flu jab

But it's not just one virus, is it fiorentina? There are new strains every year, the flu jab doesn't cover all of them.

I always think it is better to be covered for the flu viruses that are predicted, knowing that they may have missed the one that goes round. But it seems worth doing, as on the whole I have been flu free since having the jabs.

Given the choice between being carried off by 'flu and living into an old age riddled with arthritis or going slowly gaga, I'll take my chances with the 'flu, thank you.

We all have to die of something.

True Ana. I suppose that is why it is recommended that you have a yearly vaccination. Many vaccines cover 3 or 4 strains of virus in one hit.
Obviously it's a personal choice. My FIL lived to be almost 90 and flatly refused to have the vaccination. Apart from bad arthritis, he was remarkably healthy to the end...and to the best of my knowledge never had a dose of flu either.

Agree with Ginny42. Don't see any sense in putting mercury and other nasties in my body. Had a nasty reaction to my first flu jab 11 years ago and haven't had one since. Instead DH and I take Liposomal Vitamin C on a daily basis with extra doses if we feel at risk (eg visiting GP or hospital) and seem to remain cold-free.

I started having the flu jab when I took on looking after my grandchildren for 2 days a week for a year. They had frequent colds and snuffles so felt it wise to have the jab. That was about 10 years ago and I paid for the first 5. Never had a bad reaction and only had flu once in my life but that was really bad so better safe than sorry.

Every year since having repeated chest infections in my 50s, which left my lungs vulnerable. As the flu advertising says, "protect yourself and others". It's a 'no brainer' as far as I'm concerned, just like having children immunised.

I had flu in my 30s and have never been so ill. I pay for the jab (£8 in Tesco last Thurs) and my husband gets it free for health reasons. It is of course a personal decision but we feel there is also an element of responsibility to the wider community as epidemics are only avoided if a large majority have the vaccination/immunisation. As we have seen in recent years, measles has been dangerously rampant in areas where parents declined the MMR. Same principle. I was having this discussion the other day with someone who was adamant she wouldn't have unnecessary jabs, nanny state etc etc then found out after she had left that she'd recently had a bunch of jabs ready for her exotic holiday ?

I agree with Ginny42. I don't want Big Pharma to get any money from me.
I take echinacea, plus about half the alphabet in vitamins.

Immunisation is also about protecting the herd. If you cannot have the flu jab because of a health reason fine but those who feel they are somehow invincible and don't choose to have it may be putting others at risk. It might be this year's flu that they get and pass on the bug to those more vulnerable.

Don't lay guilt trips on those who prefer not to have the 'flu jab nannalyn - it's not that effective anyway, and last years was so ineffective as to be virtually useless.

As an addendum to my statement about the mercury content, I don't just cross my fingers and hope I don't get flu. I have acupuncture to boost my immune system and I'm going get some of the Vit C Carol refers to. I will also take the advice of a Dr on TV who advised washing your hands every time you get back home. We pick up the virus from door handles, supermarket trolleys, etc. then you may touch your mouth, rub your eye, anywhere the virus can get into our bodies. Eat well and stay well everyone.

Oh yes, and I take echinacea. I have been known to put Tea Tree on the soles of my feet. I read somewhere that it helps keep bugs at bay.

It's not 'laying a guilt trip' to state the facts. The fewer people who have a vaccination, the more who will contract it and some of those sadly will die because of it. This is a fact. How do you think polio, smallpox, measles, whooping cough and so on were conquered?

I have never had the flu vaccination and won't be having it. I did have the Whooping Cough vaccination when GD was born and I found out that it is more likely parents and/or GPs who pass it on to babies.

I have mercury in my dental fillings but somehow manage to be OK! Not sure that pharmaceutical companies use mercury any more.
I always carry antibacterial wipes and clean my hands after using supermarket trolleys or baskets.

Just had mine done go every year so worth it. Our surgery has said can have shingles and pneumonia jab bu not all at once apparantly if you get shingles when your over 70 you can be quite ill.

Apparently the Whooping Cough vaccination only lasts for ten years, then you need to get it done again.

I've had flu - I have the flu jab! I also agree with Nannalyn53.

I've just cancelled mine,I've never had one before and have been advised to have one. Having googled the info on them also, to find out its hit and miss whether they guess the right strain each year I felt I'll do the same and take the risk. Forum I read from NHS lots of people got real poorly first time they had it I really don't want to put that into my body.So I went to Holland and Barrett and stocked up on various vitamins instead.

I have asthma and have the flu jab every year. A few years ago my husband had flu and doesn't remember that week of his life. I looked after him, waking him up every so often to make him drink a pint of water but I didn't catch the bug from him.

I don't know what would have happened to him if I hadn't been around to look after him.

Tea Tree oil on the feet to prevent bugs getting in - now I have heard everything!

Sorry to disagree nannalyn but, regardless of the 'facts' (some of those you mentioned have not been 'conquered') you were accusing those who don't want the jab of being irresponsible, weren't you?

Lucky that's certainly a weird one!

I was forced to have the swine flu jab when I worked in the NHS, it made me really ill.

I won't be having any more.