I got my flu shot this morning. Did you get yours yet?

[LeftyFingerPop]

If not, why not?

This is one of the very few years that I have decided to get one.

I just got the regular flu shot, not the H1N1.

[WinkyDink]

1. Weeks ago!

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

2. I'm not sure if I can

I have two auto-immune diseases and I read somewhere years ago that I don't qualify for those kinds of things. Small Pox was the big one I can't get.

I got a measles, mumps, rubella shot years ago and I was sick as a dog for a week.

I've got my hand sanitizer and I'm washing my hands like a fiend though.

[seemunkee]

3. Not yet

They ran out before the visiting nurse got to our office. My doc is out and the two CVS that I stopped at were out.

[NJmaverick]

4. I got the H1N1 but not the seasonal

there is a shortage of seasonal in our area, so I am wating for more to arrive of the seasonal.

[triguy46]

13. Are you a health care worker? How'd you get H1N1 vaccine????

No specifics needed, but do you have an underlying medical condition? There is so little available around that it cannot be strategically used.

[NJmaverick]

20. I'm a volunteer EMT. NJ got a very limited supply of H1N1

so it was decided the little that was released, in the first batch, would be given to the emergency responders. They are a priority group and one that was small enough that it could be done with the limited quantity.

[sarge43]

5. Yesterday.

Regular. They're rationing the H1N1 here. Right now we old crocks are at the end of the line.

[triguy46]

14. True. 53% of deaths are among people 65.

An unknown why this is affecting the young, but kids seem very vulnerable. Here in OK, we've had 4 deaths, 3 under 20, and 1 in his 40's with multiple chronic illnesses.

[sarge43]

15. The pandemic of 1918/19 was also different.

It hit young adults, especially men, hardest. A new strain is more virulent, stronger or perhaps we oldsters have built up resistance?

[triguy46]

16. Actually it was because of the robust immune system of the...

middle aged, creating a fluid imbalance in the pulmonary system, aka, ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome). Even today difficult to treat. No known treatment in 1918.

[sarge43]

19. Ah Thank for the info. n/t

[Moondog]

6. Got the

regular seasonal one at the VA yesterday. They aren't projecting H1N1 as being in and available for another month. Around here anyway.

[NNadir]

7. Got it, at a supermarket pharmacy.

Regrettably the American public has been de-educated about vaccines, creating something of a public health problem.

[hunter]

8. Yes.

I'll lose twenty pounds and sometimes get pneumonia when the flu comes 'round.

"Wheezing Skeleton Man" is not my favorite look.

[Nickster]

9. Just the seasonal one so far....probably not going to worry about the H1N1 version yet.

[elocs]

10. I've never had a flu shot and don't intend to start now.

I last had the flu probably 30 some years ago. Besides, for the H1N1 I am not in the target group.

[DinahMoeHum]

11. Regular seasonal, a couple of weeks ago.

Will probably not do the H1N1, as I'm not really in any high-risk group for it.

[CBHagman]

12. I get one every year, but...

...every time I stop by the Minute Clinic they're out of the vaccine. I went to two different places; both were out.

I'm trying GW tomorrow.

[MrMickeysMom]

17. Nope... Frankly, I weighed the benefits, given my age...

(which is going to be 56 tomorrow). I'm quite healthy and after 34 years in the respiratory care profession, I'm not banking on it being any different than any other flu, for which I never receive vaccinations.

I think some expert put it well in a BBC interview tonight... there were more deaths from regular flu the last year and the year before that.

This one may be more a bother for younger kids with accompanying disabilities, or pregnant young women.

[trotsky]

23. Wow.

So you work directly with people who are some of the most at risk of serious complications from the flu, and you refuse to get a vaccination, if not for yourself, to at least prevent spreading it to them? Whoa.

[MrMickeysMom]

28. No, that's not correct...

What makes you think what I do puts patients at risk? Whatever I'm doing (outpatient or inpatient) requires that I use universal precautions, which recognizes that EVERY patient is a potential pathogen.

This means wash hands, glove and mask when necessary.

I'd be more of a risk if I went to a public workout facility, picked up a bar-bell and used it, then wiped my nose with that hand.

[trotsky]

34. A mask doesn't block viruses. They're too small.

You're willing to take all those other precautions, why not vaccinate to provide additional protection for your patients?

[MrMickeysMom]

43. I'll put it simply...

Why not vaccinate? It's because I have a much higher incident of not spreading viruses by washing my hands, gloving when necessary and masking when necessary, that's why.

[trotsky]

44. Your answer is not sensible.

It's because I have a much higher incident of not spreading viruses by washing my hands, gloving when necessary and masking when necessary, that's why.

But you have an even HIGHER "incident of not spreading viruses" if you are immune to H1N1 - you won't be able to carry and spread it at all. Why not take that extra step? Why not minimize the risk to your highly susceptible patients and get vaccinated?

Just realize that by not vaccinating, you're putting your patients at a higher risk, and that's a simple fact.

[MrMickeysMom]

48. My answer might not be "sensible" to you,

... but it IS supported by evidence.

Your statement, "why not take the extra step", on the other hand, IS NOT supported by any significant evidence coming from the CDC or otherwise.

Perhaps you should consider that.

[trotsky]

50. Anecdotal evidence, sure.

But that's not actual evidence. Tests of the H1N1 vaccine show that it produces antibodies to the H1N1 virus. I.e., it works just like a regular flu vaccine. But I see this doesn't matter to you, and you would rather put your patients at a higher risk than vaccinate. I wish them the best.

[MrMickeysMom]

51. Brilliant ploy...

... telling someone they'd rather put their patients at risk. What idiocy.

I'm not a first responder and the patients I take care of are long term ventilator patients and the others are in a diagnostic lab. I know my environment, and I understand infection control. What I don't understand is your control freak needs.

Go pretend you someone else's parent. I'm not interested in feeding your needs further.

[trotsky]

53. However...

you have the chance to minimize the risk to your patients even further, and you refuse. There is no other logical conclusion than you are more willing to (i.e., you'd rather) put them at risk than get a vaccination.

I wish your patients the best of luck.

[MrMickeysMom]

54. Good luck with your issues, too...

I know you'll need them, too.

:hi:

[trotsky]

56. Yeah, I know.

My issues about caring about the weak, sick, and less fortunate. It's a terrible characteristic for a liberal to have. :hi:

[MrMickeysMom]

58. Yes, that sure sounds like my life, too.

:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi:

[stray cat]

45. Basic hygiene is good - but you can get a vaccine and still take a shower

[MrMickeysMom]

49. aaahhhllllright....

[RebelOne]

25. No, never have and never will get a flu shot.

And in the past 13 years, I have only had the flu once and it was a very mild case. And because of my age, I am in less danger of getting the flu, according to news reports. Those over the age of 65 are in little danger. Here in Georgia, it has seemed to affect mostly children.

[MrMickeysMom]

29. That reinforced what I have seen and heard

[Roon]

18. I got my seasonal flu shot last week

still waiting for the H1N1 flu shot to be available. I have aids so it's something I am not going to monkey around with.

[Paper Roses]

21. Not yet. The clinic was canceled. No Vaccine.

This is for the regular flu shot, not the H1N1.
I did hear that the prisoners in the state will be given the shots immediately.
Something is wrong with this in my opinion.

[GirlinContempt]

60. Whats wrong with it?

[hobbit709]

22. Nope and ain't gonna either.

The only 3 times I've had the flu in the last 40 years was after a shot.
My wife would get the flu every other year-me not a sniffle-she hated me for that.

[Pithlet]

33. That's what happened to me!

I never get the flu. The one time I got a flu shot, I got the worst flu symptoms in my life. So, nope. Not going to get one. People tell me it's coincidence because it's a dead virus blah blah blah, but I don't care. I think I had some sort of reaction. Maybe it wasn't the flu, but it felt enough like it. I've heard enough people say the same thing happened to them to think it might be something. Maybe, maybe not. But I don't want to find out again because I was that miserable.

[CBGLuthier]

24. Never had one before. Why start now.

I have declined flu shots for almost thirty years and never had them as a child. I remember quite well what happened with the last Swine Flu shots.

I also have never had the flu. Not even once.

[Deep13]

27. To avoid giving it to someone else. nt

[stray cat]

46. Don't start - at least once in your life you should get a really bad case of flu

to experience feeling good to the fullest if you recover

[Deep13]

26. Got the seasonal. Still waiting for H1N1. nt

[seemunkee]

30. Finally got one

My arm hurts

[mwdem]

31. Yes I did, since I'm 3 years out of chemo from breast cancer.

The next year I had uterine cancer, and my white blood cells are still a little low. I have asthma, am prone to bronchitis, so, yeah, I got my flu shot. I'm prone to viral infections, and they lay me low.

[dysfunctional press]

32. i got it several weeks ago at the dr.s office.

and i get my h1n1 shot this coming monday.

i used to get the flu every other year or so- but after i was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, my dr. insisted on my getting the seasonal shot, and i haven't had the flu once in the 12 years since i started doing so.

and because of my condition, i also have diminished lung function- so i'm in the priority group.

[Callalily]

35. Yup . . . got mine yesterday.

I was trying to talk the nurse into giving me an excuse not to go back to work b/c my arm may hurt. She had no sympathy. She said her arm was hurting right now and she's still working! :rofl: She clearly knew what she was doing when giving that shot. So, a good nurse with a sense of humor! How nice.

[DailyGrind51]

36. Seasonal flu shot, two weeks ago.

[Tikki]

37. WE DID!!!

The Tikkis

[vadawg]

38. my son and i got both about 2 weeks ago, my wife and daughter a couple of days ago

so hopefully after a month or so the kids will get their boosters and we will good to go..

[rcrush]

39. Have you developed a craving for human flesh yet?

Do you wander around looking for delicious BRAINZ?


I'm gonna go buy a bunch of shotguns.

[Sheltiemama]

40. Two weeks ago.

Which means I have immunity!

[InvisibleTouch]

41. I want to, but can't scrape up the necessary $25. :/ n/t

[azmouse]

42. Nope.

Never had the flu or the shot. With the shortages of vaccine here in AZ I'll let those who really need the shot have it.

[meow2u3]

47. I got my seasonal flu shot about 2 weeks ago

I didn't get the H1N1 shot yet. I plan on getting that at my next doctor's visit.

I forgot to mention I'm in one of the high-risk groups: I'm a type 2 diabetic and the swine flu can kill me if I'm not careful enough to take precautions.

[Brickbat]

52. Can't; I'm allergic to eggs.

But I am going to get the kids shots this year.

[MountainLaurel]

55. Yep

I spent half of last winter fighting off illnesses that my officemate picked up from her grandson.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

57. Not yet

It's free at work and was set for next Friday, but then the schedule got bumped up a couple of weeks
:(
Mr 'pede got his free at the VA last week
Both are regular flu shots

[Skittles]

59. got one at the end of August

[CTyankee]

61. I did last week and it was tough finding it! I foolishly put it off and I never will again.

I spent unnecessary time and effort calling drug store chains around town. Finally, tracked one down that wasn't all that busy, which surprised me because it was in a needy neighborhood...I wonder, are the poor not getting their flu shots?