Are you getting a flu shot this year?

[rob62521]

I noticed today's article for SA was about getting a flu shot? Are you getting one this year? I get one every year due to asthma. Last year lots of folks didn't because they said the formula wasn't as effective. But, even a mild case of the flu is far better than the flown blown nasty stuff.

[james.hendrickson]

I noticed today's article for SA was about getting a flu shot? Are you getting one this year? I get one every year due to asthma. Last year lots of folks didn't because they said the formula wasn't as effective. But, even a mild case of the flu is far better than the flown blown nasty stuff.

A better question is not...should you get a flu shot, rather one should ask where can you get free flu shots.

[Like2Plan]

Yes, I already did. (I get one every year.) This year my arm was sore a little bit longer than it normal.

I also had my first of 2 of the Shingrix vaccine on the other arm (this one is for folks over 50). Both arms were pretty sore for several days. I figure I will forget all about it by next year
when I have to get another flu shot.

[Thrif-t]

Yep getting mine tomorrow at work! Every year it's a free service to employees.

Going to the doctor on Tuesday hope to get the Shringrix but I have a feeling I won't be able to because it's in short supply, I'll keep checking back. Shingles are one thing I NEVER want to deal with!!

[greenskeeper]

nope...no flu shot for me, never have, never will.

[msomnipotent]

I usually get one because my two main doctors nag me so much about it. I'm not sure about getting 100% free shots. Maybe through your county health department. Everywhere I have looked say, "Free with accepted insurance" or similar. Target offers a $5 coupon, but I think I would prefer my drs office to do it.

[disneysteve]

Absolutely! I'm required to at work but I'd get one anyway and encourage everyone to do the same.

I generally find that the people who say they don't want a flu shot have never had the flu. After you spend a week in bed with a 103 fever, severe body aches, feeling like you got run over by a bus, you magically decide you'd rather not do that again.

Unfortunately, some years the shot is more effective than other years and last year was one of those bad years. They're predicting the same for this year, but even a 30% protection rate is better than a 0% protection rate. Plus, folks who do get the flu even after having a flu shot often get a more mild case than they otherwise would have, so there can be partial protection.

Bottom line: Get a flu shot! Working in Urgent Care I see first hand how grueling the flu is and how sick people get. Why risk that?

[disneysteve]

where can you get free flu shots.

Mine is free at work.

Pretty much all insurance plans cover the shot also.

[kork13]

I'm required by my job to get it every year (along with a string of others), and they go out of their way to make getting it easy (like by offering the shots multiple times in our building vs. having to drive the 15 min to the hospital). As with Steve, I'd get it even if not required. I'm somewhat lucky in that I rarely get more sick than having more than a cold 2-3 times a year. But if I can do anything to avoid getting sick, or to make being sick less miserable, I will do it every time.

I'm just glad that the "anti-vax" crowd is finally getting rather successfully silenced. "Herd immunity" is definitely a meaningful way to keep our communities healthy.

[kork13]

A random thought... but within the last 2 weeks, we've had an outbreak of the H1N1 flu strain ("Swine Flu") in my building at work. 2 confirmed cases, and actually the first ever confirmed cases here in Alaska... How's that for notoriety? lol We're pretty sure that one of them brought it back with him from a trip to Boston he just returned from, and spread it to the other guy in his office. I feel bad for them, they're pretty miserable right now still recovering from it. But thankfully, they were diagnosed quickly, sent home, and seems we may have nipped it in the bud. Apparently 2 years ago, the flu swept through the building & over half the facility was infected, because people were trying to "work through it", and ended up spreading the plague around. Lesson learned (which was reiterated heavily the last couple weeks): IF YOU'RE FEELING SICK, STAY HOME!

[QuarterMillionMan]

For me it's a matter of convenience, if I have a doctor's appointment I'll get it, if not I'm not going to make a special trip for it.

[disneysteve]

For me it's a matter of convenience, if I have a doctor's appointment I'll get it, if not I'm not going to make a special trip for it.

They have tried to make it as convenient as possible. You can get it at pretty much any pharmacy, supermarket, Target, Walmart, etc. It doesn’t matter where you get it. Just get it.

[Keshet]

Watch your local stores w/ in store pharmacies. Not only do most of them offer the vaccines w/ no co-pay, many of them offer you a $5-10 gift card when you get your vaccine. I know in my town Target and Publix do.

[Jluke]

Nope.

I’ve only gotten the shot twice in the last twenty years. My employer offers it.

[disneysteve]

We are already seeing flu cases here in NJ so the sooner you get your vaccine the better.