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Booster Flu Jab......phew!!

(38 Posts)
Yellowmellow Sat 03-Nov-18 00:14:39

Went along for my flu jab, which I have had for years, as I have asthma (the asthma cough). The nurse decided that, although I'm not 65, she would give me the booster jab.
Up to now I've only ever had a bit of a red arm, and a night of going hot and cold....but oh boy....a few days in this time around and did I feel ill!! Talking to friends and work colleagues it seems no one has got off light......next year I'll be having the bog standard jab, or think I will take my chances with the flu

boheminan Sat 03-Nov-18 07:26:44

Oh dearflowers Yellowmellow, sorry you're feeling so rough after the jab. I had mine yesterday (for over 65's) and after hearing so many negatives about it, was prepared for a kick back. So far, nothing...but looks like I must'nt speak too soon...There's a few folk have had such a bad reaction, that they think they might as well had a dose of flu.

annsixty Sat 03-Nov-18 07:41:04

Absolutely no reaction in my H and me, not even a sore arm.
We are 82 and 81, so I am sorry you did react, but hope others aren't put off.
Flu can be a killer at our age.

ninathenana Sat 03-Nov-18 07:43:18

I had the ordinary one yesterday and have had for several years and so has DH. He is due the booster next week.
I'm now wondering if it's a good idea.

BlueBelle Sat 03-Nov-18 07:44:36

I had mine (stronger one) about a month ago and not any bad feelings at all not even a sore arm and none of my friends (all in their 70 s 80 s ) have had any problems even my friend who is very ill with posssible cancer waiting results this week had any kickback
As you ve had reactions before you must be susceptible to something in the injection as it can’t give you flu it’s not a live one

mcem Sat 03-Nov-18 07:58:16

2 weeks since I had my 'triple' and no side effects at all. In all the years I've had flu jabs I have never had a reaction.
It's 40 years since I had full-blown flu and I 'd never risk it again if I can possibly avoid it.

downtoearth Sat 03-Nov-18 08:42:12

Had flu jab 13th october,had sore arm and felt like I had been kicked all over by a horse,that lasted about a week,but still glad I had it,and will still have one next year

Auntieflo Sat 03-Nov-18 08:45:28

We had our flu jabs yesterday. DH 79, me 76. Touch wood, so far, no adverse reactions.

kittylester Sat 03-Nov-18 08:48:20

No reaction to the over 65 one for either dh or myself.

I urge everyone to have it - in fact I think not to have it is antisocial - unless, of course, you are medically unsuitable.

BlueSky Sat 03-Nov-18 09:14:48

Well I've always refused this jab but now that I am approaching an important birthday I thought I might give it a go. But when I read that the over '65s is the strongest I feel even more hesitant. Maybe if I had heart or lung problems plus I seem to react to various medication...confused

harrigran Sat 03-Nov-18 09:55:36

The booster for flu is live vaccine. DH was very ill, 48 hours after the injection almost to the minute.
I felt as though I had gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson but did not have to take to my bed.
I think the severity of symptoms could be related to any other underlying condition.

Jane10 Sat 03-Nov-18 09:59:37

Flu is absolutely awful and can be killer. Well worth any discomfort from a jab if it prevents this hellish illness. I've had flu. I've had the jab. I know which I prefer!

Luckygirl Sat 03-Nov-18 10:04:18

I am not at all sure what posters mean by the "booster" flu jab. I just went along and had the one relevant to my age group.

Do you mean by "booster", the one for over 65s?

I usually interpret booster as meaning an extra jab some time after the first (as with children and their standard vaccinations).

Bellanonna Sat 03-Nov-18 10:13:28

I’m sure that’s correct Lucky. It’s what I thought. This year the jabs offered are in two categories - 4 strain protection for the under 65s and 3 (trivalent) for the over 65s with an added ingredient deemed helpful to,our age group. Maybe this ingredient is being seen as a “booster”? In any case I’m happy to have had mine, and found it to be the same as usual, a very sore and swollen arm, which reassured me it had “taken”.

Nandalot Sat 03-Nov-18 18:55:43

Our practice nurse who gave us the over 65s flu jab said we shouldn’t have much of a reaction, (we didn’t) but that the one for the under 65s was causing a bit of bother!

BlueBelle Sun 04-Nov-18 05:25:42

Harrigran I ve no idea what you mean by booster perhaps something extra that is not offered to me but the flu jabs are definitely NOT live, look it up if you don’t agree So I m presuming you are talking about something different altogether

BlueBelle Sun 04-Nov-18 05:27:20

Bluesky everyone I know has had no reactions at all so please don’t let it put you off it’s worth it

notanan2 Sun 04-Nov-18 05:33:22

If your body had no reaction at all to a live vaccine it wouldn't be working. Just something to bear in mind..

notanan2 Sun 04-Nov-18 05:35:55

Thats not to say that it hasnt worked if you have had no noticeable reaction, but your body is supposed to react to vaccines & if its noticeable think of it as reassurance that it has worked

Billybob4491 Sun 04-Nov-18 06:05:15

Had my flu jab about 4 weeks ago, no reaction at all.

morethan2 Sun 04-Nov-18 06:18:59

I had mine, I didn’t ask which one. I’m over 65 but I had hardly any reaction. I felt like I had a very mild virus for a few hours 12 hours later that may have had nothing to do with the jab, but otherwise nothing, not even a sore arm. Hope that doesn’t mean it hasn’t ‘taken’. I’ve never had the flu (fingers crossed) and I certainly don’t want it.

Yellowmellow Sun 04-Nov-18 16:51:22

Well......I had one horrible reaction, even the G.P told me it was the flu jab...I have a jab every year....and will again, but not the one for the over 65's. Not risking that lot again,

BlueBelle Sun 04-Nov-18 16:56:20

As said before it can’t give you flu it’s not a live vaccine
You may be intolerant to something in it but it’s not flu

SueDonim Sun 04-Nov-18 17:14:52

I had my first ever flu vaccine this year but no reaction apart from a slightly sore arm.

Dh has had the jab for years. He's never had a reaction nor had the flu.

Charleygirl5 Sun 04-Nov-18 17:27:23

I felt zilch at the time and since and I had mine for the over 65's well over a week ago.