Anybody else not getting a flu shot this year ? (allergies, tuberculosis, flu shots)

[phonelady61]

My dr told me since I had such a bad reaction a couple of years ago he told me to no longer take a flu shot and just to use a mask and wash my hands a lot . I mean washing hands can cut down on a lot of germs indeed . So was just wondering if any one else had a bad reaction to the flu shot in past years and has just decided not to take one this year or ever again ?

[lunetunelover]

My docs generally do recommend it for me (weakened immune system) but I have never gotten one and choose not to, not because of bad reaction though.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

I can't get the flu shot, at least not the regular one because I have a reaction to the preservatives in it.

[jaminhealth]

I haven't taken one for probably 30 yrs and not going to start. Keep my immune system strong with my supplements. Plus, I'm not out in the maddening crowds anymore.

[Lodestar]

We take one every year. Last year's didn't work for whatever was going around here and we both got the flu in the spring. It was the first time I'd had it in more than thirty years.


We've both just had our flu shot and neither of us felt very perky for a couple of days. That's unusual but not unexpected.


I was my hands whenever I've been in contact with others and also take zinc and Vitamin C.


I also sometimes leave the room if anyone around is coughing. We have a lot of refugees in MN and 20% carry the tuberculosis virus. So I do what I can and hope our health professionals are doing their best to promote good diagnosis and health habits among others.

[oldgardener]

I've never had a flu shot, haven't had the flu in 30-40 years. I do wash my hands a lot.

[maciesmom]

Got my flu shot recently. There is no reason for me to not get one. No allergies past reactions, or other health conditions that would preclude me from getting the vaccine.

I'm generally healthy and don't typically get sick with those kinds of things.

Why did I get one? I have a young grandchild and I'd not be able to live with myself if he got seriously ill (or worse) because of something I did or didn't do. I also made sure my DTP was up to date.

Of course I ALSO take the normal precautions like handwashing and I have the ability to work from home if I'm unwell so not to spread disease.

[Jo48]

I am 68 and haven't had the flu in decades. No flu shot ever. Yes, I KNOW the difference between a cold and flu. Been there, done that.

If I can be in my 60's and be around little children with the flu wiping their hands on my face in public school in 2009 Pandemic, AND my own Toddler Grandson who had a flu shot and still got the flu,and not catch it with that DIRECT CONTACT, there has to be something else going on.

Besides not "doctoring", I call it if it ain't broken, don't try to fix it. Get YOUR Flu Shots younger folks like the CDC says to protect at risk elderly me. NOT!

[TUMF]

I'm a 56 year old man, and I say 'no' to the flu shot.
I got one 3 years ago and got sick a couple of days after, and my doctor said it was from the shot...
I won't get one again... unless my doc suggests it.

[irootoo]

I am not getting one. I haven't gotten one since the Swine Flu epidemic of the 1970s and I don't plan on getting one ever again. I haven't had the flu in decades, but I have known ridiculously many people who got the shot and caught it anyway or who got sick from the shot itself. I have no faith in the efficacy of the flu shot.

I avoid touching my mouth, nose or eyes with my hands when in public, wash my hands thoroughly after returning home every time I've been out of the house, and during flu season I won't go to buffets or eat from any community trough such as the bulk food bins at the grocery store. And if I feel fatigued or run down, I adjust my schedule to get a lot of rest and take care of myself, instead of ignoring my body's signals until I get sick.