The flu shot - your thoughts?

[caspernz]

So in the last 20 years or so I've had the flu shot 3 times, two consecutive years in the mid 90's and then earlier this year. Curiosity got the better of me to try it again, when following a medical check-up early this year I was more or less "talked into" having the flu shot.

As this winter is now drawing to a close, I can't help but make comparisons with the previous two winters where I've had the flu shot. With quite a comfortable margin, these 3 winters with the flu shot have seen way more off-colour days than in winters where I've gone without the flu shot?!?

Having quietly asked around within my circle on this topic, one almost can be seen as pro or con on a level that the global warming debate divides the masses... So imagine my surprise when I come across a number of folks who have had similar experiences to myself, where they feel worse off with the flu shot? Even had someone who works in the medical field laugh openly about the benefit of the flu shot, the kaching sound it makes in someones' till is about it, such was the response.

So I'm curious to hear of some good/bad experiences, after all as bikers we should be expected to be damn near as vulnerable to the flu as the elderly...

[bogan]

First point of order, the flu shot doesn't do shit against colds. So your off color days are likely more attributable to common colds and other things; perhaps the change in frequency has coincided with a change in lifestyle (food, old, fitness, temperature, exposure).

Secondly, I got the flu earlier this year (hadn't had a shot for about 5 years previously), lost week of work would pay for a good few decades worth of shots, so financially it stacks up as a preventative measure if there is even a 5% chance it'll prevent the flu. Some workplaces pay for it anyway. Just not seeing any downside to getting it.

[Big Dog]

The years it has been available free I have had it. So about 50% of the last 20 years.
Being fair I have been sick as often, sometimes longer with the jab.


So why do I still get it?
Am I that frugal I take something I don't want because it is free?
No, I get it because I generally have less days off work. A bit of a runny nose is way better than blowing liquids at both ends on a fever.

Sent from Tapatalk. DYAC

[Virago]

There' s a commonly held belief that you can get the 'flu from the 'flu jab. Wrong. You can however catch a random cold (the "Kiwi Flu") - many people like to link the two. For some reason people in this country don't like to say they have a cold - they "have the 'flu". And the 'flu jab will NOT prevent the common cold.

Having said that, you can still catch the 'flu after having the jab. With the viruses constantly mutating, along with the old strains hanging around, the vaccine is formulated for the best possible results, but it's not infallible. A few years ago both my wife and I got the swine 'flu some time after vaccination, yet it was supposedly included in the vaccine. We were really sick, but our GP assured us we actually had it quite mild - yikes.

The 'flu vaccine will NOT make you sick. You will however become autistic.

[caspernz]

First point of order, the flu shot doesn't do shit against colds. So your off color days are likely more attributable to common colds and other things; perhaps the change in frequency has coincided with a change in lifestyle (food, old, fitness, temperature, exposure).

Secondly, I got the flu earlier this year (hadn't had a shot for about 5 years previously), lost week of work would pay for a good few decades worth of shots, so financially it stacks up as a preventative measure if there is even a 5% chance it'll prevent the flu. Some workplaces pay for it anyway. Just not seeing any downside to getting it.

Of course I can tell the difference between a cold and the flu. My point here is that my perception (by a comfortable margin) is that even a cold seems to take longer to recover from. Everything else being more or less equal, as in fitness/food/exposure, can't help the getting older bit though.

The theoretical part of getting the flu shot makes perfect sense, I'm just annoyed that the practical aspect is so far removed from the theory.

Oh and the cost of flu shot is irrelevant to me. Good to hear some positive responses though.

[jellywrestler]

Just not seeing any downside to getting it.

i had a big contract on a few years ago lasting about a month, working with a lot of people who weren't always up there in the healthy stakes. went and got a shot, they said after wards to stay away from people for about a week as you are much more likely to pick up the flu as your immune system is weakened trying to sort the vaccine out, pissed me off as if i'd known that i wouldn't have

[pritch]

The nurse at the my GP's surgery has been at me for sveral years but I have politely declined her kind offer. This year though she was so persistent that I told her to remind me next year.

The problem is that it's hard to find reliable information about the vaccination, conspiracy theories abound. You don't even have to leave KB to see that. It does appear though that the possibility exists that the vaccination may do very little to protect you against the particular strain of flu prevalent that year.

Anyhoo unless the GP gets a new nurse it looks like I'm getting a jab next year.

[nzspokes]

Ive had the real flu once, it fucked me up. I was in hospital for 3 days. Long time ago.

My work pays for it these days, Im first in line. Still get colds and stuff but not had the flu when taking the shots.

[bogan]

Of course I can tell the difference between a cold and the flu. My point here is that my perception (by a comfortable margin) is that even a cold seems to take longer to recover from. Everything else being more or less equal, as in fitness/food/exposure, can't help the getting older bit though.

The theoretical part of getting the flu shot makes perfect sense, I'm just annoyed that the practical aspect is so far removed from the theory.

Oh and the cost of flu shot is irrelevant to me. Good to hear some positive responses though.

I'd suggest you're erroneously attributing it to the flu shot; well unless you got the shot while you had the cold, I don't see how the two could be related.

i had a big contract on a few years ago lasting about a month, working with a lot of people who weren't always up there in the healthy stakes. went and got a shot, they said after wards to stay away from people for about a week as you are much more likely to pick up the flu as your immune system is weakened trying to sort the vaccine out, pissed me off as if i'd known that i wouldn't have

That is a bit shit, don't think I got told about that part either.

[AllanB]

I've always had one.

Meh - successive employers have paid for them.

[eldog]

Worth a shot, certainally seems to alleviate the worst effects I used to suffer

[Scuba_Steve]

My look into it (as company was giving em away free if you wanted) came back with it only having a 2 in 10 chance of working (upto 7 in 10 if you're suseptable to the flu from the start) so personally I skipped as 2/10 wasn't good enouth odds to prevent something I've never had or come close to, & I wasn't too intereted in helping create the "super flu" with unnessercery vaccinations

[Katman]

Never had one.

But that should come as no surprise to anyone.

[Blackbird]

Get 'em free every year Rob with no apparent side effects. Never used to bother but 5 years ago, I got the real 'flu and it really knocked me about. Started getting the jabs after that and whether it's pure chance or the vaccines actually working, no problems since.

[Oakie]

The flu shot is only ever for the worst 3 or 4 viruses around at the time. The ones that'll knock you over for a couple of weeks with potential to kill. It won't do anything for the minor ones. It's like having an armed guard around who can see and destroy the guy with the shotgun or carving knife who is after you but won't do anything about the guy who comes up and kicks you in the shin or calls you names.

Those flus where you feel crap for three days ... that's not what the vaccine is for.