any reason not to get the flu jab?

[steveo3002]

im 51 never had a flu jab , thinking the flu is pretty rotten so might be worth getting the jab

other than conspiracy theory's is there any good reason to not get it?

[mcelliott]

I’m 53 and have never had the flu jab, my reason being I consider myself pretty healthy and I have no underlying health problems, my mum who is in her 90s has never had one ether for the same reasons, no judgement here just personal choice.

[Paul Dishman]

Despite a career working as a pharmacist I never caught flu or had a flu jab. After I retired I caught flu two years in succession which knocked me out for a couple of weeks.

I really don’t want that again, especially now being over 70 so have an annual flu jab.

[Quantum State]

I m 56 and have it every year for 11 quid or whatever no reason not to have it.

Edit - Damn I’m 57 now !

Edited by Quantum State on Wednesday 24th September 15:39

[bigdom]

For me personally, if it was a choice of Covid or Flu, I'd take Covid every time. It appears Flu this year in Australia was quite bad, and tends to be an indictator of what we will see.

I had Flu about 15 years ago, it totally wiped me out for a week. I looked similar to Jeremy Renner in Bourne Legacy.

[Brainpox]

I'm diabetic and have been offered the flu jab since I was diagnosed at 12. For a few years I had it, but each time I felt a bit rough for a week or so afterwards, so for a few years I didn't bother. I got proper flu one year which was pretty awful. After that I went back to having the jab, and other than a bit of muscle aching I don't experience any significant side effects, so for me, it's a no brainer. Your mileage may vary.

To answer the question, reasons to not get the jab:
- You may experience significant side effects
- You may still get flu, if the strains in the vaccine aren't the correct ones

Proper flu, like COVID, can be serious in some individuals, and if you've never had it before, you don't know if you are one of those people. Lots of hospital beds get taken up by people who elect not to have the vaccine and then get quite ill. Flu season has started early this year so risks of catching it at some point are higher.

IMO I don't think any of the side effects are anything to be concerned about vs the risking of going unprotected. It's personal choice though. I expect there will be some very opinioated replies later.

[cslwannabe]

I get one free every year from work (aged 52). Never notice any side effects (arm aches much less than from the Covid jabs) and having had flu a couple of times in the past, I’m happy to reduce the chance of me being ill over the Christmas period when not at work by taking up the offer a free flu jab.

[vixen1700]

Just turned 59, never had any flu or Covid jabs. Never had Covid or flu.

[Shooter McGavin]

I'm 53 and have had the flu jab through work for the last 28 years.

Never caught flu in that time and no side effects.

I used to cop for it every few years before that but it's so long ago I've forgotten what it feels like

[alscar]

Flu isn’t nice.
I’ve had an annual jab since my 50’s having been suggested by my then GP as a good idea -we were friends.
I had a minor health issue so he was happy to put me on the list.
My wife then decided to also have one each year - Superdrug at £10.

[geeks]

vixen1700 said:

Just turned 59, never had any flu or Covid jabs. Never had Covid or flu.

[vixen1700]

Replying to a question, why the sarcasm?

[Paul Dishman]

vixen1700 said:

Replying to a question, why the sarcasm?

Presumably because it looks like you’re heading for the denial/hoax anti-vac rabbit hole by posting like that.

[bigpriest]

vixen1700 said:

Just turned 59, never had any flu or Covid jabs. Never had Covid or flu.

You probably have had one (or both) just not suffered any symptoms.

[soad]

Had COVID in 2021, put me on my arse for nearly two weeks. No energy to get up, struggled to eat or drink. Never mind going to the toilet. Really weakens for body.
Chest/lungs still ached for a day or two, when finally up and walking.

I still remember dog climbing upstairs to see where I am.

[The Leaper]

I'm 82. in my 20s I had a very bad dose of flu....off work for three weeks. Since then I have always had flu jabs, and also Covid, when available. I have just been advised by NHS that they are available to me again so I'll proceed to get jabbed. Other than a bit of a sore upper arm for an hour or two, I've never had any reaction to either jab.

R.

[silentbrown]

Flu jab's free on the NHS if your 65 or over.

Felt like a porcupine last year : Flu, Covid, Pneumonia and Shingles jabs!
Shingles is a two-part one. Got significant chills briefly after the second jab, which is a known side-effect.

[BlindedByTheLights]

Missed my flu jab last year, caught flu and mild pneumonia. Will be having the flu jab this year it was horrible.

[bigpriest]

steveo3002 said:

im 51 never had a flu jab , thinking the flu is pretty rotten so might be worth getting the jab

other than conspiracy theory's is there any good reason to not get it?

Can't think of any. It's a boost to your immune system. I bet lots of people knock back vitamins without resorting to the conspiracy nonsense.

[geeks]

vixen1700 said:

Replying to a question, why the sarcasm?

Sorry perhaps a touch dickish from me but it seemed more of a humble brag and like it was bait for some conspiracy twaddle.

At 40 I have had both, the flu especially is pretty nasty, though I have never had the flue jabs and only the bare minimum covid stuff years ago to get out and about. You might be one of those genetic freaks that is immune to both, I'd envy that if you were.

Mother in law gets both sets of jabs yearly at 88, wife gets annual flu jabs due to some health conditions. Neither report side effects from them and neither have caught the various things when I have, make of that what you will.