Flu Vaccine

NHS have contacted me via text, phone and post to offer me the flu jab.
I have been 'identified' apparently.
I can't remember ever having flu - certainly not as an adult.I rarely get colds, perhaps one mild one once a year and symptoms that appear to be the start of something usually peter out after a few days.
I have no 'underlying health conditions'.
I vaguely remember having the jab in the early '80's because it was offered free at work but since then nothing.
No doubt it is being heavily promoted as sensible and as it is free why not ?
I suppose the list of possible side effects is putting me off.

I had a flu jab every year for about 12 years when I worked in a hospital and never experienced any side effects. Not sure any of my colleagues did either. Are side effects really that common? It's not something I've ever looked into before.

Being seventy I get offered the flu jab every year and take up the offer, can't recall ever having side effects. Last time I had flu, I think, was as a kid (last similar thing was chicken pox about 15 years ago). Am I right in thinking that you should take up the offer as you might be a carrier without any symptoms but still pass it on?

Yes the side effects appear to be negligible.
Just wondered if anyone had any other objections.

BBC Scotland spoke to a number of doctors and nurses who said many believe the flu vaccine was "ineffective".
One GP, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "When flu changes to a new strain, the old vaccine no longer works.
"The evidence is conflicted on the benefits. The current epidemic still happened despite the vaccination programme."
Carl Heneghan, professor of evidence-based medicine at the University of Oxford, agrees that take up is low because the evidence of its effectiveness is "uncertain".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42634781

Just make sure you don't walk near any 5G towers for a week afterwards, otherwise the nanobots in the serum will be able to navigate to your brainstem. #saidtwitter

Am I right in thinking that you should take up the offer as you might be a carrier without any symptoms but still pass it on?

There is that but then with all the covid precautions being taken at the moment probably less likely than all previous years .

BBC Scotland spoke to a number of doctors and nurses who said many believe the flu vaccine was "ineffective"

This is true. They select the closest appropriate vaccine for the strain that is expected to be most prevalent in a particular year. Some years the vaccine is spot on, others less so. There is always a little guesswork involved when choosing which vaccine will be most effective before the flu season has even started.

Not a reason not to get it imho.

Am I right in thinking that you should take up the offer as you might be a carrier without any symptoms but still pass it on?

This is the reason why young and fit hospital workers are given the jab.

I can see the reasons for hospital workers ...
https://www.nurses.co.uk/nursing/blog/nhs-staff-who-skip-flu-jab-could-wear-label-informing-patients-medical-chief/

I've had it every year for the past decade, and the worst side-effects I've ever had have been that the injection site's been sore for a day or two, and maybe mild hayfever-like symptoms for a day. As Stonehenge says, its effectiveness relies on predicting which flu strains are going to be prevalent in a couple of months' time, but IMO the risk/reward tilts towards getting vaccinated; the downsides are few, and if it cuts the risk of lying in bed for a week feeling like crap, it's worth it.

I've had full flu a couple of times and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. I generally get the vaccine if I remember. I've never had side effects.

BBC Scotland spoke to a number of doctors and nurses who said many believe the flu vaccine was "ineffective"

This is true. They select the closest appropriate vaccine for the strain that is expected to be most prevalent in a particular year. Some years the vaccine is spot on, others less so. There is always a little guesswork involved when choosing which vaccine will be most effective before the flu season has even started.

Well it's kind of, but not completely true. As I understand it, the flu season 'starts' in the southern hemisphere and works north as the summer-autumn-winter transition happens. The virus is tracked as it works its way north from Australia, through Asia and the Americas and the vaccine is based on what has been tracked. In the vaccine itself, there are too many combinations of Hs and Ns to give you every combination, so you get a mix of the most common H and N strains and a good dose of the strain of the virus that has been tracked.

My work has offered to pay for people's flu jabs. Small text is they'll pay a max of £12. Getting one at Boots is £14. It's the thought that counts?

good luck getting one - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54337585

Walked into local chemist and had it yesterday?

Arm was sore for a bit. Fine now.

Have it most years as am 'at risk' due to respiratory issues and last few years was caring for two people with cancer. Never really had a problem with it.

Does it work? Who knows. Does it work more than not having it? hopefully. that's enough for me I guess.

That's what I thought.

No problem paying for one (rather than expecting a free one) but as an under 50 with no underlying health issues I assumed I was going to be right near the back of the queue as there were lots of people who need them more than I do.

Does it work? Who knows.

Have had full flu 3 times now and I haven't ever had it when I've had the vaccine, only on the years when I've forgotten to get the injection. This last time I had full flu, at the end of December 2019, could have been an early Covid case but I'll never know. Anecdotally speaking, my cold symptoms are usually far lighter when I've had the vaccine and are more sneezing, runny nose and heavy head for a couple of days rather than full manflu for a week.

I think some of this is down to your own immune system. I've either got very unlucky or I'm a little bit prone to catching flu or flu-like viruses.

When we were in the maternity ward at a well known east London hospital, we overheard a doctor trying to convince the midwives to get the jab for this very reason and there were some really ill-informed almost anti-vax excuses being raised. Pretty fucking shocking.

I used to work in a hospital and got the jab every year. But that was years ago and haven’t had it since. Hardly ever get ill and I don’t think I’ve even had a cold for a number of years.

Health centre -" could you arrive for your flu jab appointment 5 minutes earlier - we would like to give you the pneumonia jab as well."
😓
what do they know ?

what do they know ?

They know they want fewer complications this winter, and pneumonia is a serious complication that can follow Covid. Seems sensible

Pneumonia often follows flu as well.

Actually, you can get a few things after flu as a follow-up kick in the bollocks. I got scarlet fever as my bonus infection a couple of years ago. Had all the doctors in the surgery come in to have a look because they hadn't seen it since about the year 1500. Mad thing is it would have killed me if we didn't have penicillin.

Thanks - I feel assured.

Just had a text reminder from the health centre that my appointment is with Mrs Claire Fear.
💉 😳

Nominative determinism thread >>>>>>>>

Got flu jab in Wednesday, as I’m in a higher risk category, and most of my colds used to become chest infections.
Been a bit hot all over and sleepy since the jab, but apart from that all good.
Didn’t have one last year, but probably will get it whenever it’s offered now, especially as jnr’s going to be coming back with all sorts from nursery, so would hope at least one of the adults in the house can be flu free.

especially as jnr’s going to be coming back with all sorts from nursery

nothing can protect you from this