions to get one but now that it looks like this pregnancy isn't going to stick I'll probably put it off unless my RE suggests it during further treatment cycles.

transponster

I've never gotten a flu shot. 

ecinereb

I always get one. I have asthma so I'm considered high risk if I get the flu and I also work with immuno compromised kids, so I'd hate to pass it on to them.

islandmonkey8

Never had one that I recall. But if I get KU I probably will, and make DH too.

callitcompulsive

I probably should look into it this year especially since my grandmother will be going through chemo during cold/flu season.

I usually don't; I never really had any reason to...

poppies717

@LooneyLife - I'm so sorry. I hope it works out. ((hugs))

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I will get a flu shot. I work with kids. I do it for me and for them. 

pb&fluff

I just got one today at my annual.  My arm is definitely sore!

I have to get it for work, for school, and to protect P.

LooneyLife

I would also like to thank all you responsible adults that get your flu shot to protect those that are unable to protect themselves. Good job!

ILoveRedVino

I got one last year because it was required for work. This year... Meh, I don't know. Maybe?

Mine didn't hurt that bad though. Then again, neither did my Rhogam shot. Maybe I'm just super bad ass.

lb1117

Unless my midwife recommends it, probably not. I never have and so far, I've been ok. 

monkey1018

I am getting one with my new dr. on October 18th and I am not looking forward to it at all. The last time I got the flu shot I got so sick

Aimothy

I don't ever get one.  Mostly because Panderp tells me not too...but before I knew her and was validated in my thoughts, I just never thought they really would work.  I never got one growing up and I have not ever been sick. Sometimes I think that kids are more susceptible to things because their parents never let them get exposed to bad things. 

lilliesandvino

I haven't and won't. I hate shots and I do everything in my power to avoid them. I figure that eventually I'll get sick, but it hasn't happened yet and I like to live on the edge.

nfp147

I never have and I don't plan on getting one.

GoodWolf

@Panderp - please share your thoughts I do not get the flu shot for multiple reasons. I have a hard time explaining it succinctly, and you always explain things so well! And also I just want to read some smarty pants stuff, really.

Panderp

The flu virus is a cocktail of the previous years' most virulent strains. The flu virus is an asshole because it mutates too quickly to really allow for prevention. It's how viruses function- highjack host machinery and get to work. The better they are at hiding, the worse your immune response is at attacking. So if you wanna prime your innate immune system with a virus that now exists in a nearly unrecognizable form...go for it.

Panderp

And I'm mobile, but it's relatively easy to find the info from the CDC-- plenty of data suggests the flu vaccine doesnt prevent people from becoming sick.

GoodWolf

Panderp said:

The flu virus is a cocktail of the previous years' most virulent strains. The flu virus is an asshole because it mutates too quickly to really allow for prevention. It's how viruses function- highjack host machinery and get to work. The better they are at hiding, the worse your immune response is at attacking. So if you wanna prime your innate immune system with a virus that now exists in a nearly unrecognizable form...go for it.

You do not disappoint.

thecuddleeffect

Panderp said:

The flu virus is a cocktail of the previous years' most virulent strains. The flu virus is an asshole because it mutates too quickly to really allow for prevention. It's how viruses function- highjack host machinery and get to work. The better they are at hiding, the worse your immune response is at attacking. So if you wanna prime your innate immune system with a virus that now exists in a nearly unrecognizable form...go for it.

Then why do doctors and nurses push for people to get them? They dont get a cut or anything. Not snarky just wondering.

lilliesandvino

The pharmaceutical industry has a lot of influence.

Panderp

Because medicine rarely pays attention to basic immunology? I don't know. What I do know is there is a large amount of peer-reviewed literature that suggests it isnt effective at preventing illness. Some years are better than others, but there isn't an advantage. In addition to it being a shitty vaccine, you have to hope your body responds at appropriate levels and quickly enough to prevent infection once you've been exposed. Too many variables, too much data to suggest it's useless.

carcrashheart

I got one. Insurance covers it so it doesn't cost anything. I had it done at target two weeks ago as I was picking up some RX's. My arm didn't hurt after though.

brij2006

I've never gotten a flu shot, and only will this year if I'm told otherwise. 

Panderp

Yeah, the "not getting a cut" is like saying lobbyists have no influence on politics.

LuckyAngel07

I will get one. I get it for free through work with insurance, and they're giving them next week. I take public transportation; I'm exposed to everything everyone's carrying onto that train and through the station.

I know it doesn't and can't protect against all strains. I've never had a problem though. Aside from not getting the flu when I get my shot, I practically don't get sick at all for that season. 1 year I didn't get the shot, and I had nasty ass cold after nasty ass cold.

My immune system responds well to being primed and mounts its defenses better than if I leave it to do its own thing.

wiggyslilsis

I got it Friday. My arm is starting to feel better today. Last year it didn't hurt at all so Idon't know what the difference was. My insurance covers it so no cost to me other than an achy arm for a few days.

spongebobsquarepanties

I don't and won't,  for the reasons Panda explained.  I hope your arm feels better, cuddles.

CincodeMayoLove

I never have except in PT school when I was told I was required and didn't know I could opt out. I have to sign a waiver every year saying that I know I have been offered a free shot and declined but here's the two main reasons why in addition to what panda already said
1: when There is a flu outbreak at the hospital and we're made to get the shot or wear a mask in inpatient rooms, I would MUCH rather wear a mask. Know why? Protects me from every strain of flu and any other virus/bacteria I could pick up or pass on. Not just the chosen few
2: the bull shit about protecting your patients from it is silly. You can still carry the flu, even if you have the flu shot just as with natural immunities. You don't get sick, but you can still pass it. The flu shot does not put you in a protective bubble

And to answer your question as to why cuddles, pharm companies run the med world. Truth