Flu Shot Concern

krabs

I know we are supposed to get a flu shot this fall, but it's anyone choosing not to? The one time I have had the flu was the winter I got the flu shot! So I am hesitant on whether getting the shot could back fire for me. Is anyone else in this predicament?

MrsJG3

I will be getting the shot. My two littlest kids got theirs yesterday.

ETA: I have gotten the shot in all my previous pregnancies as well. Never gotten the flu.

baby0708

I will be getting the shot when I go to my appointment next Tuesday.  It's a good thing too since I have been sick the last couple of days with a mix of a sinus infection and a virus!  Being sick as well as pregnant has royally sucked the past couple of days!  I had to stay home yesterday and could barely get out of bed.  So yes, I would highly recommend getting the flu shot!

NoelBird

I am absolutely getting the shot. I have never gotten the flu as an adult and I don't wish to. It sucks you got the flu anyway, It isn't 100% effective and they don't get the strains right every year, but I would rather do what I can to protect myself.

ashcody2

Probably in the minority but I rarely get the flu shot - in fact, I think the last time I got it was when I was in the hospital after giving birth to DS 2 years ago. I have never gotten the flu but I will most likely get the flu shot in the hospital when this babe is born as I did with my son, just to be safe. 

brushesnbrunch

I am planning on getting the shot. I've only ever had the flu once when I was working directly with kids and it was awful so ever since then I get the shot. Also, I get it free under insurance so why not take advantage of it?

funkypineapple

I've only gotten the flu shot once before and that was earlier this year.

At my appt yesterday my Dr. wanted to give me one but decided to postpone it until my appt in 3 weeks because I got whatever crap my CWs have that can't cover their mouth. 

OctoberStars

krabs said:

I know we are supposed to get a flu shot this fall, but it's anyone choosing not to? The one time I have had the flu was the winter I got the flu shot! So I am hesitant on whether getting the shot could back fire for me. Is anyone else in this predicament?

Just to clarify, you would have gotten the flu whether or not you got the shot. You can't get the flu from the shot. Unless you have known complications from the flu shot, there is no downside to getting it.

purplepenguin3

I get the flu shot every year, and i'm definitely getting it this year while i'm pregnant (in a couple weeks).  Some of that immunity (i hear) transfers to your baby.  I'm all for trying to protect my baby as much as possible in February when things get sketchy.  Plus my two current kids bring all kinds of things home from daycare so i'd rather it not be the flu if possible.  As @NoelBird said it's never 100% effective though and last years was way off, so we'll see if it's better this year. 

lovekat614

I got my flu shot last week. I work in a hospital so they require you to get it or have a face mask on for the entire flu season. Plus, since our immune system is so weak now, it's best for you and protects the baby when they're born. I told the nurse I was pregnant and she gave me a different shot than the one they normally give to people.

jaimeruns

I have to get the flu vaccine for my job- but usually we get the spray. Since I'm preg I can get the shot and I think it's a really good idea. According to my doc, some of the antibodies get passed to the baby which can protect them from getting the flu.

jenneh85

I have asthma, so I get my flu shot every year. I work in a medical office, and while I don't have direct patient contact, I do have contact with field staff who have direct patient contact (they do home visits with clients), so it's really important for me to be as protected as possible. I will DEFINITELY be getting this year as well, as will my husband and in-laws.

DrillSergeantCat

I'll be asking my doctor about it at my appointment this Friday and following whatever her recommendations are.

inomniaparatus

I've never gotten the shot before. I had the flu a couple of times, and it was really no big deal-- but that's because I'm 30 and healthy. Now that I'm pregnant, I am definitely getting. The flu may be no big deal for us, but it is for the baby. I wouldn't risk it. 

lovelydaye

@inomniaparatus no big deal??! Wish I was you...I had it last year and felt like I was dying! That said I will be getting it this year for sure, partly bc I'm pregnant but mostly because it's AWFUL

mruda

I already received mine. A flu shot will not 100% prevent you from getting the flu since there are so many different stands. However it will prevent some strands and weaken your reaction to others. Since you are slightly immune compromised when pregnant it is highly recommended since flu can be more dangerous. It will also help boost your child's immunity. 

Also, the flu shot can not give you the flu. Some people may have mild symptoms for a day or so following the receiving the vaccine. 

Last note, make sure you get it through your obgyn or midwife office if you can since you want to make sure it is the mercury free version of the vaccine.

brushesnbrunch

lovelydaye said:

@inomniaparatus no big deal??! Wish I was you...I had it last year and felt like I was dying! That said I will be getting it this year for sure, partly bc I'm pregnant but mostly because it's AWFUL

I know, I thought it was awful as well...but then again, when I got it I had already had 2 sinus infections that same season. I was just over being sick!

Fullerj21

I will be getting mine at my next appt.

DrillSergeantCat

lovelydaye said:

@inomniaparatus no big deal??! Wish I was you...I had it last year and felt like I was dying! That said I will be getting it this year for sure, partly bc I'm pregnant but mostly because it's AWFUL

The one time I had it, was horrible! 

acuteangles

There doesn't seem to be a downside to getting the shot, and you will be protecting your baby, so I see no reason not to.  I will get one as soon as it is available to me.

Knottie1455832158

I guess I didn't even think about (is that bad??) but probably will now that I saw this thread! Thanks ladies!

inomniaparatus

inomniaparatus said:

I've never gotten the shot before. I had the flu a couple of times, and it was really no big deal-- but that's because I'm 30 and healthy. Now that I'm pregnant, I am definitely getting. The flu may be no big deal for us, but it is for the baby. I wouldn't risk it. 

yea- tested positive for it twice and felt sick and crappy but not any more sick and crappy than if I just had an ordinary virus. I was achy so that's what tipped me off that it was the flu, then when to the doc to confirm. 

I mean, I'm also 20 weeks pregnant and almost feel completely normal all the time as well. I get a bad headache now and again and my feel have sporadically swelled, but besides that-- meh. I wasn't laid up in bed during my 1st trimester or anything.  

Maybe I just tolerate more than the average person lol - who knows? 

DrillSergeantCat

inomniaparatus said:

yea- tested positive for it twice and felt sick and crappy but not any more sick and crappy than if I just had an ordinary virus. I was achy so that's what tipped me off that it was the flu, then when to the doc to confirm. 

I mean, I'm also 20 weeks pregnant and almost feel completely normal all the time as well. I get a bad headache now and again and my feel have sporadically swelled, but besides that-- meh. I wasn't laid up in bed during my 1st trimester or anything.  

Maybe I just tolerate more than the average person lol - who knows? 

There are different strains, too. Maybe you got one of the less severe strains. All I know is when I had it, I had a high fever and only woke up long enough to take medicine. Sometimes I'd wake up feeling good, so I'd go take a shower and by the time I was done showering I was exhausted and passed back out.

edited for spelling

strlitemiss

Regardless of age, or health status the flu is a big deal to everyone. I will be getting it because if I do get sick I want any additional immune support I can get especially since the high fever alone can be dangerous to the baby.

Monkeybutt80

I have been getting them ever since I started dating my husband in 2002. His mom insists on everyone getting them and does them over thanksgiving. So every thanksgiving before we start passing mashed potatoes, she pokes all of us with flu shots. I don't like that it makes my arm sore the next day, and I have gotten the flu a handful of times in the last 10 years, but I don't really see the negative side of getting one, so I get it every year.

ohbaby714

mruda said:

I already received mine. A flu shot will not 100% prevent you from getting the flu since there are so many different stands. However it will prevent some strands and weaken your reaction to others. Since you are slightly immune compromised when pregnant it is highly recommended since flu can be more dangerous. It will also help boost your child's immunity. 

Also, the flu shot can not give you the flu. Some people may have mild symptoms for a day or so following the receiving the vaccine. 

Last note, make sure you get it through your obgyn or midwife office if you can since you want to make sure it is the mercury free version of the vaccine.

This 110%

MississippiCatfish

Okay, so people who seem to know about the flu shot and are getting it this early, how long do you think it protects you? We talked about it during our annual infection control meeting yesterday, and the RN seemed to think it only provides about 3 months of increased immunity (obviously varying, depending on the person, but no more than six months). A quick google search doesn't turn up much info. She was advocating for waiting until at least October. Just curious if anyone knows more:)

g8trkim

Always have, and always will get it... especially when pregnant. DH is a pharmacist and I am a teacher so we have lots of contact with germs. Our kids always get it too. Obviously, there are different strands so you're never totally safe. Regarding the mercury free, I've gotten that while pregnant in the past, but my last OB and this MW didn't seem to think much of it. They both said just to get the regular shot.

lovelydaye

I was laid up for a week with a fever so high I couldn't function, headaches, chills, couldn't eat, you name it. I must have had the f-you strain bc that's what it felt like

g8trkim

lovelydaye said:

I was laid up for a week with a fever so high I couldn't function, headaches, chills, couldn't eat, you name it. I must have had the f-you strain bc that's what it felt like

I skipped the shot one year in college and got the death flu too. Just terrible!

purplepenguin3

@MississippiCatfish i've heard 6 months but i don't know for sure

ohbaby714

MississippiCatfish said:

Okay, so people who seem to know about the flu shot and are getting it this early, how long do you think it protects you? We talked about it during our annual infection control meeting yesterday, and the RN seemed to think it only provides about 3 months of increased immunity (obviously varying, depending on the person, but no more than six months). A quick google search doesn't turn up much info. She was advocating for waiting until at least October. Just curious if anyone knows more:)

I haven't heard how long it protects for but my midwife usually recommends getting it in late October/early November when flu season is just starting. I think now would be a bit early, but you never know when you could get it.

MississippiCatfish

ohbaby714 said:

MississippiCatfish said:

Okay, so people who seem to know about the flu shot and are getting it this early, how long do you think it protects you? We talked about it during our annual infection control meeting yesterday, and the RN seemed to think it only provides about 3 months of increased immunity (obviously varying, depending on the person, but no more than six months). A quick google search doesn't turn up much info. She was advocating for waiting until at least October. Just curious if anyone knows more:)

I haven't heard how long it protects for but my midwife usually recommends getting it in late October/early November when flu season is just starting. I think now would be a bit early, but you never know when you could get it.

It just seems odd to that providers would start offering them now, knowing that they wouldn't be effective for the possible peak of flu season. But it also seems odd that an infection prevention specialist wouldn't know her stuff. I'll have to do some more digging. It's sparked my curiosity.

sweetpea216

I've never gotten the flu shot as an adult before but I will be getting it since I'm pregnant. My OB gave me a prescription at my appt last week for the shot and said "this isn't to keep you from getting sick, it's to keep you from dying." The risk of complications (including hospitalization or even death) is markedly higher when pregnant and not just for you, but your baby too. Low birth weight, premature delivery and birth defects are possible risks should you get the flu.
https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/influenza-and-pregnancy.aspx

You should get the shot as soon as it is available in your area so when the virus starts circulating, you've already been vaccinated (it takes up to two weeks for your body to make the antibodies). The shot will protect you for one flu season. https://www.flu.gov/prevention-vaccination/vaccination/
I also read your baby will have the antibodies for up to 6 months after birth (which should get them through this flu season).

My response got really lengthy, but I've been researching it since my last appt and wanted to share what I've found on the subject. Hope it's helpful. My personal opinion, the risk of problems from getting the shot is low but the risk of not getting the shot could be catastrophic.

Eta: since there is still a risk of getting the flu despite getting the shot, I will be cautious with who I'm around and careful to wash my hands often.

MrsJG3

@MississippiCatfish our pediatrician said the shot they got yesterday would cover them through the end of flu season. I am actually not sure when the end is...guess I should have asked that.

strlitemiss

Flu season typically ends March I do believe.

MrsJG3

I found this on immunize.org
We have noticed that CDC recommends that we begin vaccinating with seasonal influenza vaccine as early as September or even earlier. Does protection from seasonal influenza vaccine decline or wane within 3 or 4 months of vaccination? Should I wait until October or November to vaccinate my elderly or medically frail patients?
CDC recommends that seasonal influenza vaccine be administered to all age groups as soon as it becomes available. Antibody to seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine declines in the months following vaccination. However, antibody level at a point several months after vaccination does not necessarily correlate with clinical vaccine effectiveness. There are no studies that compare vaccine effectiveness according to the month when the vaccination was given. The authors of a review on antibody declines among the elderly after vaccination reported, "In conclusion, we found no compelling evidence for more rapid decline of the influenza vaccine-induced antibody response in the elderly, compared with young adults, or evidence that seroprotection is lost at 4 months if it has been initially achieved after immunization." (See Skowronski, et al., Rapid Decline of Influenza Vaccine-Induced Antibody in the Elderly: Is it Real, or Is It Relevant? Journal of Infectious Diseases 2008;197:490-502).In addition, there is a lack of evidence for late-season outbreaks among vaccinated persons that can be attributed to waning immunity.

ashton2190

I'm getting it and always have for as long as I can remember. I work in an office where people really don't stay home sick (we have pretty high standards for attendance) and I'm not going to risk it. Plus I get it for free at work, so why not. My mom has always said not to get the nasal spray since it's a live virus, so just a tidbit from a mom/nurse

SoSirius

I suck at remembering to get it normally but I definitely get it when I'm pregnant. My son just got his today and I'll get mine this week.

OrangeBliss

I am undecided about whether or not to get a flu shot. I know that's not much help to you, but I understand your hesitation. I am reading a book about vaccines right now. I have gotten the flu shot in the past, but not every year. With so many different strains of flu I think the vaccines is one of the least effective vaccines out there. So I'm not sure what I will do.

AdventureMama

I've never gotten one, because my grandpa got very sick from one (Gillan-Barre Syndrome, though I sure I'm spelling that wrong) and his doctors warned him it is very possible for his family to have the same complications. I should research it more, as this was more than ten years ago.