flu jab

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ?

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 had flu vaccine today and have had it for about ten years without a problem. Same for dh. I have never ever had the flu...touch wood !!

* glammanana* I was quite poorly with both jabs together. But nothing like you. Hope you are alright now.

I had my first flu jab today. I'm entitled to a free one on age grounds and as a carer for an elderly relative. I did think hard about it as I'm in good health at the moment and don't like injecting something into my body I might not need.
What helped me to decide was casting my mind back to the last time I had flu, more than 30 years ago. I felt so awful and it took me weeks to get back to normal. If it made me feel that bad then, how bad might I feel now?
Also, I understand that if more of us have the vaccine, it helps to prevent the wide scale spread of the virus throughout the population.

^ should read than your average pharmacy ^

The Supermarkets can afford to buy in greater bulk that your average local pharmacy I would imagine so they can keep their costs down to a minimum.

I don't qualify for a free jab, but am not complaining. What I don't understand is the different prices charged at different chemists for the same thing. At our local pharmacy it is £12.50 but I think some of the supermarkets are doing it for under £10.

I had my flu and pneumonia jabs on the same day 3 weeks ago and the reaction from them was frightening to say the least, I had a raging temp and felt so ill for a good 10 days my Dr came to see me and was considering sending me to hospital if no improvement in the next 24hrs but luckily I started to improve,it obviously didn't agree with me having both together thank goodness you only have pneumonia jab once as I always have had flu jab with no reaction at all.

I had mine this morning, I am not eligible for a freebie, so pay for the privilege.
My DH is not in good health so part of my thinking is that I want to protect him, especially as I am exposed to lots of germs in my line of work

I had mine this morning, I am not eligible for a freebie, so pay for the privilege.
My DH is not in good health so part of my thinking is that I want to protect him, especially as I am exposed to lots of germs in my line of work

I will not be having a flu jab as long as they contain mercury, even in the tiny amount pharmaceutical companies claim is necessary as a preservative. I wonder do their employees have them?

For the elderly or anyone in less that perfect health, flu and it's complications can be a killer. You may get mild cold like symptoms for a day or two, MrsP did, but it is well worth the slight inconvenience. I have had it for many years as I have long term kidney problems and have never had any side effects.

i was very anti thinking if you're healthy (ish) why pump chemicals into your body and then there was the argument of it only working with certain strains so for years i was stubborn then two or three years ago i had some friends hospitalised and very ill with flu and also two acquaintances die very very quickly with pneumonia so guessed it was worth trying I've had it the last three years also the pneumonia and shingles jab ...no effects from any of them but the best winters healthwise since

KatyK with all due respect you are not getting any younger and it would be sod's law for you to be poleaxed this year. I would have it in your position.