Not MM, GTKY: Flu shots

short+sassy · September 2015

Hey All--

My company gives free flu shots every year to any employee who wants one...they even bring the flu shot personnel to the workplace. I get a flu shot every year and love this perk. They just sent out the e-mail about it for this year.

I am curious. Does your workplace offer free flu shots? In general, do you typically get a flu shot? Why or why not?

Although not a guarantee of not getting the flu, I think they are an important defense in protecting myself against getting the flu. A lot of people mistake much less serious ailments for the flu, but a true flu can last a few weeks where you can't do much else but lay in bed. I don't have that kind of time, lol!

However, my H refuses to get a flu shot. He had to get them every year when he was in the Army and has a bad reaction to them. My office roommate has never had a flu shot, but won't get one, because he thinks they make people sick.

jessica490 · September 2015

Yes! We get free ones to at work every year if anyone wants them.

I never got one until about 3 years ago when I started to getting the flu every year and was out of work for many days because of it. Since I started getting the flu shot, I only get colds..I still may need to take time off work but not as much as when I had the flu..that was horrible to deal with.

My H has to get one every year because he is in the medical field...he hardly gets sick as it is, lucky guy...probably because he's surrounded and used to so many germs..unlike myself who's sick usually twice a year.

I had a co-worked preaching the other day about how bad flu shots are for you, and what your putting into your body, but shoot, I'd take that god awful needle and sore arm over he flu again...whether it's a guarantee or not.

als1982 · September 2015

They are a condition of employment in my work place, so yes, I get them. Even if I wasn't required, I still would to protect myself and others, especially the immunocompromised from this very deadly disease. I think many Americans underestimate the risk of influenza, which I've heard kills more in the US every year than AIDS. About five years ago, I had an otherwise healthy friend who died from complications of the flu. Everyone who is able should absolutely get it. Even if they don't replicate the exact strain, some protection is always better than none.

formerlyGDaisy09 · September 2015

not only do we get free flu shots at work every year (got mine today), they are required (unless you can prove a medical reason you cannot have one) or you will be fired.

cbee817 · September 2015

Yes- both DH and I get free flu shots from work. We get them every year since having the girls- better safe than sorry. The girls get theirs from their PCP- they usually have clinics during the evening in Sept/Oct/Nov (depending on when the preservative free ones are available).

csuave · September 2015

I have a low cost shot at work but do not get it. I plan to get them when I am older.

I did do it 2x though in the past because it was conveniently offered at work for free/low cost and I was in night school. I felt like I was exposed to a lot more people at that time and had a higher risk.

short+sassy · September 2015

Oh! I never thought about all the industries/jobs that might require them.

@cbee, and flu shots do sound extra important for parents or anyone else around children (or the elderly)

@als1982, I'm sorry to hear about your friend! It is crazy to hear stories like that. I know the flu can be deadly for the elderly or small children, but I don't usually think of it as being fatal for people in otherwise good health.

brij2006 · September 2015

My workplace does not offer it.

The only time I've ever gotten one was last year when I was pregnant. Otherwise I do not.

dragonstarjk · September 2015

My company does offer free flu shots and no, I do not get one.

I got a flu shot one year and it was one of only two times I have ever had the flu. I don't believe the shot caused the flu and I don't believe it makes people sick. I just think that in my case, having the shot did not prevent against getting it, and so I don't get it.

If I worked around kids, or had kids, or had some other compelling reason to get it, I would get it.

Also, I never go to work sick because my company provides decent PTO to use for sick days. I wish more people would stay home when they are sick!

CuriousKiddosMama · September 2015

Dhs office gives them in office for free. I've always had to pay our copay to get one, but I get one every year. And we make sure ds gets one when he is able to at his well child visit.

short+sassy · September 2015

dragonstarjk said:

My company does offer free flu shots and no, I do not get one.
I got a flu shot one year and it was one of only two times I have ever had the flu. I don't believe the shot caused the flu and I don't believe it makes people sick. I just think that in my case, having the shot did not prevent against getting it, and so I don't get it.
If I worked around kids, or had kids, or had some other compelling reason to get it, I would get it.
Also, I never go to work sick because my company provides decent PTO to use for sick days. I wish more people would stay home when they are sick!

So true! One positive and kind of funny thing about where I work is the "big boss" is a bit of a germaphobe. So there is no stigma at all about calling in sick. He has even been known to (nicely) tell people to go home and take sick time if they come in and are obviously sick.

kmurphy2131 · September 2015

I don't get one. I have not seen enough research that it is effective to feel that it is worth it for me. They have to start producing the 2015-2016 winter flu shots back in January 2015 to have them ready for the fall of 2015. It is based on a "guesstimate" of what flu strains are most likely to be circulating. They obviously use evidence to guide their decision, but I have a hard time understanding how it can be accurate. There is some evidence that even if it is the "wrong" strain it may still have some antibody impact and make your illness less severe, so I guess that is why they still do it.

Mustard76 · September 2015

I believe my employer offers a discount, however, I do not get one. Not for any philosophical reason, I just never have.

Xstatic3333 · September 2015

kmurphy2131 said:

I don't get one. I have not seen enough research that it is effective to feel that it is worth it for me. They have to start producing the 2015-2016 winter flu shots back in January 2015 to have them ready for the fall of 2015. It is based on a "guesstimate" of what flu strains are most likely to be circulating. They obviously use evidence to guide their decision, but I have a hard time understanding how it can be accurate. There is some evidence that even if it is the "wrong" strain it may still have some antibody impact and make your illness less severe, so I guess that is why they still do it.

I never used to get them for pretty much this reason. In college microbiology they explained why this happens, and I think it really did boil down to an educated, evidence-based guess about which strains to include that works sometimes but not others (I have forgotten most of college microbiology). Now I've shifted my philosophy a bit, and I figure if they do have the right strain, and my vaccination could help protect someone who is immunocompromised, I might as well go for it. I've also ended up on a fall cycle for my annual, so I usually just get it then. I don't remember if it costs anything extra.

Agreed about staying home when you are sick! I also have a germaphobe boss, and it's great to be able to stay home without judgement. At the same time, as a one-woman department, there are times when something just needs to be done and I have to find a way somehow. My first job after college was a daycare center of all places, and there was a lot of pressure to work even when sick. If I were one of the parents I would have been appalled.

hoffse · September 2015

My H gets one. I don't, but I think my workplace offers it.

I've had a flu shot once in my life. I got really sick the next day, and I was sick for a couple of weeks. It's literally the worst illness that I can remember ever having. It was probably just coincidence or else a bad reaction to the cocktail that year, but I have never been inclined to get it since.

Outside of that once incident, I've never had anything resembling the flu. I'm hardly ever sick. The last time I got really sick was in college, about 6 years ago. At my last annual checkup, my doctor actually told me I was boring.

MommyLiberty5013 · September 2015

We do not get them. Occasionally we do have the kids get them. The two times I've had the flu shot in my adult life, I got the flu anyways. I'm not a big believer in them - too much guess work to figure out the correct strains. I do however keep up on a the TDAP shot. I will get vaccines for illnesses that more or less guarantee the protection or have a higher prevention rate.

vlagrl29 · September 2015

We are self employed so no free flu shots. I've never gotten one and DH doesn't remember the last time he got one. DD has also never had one. DD does however get her routine vaccinations. I just don't think the flu shot is necessary. My dad got it one time and ended up getting the flu from it.

englishtrish1 · September 2015

I work in healthcare and we are offered them at no cost and strongly encouraged to get them. It won't be long, I believe, until it is mandated in all healthcare setting. I have always get one and have never got the flu.

formerlyGDaisy09 · September 2015

Xstatic3333 said:

kmurphy2131 said:

I don't get one. I have not seen enough research that it is effective to feel that it is worth it for me. They have to start producing the 2015-2016 winter flu shots back in January 2015 to have them ready for the fall of 2015. It is based on a "guesstimate" of what flu strains are most likely to be circulating. They obviously use evidence to guide their decision, but I have a hard time understanding how it can be accurate. There is some evidence that even if it is the "wrong" strain it may still have some antibody impact and make your illness less severe, so I guess that is why they still do it.

I never used to get them for pretty much this reason. In college microbiology they explained why this happens, and I think it really did boil down to an educated, evidence-based guess about which strains to include that works sometimes but not others (I have forgotten most of college microbiology). Now I've shifted my philosophy a bit, and I figure if they do have the right strain, and my vaccination could help protect someone who is immunocompromised, I might as well go for it. I've also ended up on a fall cycle for my annual, so I usually just get it then. I don't remember if it costs anything extra.

Agreed about staying home when you are sick! I also have a germaphobe boss, and it's great to be able to stay home without judgement. At the same time, as a one-woman department, there are times when something just needs to be done and I have to find a way somehow. My first job after college was a daycare center of all places, and there was a lot of pressure to work even when sick. If I were one of the parents I would have been appalled.

So many times THIS! vaccines are not about you. if you are a healthy adult, or if you have healthy children, you should get yourself and your family vaccinated. It's about lowering risk, might you still get the flu if you get the shot, yes, the flu shot might make you feel a little off for a day or two, but the flu shot will not kill you, passing the flu on to someone who is immunocompromised could very likely kill them or at least stick them in the hospital for several days and cost them a lot of money.

Immunocompromised people may or may not be obvious to you, elderly, babies, and cancer patients are all pretty obvious. however, I work with patients with Crohn's and ulcerative colits, these patients, and patients with similar conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, MS, lupus...) are often treated with drugs that target their immune systems (because their disease is basically their immune system attacking some part of their body), so they basically don't have an immune system, and many of them cannot get the flu shot to protect themselves, and most of them look completely healthy! The best thing for those people is for as much of the general population as possible to 1. vaccinate and 2. to stay home when they're ill.

most the time you're contageous before you feel sick, so vaccinating and decreasing the chances that you get sick (not saying that you won't get sick), is an important step.

*takes a step down off my public health soap box*

blondie42107 · September 2015

Our health insurance covers one at no cost. My employer offers them in house, at no cost. We regularly get them. Kiddos get them at the pediatrician's office.

I think my pet peeve is how loosely people use the word "flu." I hear so many people say they have the flu when in reality they have viral gastroenteritis. I had a coworker go crazy last winter, saying her flu shot didn't work because she got the stomach flu twice...

kmurphy2131 · September 2015

formerlyGDaisy09 said:

Xstatic3333 said:

kmurphy2131 said:

I don't get one. I have not seen enough research that it is effective to feel that it is worth it for me. They have to start producing the 2015-2016 winter flu shots back in January 2015 to have them ready for the fall of 2015. It is based on a "guesstimate" of what flu strains are most likely to be circulating. They obviously use evidence to guide their decision, but I have a hard time understanding how it can be accurate. There is some evidence that even if it is the "wrong" strain it may still have some antibody impact and make your illness less severe, so I guess that is why they still do it.

I never used to get them for pretty much this reason. In college microbiology they explained why this happens, and I think it really did boil down to an educated, evidence-based guess about which strains to include that works sometimes but not others (I have forgotten most of college microbiology). Now I've shifted my philosophy a bit, and I figure if they do have the right strain, and my vaccination could help protect someone who is immunocompromised, I might as well go for it. I've also ended up on a fall cycle for my annual, so I usually just get it then. I don't remember if it costs anything extra.

Agreed about staying home when you are sick! I also have a germaphobe boss, and it's great to be able to stay home without judgement. At the same time, as a one-woman department, there are times when something just needs to be done and I have to find a way somehow. My first job after college was a daycare center of all places, and there was a lot of pressure to work even when sick. If I were one of the parents I would have been appalled.

So many times THIS! vaccines are not about you. if you are a healthy adult, or if you have healthy children, you should get yourself and your family vaccinated. It's about lowering risk, might you still get the flu if you get the shot, yes, the flu shot might make you feel a little off for a day or two, but the flu shot will not kill you, passing the flu on to someone who is immunocompromised could very likely kill them or at least stick them in the hospital for several days and cost them a lot of money.

Immunocompromised people may or may not be obvious to you, elderly, babies, and cancer patients are all pretty obvious. however, I work with patients with Crohn's and ulcerative colits, these patients, and patients with similar conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, MS, lupus...) are often treated with drugs that target their immune systems (because their disease is basically their immune system attacking some part of their body), so they basically don't have an immune system, and many of them cannot get the flu shot to protect themselves, and most of them look completely healthy! The best thing for those people is for as much of the general population as possible to 1. vaccinate and 2. to stay home when they're ill.

most the time you're contageous before you feel sick, so vaccinating and decreasing the chances that you get sick (not saying that you won't get sick), is an important step.

*takes a step down off my public health soap box*

I completely agree for vaccines with more clear cut and known effectiveness. But if the flu shot covers strains 1, 2, and 3, and strain 4 is going around no one is protected anyway.

emily1004 · September 2015

Our insurance through my job pays for us both to get a flu shot. I had the flu once in high school, before flu shots were a thing. I almost died. I was out of school for three and half months. My husband's aunt died from the flu two years ago, she did not get a shot. I'd rather get sick after the shot then die. We get our flu shots.

vlagrl29 · September 2015

wasn't it last year or the year before the flu shot didn't protect on the particular flu virus going around that year? People that got shots were getting sick anyways?

formerlyGDaisy09 · September 2015

kmurphy2131 said:

formerlyGDaisy09 said:

Xstatic3333 said:

kmurphy2131 said:

I don't get one. I have not seen enough research that it is effective to feel that it is worth it for me. They have to start producing the 2015-2016 winter flu shots back in January 2015 to have them ready for the fall of 2015. It is based on a "guesstimate" of what flu strains are most likely to be circulating. They obviously use evidence to guide their decision, but I have a hard time understanding how it can be accurate. There is some evidence that even if it is the "wrong" strain it may still have some antibody impact and make your illness less severe, so I guess that is why they still do it.

I never used to get them for pretty much this reason. In college microbiology they explained why this happens, and I think it really did boil down to an educated, evidence-based guess about which strains to include that works sometimes but not others (I have forgotten most of college microbiology). Now I've shifted my philosophy a bit, and I figure if they do have the right strain, and my vaccination could help protect someone who is immunocompromised, I might as well go for it. I've also ended up on a fall cycle for my annual, so I usually just get it then. I don't remember if it costs anything extra.

Agreed about staying home when you are sick! I also have a germaphobe boss, and it's great to be able to stay home without judgement. At the same time, as a one-woman department, there are times when something just needs to be done and I have to find a way somehow. My first job after college was a daycare center of all places, and there was a lot of pressure to work even when sick. If I were one of the parents I would have been appalled.

So many times THIS! vaccines are not about you. if you are a healthy adult, or if you have healthy children, you should get yourself and your family vaccinated. It's about lowering risk, might you still get the flu if you get the shot, yes, the flu shot might make you feel a little off for a day or two, but the flu shot will not kill you, passing the flu on to someone who is immunocompromised could very likely kill them or at least stick them in the hospital for several days and cost them a lot of money.

Immunocompromised people may or may not be obvious to you, elderly, babies, and cancer patients are all pretty obvious. however, I work with patients with Crohn's and ulcerative colits, these patients, and patients with similar conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, MS, lupus...) are often treated with drugs that target their immune systems (because their disease is basically their immune system attacking some part of their body), so they basically don't have an immune system, and many of them cannot get the flu shot to protect themselves, and most of them look completely healthy! The best thing for those people is for as much of the general population as possible to 1. vaccinate and 2. to stay home when they're ill.

most the time you're contageous before you feel sick, so vaccinating and decreasing the chances that you get sick (not saying that you won't get sick), is an important step.

*takes a step down off my public health soap box*

I completely agree for vaccines with more clear cut and known effectiveness. But if the flu shot covers strains 1, 2, and 3, and strain 4 is going around no one is protected anyway.

This is true, but if they do get the right strain, herd immunity could save a lot of people from illness and death. This link has a decent infograph that shows the concept of herd immunity.

Xstatic3333 · September 2015

vlagrl29 said:
wasn't it last year or the year before the flu shot didn't protect on the particular flu virus going around that year? People that got shots were getting sick anyways?

That did happen last year. There's always the chance, though, that this year they get it right. This isn't to demonize not getting it at all. If you're not around kids or the elderly I can certainly understand not bothering, like I didn't for years. I also don't blame people who get sick from the shot. I'm just lucky not to be in that category.

I think the other thing that happens is that people get a very bad cold, confuse it with the flu, and then conclude the shot didn't work. I'm pretty sure I've never had true influenza. It seems pretty rare.

formerlyGDaisy09 · September 2015

Xstatic3333 said:

wasn't it last year or the year before the flu shot didn't protect on the particular flu virus going around that year? People that got shots were getting sick anyways?
That did happen last year. There's always the chance, though, that this year they get it right. This isn't to demonize not getting it at all. If you're not around kids or the elderly I can certainly understand not bothering, like I didn't for years. I also don't blame people who get sick from the shot. I'm just lucky not to be in that category. I think the other thing that happens is that people get a very bad cold, confuse it with the flu, and then conclude the shot didn't work. I'm pretty sure I've never had true influenza. It seems pretty rare.

agreed. if you spend zero time with a vunerable population, fine, don't get it (but think about the people you're in contact with at work, the gym, etc. is it possible one of them is immune-compromised and you don't know it? if you have kids, is it possible one of their friends, friend's parents, or friend's siblings is immune-compromised?).

I definitely end-up with a really bad cold at least once a winter, I feel terrible, it's no fun, some people confuse that kind of illness with the flu. I'm fairly certain I've only had the flu once in my adult life, I had been vaccinated for the flu that year, this was like that really bad cold, plus GI symptoms, fever, chills, and full body aches, like I remember at one point I felt like someone was taking a belt and tightening it as much as possible around my hips.

BostonTerrior2008 · September 2015

Both DH and I get the shot every year, as does our LO. When your child has asthma and the flu can be deadly for the child, you would do anything in your power to prevent the flu. One year a simple cold landed her in the ER with breathing treatments and nearly admitted after being there for nearly half of the day. I feel that the flu shot is vital for people to get, due to those who have low immune systems, those who can not get the shot, etc.

It does not hurt you to get the shot, and why not reduce your risk, and if you do get it, it has been shown that it will reduce the symptoms of the flu. The year I did get the full blown flu (before my LO was born), I was on the couch for 7 days, and could not get out. Going to the bathroom was the worst. I told my husband a few times I thought I was going to die. It was awful. I do not understand why people would not do what they can do to prevent or at least minimize the symptoms of the flu.

Just my thoughts

short+sassy · September 2015

BostonTerrior2008 said:

Both DH and I get the shot every year, as does our LO. When your child has asthma and the flu can be deadly for the child, you would do anything in your power to prevent the flu. One year a simple cold landed her in the ER with breathing treatments and nearly admitted after being there for nearly half of the day. I feel that the flu shot is vital for people to get, due to those who have low immune systems, those who can not get the shot, etc.

It does not hurt you to get the shot, and why not reduce your risk, and if you do get it, it has been shown that it will reduce the symptoms of the flu. The year I did get the full blown flu (before my LO was born), I was on the couch for 7 days, and could not get out. Going to the bathroom was the worst. I told my husband a few times I thought I was going to die. It was awful. I do not understand why people would not do what they can do to prevent or at least minimize the symptoms of the flu.

Just my thoughts

Good to know, I wasn't aware of that.

Thankfully, I have never had the flu. Maybe that is due to my being religious about getting the shots every year or maybe its luck or maybe its because I do have a freakishly high immune system. Or maybe it is a combination of factors.

For me personally, if "it isn't broke, don't fix it". So I get a flu shot every year. But I'm also fortunate that I've never had a bad reaction to one. Other than a sore spot on my arm for 1-2 days, they just aren't a big deal for me.

abrewer5 · September 2015

I don't get it, probably the last time I had one was when it was required for school. I'm probably jinxing myself here, but I've never had the flu.. Basically everyone I know that gets the flu shot ends up getting the flu or flu like symptoms a few days after getting it.

If I had a child I might feel differently, and would probably get them yearly. I'm also in the camp if you're sick stay home, which I do.

ETA: I'm also hardly ever around kids or the elderly.

julieanne912 · September 2015

We just got an email yesterday here at work that they will reimburse us and any member of our immediate household for flu shots. I've never had one before, but probably will do it now, especially since I now interact with a large number of people every day. Also H always gets one as he is immunocompromised, so it's nice we can both get ours covered.

Looks like Costco offers them for $14.99 as well.

simplyelise · September 2015

My work does not offer them, but our insurance is pretty awesome, so I imagine it'd be pretty cheap.

I've only gotten a flu shot one year, when I was working at a gym for elderly people and my work gave it for free.

I am a very very easily sick person. I get everything. I've had MRSA 3 times in the last two years. I've had pneumonia recently, whooping cough (idk, I was vac'ed for it, but still got it), and every stomach bug imaginable. But I've somehow never gotten the flu.

Honestly, I plan to get one every year, but then it's February and I realize I haven't gotten it and it doesn't seem worth it at that point. Maybe this year I'll actually make it out to a quick clinic or the health department.

Not MM, GTKY: Flu shots

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