Do you get a flu shot every year ?

[CoffeeGuy]

I use to, on a yearly basis. Last year I didn't and wasn't infected. Haven't this year either. I've had friends who are nurses who have told me that the shots this year is for last years flu. And seeing as there are so many different strains of the flu going around, and this years vaccine is for basically three of those. Also, I know people who claim to get sick from the vaccine. Personally, I never have. Kinda currious if anyone has taken the nasal-spray vaccine. Personally, I'd perfer to avoid contact with people and live like a hermit till April.

[Noahtuck]

Nope!!
Can't even remember the last time i ever did get one ?
Must have been 30 years ago when i was VERY young and i was even a manager for years at a large retail store, never really had a problem except for maybe a normal cold once in awhile.

One of my buddies, his wife, whenever she gets one she ends up sick as hell for like a week

Personally, I'd perfer to avoid contact with people and live like a hermit till April.

I prefer that all year round

[VideoTechMan]

Last time I was ill was in Xmas of '03. I cant remember the last time I ever had any kind of shot. Thankfully I dont get sick very often, since I tend to avoid people most of the time anyway.

Its usually the bratty kids that are always getting sick and passing the germs through the air when they cough.

VTM

[Conquest10]

The last time (and only time I can remember, if I even got one) I got a flu shot was, I think, when I was in 8th grade and I got a whole bunch of shots as required by law to attend school. I have never gotten the flu though I do get a cold every year except for this one.

[budz]

I've never taken a flu shot because I'm allergic to eggs. The flu vaccines are derived from eggs. My folks get the flu shots and every year they end up getting sick from it.

[rallynavvie]

I've always had a good immune system so I've never bothered with them. In fact all week I was helping out at a location where everyone was sick with the flu. I'm still doing just fine. I think it may be tied to the large amounts of coffee I drink all day, though I only eat once in the day really. Wierd.

[zzyzzx]

No. This should be a poll.

[ZAPPER]

It's hit or miss for me. I have had maybe a dozen or so in my life. I tend to be in the right place at the right time and don't pay for them. (It might help that my old lady is a nurse and that most of my employers had connections or programs that got them for me) I used to feel a slight temperature and or a stiff neck for a half day or so after getting a shot but haven't really noticed it for awhile. I got one last year before all of the big hype hit the "NEWS" about how bad that year could be and such. I didn't get one this year though. I have heard that the pneumonia shot is what you really should be getting (I don't have anything to support this other than I heard it from a freind of a freind of a...)


I don't know for sure if the shot has ever saved me from getting the flu, but I am guessing that it has helped at least cut down on the serverity of it. That in itself is kind of a catch 22. I mean I would rather be full sick than half sick. With full sick I would be laying on the kitchen floor in my own misery and not have to deal with the events of work. With half sick I still feel like I should go to work and try to get things done, which only makes me feel worse.

For me the worst part is the body ache or stiffness, that just makes for one cranky mean and nasty Zapper

[sacajaweeda]

Never had a flu shot (or the flu) in my life.

[CoffeeGuy]

Never had the flu ? Wow ! I have had it several times, and am out for the count. Usually ten days. And upwards to 3 weeks feeling like death warmed over.

[ZAPPER]

I don't think that I have ever been down for a whole week, but I have been hammered down and welcoming death a couple of times. One of the more memorable times was on a Friday/Payday long long ago. I was beat and half delerious (SP) I knew that I had to get my paycheck by 3:30 or I would have to wait until Monday. After a day of laying around in a half dead state I started to get dressed to go out for my paycheck when there was a knock at the door. I stumbled staggered to the door and opened it. There was my foreman, he stepped back and said that he was there to give me my check and fire me, but maybe he should call an ambulance instead. Well I didn't get fired, but everybody at work got a good laugh at the foremans telling of the story.

[icyhot]

I never used to get it, but a couple of years ago I got slammed with the flu and man- it was quite bad. Now I get a shot just in case. Probably does nothing but anything to help avoid being sick like that again is totally worth it.