Is everyone getting a flu jab?

ExD

Like Chewbacca and others, I too have a bad reaction - it seems to give me a very heavy cold which lasts all winter - it used to be (almost) compulsory for all staff in our school to have one. I worked at about 75% efficiency until around March when I would gradually regain strength.
So I'm sure you can see why I just can't make up my mind this year.
I think I'll 'go for it' - just in case!

How awful for you, knowing you are going to be feeling unwell and then having to work through it.
Just a suggestion, but could you perhaps build up your gut bacteria for a couple of weeks beforehand by taking probiotics so proactively building up your resilience.

It might be worth a try, as vaccines and antibiotics reduce beneficial gut bacteria substantially so can have an adverse effect on wellbeing due to not being able to absorb the nutrients from food as well.
I recall, in the 80's whilst living in Italy, being prescribed a course of probiotics after a course of antibiotics to restore bowel flora.
Struck me as being quite forward thinking at that time.

This year I'm concerned about it. My GP surgery is not offering it at the surgery itself. Instead they have a drive through! All well and good IF YOU DRIVE!!!
I don't. So I apparently have to get it done at the pharmacy. My concern is I'm not sure they'll be willing to give it in my leg. After a frozen shoulder as a direct result of the jab in my arm a few years ago I will not have it in my arm again. Since then the surgery have booked me with a Dr not the nurse for this.
I really need to have it.
I will have the discussion with the pharmacist next week to see what they say.....

Yes. I have mine at doctor's every year.
This year especially keen to have it.

Most definitely.

We have flu jabs at local pharmacy and pay for them as we’re not eligible for free yet. Money well spent I feel.

I've never taken up my GP's invitation to have the flu jab as I've been worried about an adverse reaction. Really not sure this year and the text from my GP surgery sits unanswered on my phone.

Was not old enough to qualify and found myself going down with dreadful viruses winter after winter. Three years ago I started getting the vaccination and have been fit and well every winter since.

I am a generally fit and healthy person. On the two occasions I had a 'flu jab (both October, both during my fifties) I suffered the worse bouts of 'flu ever, one over a Christmas period, the other in January. I was so bad with the latter that at one point I honestly thought I was on the way out. I am not an anti-vaccer but those experiences have put me off for good.

I have mine every year . Since moving back from spain I was having colds every six weeks . I blew my nose that much I burst my eardrum . So for the last five years I had one every year and have been much healthier through the winter . As for side effects I have only felt a bit flushed in the afternoon of the day of having the jab . I would reckon mend it to everyone .

We normally do, but surly with all this virus protection we have masks etc etc going on
shouldn't we be very unlikely to get the flu now?

Certainly. Have had them for about thirty years, since I got pneumonia after a bout of flu. For some years I had to pay but it's free now. We'll have ours next month as usual.

Like Chewbacca and others, I too have a bad reaction - it seems to give me a very heavy cold which lasts all winter - it used to be (almost) compulsory for all staff in our school to have one. I worked at about 75% efficiency until around March when I would gradually regain strength.
So I'm sure you can see why I just can't make up my mind this year.
I think I'll 'go for it' - just in case!

Definitely getting one ASAP especially with Covid still doing the rounds!

Getting mine on 26th September. I think it's very important for people over 65 to have it. It is highly unlikely that you will have a reaction to it, and it's certainly better then getting flu.

Lots of comments on here from people who claim to have had an ‘adverse reaction’ to the flu jab in the past.

Every winter there must be millions who have the jab, and of course some of them would be harbouring various ailments which cause them to feel unwell a few days later.

They then blame the jab.

I do wonder if September is too early for the vaccine. I remember reading last year that it gives the most protection for three months, and then t I he effectiveness starts to decline.

Therefore having it in say mid September, would mean we are not fully protected during January and February when flu is often in full swing.

Unless there is a danger of supplies running out I think I will wait until the end of October for mine.

I’m asthmatic and was wary for years but have been told by my asthma nurse to get it every year and also the consequences of not having it. So I will definitely be getting it this year after Covid scare.

Given any cold goes straight to my chest, and I don't like to take antibiotics, I was keen to have the flu jab as soon as I became eligible.
As a Forces child we had a variety/many jabs at 6 monthly intervals whilst stationed abroad so I fully expected a reaction to the vaccine but had little more than a sore arm for a day or two.
Just be aware, historically there may be traces of egg protein in the vaccine so do ask if you have an allergy to eggs.

Even if you feel unwell for a day or two it's worth having it as flu can be truly awful.

Mine is booked for next week. I am thankful to say I have never in my life had flu, thankfully

My GP surgery isn't even taking bookings for the jab until October. I'll definitely be having it asap as I am 65 and asthmatic. A couple of years ago I had it done at Boots, as I couldn't get a convenient appointment ,and then had a snotty letter from the surgery telling me off!I've only had proper flu twice in my life but both times it knocked me for six . I'm wondering if I should also be asking for the pneumonia jab . I've never been offered it

Every year. Ever since terrible flu when in my 40s. Now I am 71!
Used to work in NHS. In the flu epidemic 2 years ago many folk who had been immunised still got flu but didn’t end up in hospital, they had it more mildly. A study of the biggest London flu ward found none of those admitted as seriously unwell had been vaccinated. There will be a big push this year - we don’t want lots of flu as well as lots of COVID! I have never had a bad reaction.

our GP surgery told me I could make appt for flu jab.
have had one every year, together with my dh , we have never had any adverse reactions.

my dh was not in the best of health for several years, still had the flu jab

I have made my usual appt,

I've been having one each year for over 20 years due to having severe asthma and have a painful swollen arm for a few days afterwards. My consultant has recommended I also have a pneumonia jag but for the last 2 days my practice hadn't been able to get any.

FYI - Boots is taking appointments from 17 September. I have booked for 09:00 on 18 September in case vaccine not ready on first day as happened a few years ago. You may be interested to know research has shown the vaccine is more effective if administered earlier in the day rather than later.

Also recommended - If you're 65 or over, you should be offered a type of pneumococcal vaccine known as the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV).

This one-off vaccination is very effective at protecting you against serious forms of pneumococcal infection.

Had mine yesterday feeling well with no sore arm either. But wish I hadn't had the pneumonia jab a couple of years back - have had very bad chest infections each year since but never before - however, perhaps just a coincidence or was it the virus this year? Who knows?

Never had the 'flu jab but have not had 'flu for at least 40 years. even when everyone else in the household goes down with it. Even less risk this year when friends and family are still being very cautious.
I did have the shingles jab as I previously had a very painful attack.