Don't forget to get your Flu Shot!

Thanks for putting the reminder out! As a public health employee in a lab that does flu testing, am required to get one every year, but I do recommend it as well. {ducks for cover from all the anti-vaccine people}
Yes there is a nasal spray flu vaccine you can get instead of the shot, at least in the US (I can't speak for other countries, I really don't know), and as for the shot itself, I know it's not a whole lot of comfort for those with needle phobias, but just so you know, they use a smaller needle than the one used for taking blood, so it doesn't hurt as much, just a quick sting and it's over.

If you work with kids or the elderly, have kids or elderly parents, or work in health care and/or take public transportation and don't get a flu shot, you're an idiot.

No you are exercising your right to choose to have a shot or not. The flu shot is only good if they happened to get the correct strain this year. If not, you'll get the flu anyway. Not to mention that multi-dose vials of the flu vaccine contain small amounts of mercury used to keep it from developing bacteria. On top of that a small percent of those who get the flu shot can develop Guillain-Barré syndrome.
I am neither for or against flu shots. It is as far as I am concerned a choice that adults should be able to make on there own. Now if on the other hand it was 99.9% accurate and prevented the disease, ie the measles vaccine, then I would be all for it. But until that time I feel it is a choice.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/guillainbarre.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/thimerosal.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm

You cant tell me what to do.. I do what I want.. LOL

I dont get the flu shot. I hate needles and it isnt a sure thing. There are too many different strains of the flu and just as sure as I get a flu shot, I will get one of the strains that my shot didnt cover..

Um, the flu shot protects against what the brains think will be the top three or four toughest strains. Doesn't protect against ALL flu strains, but can help minimize symptoms and minimize the chances for needing to be hospitalized. This year, there are two types of shots being offered in the US.

For 2014-2015:
One type of shot protects against: an H1N1 (Swine Flu) and an H3N2 (Swine variant) and one type of influenza B virus

The other type protects against an H1N1 and an H3N2 and TWO lineages of influenza B viruses (Currently circulating influenza B viruses belong to one of two lineages: B/Yamagata and B/Victoria. - http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm)



And yeah, if you're working with elderly, children, immunocompromised, pregnant women, or anyone else who could end up hospitalized if they get the flu, it's not a bad idea to get the shot.

If you're taking care of or in close quarters with anyone who has had transplant surgery, it's usually advised NOT to get the nasal spray, since that's usually a live vaccine, whereas the shots are usually not.

Not trying to be funny. A serious question. If others around you take the flu shot, aren't they protected?
I've never had a flu shot, but my mom (89) does. We don't live together, but I visit her often. Is she protected from me?

I get my shot in august. why wait?

@wheird hi OP I know you have a fear of needles, can you let us know how your flu shot went? any advice for overcoming the fear of the big bad butterfly needle?

If you are afraid of pain associated with the injection site, you can get a product called EMLA cream. It's fairly inexpensive. My son uses it when he has blood taken and when he gets injections. You don't need a prescription but it is usually kept behind the counter at the pharmacy. Just ask. Take care