Flu jabs

*doctor's

Went to collect a prescription from the Pharmacist last week at Tesco and he asked me if I would like the flu jab whilst I was there, no need to book, so I did.

I work in a school so get offered one there. I also get offered one at the GP as I'm diabetic. I'll be 65 in less than 2 weeks too so I could get it free at the chemist. So much choice I can't make up my mind! Last year I took the in school option and that was the most convenient - no special trip anywhere - but I think they happen later at school so may need to think again this year in case they run out. Damned Brexit!

I’ll wait till after Christmas in case I have an adverse reaction.

Notsoold what a terrible event for you all. I'm so sorry.

I had flu over Christmas 2017. I just about managed to serve up the turkey then took to my bed for a week. I felt absolutely dreadful and it took three or four weeks to feel properly better. I last had flu in the 1968/9 outbreak. Last winter I had my first ever flu jab as I didn't want to risk a repeat of winter 2017.

I also have a younger friend who had flu two or three years ago. It caused cardiac complications which have resulted in them being put on the list for a heart transplant.

I’ve had flu twice and so jumped at the chance of having the jab 2 years ago. Within a week I started to feel unwell. I can only explain that it felt just like 90% flu. I was so unwell,and it went on for at least 2 months. I dismissed it as a coincidence and bad luck to be so ill after the jab. HOWEVER,exactly the same thing happened last year. I’m fully aware how dangerous flu can be,but I’m reluctant to go through that yet again.

Fishpie I had exactly the same experience one year. I had the jab in October and was ill until just before Christmas running a temperature, a rash, fatigue, really unwell etc. Other years I have been fine.

There are logical reasons behind why on rare occasions someone might react severely to flu or other vaccines. So I wait until after Christmas these days.

The vaccine is only about 50% effective anyway.

Fishpie, what are the reasons someone may react to the vaccine? Its just noone at my clinic can tell me why I had such a bad reaction. If you know of any reasons Id be grateful if you could share them. I felt I was not believed, even though I had informed the Yellow Card Scheme.

Sorry, post meant for Anja or Fishpie

They ask if you're allergic to any of the components of the vaccine. May you were allergic to one of them?
I've just booked mine at Boots next week.

Jane, I have never been asked anything like that.

Boots always check that. It's in the form you have to fill in.

Unless things have changed then most vaccines are prepared using fertilised eggs. As someone who has had chickens all her life I can attest that not all eggs are pure albumen and yolk. The odd one has specks of blood or something the odd little black spot.

My theory, and it is only that, is that the odd fertilised egg used to produce vaccines may not be as absolutely pure as it ought to be. Or of course you might be allergic to egg itself...but you would already know that.

We always have ours. My OH had a terrible flu type virus a few years ago and was left with Chronic Fatigue. Very debilitating.

I’m having mine done at Tesco next Tuesday.

We have ours booked for first week in October. It is always September/October time. To date we have never had an adverse reaction.

Our medical centre has three Saturday dates for walk-in jab sessions, two in October and one in late November.

All done last week.

Fiachna50. You don’t have the jab for yourself really, you have it to stop more vulnerable people catching the flu you will spread as you haven’t had the jab.

Scentia, yes, I get that but surely it matters that some people have a terrible reaction to it? I wasnt just ill a couple of days, I was ill for 3 weeks. Im not deliberately putting other people in danger. No one can give me an answer as to why I reacted so badly, so Im not having it. Its not as if Im deliberately not having it for a trivial reason. You didnt see the state I was in. My husband and family did.

Thought this from Public Health England was of interest

The new adjuvanted flu vaccine given to people aged over 65 years in England for the first time in winter 2018 had a success rate of more than 60% in protecting them against the virus, according to statistics from Public Health England (PHE).

The overall success rate of the vaccine programme against all flu strains for all age groups during the 2018–2019 flu season was 44.3%, according to the annual flu report, which was published on 30 May 2019. In the previous flu season, the overall figure was 15.0%.

The effect of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine given to children and young people aged 2–17 years was 48.6% in the 2018–2019 season.

In the 18–64 years age group, flu vaccination, for all vaccines, was effective in 44.2% of cases; the success rate, for all vaccines, in those aged over 65 years was 49.9%.

However, the success rate shot up to 62.0% in people aged over 65 years who were only given the new adjuvanted flu vaccine, which is designed to be effective against three flu strains.

I work in a hospital & flu jab is offered to all staff from early October as agnurse says it lowers the risk. I have mine every year.

I had the flu a couple of years ago-knocked me off my feet, fainted twice, lost weight. Absolutely dreadful. I’m normally in good health so am having jab this morning at GPs. I have no doubt pharmas are doing well out of this and no one can be sure of exact flu strain but better safe than sorry IMHO

Arm been sore since jab on Saturday but today felt absolutely washed out!

We have just had our letters from the surgery 're times for flu jabs. Only flu this year as we have had the shingles and pneumonia ones, and you only have them once again