Pushing the flu shot

[Silver]

Signed a declination form at work, because I've never been susceptible to the flu. And I wear a mask all shift anyway, which used to be mandated during flu season when you decided against the shot.

What about you?

[Rev. Rye]

Every time I get the flu shot, I end up getting it anyway. And given that the efficacy rates tend to be depressingly low (sometimes in the single digits) and I don’t like needles, this translates to me not getting the shot. At least it’s not like the normal flu has that elevated a death rate.

[zebo-the-fat]

Had the flu shot every year for about the last 20 odd years, only ever had one bad dose of flu, had this years shot about a week ago no side effects apart from a sore arm for a day or two.
I always get the shot because being asthmatic the less shit I get in my lungs the better, it may help, it may not, but it costs nothing and only takes 2 minutes so why not?

[brewer]

First started in the late 80's but inconsistently, consistently since 2000.

[zwanzig]

Never had the flu shot. The only time I ever got the flu was when I went to the hospital for a week for suicidal ideation back in 2019.

[arewethereyet]

The first time I got the flu shot was in October 2009. They wanted me to get it so I wouldn't be or get sick during and after my mastectomies. Have gotten one every year since. A few years ago I got the flu before the two weeks was up after the shot. This year I didn't get the flu but felt like death warmed over for about a week that started about ten days after the shot. I seem to react worse to vaccines the older I get. I swear it started when I got my second shingles shot a couple years ago...that kicked my butt.

[HappySkeptic]

Sometimes I miss a year, but I usually get the shot. My instances of the flu seem to have gone down, though perhaps I'm becoming more of a hermit.

The shot sometimes isn't for the current strain circulating, but I figure that with enough shots over the years, I might have some antibodies that will accidentally work.

[Jackalope]

Didn't used to get the shot, but got the flu in 2013, spent 8 days in ICU.

I get the shot every year now. I don't care for a repeat of the experience.

[Angrboda]

I didn't get the flu shot last year due to a mixup on my part. I hope to get it this year.

[Cecelia]

Already got my flu shot this year. I get my flu shot every year. I'd much rather have protection against the flu, than the off chance I get it. It's free (should be free for everyone, but it depends on your healthcare provider unfortunately) and doesn't take that much time. Why take the risk?