Spin-Off of Flu-Shot Thread: Why DON'T You Get a Flu Shot?

[ronandannette]

There's a thread going that's discussing side effects (or lack thereof) after a flu shot. Some stories are kinda harrowing, but most are not, and follow pretty closely along the lines of what they tell you can occur. Is the possibility of mild side effects enough to keep you from getting the shot?

I had my first one this year and I'm still on the fence. I've never had one before, nor have I or anyone else in my household ever contracted the flu. That's mostly what has stopped me - not seeing the need. Also add in the fact that each spring the Ministry of Health releases the data on how many flu cases presented in people that HAD been vaccinated, which makes it seem iffy at best, given that predicting the strains is a guessing game.

If you routinely decline getting a flu shot, is it for any of these similar reasons, or something else?

 

[georgina]

I didn't vote, because my DH and I get flu shots every year, but none of my 3 kids get the vaccine. I think because they never had the flu and don't expect to. My DS is never sick and never goes to the doctor. He works from home and has little exposure to the flu. Younger DD I have encouraged to get it, as she is still in college and vulnerable, but she has not. My kids have all been pretty healthy so they don't see the need.

 

[Christine]

I voted "fear of the side effects." I've never had a flu shot but I was thinking of getting one this year. I did get the flu last March for the first time in 40-something years. So I thought maybe I'd get it, but I am one of those sensitive folks that seems to react to anything. I'm very worried about feeling bad for days after the shot and I just can't find a time where I'm okay to feel bad for days. It might amount to nothing. I was almost there and, well, I then read Kimblebee's thread and I backed off.

 

[potterfanatic]

I am allergic to eggs so I'm not allowed to get the flu shot. My daughters get it every year though and have never had any negative side effects.

 

[Christine]

I am allergic to eggs so I'm not allowed to get the flu shot. My daughters get it every year though and have never had any negative side effects.

I thought they had really eased up on that restriction. I just read something where if you're just allergic to eggs but don't get anaphylaxis from them, you can get the shot per normal methods. If you do experience anaphylaxis from eggs, they recommendation is to get the shot in your allergist's office. My son was allergic to eggs for about 10 years but due to his asthma he needed the shot and he was allowed to have it.

 

[potterfanatic]

I thought they had really eased up on that restriction. I just read something where if you're just allergic to eggs but don't get anaphylaxis from them, you can get the shot per normal methods. If you do experience anaphylaxis from eggs, they recommendation is to get the shot in your allergist's office. My son was allergic to eggs for about 10 years but due to his asthma he needed the shot and he was allowed to have it.

They haven't questioned me when I tell them I'm allergic they just don't give me the shot. My pharmacist did say this year they have a new flu shot that is for people allergic to eggs, and that I should ask my doc for it.

 

[Christine]

They haven't questioned me when I tell them I'm allergic they just don't give me the shot. My pharmacist did say this year they have a new flu shot that is for people allergic to eggs, and that I should ask my doc for it.

Here are the new CDC guidelines that came out this year:

Changes:
Recommendations for flu vaccination of persons with egg allergy have been modified for the 2016-2017 season. CDC recommends:

• Persons with a history of egg allergy who have experienced only hives after exposure to egg should receive flu vaccine. Any licensed and recommended flu vaccine (i.e., any form of IIV or RIV) that is otherwise appropriate for the recipient’s age and health status may be used.
• Persons who report having had reactions to egg involving symptoms other than hives, such as angioedema, respiratory distress, lightheadedness, or recurrent emesis; or who required epinephrine or another emergency medical intervention, may similarly receive any licensed and recommended flu vaccine (i.e., any form of IIV or RIV) that is otherwise appropriate for the recipient’s age and health status. The selected vaccine should be administered in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting (including, but not necessarily limited to hospitals, clinics, health departments, and physician offices). Vaccine administration should be supervised by a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic conditions.
• A previous severe allergic reaction to flu vaccine, regardless of the component suspected of being responsible for the reaction, is a contraindication to future receipt of the vaccine.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

We get them bevause of DH's medical situation. Didn't used to get them, but we have to now

 

[Colleen27]

I don't really fit any of the categories, so I picked other. We don't get them because we're all healthy, no chronic conditions or factors that would make us high risk for complications, and don't have any pressing need to do so. I've had the flu once, a relatively mild case as such things go, and none of the rest of the family got it. Generally I trust in handwashing, reasonable caution, and our immune systems to deal with anything we're exposed to, and it has done us well so far. I'm not opposed to the shot and we used to get them when I helped to take care of my grandmother, who was medically fragile, but I just don't feel like they're necessary for us at this point in life.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

I voted other for DH - he does not get the shot because he doesn't think it's necessary.

I never got a flu shot before, until DS10 was a toddler. DS16 was in early elementary school and DD12 was in preschool. They brought home every illness imaginable, and poor little DS bore the brunt of it - they had been in daycare their whole lives before this but little DS was a stay at home baby. They would carry the viruses home and not get sick, but he would catch everything and get so sick even from just a little cold - it would trigger his asthma and then turn into bronchitis and pneumonia within a week or two. We spent more than one night in the hospital with him! And he was on daily steroids and maintenance meds for asthma....those were not fun times.

At the time, they didn't think it was a good idea for little DS to get the flu shot himself, but they told us that the best thing to do was for the rest of us to get one, to minimize the chance we could spread it around the family and to DS. A year later, the N1H1 virus ran rampant in our area, and that scared me enough to get it and keep getting it. And all three kids get it too. Last year, at the very start of Flu season, both DS16 and DS10 came down with the flu in early October before their got their flu shot - they both missed more than a week of school and had fevers for about 6 days. As soon as they were healthy again, I took them in to get their shot!

If it wasn't originally for DS10, we probably wouldn't get the shots - I actually researched all vaccines and opted out of a couple (chicken pox, prevnar, etc) when DS16 was little and they were just starting to be "required", so it's not like I just do what the herd does. But going through what I went through with a 20-something lb 3 year old who struggled to just stay healthy through the winters made me more cautious. I've never had a problem with the flu shot until this year's formula - for some reason some of the "normal" side effects hit me more than they ever have before. But it's better than the alternative, so I deal with it. lol

 

[Squirlz]

I simply don't want to. I haven't been sick since I was a child.

 

[kimblebee]

I got it for the first time this year, due to my dumb immune system. In theory, it should be way better next year so I don't think I'll get it again. Plus, I feel like it's too much of a guessing game on what strains you will be protected from va what strains are actually around each year.

 

[MamaLema]

I work with kids ages 0-10. Every day I get coughed on, sneezed at, and boogers cleaned on my pants. My body has built up a really strong immune system. I havent been sick in 10 years.

 

[Bluestars]

My husband and I get them every year because a nurse comes into our office to administer them and our company pays for them. Since they are free and convenient, we do it every year. Even though it doesn't protect against all strains, it's worth it because it gives us some protection. We travel a lot, so it's better safe than sorry. I don't think I've ever had the flu and I rarely get sick, but I am a big believer in vaccines.

I only know one person who has bad reactions to vaccines and she has other health issues and intolerance to certain food and medications. She never gets the flu shot, which I completely understand. If someone has a history of bad reactions, then I don't think it's worth it.

 

[North of Mouse]

I have gotten the vaccine off and on for the last several years until last year. My dear older brother got his first one last year (required for work purposes) and got what Drs. described as short term Guilles Barre. Was partially paralyzed for a few days - was told to 'never' get the shot again. Now, I'm very reluctant to take the chance again.

 

[ronandannette]

I have gotten the vaccine off and on for the last several years until last year. My dear older brother got his first one last year (required for work purposes) and got what Drs. described as short term Guilles Barre. Was partially paralyzed for a few days - was told to 'never' get the shot again. Now, I'm very reluctant to take the chance again.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I don't really fit any of the categories, so I picked other. We don't get them because we're all healthy, no chronic conditions or factors that would make us high risk for complications, and don't have any pressing need to do so. I've had the flu once, a relatively mild case as such things go, and none of the rest of the family got it. Generally I trust in handwashing, reasonable caution, and our immune systems to deal with anything we're exposed to, and it has done us well so far. I'm not opposed to the shot and we used to get them when I helped to take care of my grandmother, who was medically fragile, but I just don't feel like they're necessary for us at this point in life.

My family was in a similar situation until a few years ago.

I home schooled our son. So he wasn't in school and I didn't work outside of the home. And my husband worked in his own office., with very little outside contact. The shot seemed like a waste. We washed our hands, covered our mouth when we coughed and stayed away from those that were sick.

Then, after my mom passed, my dad moved in with us. He had COPD and was required to have the shot. His doctor asked if we would also get it. So we did.

After Dad passed I was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Now we all get the shot for me.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We don't get them because I don't think they're necessary. My kids are 16 and 10 and luckily have never had the flu or the flu shot. I think eating healthy and taking vitamins works better.

I work in a healthcare system where they are free If you don't get it you have to wear a mask. I'm admin staff and not near patients so I don't have to do that so I refuse the shot.

I do see many of my coworkers get sick after getting it so that doesn't help me wanting to get it.

 

[indimom]

For a lot of years we didn't get the flu shot. None of us had gotten the flu in years so it really wasn't on my radar.
I started getting the shot when I was in nursing school (required), but still didn't bother getting them for the family.
A couple years ago, DD got the flu. She was miserably sick for over a week. The rest of us the family got Tamiflu as recommended by our doctor, and didn't catch it from her, but it was costly (I think $100 per person - our portion).
Even then I might not have really bothered getting the flu shot for the entire family, it just isn't something I think much about, despite working in healthcare and getting it at work myself. But, DD has a chronic condition that can "flare" with stressors. She was stable before that bout of the flu, immediately after she had another flare-up that took years to control. Related? I'd consider it likely. So, now, we all get the shot, if only to reduce the chance of spreading it to her.

 

[Disney_traveler]

I voted afraid of needles but I wish it would have said I HATE needles.