Do you get a flu shot?

em2nought · Post by **em2nought** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 12:49 am

We're all worried about COVID-19 with 13,000 some deaths worldwide currently. 10,000 people have died in the USA during this flu season so far. Do you get a yearly flu shot, or worry about transmitting the flu to someone else at all?

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 12:57 am

No. I'm afraid of catching the autism.

Spoiler:

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:01 am

Also got a pneumonia shot. Not sure how that works.

Anonymous Bosch · Post by **Anonymous Bosch** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:42 am

I get a flu shot ASAP, as I prefer having some degree of protection against the flu than none whatsoever. Because the last time I caught the flu around ten years ago, I felt absolutely dreadful. So I resolved to always get a flu shot from that point forward.

Jaymann wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:01 am Also got a pneumonia shot. Not sure how that works.

It lowers your chances of catching bacterial pneumonia or, if you do get it, it means you'd probably have a much milder case. But it's typically only of real concern for those with a weakened immune system and/or in the 65-plus age bracket.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 2:53 am

Always. I used to get them in the 90s. Then I didn't for 10 years. Then started again about 10 years ago and have gotten them since.Last time I had the flu was mid 90s. Its why I started taking them the first time.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:23 am

A couple of weeks ago I took my wife to the doctor and asked to give her a flu shot. They were out and weren't expecting anymore shots.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:25 am

Jaymann wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:01 am Also got a pneumonia shot. Not sure how that works.

I believe it’s called ‘Up Selling‘

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:28 am

I've never had one, the wife and kids always get one (wife is required for work). The last couple of years I have meant to but haven't gotten around to it. I would have to walk to a different building!

gilraen · Post by **gilraen** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:31 am

I didn't but I will next year.

Lassr · Post by **Lassr** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:51 am

I got the flu about 15 years ago and it was BAD! I was out of work and in bed miserable for a week. Gotten the Flu shot ever since. May have had the flu since but no where near as bad.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 12:33 pm

I always do, got mine back in September while at my doctor. Took the kids to a clinic in November (CVS refuses to do children it seems); they were given coloring pages and markers to keep them busy while they were setting up for them, then the shots were non-events as far as the kids went, not a peep out of either of them. Then they were gifted some beanie babies, all in all a good experience.

The Meal · Post by **The Meal** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 12:35 pm

Anonymous Bosch wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:42 am I get a flu shot ASAP,

Current guidance is to wait until Halloween to get your flu shot so that it still covers late-season occurrences. IIRC the shot's major effectiveness lasts about 6 months, so if you get yours in August/September (which I always had in years past) then it runs out of oomph for late winter months.

I've been a flu shot devotee for the past 15 years and get a pneumonia shot every other year. I'm in the high risk group for both of these *and* I believe in science, so no messing around here.

Anonymous Bosch · Post by **Anonymous Bosch** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 12:44 pm

The Meal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 12:35 pm
Anonymous Bosch wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:42 am I get a flu shot ASAP,
Current guidance is to wait until Halloween to get your flu shot so that it still covers late-season occurrences. IIRC the shot's major effectiveness lasts about 6 months, so if you get yours in August/September (which I always had in years past) then it runs out of oomph for late winter months.

I've been a flu shot devotee for the past 15 years and get a pneumonia shot every other year. I'm in the high risk group for both of these *and* I believe in science, so no messing around here.

Yeah, October is typically when the flu vaccine arrives at my PCP, so I usually don't have it done any earlier than that. Dunno if I can credit it entirely to the vaccine, but it's been at least ten years since I last had to cope with full-blown influenza.

MHS · Post by **MHS** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 12:44 pm

Yep, that and pneumonia are foisted on me whether I want them or not (which I do, being a believer in science) at one of my kidney visits.

YellowKing · Post by **YellowKing** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 12:52 pm

Flu shots are mandatory at my job.

gameoverman · Post by **gameoverman** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:13 pm

I pretty much never get a flu shot. I forget about it and next thing I know the time the get the shot has passed. They need to make it more convenient. I always have to put gas in my car so I always stop at a gas station. If it was offered there I'd probably get it. Also, almost every year they announce that the shot is only helpful against such and such strain which isn't the strain most prevalent this year. Also, I very rarely get the flu, so while yes it's horrible it's also so rare that I don't care about it. Make it so that I can't go anywhere without someone offering me the shot and I will get it.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:26 pm

Unagi wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:25 am
Jaymann wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:01 am Also got a pneumonia shot. Not sure how that works.
I believe it’s called ‘Up Selling‘

And very effective, seeing how the shots were free.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:34 pm

gameoverman wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:13 pm I pretty much never get a flu shot. I forget about it and next thing I know the time the get the shot has passed. They need to make it more convenient. I always have to put gas in my car so I always stop at a gas station. If it was offered there I'd probably get it. Also, almost every year they announce that the shot is only helpful against such and such strain which isn't the strain most prevalent this year. Also, I very rarely get the flu, so while yes it's horrible it's also so rare that I don't care about it. Make it so that I can't go anywhere without someone offering me the shot and I will get it.

Flu shots are easily available at tons of pharmacies, including many pharmacies inside of grocery stores. You'll need to come up with a better excuse for next year.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 2:59 pm

I’ve heard the flu can have COVID-like symptoms, so yeah, definitely getting a flu shot every year.

Sudy · Post by **Sudy** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 3:13 pm

Whoever answers, "No... I never get sick!" I'm going to imagine punching very hard. (With love... to educate you.)

I'm stunned at the number of people who still use flu as a synonym for "a cold". "I just have a touch of the flu", they say. No. If you're not lucky enough to repel it, the flu will lay your ass out and you're risking the lives of every senior and immunocompromised individual within six degrees of separation.

Those who willfully dodge the shot are only increments less horrendous than nazis and Yankees fans.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 3:23 pm

Jaymann wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:26 pm
Unagi wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:25 am
Jaymann wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 1:01 am Also got a pneumonia shot. Not sure how that works.
I believe it’s called ‘Up Selling‘
And very effective, seeing how the shots were free.

The best kind, by a long shot

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:16 pm

Just wondering if the covid pandemic has changed minds either way about flu shots. Will you get one this year?

Me, I always do and will again. I'll wait until October, though, for the reason the Meal gave above.

Drazzil · Post by **Drazzil** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 12:20 am

Yes. I plan on getting one.

Hamlet3145 · Post by **Hamlet3145** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:59 am

I remember the last time I got the real flu, about five years ago. I was quite sick for only about three days, but it totally wiped out my energy level for about 3 months.

So, yes, I'll be getting a flu shot during the 1st week of October. One of the colleges I teach for is having a clinic and I already have my appointment made.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 8:46 am

Are there any stats on flu deaths last year?

I would assume that COVID mitigation also did a lot to limit the regular old flu, so those efforts deserve even more credit than they get for saving lives.

Lassr · Post by **Lassr** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:38 am

I'll get mine around Oct time frame. I usually get it when I have my physical at the start of Sept but doc told me it was recommended this year to wait until Oct.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:38 am

Holman wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 8:46 am Are there any stats on flu deaths last year?

I would assume that COVID mitigation also did a lot to limit the regular old flu, so those efforts deserve even more credit than they get for saving lives.

2020-2021 Flu Season Summary

Flu activity was unusually low throughout the 2020-2021 flu season both in the United States and globally, despite high levels of testing. During September 28, 2020–May 22, 2021 in the United States, 1,675 (0.2%) of 818,939 respiratory specimens tested by U.S. clinical laboratories were positive for an influenza virus. The low level of flu activity during this past season contributed to dramatically fewer flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths compared with previous flu seasons. For comparison, during the last three seasons before the pandemic, the proportion of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza peaked between 26.2% and 30.3%. In terms of hospitalizations, the cumulative rate of laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in the 2020-2021 season was the lowest recorded since this type of data collection began in 2005. For pediatric deaths, CDC received one report of a pediatric flu death in a child during the 2020–2021 flu season. Since flu deaths in children became nationally notifiable in 2004, reported flu deaths in children had previously ranged from a low of 37 (during 2011-2012) to a high of 199 (during 2019-2020).

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 12:11 pm

Thanks!

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 12:59 pm

All I can say is ditto to last year.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 3:52 pm

It's hard to say how this flu season will go. Maybe it'll be another mild one because many of us are still taking covid protection measures, especially masking and distancing, and there's not a large reservoir of circulating virus due to last year's anemic season. OTOH, missing out on a year of exposure might have made our collective immune system lazy, and of course the kiddies are back in school. Could go either way. That's why I was curious whether people are more likely or less likely to get vaccinated this year. Sounds like our tiny sample hasn't changed much.

Little Raven · Post by **Little Raven** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 4:17 pm

I get it if its easy enough. (i.e. They're given out at work.) Otherwise, I don't usually bother. I don't have any kind of ideological objection, it's just not very high on my list of concerns.

That will probably change as I get older.

gilraen · Post by **gilraen** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 5:10 pm

We'll probably get it on a Costco shopping trip at some point in the next few weeks. Of course, the irony is that in the past I wouldn't get the flu shot and catch the flu from my coworkers in the office. Now that I work from home, I'm as unlikely as ever to be around anyone who's sick.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 7:22 pm

Jewell gives a 20% discount so I'll probably go there again. Daughter has preschool physical next week and I'll get her done then.

The Meal · Post by **The Meal** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:48 pm

My asthma/allergy doctor suggested this year's flu shot may be extra ineffective (it's about 50% effective on the typical year—he was suggesting about 15-20% efficacy may be the correct target this year). The issue is that last year's flu was down 99% from typical years and without much in the way of an outbreak in the southern hemisphere's winter, they're really reaching (extra) blindly for which variants to protect against in this year's cocktail.

He also recommended I get the flu shot again this year. I asked about appropriate timing and he said the worst of the flu months are Nov - Mar, so with a 6-month most-effective window in the vaccine, it's really up to the recipient for what would make the most sense. Late October is considered too late (so much for the closer-to-Halloween guidance). Get it when its most convenient before that time frame is what I'm reading from online professionals.

JCC · Post by **JCC** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 9:14 am

I would expect little to no flu again this Fall/Winter. My pediatrician friend had a huge spike of the flu with his patients in the Spring when we weren't wearing masks.

em2nought · Post by **em2nought** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:00 am

The Meal wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:48 pm My asthma/allergy doctor suggested this year's flu shot may be extra ineffective

Oh well, at least I got my turkey from Winn Dixie out of it.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:05 am

My supermarket with the best offer give a 20% off coupon for up to $200 in purchases. Suck it, CVS/Target ($5 gift card).

The stores don't do kids though, so I had to get theirs done at their medical group. At least that ensures the record remains on their charts.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:31 am

Going in tomorrow for my shot and a plague booster.

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:37 pm

Jeff V wrote: ↑Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:05 am The stores don't do kids though, so I had to get theirs done at their medical group. At least that ensures the record remains on their charts.

They should if you ask your pediatrician to send them an Rx. Just learned that this past week when I called our ped. office, and mentioned that the pharmacies won’t vaccinate kids. Nurse said if we just call them they’ll call/send over the Rx to whatever place I am immediately.

Also, here at least, if you get a vaccine at CVS, Wallyworld, the gas station, or wherever it goes on a state record that can be accessed from doctors’ offices, pharmacies and hospitals.

I was surprised when I got my flu shot at Publix last year and they handed me a card with a menu of vaccines/boosters that I was overdue for.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:42 pm

Hmm...my kids patient portals has a place to submit vaccines and other treatments received out of network. I just took what the pharmacist said at face value.

Do you get a yearly flu shot?