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Winter Flu Jabs - for or against?

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ninathenana Sun 08-Oct-17 14:54:33

H and I had ours this week it's recommended as we are both diabetic.
Neither of us has ever had symptoms following the jab or even a sore arm and not had flu even a bad cold since pre jab days.
<touches wood>

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maryeliza54 Sun 08-Oct-17 14:38:34

I have had the jab since I was 65 and have not had either a reaction or the flu. I've read that this year they are expecting a flu strain from the really bad one in Australia and they have taken this into account in this year's vaccine but I can't remember where I read that so can't vouch for the source. I know it's true that the flu in Australia has been really really bad this year. It's also said that if you have the jab, if you do catch the flu then it won't be as bad. Because I know it's true that the older you are, the more likely you are to be very very ill with flu or even die, I will continue to have the jab ( I'm booked for next week).Also, if I'm not vaccinated and catch it, I could infect others and I feel guilty about that, My dd works in a hospital( not front line) but has the jab every year to protect the vulnerable patients she might come into contact with in passing.

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Jane10 Sun 08-Oct-17 14:38:22

I always have it. I had real flu ten years ago and it scared me how ill I was.
A friend got swine flu and had to be flown to specialist hospital and put on ECMO machine in a special ward for swine flu cases. The family were told that not all patients made it. He did but hasn't been fully well ever since. Your choice though.
PS absolutely no reaction to the vaccine. No sore arm either. Proficient nurse helps.

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grannysue05 Sun 08-Oct-17 14:27:15

The letters have dropped on our mats this weekend....You know, the invitation to attend for flu jabs.
DH and I have never opted for the jabs, and , fingers crossed, have only had real flu twice in all our years (late seventies).
We have friends who religiously take up the offer. Most have a 'reaction" within days, but that passes. The sore arm goes on for a week or more.
Most of the friends have then gone on to catch flu later in that paticular winter. Mostly from GC's .
I have read that the treated virus's are taken from the previous years' flu epidemic, and a mix is made up from this.
The flu that arrives each season has mutated from the previous year, so the actual vaccination serum is not really relevant.
Are we wise to keep pumping in these foreign bodies?
Can we not rely on our immune systems?

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