Flu vaccination - yay or nay?
Discussion
For the first time this year, my employer is offering free flu vaccinations for all employees. Any thoughts on whether I should take them up on this offer?
I'm generally of good health, although I do seem to pick up every cold and bug that's going around, and have been ill forthe last 2 Christmases which I'd definitely like to avoid this year. I even raised this with my GP to see if there was any issue with my immune system. He asked me 1001 questions and did a blood test, which came back all clear.
I'm generally of good health, although I do seem to pick up every cold and bug that's going around, and have been ill forthe last 2 Christmases which I'd definitely like to avoid this year. I even raised this with my GP to see if there was any issue with my immune system. He asked me 1001 questions and did a blood test, which came back all clear.
Lucie W said:
Out of interest, why don't you trust it?
It is given free to vulnerable groups because they're most likely to catch it or suffer badly from it, but anyone can buy it. Sounds like this guy's workplace is trying to reduce the number of sickies this winter...
Fair question. I just did a quick Google on 'flu vaccine trust' and so much negative stuff comes up it's frightening.It is given free to vulnerable groups because they're most likely to catch it or suffer badly from it, but anyone can buy it. Sounds like this guy's workplace is trying to reduce the number of sickies this winter...
As we are adults, healthy and 40 'ish we'll not be taking it. Daughter is 10 and not 'vulnerable' thankfully so we shall all avoid it here.
Best. Nick
Just make this thread a bit clearer.
Are you talking about the h1n1 jab or the current regular jab for this season? My mum and dad get the regular jab (for this seasons predicted strain) next week but are both concerned about the h1n1 which they have been told they will get next month sometime.
Are you talking about the h1n1 jab or the current regular jab for this season? My mum and dad get the regular jab (for this seasons predicted strain) next week but are both concerned about the h1n1 which they have been told they will get next month sometime.
Lucie W said:
Why not? I'd go for it, just-in-case.
I'll assume you're female.Women love medicine.
PARACETAMOL... or caffine boosters as I like to think.
"I've got a headache" take a up to 12 tablets a day.
If I don't have a coffee I get a headache. Funny that!
I say this in jest, but I apologize if you're not well.
I've been contributing to the court cost topic and there is a lot of human rights replies,
100's of lines.
Not many here?
Edited by pistonlager on Wednesday 21st October 08:43
On a similar note I don't keep my dogs vaccinated...I nearly lost one right after her booster.
I work as a dog behaviourist, and many of my colleagues also do not give boosters to their dogs.
I honestly don't have the answers, but on balance I elect not to vaccinate or boost. My thoughts run to both dogs and people.
Nobody knows the long term affects yet. I'd rather catch SF and be done with it than take the vaccine...though I'm not a vulnerable person I know. Does this vaccine prevent you catching it, or reduce the length and symptoms?
I work as a dog behaviourist, and many of my colleagues also do not give boosters to their dogs.
I honestly don't have the answers, but on balance I elect not to vaccinate or boost. My thoughts run to both dogs and people.
Nobody knows the long term affects yet. I'd rather catch SF and be done with it than take the vaccine...though I'm not a vulnerable person I know. Does this vaccine prevent you catching it, or reduce the length and symptoms?
I think the OP was talking about the 'normal flu' jab rather than the 'swine flu' jab. I've got to have the swine flu vaccine, and I've had just about every other vaccine you can have (well, almost). I had a bad reaction to the Hep B vaccine and I know that there are risks with all jabs, but I'd rather have a paralysed arm for a day and a nasty allergic reaction than actually contract Hep B later in life!
I agree with you on animals, I didn't have my chihuahua 'boostered' after he was very ill after his puppy vacs.
I agree with you on animals, I didn't have my chihuahua 'boostered' after he was very ill after his puppy vacs.
Lucie W said:
I think the OP was talking about the 'normal flu' jab rather than the 'swine flu' jab. I've got to have the swine flu vaccine, and I've had just about every other vaccine you can have (well, almost). I had a bad reaction to the Hep B vaccine and I know that there are risks with all jabs, but I'd rather have a paralysed arm for a day and a nasty allergic reaction than actually contract Hep B later in life!
I agree with you on animals, I didn't have my chihuahua 'boostered' after he was very ill after his puppy vacs.
Ah, sorry if I'm getting my wires crossed I agree with you on animals, I didn't have my chihuahua 'boostered' after he was very ill after his puppy vacs.
Then you can see my thinking re animals. We're animals too of course, and many of the aspects between dogs and humans are similar.
I think it's a decsion based on acceptable risk. HepB would be a 'yes' for me if I were working in your profession as I can see the risks.
Nick
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Bump!
Any thoughts on this? Is it likely to be effective? Will the vaccination itself make me ill? Has anybody here had the flu vaccination before?
May I ask your age/gender? If you're fit and healthy and out of the age bracket they are concerned for I wouldn't do it (personally).Any thoughts on this? Is it likely to be effective? Will the vaccination itself make me ill? Has anybody here had the flu vaccination before?
Have you tried natural means to boost your immunity? Special attention to diet. Address smoking and alcohol consumption if needed, Echinacea is good also.
http://www.highernature.co.uk/ShowCategory.aspx?Ca...
These people are very good. Call them and discuss your immunity concerns.
Cheers.
Interersting stuff on this thread, so thanks for all your input. Just to be clear, I am indeed talking about the seasonal flu vaccine and not the H1N1 specific vaccine. According to the bumph, it protects against flu in 70-90% of cases which, if true, sounds pretty worthwhile.
I discussed all this and a whole lot more with my doc and he concluded there was no reason for my immunity to be an issue. He also did a blood test which came back normal on all counts, so maybe it's just the perils of working in an office!
nick_j007 said:
May I ask your age/gender? If you're fit and healthy and out of the age bracket they are concerned for I wouldn't do it (personally).
Have you tried natural means to boost your immunity? Special attention to diet. Address smoking and alcohol consumption if needed, Echinacea is good also.
http://www.highernature.co.uk/ShowCategory.aspx?Ca...
These people are very good. Call them and discuss your immunity concerns.
Cheers.
I'm male and in my 30's. I'm generally fit and healthy, have a good varied diet with plenty of fruit and veg, don't smoke and generally drink in moderation. At the behest of my good ol' Mum, I've been taking Echinacea daily for the last year or so. Have you tried natural means to boost your immunity? Special attention to diet. Address smoking and alcohol consumption if needed, Echinacea is good also.
http://www.highernature.co.uk/ShowCategory.aspx?Ca...
These people are very good. Call them and discuss your immunity concerns.
Cheers.
I discussed all this and a whole lot more with my doc and he concluded there was no reason for my immunity to be an issue. He also did a blood test which came back normal on all counts, so maybe it's just the perils of working in an office!
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Interersting stuff on this thread, so thanks for all your input. Just to be clear, I am indeed talking about the seasonal flu vaccine and not the H1N1 specific vaccine. According to the bumph, it protects against flu in 70-90% of cases which, if true, sounds pretty worthwhile.
I discussed all this and a whole lot more with my doc and he concluded there was no reason for my immunity to be an issue. He also did a blood test which came back normal on all counts, so maybe it's just the perils of working in an office!
I think that Echinacea should not be used long term like that? Worth reserching.nick_j007 said:
May I ask your age/gender? If you're fit and healthy and out of the age bracket they are concerned for I wouldn't do it (personally).
Have you tried natural means to boost your immunity? Special attention to diet. Address smoking and alcohol consumption if needed, Echinacea is good also.
http://www.highernature.co.uk/ShowCategory.aspx?Ca...
These people are very good. Call them and discuss your immunity concerns.
Cheers.
I'm male and in my 30's. I'm generally fit and healthy, have a good varied diet with plenty of fruit and veg, don't smoke and generally drink in moderation. At the behest of my good ol' Mum, I've been taking Echinacea daily for the last year or so. Have you tried natural means to boost your immunity? Special attention to diet. Address smoking and alcohol consumption if needed, Echinacea is good also.
http://www.highernature.co.uk/ShowCategory.aspx?Ca...
These people are very good. Call them and discuss your immunity concerns.
Cheers.
I discussed all this and a whole lot more with my doc and he concluded there was no reason for my immunity to be an issue. He also did a blood test which came back normal on all counts, so maybe it's just the perils of working in an office!
Office working of course could be a large part of the problem...some buildings just recirculate stale air.
Got it. Become a lumberjack!
Nick
(I would still not take the jab)...personally.
Lucie W said:
Yes I'm female, and yes I love painkillers! But my opinion on the flu jab (having never had it), is based on being a medical student and many discussions with doctors about various kinds of vaccinations.
Sorry for being sexist, as my wife pointed out reaching for the Panadol Extra.A GSK product, hmmmm don't they make the flu vaccine too.
Being a bloke I love conspiracy.
http://thebovine.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/trick-or...
pistonlager said:
Lucie W said:
Yes I'm female, and yes I love painkillers! But my opinion on the flu jab (having never had it), is based on being a medical student and many discussions with doctors about various kinds of vaccinations.
Sorry for being sexist, as my wife pointed out reaching for the Panadol Extra.A GSK product, hmmmm don't they make the flu vaccine too.
Being a bloke I love conspiracy.
http://thebovine.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/trick-or...
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