Do you get a Flu Shot?

[janie1234]

I sometime do and sometimes don't. This year I'm making everyone in the family get it because my mother in law has terminal cancer and she absolutely cannot get sick. The irony is that everytime I get the flu shot I end up getting the flu anyway.

 

[mabdoo]

My entire family will get it. Our youngest daughter will be six months and get half a dose at her 6 month checkup and the other half 4 weeks later. My husband is even getting the pneumonia shot because our 20 month old just had it 3 weeks ago. I never got it until I was pregnant but now because we live with kids and are both teachers we get it.

 

[crazystepr]

The company I work for is giving it to us for free so why not. I got the flu shot last year too through work. I never get any weird sympoms or even a sore arm. I get sick at the drop of a hat and usually get the flu every year so this is a life saver for me.

If it prevents the flu, why would anyone not get it? I don't understand...

 

[farmgirl]

gonna get mine

last year, ended up with influenza (as did my then 1.5 year old son). I usually had gotten one but after a friend had Guillan Barre during pregnancy shortly after getting her flu shot I've been hesitant. GB is very rare and she could have developed this as a result of another viral exposure(she's a PA-definitely some exposure for her too) but I was just wary...I didn't get my shot last year, and the strain that was going around wasn't even the one targeted by the shot...since then I've been researching more (as if I hadn't already ;D) and it appears that receiving the flu shot yearly helps with immunity to all strains, whether it was the supposed strain to hit that year...just remember it is a killed virus so while your immune system is challenged, a person who is immunized doesn't actually get the flu.
take care
julie

 

[NurseMommy]

I get it, largely to protect my patients (cardiac surgery patients) -- but also because I had the flu 8 or so years ago, when I'd skipped the shot, and it made me understand why flu can be fatal -- it was horrible!

Allison

 

[Boilergal]

I just saw a commercial by the American Lung Association last night with Kristi Yamauguchi (sp?) promoting flu shots. About 36,000 Americans each year die from the flu and flu complications, according to the commercial. That number suprised me. Way higher than I thought.

Again, just makes me very comfortable with my decision to get one for myself and toddler.

 

[dragonf1y]

I do not have kids, so I do not bother with the flu shot, and I do not ever get the flu. Once I have kids, they and I will get the shot.