I've never had the flu shot. The only way I would get one was if my oncologist told me to. And he hasn't yet.

Our clinic schedules a number of days in September for the flu shots. Usually on Thursday for last names from A-N and Friday M-Z, for two weeks. I know several people who refuse tp get them. I figure to each his own. Hubs & I get them and make sure our pneumonia shots are up to date.

Congrats on the new G-baby, Sandy.

Maryann, have you discussed it with your doctor? He might be assuming that you get vaccinated every year.

We both get them, absolutely. I was surprised to get the notification in the mail from the pharmacy so soon.

When I worked for the local public schools, they gave them on site and I never missed a one.....then I became sensitive to eggs and will not take the chance.

Shirley

According to my physician there should be adequate flu shots for everyone who wants one. I think that's the reason why the pharmacies are advertising so heavily. They want people to schedule and get their shots early. This year's seasonal shot will protect against three strains.

Here is a link that might be useful: CDC

No...I have never had a flu shot and I have never had the flu.
I haven't had as much as a cold in years and years...maybe 15.
I predict that I won't get one this winter either...cold that is. No way in heck I will get a flu shot.

I have been getting flu shots for as long as I can remember. I have asthma and it has been recommended that asthmatics get flu shots. I volunteer at the hospital and we got free shots. Last year I also got an H1N1 shot. I am glad they combined them combined them this year.

I do the same, Linda. I'm on an immune suppresant for my RA and so it is recommended.

I never had a flu shot and don't intend to start anytime soon. I just take extra precautions during cold and flu season staying out of stuffy crowded areas and avoiding buffets during that time.

The flu shots are just a guessing game anyway. They have to predict which flu virus will hit in any given year and often they are wrong. The vaccines are manufactured and stocked ahead of time.

The swine flu (H1N1) virus was so overstated in the media it led to hysteria. I don't do hysteria.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pandemic?? NOT

That may have been the one whose danger was less than getting the measles. I won't take them, they have aluminum or mercury or both in them. The nurses at 2 of my doctors have told me they won't take them either.

No, no way. I am on drugs that supress my immune system to a degree, and I don't trust that any flu vaccine might use some live virus.

I don't work, carry hand sanitizer all the time, and I take care to avoid anyone who has a bad cold or virus.

DH and I have taken them for years with no ill effects. He has bad respiratory problems at times and thinks that they stem from breathing fumes from working with fiberglass years ago. The flu shot seems to help him so we both get them.

Now, having worked for 20 years with the health dept. I would say that getting one now is not the thing to do. They are most effective for about 3-4 months. We never gave them before the first of Oct. so they would be effective through the winter/flu season.

I definitely will. I was in your situation last year, Sandy. I had a grandson born in June and he was not old enough to get one till Dec. I was also working in different schools in close contact with students doing individual testing, often working in confined areas. My DIL told me I couldn't be around the baby unless I got one. I literally begged my doctor to okay me to get one of the H1N1 shots as a caregiver for a child under 6 months. In fact both sets of grandparents and son and DIL got them. DH works in a medical setting. He and I got ours first. They kept the baby out of crowds and such as well. He never got sick and neither did any of us, but on his 6 month checkup, they gave him his shot.

I take the flu shot but not the pneumonia, as I'm not at high risk or old enough for it to be recommended. I won't take the nasal mist but I do get the shot. I've taken it for years. They encourage us to take it at work. I work in a psychiatric facility & it would be really bad if it spread through there.

maryann both my oncologists and my kidney dr ok the "normal flu shot, however not the h1n1 and for sure never the "live" in your nose one...

now if it's a mix, i'll have to check with them all, again...believe me last year i couldn't have stood the flu along with radiation that lasted til nov.

i'm thinking with your milder winters (tx v michigan) you may have less chances?? i'm also around my grands quite often (the oldest is 11) and you know how germy they are, lol...

if i get the ok for this year i'll try and remember to post...

I get a flu shot every year at work and also plan on getting the shot for pneumonia too. I had pneumonia & Bronchitis last year and was so sick.

I'm hit and miss on getting my flu shot If I happen to have to go to the doctor for something in October or November, I'll get the flu shot when I'm there. If I don't happen to go there, I don't get it. I haven't had it in 3 years as haven't been to the doctor at that time period. This year, I think I'll have to get one. DH is having a few health problems and I don't want him to get it from me.

We always get them at our house. I also made changes in the caregivers I was getting, when my son was living here, because they had not had them. I even offered to pay for them. The state requires TB protection and not flu. Makes little sense to me. As some one said, you shouldn't get them too early or they will not be effective when the season starts. Our doctors give them mid to late October, but I see the same signs at the pharmacies. They must need to boost their profits!I take it not just for me, but for the people I might infect if I didn't.

Sure did. I always get them ever since being in the hospital several years ago for an eight day stay with severe complications from the flu.