A poll on the flu shots

[marag]

Comments

[lilacsigil]

The reasons I'm not planning to get the swine flu shot are:

1. Our flu season is over (I was vaccinated back in March!)
2. Here, it's in multi-dose vials and there's infection risks related to use of those that I'm not happy about. If it was in single-use syringes like the regular seasonal flu shot, then I'd get it.

I've only had actual, real flu twice and OMG it was awful.

[marag]

I had something that fit all the characteristics of influenza-like illness and it was the sickest I've ever been in my life. Ugh. I don't miss a flu shot if I can avoid it :)

Honestly, I'm *fascinated* to see so many people unwilling to get the shot. Or maybe flabbergasted. I'm not sure which.

BTW, I thought that the multi-dose vials had preservatives in there to prevent any unwanted growths in the vial. But it's entirely possible I'm wrong about that.

[mscongeniality]

Do you recall when I got the flu while I was living in your basement?

[marag]

Oh yeah. ::shudders::

[lovellama]

I'm not as adamant as the "No Way (keep that @%#^$* needle away from me!!)" answer, but I chose it as we don't get the flu shots. :)

[marag]

In all seriousness, can you explain why? Are there egg allergies? Bad reactions to shots in the past? Because I've had something like the flu and I'd much rather take a chance with the shot :)

[miss_tress]

My husband and I are both planning on getting the shots. But that's mostly because the military requires us to. So unless I want to get in trouble for failure to obey an order it wouldn't be worth it to not get it.

[marag]

I'm always torn on things like requiring shots in adults. But I tend to think of it like seatbelt and helmet laws. It's gonna keep a hell of a lot of people alive, even if it annoys some folks.

[beth79]

Jack got his seasonal at his 2 year checkup. I had to wait until 2nd trimester, so Alexander and I plan to get our seasonals on Friday. Not sure about the swine flu vaccines because I THINK we all have to get 2 each and that starts adding up. Yeah, I know, dying would suck more than a couple hundred bucks for flu shots, but still.... It's a couple hundred bucks!!

[marag]

Alexander and Jack will both need 2 shots for the swine flu, but you won't. The CDC is recommending 2 shots only for kids under 10, because they found that one shot only had something like 20% efficacy. Avi was supposed to get a free seasonal shot at work but they *ran out*. Because his office is run by *morons*.

::sigh:: I'm trying not to think about the cost, because if I do, well, there's this whole rant about the American health care system just *dying* to come out and do any of you want to hear it? I don't think so!

Edited to add: I was unclear. I mean, the single shot only had something like 20% efficacy *in kids*. The single shot was somewhere around 80-85% in adults, IIRC.

[caiusmajor]

The last few years I've gotten seasonal flu shots because they were free at work. I don't think I've ever gotten one before that, though.

Work has not told me if and when they are offering them this year, so I am thinking I may have to take the initiative. I'll get the swine flu shot if I can, but I have my doubts as to whether it'll be available/affordable to me.

[marag]

It looks like there should be enough vaccine for everyone who wants a shot, although those of us who are healthy might have to wait a bit.