Seasonal Flu

[Chris_H]

Being a bit older than most, and having a mild heart condition, I get offered the flu jab each year. I have refused it every year bar two. On both occasions I've taken it, I've contracted seasonal flu. Every other year I've been fine. Is this coincidence or is there something else going on here? I mean, what's the bloody point of having it if I get flu anyway?? Oh, and I mean real flu, not man flu. I couldn't even get out of bed for the loo without maximum effort!

[Lois]

There are so many strains of 'flu. The vaccine covers the 3 most prevalent but cannot stop you getting all 'flu, that's also the reason why you have to have it every year as the jab is never the same.
You cannot catch 'flu from the vaccine. You are injected with "dead" virus, enough to provoke an immune response but it cannot give you full blown 'flu.
This year's vaccine contains swine 'flu H1N1, and as such I will not be having my seasonal 'flu vaccine as I otherwise would.

Edited by Lois on Wednesday 22 December 08:47

[Cupramax]

I had a flu jab for the first time ever last year, I ended up in hospital with Pneumonia less than a month later... related? who knows, I shant be having one this year though, thats for sure.

[croyde]

I too have had heart problems thus was jabbed for flu a couple of weeks ago. It also has the Swine flu vaccine as well and have been fine apart from a sore arm for 2 days.