It’s the time of year again where it’s time to pull out the UGGS, sip on hot soup and give into the pumpkin craze! It’s also the time of year that the nasty flu virus starts to rear it’s ugly head, and brings up the subject of flu shots. The topic came up at my best friend’s baby shower this past weekend at Chateau Elan (…don’t judge… mommy-to-be of course didn’t sip on wine, but her lush friends did ;))
Anyways, the group consisted of 2 pharmacists and the idea of the flu vaccine came up. I’ve never gotten the flu shot and don’t really see any need to. However, the 2 pharmacists couldn’t see any reason not to. However, if I am to visit my best friend’s baby when he’s born (can’t wait to met sweet baby Crawford!), I’m told I have to have a flu shot… sooooo…. I decided to look a bit more into it.
Here’ are some facts:
- flu season usually lasts from November to April, and shots are typically given out beginning in September-mid November
- According to the CDC, there are very few side effects of vaccination. Most common is soreness in the arm around the injection site; a few people report other mild side effects, such as low-grade fever or body aches, for a day or two following vaccination
- flu shots are about 70% effective in preventing the flu (basically the health experts get together a choose the strand of flu they think will be the most problematic for the year and create the vaccine for those strands, but that still leaves other flu strands out there that can get ‘cha)
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Although colds can be miserable, their symptoms differ from the flu. Here’s how:
| Symptom | Flu | Cold |
| Fever | 100-104 degree | usually none |
| Muscle Ache | yes | no |
| Joint Pain | yes | no |
| Feel Tired | yes | possible |
| Headache | yes | possible |
| Cough | yes | yes |
| Stuffy Nose | no | yes |
| Loss of Appetite | yes | no |
| Diarrhea or Vomiting | no | no |
Now, here’s some controversy. First, let me say I am in favor of vaccinations for children. I think you have to weigh the facts on either side, and I tend to think the risk of mumps, measles, rubella, etc coming back and harming children is more severe than the risk of vaccination. However, in terms of the flu shot, I’m a little more undecided.
Here are some possible cons in my mind to the flu shot:
- you might get the flu anyways
- the flu vaccine contains mercury. It’s a fact. Listed on the CDC. Mercury stays in our systems and can be a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s, among other diseases. I get it… the amount is minimal… but still…
- I’m not in a high risk group (over the age of 65, compromised immune system, pregnant, around a lot of people… etc)
- I really hate needles
- I can find a better use of $25 dollars 😉
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I don’t feel the need to get the flu vaccine. I’ve been told that if I ever get the flu, I’ll change my tune and get it every year. That may be true, and I’m not standing up firmly against the vaccine, but at this moment in time, I don’t want to get it.
Also, the flu vaccine shouldn’t be taken by people who have an egg allergy because eggs are used in the production process. So that makes me wonder… for you vegetarians and vegans out there… are you against the flu shot for ethical reasons?
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What about you? Are you going to get the flu vaccine? Why or why not?
Tina says
I haven’t gotten a flu shot before. Ever. I know I need to do it this year though since I’m pregnant. I even almost stopped at the little pharmacy in the grocery store this morning since they were doing them. I just HATE shots and vaccines.
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
I get the flu shot, but only because Sean’s mom is a pharmacist and she brings the shots home and gives us all our flu shots in her kitchen! otherwise, I wouldnt.
I too have never gotten the flu and honestly, I’ve never been worried about it.
Sarah for Real says
I think I had a flu shot when I was in the college dorms (considered a high risk group) and also a couple of times when I was living near older/sick relatives.
I don’t get one now for the same reasons you listed. I’m not in a high risk group. I also know that my immune system can handle it (which is WHY I’m not in the high risk group). It would suck to get the flu but I’ll get over it.
When judge-y people ask, my line is always, “I don’t want to use up a shot when there might not be enough to go around for those at higher risk.” They can’t argue with that!
Ashley @ Cupcakes & Combat Boots says
Very interesting post! I’m like you and have never had a flu shot before. Never saw the need. But now, this year I’m debating a lot in my head about it. I could get it for free so really the cost factor isn’t an issue. I’m thinking I WILL end up getting it this year, simply because a LOT of my friends are pregnant or have infants and I would hate to get them sick.
I too hate needles though so I’m hoping to get the flu mist instead of the shot!
TheHealthyApron says
Oh WOW! What a controversial topic! Of course pharmacists would recommend a flu shot! I also, have never gotten one. I think they are ridiculous and might only be beneficial if your immune system is compromised in some way. I think children are getting WAY too many vaccinations these days and I hear one too many cases of children receiving 4 vacccinations at a time and never being the same again (autism, etc). I have thought long and hard about giving my kids vaccines and I truly believe that MOST are just not necessary! For instance…chicken pox. I think getting chicken pox is a right of passage to being a kid! Ug. I get so annoyed. I could write more but I would STRONGLY recommend researching more before injecting yourself or your child with too many shots! It’s just not worth the risk!
Rachel says
No flu shot for me, for a few reasons: One, I have had the flu… many times… and although it really sucks, it’s not anything that a few days home on the couch won’t cure. Second, the one time that I got the flu shot they did it wrong and I ended up with a golf ball sized lump in my arm. A few days, after that, I got the damn flu anyway. AND… a couple of months later I got it again. Twice in one year, the only time I’ve ever had that and it was the year I got the flu shot.
Everyone last year was all panicking about the swine flu and looked at me like I had 10 heads when I said I wasn’t getting the vaccine. But for me, it hadn’t been tested thoroughly enough and I didn’t think the risk was high enough for me to put that in my body. Surprise surprise… no flu of any kind for me last year.
christina says
i don’t get the flu shot either…
Kristin says
I never had the flu shot until I had a baby, and I’ve gotten it for him and me every year since. Hubby gets it too. No side effects, and the pain/ickiness of the shot just isn’t that bad – of course, I got allergy shots for YEARS, so I’m really good at just looking away when they come at me with the needle.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
They usually offer it to teachers for free…so I take advantage. I’m still waiting to see if that will be the case this year. My dad has made me paranoid about it though, because the one year he DIDN’T get one he was horribly ill…
Blond Duck says
I need to get one. Sigh.
Marina says
My mom always wants me to get a shot, but I don’t. I don’t think I need it,I think my body is strong enough to fight it on its own.
Of course, I’m all for vaccines against other diseases, like mumps, tbc, rabies,etc.
Corey @ The Runner's Cookie says
I’ve never gotten the shot and am not even considering it – I take really good care of my self and must have a great immune system because I hardly ever get sick (knock on wood!) I also prefer to let my body fight things off on it’s own! But as you mentioned, if I did have a bad episode of the flu it might change my mind.
Allie says
No flu shot for me… I don’t enjoy shots! Thank you for the info though 🙂
Melissa says
I got the shot last year and probably will again. Working with kids, I am around so many illnesses/germs. And last year we had kids out with the flu all.of.the.time!
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
I’m really on the fence about this.
I’ve never gotten the vaccine before. I did, however, get the flu back in 2005. It was a very bad strain….I was VERY sick….I’ve been told by my mother that it was the sickest she’s ever seen me in my life. I had the chills, body ache, I was throwing up for 3 days and I had a severe fever. Then right as I thought I was turning the corner to get better, I broke out in SPOTS. I went to the doctor and she said that my t-cell count was as low as an HIV patient’s and that the spots were due to me being exceptionally allergic to this particular strain. She had me take some claritin and the spots went away. It took me over 3 weeks to fully get over that flu…it was awful.
I promised myself I would get the vaccine every year after that, as I NEVER want to feel that way again….but…I never wound up getting the shots. I meant to, but I really hate the doctor, and flu season after flu season went by and I have just never gotten around to it.
I guess there’s nothing wrong with taking precautions…especially if you’re among the high risk groups…but even remembering how hideous that illness was hasn’t been enough to get me into see my doctor in the winter.
Sherry says
Never had the flu shot until I had the flu one time—I don’t mean a cold, which some people call “the flu”, I mean the real flu with 103 plus temperatures, body aches so badly that I thought I must have bone cancer, and I couldn’t stop the shakes or teeth chattering. Now I get the flu shot every year!
Pure2raw Twins says
Never had the flu shot, nor do I ever plan too. I guess I really just do not believe in it, I feel if you are eating healthy and working out to keep up a strong immune system than you should be fine, but that is my personal opinion. If you keep up with good hygiene too that might help, LOL>
I know ever one is different and react differently.
Lizlivingvegan says
I love soup season, hate flu season 🙁 I haaate needles, so I probably won’t get one, even though I probably should!
Nichole says
THANK YOU! Love this post. I am always on the fence every year but I have no desire to get it, I totally have the feeling I’ll get sick anyways. I do however make sure my Grandma gets her shot.
Really like how you laid out the pros and cons.
John J. says
I was with Sherry when she had the flu. Damn straight I’m getting the flu shot!