Tessa the Duchess Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I've been offered one of these free from the doctor. Anybody had one? Do you feel rough after one and how long do the after effects, if any, last? Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 because of my marfan's and asthma I have one every year, have done for quite a few years now. I don't feel rough afterwards, my arm hurts a little bit the day after but apart from that, it's painless. I'm having mine next week. Just before the nurse does it, they always ask me if I'm allergic to egg funnily enough so if you are, best check with your doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Thank you Poet How weird about the egg thing Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 The vaccines are are grown on eggs so if you're allergic you may have a reaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Because I work with Public breathing all over me at the reception desk and after one particularly bad winter where one of the vets had the cold all winter and smit me all the time I decided to go and get this but because I was not in the vulnerable groups I would have had to sign a disclaimer " in case anything went wrong" = I decided not to and take zinc and vitamin c all winter and touch wood it works pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 They are considerably older than you, but my parents and my in-laws have been having flu jabs for years and as far as I know have suffered no ill effects. (My mother would have moaned about incompetent doctors if she had .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I am supposed to have one every year as being diabetic ( i take tablets not inslulin dependant) am in the target group. However, i had a bad reaction to one and so don't go now. Yes i know im naughty and probably should go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 My doctor insists I have it every year because I am asthmatic and because when I was young I had a compromised immune system. I had mine on Monday and this is the first year I have felt rough with it. Normally I am absolutely fine so it could be a coincidence. It is not a live vaccine so in theory side effects should be minimal. I am just exceptionally tired, achy and headachy. Tuesday morning I could barely get out of bed. I have never been asked the egg question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Despite supply teacher rates being £150 per day of TAXPAYERS money teachers dont' get this but I paid for one last year at Boots - didn't have any ill effects after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I have one every year, wouldn't miss it. Makes a change not having to pay for it now I live in Wales I think the egg thing is because the culture that they inject you with is grown on eggs therefore if you are allergic to eggs than you can't have the jab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 The vaccines are are grown on eggs so if you're allergic you may have a reaction. bet they're not free range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I had mine last week Been having them for 8 years via my workplace and I'm in my thirties.. became ill only once but must have had a bug at the time and one out of 8 is not bad! I think they are well worth having and don't hurt at all.. the tinest of needles and no soreness afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Always have one because of asthma and I work with vulnerable people. Never had any problems or get flu not horrible proper flu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I've been having one for about 6 or 7 years (asthmatic) don't get any reaction at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I too have one every year & am booked for mine next week. No bad reactions to it & if it works,then I would say go for it,just for the peace of mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Never had one, but given a fair few . It's generally a very safe vaccine, serious side effects are very rare, and the more common side effects, aching arm mild temperature etc are usually short lived. The amount of flu circulating any winter is impossible to predict, but true flu (as opposed to a heavy cold) is a serious illness, and at it's worst it can kill vulnerable people . For that reason anyone considered to be at risk is recommended to have this injection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I was offered one this year for the 1st time I figure having the flu is more risky than the rare possible side effects of the Jab I had mine yeasterday so far so good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Seems to be a lottery who gets offered it. Dh has asthma but isnt able to get it. DD was born prem as you know and came out of hospital in october (2 years ago) she wasnt eligible because she had come off oxygen before coming home. She then proceeded to get mild flu that turned into rsv/bronchiolitus and several visits to the childrens ward. Would have been cheaper for them (and safer for her) to vaccinate but theyre cheapskates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I have had one the past two years with no ill effects, other than a bit of a sore arm, like Poet. I'm on methotrexate for arthritis, which suppresses the immune system so you are more susceptible to bugs (not the creepy crawly type, mind) so I have to have it. When I went last year to the surgery to book myself in, it was absolutely packed out, and the receptionists there are like many doctor's receptionists, i.e. very intimidating and think they run the whole place, if not the country....so I asked to book in for a flu jab. She didn't look up from her appointments book and said "Are you over 60?"....then looked up and said "No, you're not so why do you need it?"....I answered that I was on methotrexate so I was on the list, she said "No, you're not, you need to be asthmatic or over 60 (plus a couple of other things" so I said "or have a reduced immune system, as per the poster behind you"....she then said, rather grumpily "well I'll have to find out" so she telephoned a helpline number and when they answered said in her loudest voice "I've got a woman here who's on methadone who says she wants a flu jab"....Well!!! I could feel the eyes of the packed out surgery turn and stare at me disapprovingly! At that point, my friend, who I'd brought to see the nurse because she'd had a caeserian and had a horrible infection in the scar, so couldn't even stand up straight, came out of the nurse's room and crept towards me, looking very pale with dark shadows under her eyes....I'm sure I heard people tutting!! I think they thought we were both druggies.. ..!!! Anyway, I corrected her, had my flu jab and all was well..... Sorry for the waffle! By the way, I noticed when I was in my Asda pharmacy the other day that they do flu jabs for (I think) £10 if anybody needs one but doesn't get one for free... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I agree there seems to be a lottery of who is offered and gets the Jab I too have had a a dodgy immune system since 1999 and have arthritis like Omletina Kyckling although on different drugs but had never been offered it before When I mentioned this to the nurse yesterday she told me this year my surgery have included those patients with high blood pressure another of my failings I think that anyone who wants it should be entitled after all we all pay enough into the health system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I was supposed to have the jab years ago but they gave me a pneumonia jab instead due to egg allergy ( I had asthma years ago, it went away as mysteriously as it had appeared). A friend of mine who is a professor of immunology advised me not to have the flu jab due to the allergy...........the docs were most put out that I had done some research! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I had one a few years ago - our surgery had a real blitz and flu-jabbed anyone who went through their door, 'eligible' or not! No ill effects afterwards. I rarely get colds (I'm exposed to everything going at school and I think I have a very well-developed immune system after 12 years of that), and zinc plus vitamin C seems to shift the few sniffles I do pick up. Real flu is a very different beast though and I agree with Pengy, teachers aren't included despite being in one of the key transmission sites every day... may go and pay for a jab this year just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I always pay for mine. I am having it in Boots this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I've had mine, had some slight brusing this year but otherwise OK, most people who are poorly afterwards have normally picked up something else - bad timing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 Very useful, thanks guys I was debating whether to have one or not, I think I've only had the flu once in my life. DH and I have both been offered one, and I wondered about after effects because I don't want us both being poorly at the same time, someone has to look after the pets As it is I think we will have them a week apart just in case. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
