Flu shot?

I have never gotten a flu shot and never will. Everyone that I have know that has ever gotten one has gotten sick afterwards and missed work or important events because of the shot. I have known people who have never had the flu but got the flu during flu season after getting the shot to prevent it.

I will not be getting the flu shot. My dad got one 3 years ago and had a very severe reaction that almost cost him his life. It caused him to get guillian barre. spent 4 1/2months in the hospital on a ventilater. and even after 3 years still has a feeding tube as he still cannot swallow. I would rather have the flu for a few days than go through that anyday.

I have had a flu shot in the past. It made my arm sore for a few days but that was the only reaction. I will get one again this year too. I am not sure how much it helps because I had the flu so bad last year I actually "lost" 2 days of my life. I remember going to sleep in the recliner, having my hubby walk me to the car and buckle my seat belt, sleeping in the doctor's office and waking up the next day sometime. It is a good thing he loves me because he took care of me and all 3 kids by himself! I don't know if it would have been worse had I not had a flu shot or if I just got a virus the shot did not cover.

I have only had one, however, my son has one every year because he has asthma and allergies and he has only gotten sick from it once. I will say, the one time he got sick he was really really sick though. But he doesn't get the really bad flu like everyone else does. He does get a lot of colds and stuff though.

I've never had a flu shot. The people I know who have had a flu shot, got the flu a couple days later.

Because of my field of work/volunteer work, I have to get the flu shot...and I'm kinda glad. One year my mom and step dad and husband balked at the flu shot, saying "I'd rather just get the flu"....ha, ha. They changed their minds once they did indeed get it. And I didn't let them forget it either, as I was the one who had to take care of them all because of it!

I don't think I ever got the flu shot and I don't think I'm going to start now.

I do not recall getting a flu shot in years. nor have I had one recently, but then again, I rarely get sick... so I'm not one to ask.

I had to have one each year at my place of work. It was no big deal and had no reaction to it. Was nice not getting sick though lol. I moved, so this year I don't know if I will be getting one. ~Remember to give out +'s when it's deserved & select best responses. It helps us all out ;-]

Although most people understand the importance of a yearly flu shot for people over the age of 65, many parents overlook the need for a flu shot for their children. This is unfortunate, because most experts believe that flu epidemics begin and spread to adults from younger children. This doesn't mean that all children should get flu shots, but if your child is in one of the high risk groups mentioned below, or if he has contact with someone in a high risk group, then you should consider getting him a flu shot each year. Keep in mind that beginning this year, the flu shot is being formally recommended for all children 6 to 59 months of age and their close contacts. Influenza Facts Influenza is a viral illness and typical flu symptoms include fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache and muscle aches, which usually begin about 1-4 days after being exposed to someone with the flu. Symptoms are usually mild to moderate in most people, but can be more severe in the elderly or very young children, causing thousands of deaths each year (mostly elderly people). You can get the flu if: you are around someone with the flu that coughs or sneezes and the germs enter your body through your mouth or nose you touch something, such as a door knob or sink faucet, that has been touched and contaminated by someone with the flu, and you then touch your own mouth or nose Unlike many other viruses, there actually are treatments for influenza, but they must be started very early in the course of the illness and usually within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. These treatments include the medications zanamivir (Relenza), and oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Influenza Vaccine Facts The influenza shot is an inactivated or killed vaccine and is usually changed each year to keep up with the most common strains of the influenza virus that are circulating and most likely to cause infections. The influenza vaccine is available for children over the age of six months. To produce a good response, the first year that they get it, children under nine years of age need two doses of the vaccine given at least one month apart. Children over nine years and younger children who have previously had a flu shot only need a single injection each year. Flu shot reactions or side effects are usually mild, and may include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, fever, and/or aches, and usually only last for 1-2 days. Children under 3 years should receive a 0.25ml dose of inactivated flu vaccine. Children over 3 years and adults should receive a dose of 0.5ml. More serious side effects can rarely include a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Flu shots are a waste of time and money.They only prevent the flu and most flu like symptoms are actually caused by a food borne illness not the actual flu.