Flu Shots

[harleyy2]

What month is best to get a flu shot? My husband and I have to get one now that he has COPD

@belleg1 - I got my flu shot in August and that flu shot had H1N1 in...actually...NOT a flu shot....a flu mist (nose)

[bschumacher]

Here in Southern CA, they're availible in drugstores. I'm not waiting for Kaiser; I'm a caretaker for my Dad, who has cancer.

[xcheljd]

walgreens has free flu shots or something like that. i saw a commercial about that, by my attention was focused elsewhere so i didn't catch the details

[Elizabethar]

I know here in ky you can go to any kroger to get one. I don't know how much they are.

[clowntattoo]

DK... i need one and have never had one before. not looking forward to it

[bromina6]

My 7 year old had a flu shot and withing days he had croup. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it.
I know the flu is worse, but it sucks that he suffers through the shot to end up sick anyway.

[sommap]

I got mine through the pharmacy at my grocery store.  No waiting, no lines.  I got the flu one year and was very sick.  Since then, I make sure I get the shot every year. 

[ejholt]

I don't think the actual month matters much, but the sooner the better.  Since your husband is in need of one, he'll probably be close to the front of the line with infants and elderly.

Good luck!

I got my flu shot just a few days ago.   I was sick when they first came out so had to wait till I got over my cold before I could ge mine.   I have never had the flu but have had a flu shot every year for years.   

[Sweetpea94]

Many members of my family get them as soon as the shot is available.  I've only gotten the flu shot once in my whole life and that was three and half years ago when I was pregnant with my youngest.  They made me take it and that was in November when the flu season was just kicking in.  I have not gotten sick since having that shot.  I've had few sore throats, but nothing as far as a head cold or the flu, and I use to catch a cold at least twice a year.  I'm not sure if it was the shot or just luck. I probably won't ever get another, because almost everyone I know that gets the shot ends up with the flu afterwards.

[jcribb16]

I am required to get one (Nurse Practioner in hospital) and will get my first one this week. It is actually a 3-strain combination this year. If you get it too early, you can lose some immunity if a bad flu bug hits later in the season, but you are still protected to some extent. It takes about 2 weeks for you to acquire immunity and historically, February is the worst month for influenza outbreaks. I urge anyone with small children over 6 months old, older people (and those of us over 50), or anyone with health complications, like the COPD mentioned above, to get it. Anyone who has a serious medical condition that should NOT receive it will already know that. They can NEVER nail down exactly what particular strain will hit, the vaccines are usually 50-90% effective, but it's better to be protected than not. Just make sure you tell your physician, or whoever gives it to you, if you have had a cold, any type of respiratory illness, or anything that caused you to have a fever recently. This will preclude you from getting one right then, but you can wait a certain amount of time and come back - they will tell you when depending on how recently you were sick and what type of illness you had. There is also a new one this year, for those who are 65 and older, called Fluzone High-Dose. Kids still need to get follow-up boosters, just like in the past.

There are some other things you will be asked before you get one and please make sure you do NOT ignore the question about an allergic reaction to chicken eggs. The vaccines are still cultured in egg proteins, even the nasal mist one. Most of you know whether you have had complications or shouldn't get the vaccine, but I am always concerned with the various in-store clinics, the drive-thru clinics - anything outside your doctors office or Health Department because sometimes things move so fast that possible problems can be overlooked. So, that's my 'small novel' on the subject. Please be responsibe and go out and get that vaccine. It is NOT a conspiracy on the part of the drug companies - flu can and will kill us!

Disclaimer: If you get sick, do not blame it one me....

Jordandog, thank you for going above and beyond on your "small novel."  That is a big help for people who may not understand what is in them and exactly when and why you should get them.  Up until 2 years ago, I had to get my flu shots split into 2 parts (the 2nd one was done a week to 2 weeks after the 1st one) because of the allergic reaction to the full dose at once.  Whatever they've done to the shots now have made it possible to have just the one shot now.  Thank goodness, because I hate shots anyway!