Flu Vaccine

Had mine at the local,pharmacy yesterday (have had one every year since they were available as I am asthmatic).

Good to remind us all JessM and good luck with your cancer treatment.?

A reminder to those having cancer treatment, tell them about your treatment before you have the flu vaccine. I wasn't allowed to have the injection while I was having chemotherapy, had to wait until it was finished.

Our flu jabs happen in the village hall - it's a bit of a party with tea and cake!

Does it really work? And does the injection make you feel poorly?
The last 16 years we were in rural France, very little mixing with crowds of people, we never had the vaccine, though it was offered. TG never had 'flu, not even a cold.
Now that we're back with the crowds, on public transport, do you think it's essential?
Aged 82 and 75.

Might be a good idea Fennel.

I have never had any ill effects I had mine today and am certainly not expecting any side effects I also went to the local pharmacy my surgery was doing it for my age group beginning of November and is a good bus ride away so I just walked in whilst out shopping today
I was very anti for a while but after seeing friends very ill have now had it the last four or five years with no problems

We went to the surgery to book ours last week. Managed to get it done there and then. Neither of us have ever had any ill effects from the vaccine. (Was reading today about a new vaccine available from October. Supposed to combat different strains if I got the right end of the stick. Hope we haven’t jumped the gun!)

You beat me to it harrigran,when I had chemo for lymphoma a few years ago which finished in the August I was not allowed the flu vaccine until the following year. That’s why the more people who do have it protect not only themselves but those who are vulnerable for whatever reason and can’t have the jab. I’ve always had it every year since with no problem.

Fennel it gives some limited protection.

I plan to get the flu vaccine this year, for the first time. I'm not yet old enough for the NHS one so will pay for it myself.

I had flu last January and was so ill for weeks and weeks. I really don't want that again. My Dh has had the vax for a number of years and never had a reaction.

Fennel, I'd get the vaccine, if I were you. Moving to a different place means you'll be encountering different bugs from your old home and you won't have resistance.

Fennel the new vaccine for the over 75's can apparently make you feel a bit poorly, but the normal one is not supposed to do so.
It was the nurse at the surgery who talked to me about it as DH was due to have his over-75 jab this week but is leaving it for a couple of weeks as he is anxious not to have a reaction in the next few days, important things coming up.

I hope all goes well with you and your treatment JessM.
Those who have a compromised immune system are advised to have the flu jab, according to my consultant, but not the shingles vaccine.

I'm not sure about the new flu vaccine for those with a compromised immune system as I think it is a live vaccine. They should ask their doctor for advice.

Thanks - I think I'll discuss it with my doctor.

JessM hope your treatment is going well.

We went to the surgery today only to be told that they had run out of the vaccine for the over 65's and it was only half way through the morning. They blamed the government !

My H and I had the vaccine on Wed, both over 80.
No reaction whatsoever we have both had it every year now for 20 years , never had a reaction or flu.

Boots....one free, one not. One very sore arm, one not. Fingers crossed it keeps the lurgy at bay!

Thanks for the good wishes. DH has a sore arm but otherwise fine. Got a review clinic tomorrow so I can double check re vaccine, but I seem to recall Dr mentioned it a few months back as important. The vaccine used on adults is not "live" so should not make anyone ill unless they have egg allergies. (Eggs used to grow vaccine). There are always other flu-like illnesses around in the winter. Immunity takes a couple of weeks to build up. So although those who get a virus of some kind just after the vaccine think the vaccine is the cause, I think that is a case of looking for somewhere to point the finger of blame.

It is not only those with egg allergies who can't have the flu vaccine. I am allergic to neomycin and can't have the vaccine. I wish I could have it as I am asthmatic and prone to colds and chest infections.

Have had flu twice in the last decade including one hospitalisation

I always get the vaccine because some protection is better than none.

I had the over 65 flu vaccine a few days ago. I had a sore arm for a couple of days but am a great believer in having the jab. As I said on another thread, I looked after my husband when he caught flu. I had had the jab because I have asthma and I didn't catch the flu from him. He is normally strong but was flat out in bed for days.

I first had the flu vaccine in 1999. As was working as a nurse and it was given to all of nursing and medical staff at the hospital. I had a bad reaction to it and declined to have any more.
That was until 3 years ago when I had to be admitted to hospital as emergency when I suddenly became acutely short of breath.The reason given was flu. Just after this I was diagnosed with COPD and now have the flu jab annually at my GPs. Never had any more side effects though.
My DH gets the Pneumonia jab as well as he has cardiac disease.

Pneumonia jab is a one off pinkprincess I had it when I was 70 and the shingles jab too
Luckily never have any reactions to any of them

I’ve had both pneumonia and shingles jab a while ago and was informed by the Practice Nurse that they are 50% effective.