Flu shot questions

[Ballygrl]

Is the flu shot really safe? I'm talking about the regular flu shot not the swine flu shot.

Over the years I've heard pros and cons from people in the medical field, so I figured I would ask you guys what you think.

Also the pneumonia shot, is that considered safe also? that's something hubby and I have talked about getting over the years but we haven't gotten it, is that a safe shot? or are there side effects to it?

Thanks

[Samm]

Is the flu shot really safe? I'm talking about the regular flu shot not the swine flu shot.

Over the years I've heard pros and cons from people in the medical field, so I figured I would ask you guys what you think.

Also the pneumonia shot, is that considered safe also? that's something hubby and I have talked about getting over the years but we haven't gotten it, is that a safe shot? or are there side effects to it?

Thanks

All of those shots are safe... all of those shots have potential side effects. The probability of having a bad experience with the flu is many times greater than having a bad experience with the shot.

[birddog1]

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm

Unless you are allergic to eggs or have had GBS the risk of an adverse reaction are very slim and the benefits far out way the risk in my opinion, especially in times like this.

I had a flu shot two days ago (mainly because my wife and I have a newborn at home) and the only side effect I have noticed is that the injection site is slightly sore (probably more from the actual needle stick than the vaccine).

[DuckSoupe]

I have gotten the flu shot for years. People get sick all around me and I don't. I will always get my shot.:dance:

[MrShotShot]

Well nothing is 100% safe. Heck aspirin isn't even 100% safe.

The flu and pneumonia shots, however, have been in use for decades and given to millions of people. The H1N1is no different than the regular flu shot. In fact my pediatrician was saying that if they had had more lead time, it could have easily been combined with the normal flu shot.

[countmein]

Hubby got a flu shot every year while serving in the Navy and always got the flu anyway. Has not had a flu shot in the past 10+ years he has been out and has only had the flu once and that time was not as bad as the times before after the shot. I have never gotten a flu shot and have only had the flu a couple of times in my 40 years. Sorry, I keep my immune system strong and rarely get sick, even while I was working with the public and handling money as a cashier, bar tender, bank teller and convenience store manager or even when I was babysitting sick children.

[AugustGem]

After getting the flu for the first time ever about 5 years ago (still traumatized thinking about it) I have gotten the flu shot every year since. I haven't had side effects (and I am queen of side effects)

[pattyk]

I have gotten 1 flu shot, about 17 yrs ago. Never so sick as I was that year.

however, son in new daycare.........

but I haven't been sick in 17 yrs, so I'm not getting one.

[Ballygrl]

How about the pneumonia shot? are there any side effects to that? I think we're more interested in getting that shot then the flu shot.

And that's the thing with the flu shot, you hear pros and cons of it, the people who don't get it say they don't because they were so sick after getting it.

[pattyk]

I have asthma and I've never heard of the Pn shot. if anything goes to my lungs, I suffer.

but like I said, not much sicko

[VCaddy05]

I personally dont get them, Ive had 1 or 2 in my life, and i rarely get sick with anything but respratory infections. So i dont waste my time, my gf works in a hospital and it was mandatory, and now 2 or 3 of her staff is sick with the flu. I hear its just side effects from the shot that is like a weakened flu and is better then actually getting the flu itself, but hey im not gonna bother. All in all, its safe however, you may get sick still

[RogerDodger]

The wife and I have both received the shot every year we've been married. Neither of us has had the flu, and neither of us have had any side effects. Coincidece? Maybe. Maybe not.

[MrShotShot]

OK, once and for all - YOU CANNOT GET THE FLU FROM A FLU SHOT.

Every single doctor will tell you this.

If you get the flu AFTER you get the flu shot it is either because 1) you were exposed prior to getting the shot or 2) you got a different strain than what you were vaccinated for.

[Dual867PowerMac]

OK, once and for all - YOU CANNOT GET THE FLU FROM A FLU SHOT.

Every single doctor will tell you this.
I don't dispute that.

I question what's in the vaccine that the Ministry of Public Health won't tell you about.

[johnrocks]

I've taken the regular flu shot plenty of times and I've never gotten ill from it, beats the flu.

[Samm]

How about the pneumonia shot? are there any side effects to that? I think we're more interested in getting that shot then the flu shot.

And that's the thing with the flu shot, you hear pros and cons of it, the people who don't get it say they don't because they were so sick after getting it.

Generally pneumonia shots are not needed for healthy individuals unless you have an underlying problem like severe asthma or a depressed immune system. Elderly should get pneumonia shots because that is a major cause of mortality due to the deterioration of their natural immunity they may have had when they were younger. Ask your doctor if they think you specifically should get one, but chances are that you don't.

[Ballygrl]

Generally pneumonia shots are not needed for healthy individuals unless you have an underlying problem like severe asthma or a depressed immune system. Elderly should get pneumonia shots because that is a major cause of mortality due to the deterioration of their natural immunity they may have had when they were younger. Ask your doctor if they think you specifically should get one, but chances are that you don't.

I've thought about getting the pneumonia shot over the years and just blew it off. I thought about it recently though because they said with the H1N1 flu, 1/3 of the people died from a secondary bacterial infection, pneumonia, and they recommended people getting the pneumonia shot.

[Samm]

I've thought about getting the pneumonia shot over the years and just blew it off. I thought about it recently though because they said with the H1N1 flu, 1/3 of the people died from a secondary bacterial infection, pneumonia, and they recommended people getting the pneumonia shot.

Yes... but if you are immunized for the H1N1 presumably you won't be getting that flu and thus you won't be getting the secondary infection in your lungs. On the other hand it does not hurt other than the very minor risk that all immunizations bring.