Flu jab ?

[dave2010]

I would urge everyone to have a'flu jab - especially if you are over 65 and/or have a compromised immune system.

Last year 600 people died of the 'flu; in 2008-9 it was 13 000! (UK figs).

'Flu is not just the common cold but worse -it's utterly debilitating for at least 3 days. To not have one when offered is selfish. We need to get the figure up to near 90% of at-risk patients for 'herd-immunity' to kick-in. Similarly, and perhaps even more important, is a measles jab. The advice I was given was that it's no good saying 'I had it in my childhood' so must be immune. One must have been infected at least twice and had the result confirmed by a path lab. One's GP's opinion based on the symptoms is no longer regarded as being good enough. Please disregard entirely the fake-news of the ignorant anti-vaccers.

I agree absolutely about the statistics, but some people really do have a bad reaction, and some are hospitalised. I may get a reaction. I’ve had two flu jabs and each time I was really ill enough after a few days that I decided I’d only have another if I was feeling really well beforehand. That doesn’t invalidate the statistics, but if I can survive without having the vaccination I will.

[dave2010]

Ah, that makes sense! Never been outside of Europe myself, but if I were going to somewhere like India, I'd be jabbed up to the max!

I think we’re probably OK re jabs - apart from the flu one - as we had a whole bunch over the last decade for trips to Africa, India, Vietnam and Cambodia. Malaria and rabies are some of the diseases that scare me most, though I didn’t have the rabies vaccination. I don’t know how effective the expensive malaria tablets are, or whether they’re strictly necessary, but I took the pills and I didn’t get it, nor some of the other nasties I was inoculated against.

[Audio Al]

I agree absolutely about the statistics, but some people really do have a bad reaction, and some are hospitalised. I may get a reaction. I’ve had two flu jabs and each time I was really ill enough after a few days that I decided I’d only have another if I was feeling really well beforehand. That doesn’t invalidate the statistics, but if I can survive without having the vaccination I will.

I must be lucky then , No reactions at all with the flu jabs I have have since going past the big 60 and getting the call from the local doctors surgery telling me I should now have one , And being a good boy I have

[dave2010]

I must be lucky then , No reactions at all with the flu jabs I have have since going past the big 60 and getting the call from the local doctors surgery telling me I should now have one , And being a good boy I have

I think most people are lucky with this, and should have the jabs, and that does even seem to include some people who have other medical problems. Most report either no problems, or very slight ones.

I can’t prove that my own issues after having the injections were caused by them, but I’m reluctant to try again unless I feel really fighting fit, and even then I personally would probably not know that an injection saved me from a severe fate. The statistics are very much in favour of having them for most people.

[struth]

Had no issues again this year with jab. Well that I know of.
Hoping it gives me protection

[Len Co]

Surgery gave me earliest date for me and missus about a month in future, local pharmacy offered a walk-in service. No-brainer, especially as I understand the jab is not effective immediately.

[Sherwood]

Surgery gave me earliest date for me and missus about a month in future, local pharmacy offered a walk-in service. No-brainer, especially as I understand the jab is not effective immediately.

Same here. Despite being at high risk and advised by my consultant to get the jab, my GP said he couldn't give me an appointment for a month. I called into Tesco and had it done there and then! No clubpoints though!