Are you getting the flu vaccine this year?

[Shanti]

I've never had the flu vaccine and have no desire to do so either.... reason is I don't know that much about it and I don't feel it's the 'natural' thing to do.... aren't viruses a normal part of society? So why are we trying to prevent them from happening? They will always be around and we will always catch a cold or flu even if we get the vaccine so why bother?? If they inject you with the vaccine you run the risk of actually getting the flu virus anyway??

I only get sick once a year (usually the flu) and afterwards, i find that my immune system is boosted up then and that then lasts me another year....

[Mother Goose]

I have never bothered to get the flu vaccine because the flu is a mutating virus which changes every year... so they can only vaccinate you against last year's strain! And, the only time I've ever had the flu is when I've had the vaccine!!!!

However, this year I am working in a critical care unit and will be super exposed to all the bugs... so I am thinking about it... thinking... I probably won't get it though...

[Liz]

I've never had the flu shot, and don't plan too either. None of us are susceptible to the flu (I dont' think I've ever had the 'real' flu.. I've had bad colds, but never feverish and bed ridden).

Even my mum who is 74 doesn't get it, and the GP doesn't think she needs it, as she too hardly gets sick.

I think if you are prone to getting really sick, then the flu shot might be a good idea, I've heard that altho you can still get sick, it's not usually as bad. But if you are a generally healthy person, there's no real need.

As a side point - I heard a dr on tv talking about people saying they got the flu after getting the shot, he said that it's not a live virus that you're given, so it's not the shot that's given it to you, you probably were already coming down with it.

[~Kim~]

I've had real influenza - I thought I was going to die, so did my GP - but of course it wasn't one the vaccine protected against was it?

I've also looked after immunocompromised people who've actually contracted that virus after they've had to shot!

[AnyDream]

I started getting the flu vax when I was working as a medical receptionist and now get it every year. DH flies OS for work a lot and so could bring one of the nasty strains home with him at any time. I've started noticing times in recent years where ppl all around me have fallen ill with the flu (one time at TAFE it was half the class, clearly it was the flu, sudden onset and hacking cough and another time at work where everyone got sick except me and the ppl at the two nearest desks- we were the three ppl who'd had the workplace flu vax that year)...so even if it doesn't protect from every strain, it does protect from some pretty common (and nasty) ones.

[dusty]

i think people at certain level of risk (elderly, those with respiratory problems etc) are encouraged to have it. i have asthma but the two times i have had the flu vaccine i have had the worst flu ever that year, so i don't have it anymore. that is my experience though and i wouldn't say it is responsible but is the choice i have made based on my experience.

i would talk to your GP if you feel you may benefit from the vaccine, or think you are at higher risk of contracting a flu.

[Shanti]

Nah i won't be getting it.... I've read a few things about it that don't make me feel safe about getting it....