Is everyone getting a flu jab?

suziewoozie

Call tbf we don’t really know the effectiveness of a flu vaccine properly until after the event . It’s a bit suck it (or jab it) and see. It’s never completely ineffective but a few years ago it did hit a new low. Still even a protection of a few % imo is better than none.

Yes, they are usually playing 'catch-up' and the virus has probably mutated by the time the vaccine is ready to be rolled out.

This year it's probably a good idea to have it; as JenniferEccles said, having a double whammy of flu and COVID could be a dangerous combination for some people.

You don't have to be a virologist, varian, to conduct your own research on that year's 'flu vaccine.

Some vaccines are live (generally the flu vaccine is not except for one given to children) and some people with health problems resulting in compromised immunity should not be given a live vaccine.

And of course the flu virus mutates - that’s why we need it every year and every years vaccine is different from the year before. It’s a ‘best guess’ inevitably based on historic data

Call tbf we don’t really know the effectiveness of a flu vaccine properly until after the event . It’s a bit suck it (or jab it) and see. It’s never completely ineffective but a few years ago it did hit a new low. Still even a protection of a few % imo is better than none.

Varian the OP asked a simple question - what were posters’ views on the flu vaccine.
You then bring in Brexit, antivaxxers and weird conspiracy theories and accuse GNers whom you have identified as Brexiters as being more likely to be anti-vaccination and Climate deniers.?‍♀️
As it happens, I didn’t vote for Brexit. But if I had, I’d be very annoyed that those assumptions were being made about me.

Our surgery isn't booking yet for the flu jab so when Boots wrote to us offering to do it we've booked with them - easy peasy to get an appointment online. I have an autoimmune problem and DH is 71 so it's important for us. I get a sore arm usually, DH is not affected. I remember having the flu in my twenties, and it was the worst illness I've every experienced.

Where do you get the information that allows you to evaluate this year's flu vaccine Callistemon? Are you a virologist?

I wouldn't vote for trump.
I didn't vote to leave the EU.
I don't believe in the conspiracy theories.

I sometimes have had the vaccine but more often do not.
I evaluate the risk and the efficacy of that year's particular vaccine. They are not always as useful or effective as claimed and viruses have a tendency to mutate.

Sorry I do not fit the conspiracy theory about anti-vaxxers!

Even those who claim the flu vaccine has caused illness in the past should still have it this year.

A lot of people’s immune system would struggle to cope with the double whammy of flu and Covid at the same time, to say nothing of the impact on the NHS.

There is nothing wrong with me janeainsworth

I do not include everyone who makes a personal decision not to have a jab with conspiracy theorists. We all know that people make decisions for different reasons.

I merely point to research by the University of Cambridge and others which shows that Trump supporters and brexiters are more likely than others to believe in conspiracy theories, making them more likely to reject vaccines. They are also more likely to be climate change deniers and believe in other more outlandish conspiracies.

Fortunately the number of antivaxxers in the UK is significantly fewer than in the US, but it is still important for us to persuade as many as possible who do not have a good medical reason to refuse a vaccine to have it. The flu vaccine is available now and has been proved to be very effective.

The fact that some individuals have not been vaccinated and yet have not had flu proves nothing. Scientific proof is based on properly conducted experiments, clinical trials and the analysis of random samples, not on individual cases.

I've just checked our surgery's plans for the flu jab. Apparently its a drive in one. There are set dates and alphabetical times we'd have to adhere to. Not allowed to arrive early or late. With the vagaries of the traffic near the (odd) location selected, there's little or no chance of me getting it right. Also concerned about twisting in drivers seat to allow access to my left arm plus having to disrobe slightly. All in all I'm going to Boots as usual.
I suspect there'll be a big drop in people being vaccinated. Apart from anything else, what if you dont have a car?

I have had flu in the past, was very ill. I have had jab every year since the age of 65. I am now 70. Last year, I had an adverse reaction, was ill for a month but did not connect it to the jab until later. This year I shall have it again because of Covid virus. We are having jab at Boots on the 17th of the month. It takes two weeks for immunity to start.

Varian it is hardly fair to include anyone who makes a personal decision to not have a flu jab amongst those who believe in the kind of conspiracies discussed in that article.

What is wrong with you?

www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/brexit-and-trump-voters-more-likely-to-believe-in-conspiracy-theories-survey-study-shows

Well here’s one Right wing brexit supporter who most definitely isn’t anti-vaccines !

There’s always one to spoil a theory, isn’t there varian ? ?

I can kind of understand those who are a bit apprehensive about the speed at which the Covid vaccine may be rolled out, but as far as other vaccines are concerned, I am all for them.

oh varian, you never disappoint do you! Never known to pass up an opportunity to turn any topic of discussion to bloody Brexit! For what it's worth, I'm not a brexiter nor am I right wing and I don't have the annual flu jab.

I can't help noticing that it is the right wing brexiters who are also inclined to believe avtivax conspiracy theories.

I've never had the flu jab and never will and have never had flu either. I'm against most vaccinations anyway especially when given en masse with others to small children.

They used it for the first time last year Callistemon.

Thanks, Greeneyedgirl

I think the argument for having the flu jab this year in particular is that if you caught flu and in a weakened state then caught COVID it would be particularly hazardous. Everyone knows that the flu jab gives you no protection against COVID but not suffering from flu might protect you against being more ill from COVID.

They used it for the first time last year Callistemon.

I will investigate which type of vaccine it is and how much it differs from previous years' vaccines before I decide.

I have only had flu once, when much younger, and that was bad enough not to want it now I’m older.

My reasoning for having the flu vacc MOnica is that however fit I feel, my immune system is not as robust merely because of age (decline of T cells). If I get flu I will be vulnerable in recovery to other incidental bugs, including Covid. Lastly for unselfish reasons, if get flu I may pass it on to those close to me.

I understand that the new vacc for over 65s can cause a few more reactions, but definitely not life threatening, whereas flu can be.

I have mixed feelings. I have never had flu, despite being in the thick of it during 2 flu epidemics 1958 (boarding school), and 68-9, (hour and a half commute twice a day by train and tube.) Neither my parents nor my sisters ever had flu. I know that some people have a natural immunity, whether I am one, I am not sure, but it certainly looks possible.

As a result I have never had the flu jab, but I do wonder whether this year I ought to have it, in order to save my family feeling uneasy even though flu and COVID are entirely separate diseases.

No.