Winter Flu Jabs - for or against?

I would take a sore arm over flu any day.

I always used to say "I've got flu" - until I really did have flu, and realised that I had NEVER had it before. It completely wiped me out for a week. I can't remember ever feeling so ill before or since.

So sore arm or any other mild symptoms are welcome if it means that I don't get, or at least have reduced symptoms of, flu

In my late 40s I was very Ill with flu and never want to have that again. My then GP offered me a flu jab every year. After moving to France and before I was 65 I use to go to the pharmacy in Sainsbury or Tesco when I was in UK in October and get one for about £10. Wouldn't go without one now. Even when I have had about of flu its never been anything like as bad.

Thanks Anya for the info. I will do my best to keep washing my hands after having been out, as the last thing I want on top of my Polymyalgia is Oz Flu. Bring on the Spring

I always, always get a flu jab. I've been really ill with it twice in the last forty years which was quite enough, thanks. I never want to get it again. My arm is only slightly sore the next day. For me it's well worth it.
It was free this year from the GP and I'm not sure why but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Although I'm under 65 I get the flu vaccine free every year due to a weakened immune system because of immune supressants. My husband, over 65 also gets it done as he doesn't want to infect me. I've only had proper flu once or twice in my life and it's a very nasty illness. We had ours done last week. Anything to help prevent infection and illness must be a good thing. Never had an adverse reaction either.

Duh! Could someone delete one of the above, Please?

I've had the flu vaccine every year for over 20 years (due to occupation) and have never had any side effects at all. This year, the pharmacist gave me a warning about possible reactions: 'You might think you've got flu, but it isn't'. As I am in good health, I dismissed this, but like Bellanonna (page 1!) developed flu-like symptoms within a couple of days: Headache, chesty cough, temperature, feelings of exhaustion etc. I've just been out for the first time in 10 days; like lots of GNs, I'm sure, I've been glad of my 'permanently stocked for a siege' mentality, and glad to know that most people haven't had a reaction. Read that just under 1% have. Keep well, ladies.

I've had the flu vaccine every year for over 20 years (due to occupation) and have never had any side effects at all. This year, the pharmacist gave me a warning about possible reactions: 'You might think you've got flu, but it isn't'. As I am in good health, I dismissed this, but like Bellanonna (page 1!) developed flu-like symptoms within a couple of days: Headache, chesty cough, temperature, feelings of exhaustion etc. I've just been out for the first time in 10 days; like lots of GNs, I'm sure, I've been glad of my 'permanently stocked for a siege' mentality, and glad to know that most people haven't had a reaction. Read that just under 1% have. Keep well, ladies.

What's worse, an achey arm or full blown flu.
For heavens sake everyone, stop being so wimpy and get the jab.
It doesn't hurt and there are no ill effects.
And it might just give you some protection.

I usually have an an aching arm for a few days after flu vaccine which I consider a good sign as my immune system is working well, but this year no pain. Oh dear! Perhaps my immune system is on the decline (along with the rest of me!)

Had mine about 3 hours ago. Went to enquire at the local pharmacy and had it there and then. £10.00.
I'still standing, will let you all know if any effects later.

Interesting thread as both my husband and myself are due to have the vaccination later this afternoon.

My husband always has it, but this is my first time. I had heard about people in Australia having bad bouts of flu, and decided to have the jab this year.

I was appalled, when I worked for the NHS at how few of my colleagues had the flu jab [not the doctors, by the way] and this was at the height of the swine flu epidemic.

Have just had mine. The nurse informed me that this year's is made up, including Australian Flu (this year's nasty) and swine or bird(can't remember which) as well as others.

SusieB50 - do you really think if the flu jab did not work for older people the NHS would be spending a fortune giving us all free jabs? The aim is to reduce the number of people who get admitted to hospital with the side effects every winter.
At best a dose of influenza will make you feel ill for days and not very well for weeks afterwards. Of course the flu jab does not prevent all winter viruses, but it does reduce our chances of catching the types of flu that are circulating this year. What happened in Australia last year is an excellent predictor of what will happen here this winter. I have already heard of one case today in a fit young dad - raging high temperature... that sounds like flu,
I've been paying for flu jabs for the last 20 years. Free now. Even if you are NHS exempt you can have it done in a pharmacy, which is what I'll do to save a task for the GP surgery.
Vitamin D might reduce your risk a little on a statistical basis but it is not a good thing to rely on. Government recommends that we all take a supplement, after 65, as we are likely to be deficient. But every year people who take vitamin D get flu. Otherwise they'd be giving us Vitamin D instead of vaccine wouldn't they.
Setting self-interest aside - I really don't want to pass flu onto anyone else. Particularly a friend who has a very rare medical condition that means vaccines can't work for him.

Just had mine - no sore arm no effects at all although. They have definitely improved it from the days we felt like we had flu 3 days after the jab.
My OH had pneumonia a couple of years ago and it was touch and go so he is paranoid about getting flu or catching it from me if I get it.

We are going for ours on Friday. The surgery rang us several times last year to go in and have the injection even though I didn't think we were eligible but they insisted we were. I've had it several years as a carer for my parents but did get flu 2 years ago which laid me out for a week. Our family are coming from NZ in December to stay and the children and dil have all had the bug and been really ill so I think it's pretty important we have it done this year. Never had a reaction other that a sore arm.

We always have it, in fact got an appointment for our jabs today.

Really? Then you know more than the head of the NHS??

Had mine when I had my annual diabetes check. Protects against 5 or 6 strains including the one in Australia. Takes about 2 weeks to provide full protection and lasts 6 months. Never had a reaction, not even a sore arm. Had the pneumonia jab a couple of years ago!

Have the flu jab every year, no side effects, it is certainly better than having after effects of the flu.Last year I had a vaccination for Pneumonia it lasts ten years, Pneumonia can be an after effect of the flu.My advice, take the plunge!

Had mine last week - no effects whatsoever. Been having my jabs for many years as i'm asthmatic. Had the pneumonia jab a couple of years ago too - my arm hurt more then ..... flu jab in one arm and pneumonia jab in the other.
And I'll take them up on the shingles jab as and when it's available.
I'd rather have discomfort for a day or so (if it happens) than have flu.

I used to have the flu jab every year, but then decided not to have it. I was always ill after getting it. For about 6 months I would get a sore throat runny nose and a very bad cough, which would go away and then start again after a couple of weeks. I had Asian flu in 1957, and fortunately have not had it since then.

We usually have our flu jabs in early October. When I was at the doctor's last week I asked for the prescriptions and when he gave them to me said not to have them yet as the weather is too hot to have them here in Portugal at the moment. Here we have the injections at the Pharmacist and the cost of the prescription plus 50 cents to the Pharmacist for giving the injection comes to less than €4. So Boots are making a very nice profit charging £13.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.