Flu jab.

[ummmm]

If you've never had the flu and were offered the flu jab (for whatever reasons) would you take it?

Or would you think it's a bit pointless?

[gollysailor]

Flu is still a killer!

[barb1314]

I've not had it but my OH had it this year as he is asthmatic and when he gets just a normal cold,his chest tightens so much he can hardly breath so flu would be horrendous.

[wolf63]

If you have never had the flu you can't appreciate how ill it makes you.

I am only 40ish but am diabetic and have had my jags for the year.

I think that it is a good idea to get the jab.

[albaqwerty]

I think I would have one if offered but only if it protected against that particular strain of flu.

[ojread2]

It doesn't stop you actually getting flu - read this for a full explanation

http://www.nhs.uk/Con...How-does-it-work.aspx

[ummmm]

I was just thinking that if you've managed 38 years of never getting the flu, or a cold, then maybe your own body copes perfectly well on it's own.

[jake-the-peg]

My company has paid for anybody who wanted it to have it the last few years and I had it.


Flu changes very rapidly and is tracked in the winter season in one Hemisphere and at one point a decision is made about which is likely to be the most prevalent strains and these are combined into the vaccine for the other Hemisphere in the upcoming winter there.

So for example I think the last one I had coverred about 4 strains from Australia + 1 from Uraguay + swine flu

Before lon they'll be making thehoice on which strains they'll give to people in the Southern Hemisphere next year.

[jno]

you may well be safe at 38, but it won't last forever; bodies start to run down, viruses mutate. I didn't start getting the jabs until I was in my 50s, but I always have them now.

Enjoy your youth, though, I wish I still had mine.

[ummmm]

Thanks jno...I will try to :-)

[woofgang]

I had one this year because my responsibilities have changed and I really cannot afford to be ill this winter. I have had real flu twice in my life and it really knocks you on your bum. The 20 quid note on the floor thing is true, once I had to crawl back to bed from the toilet because I was too dizzy to walk and was alone in the house.

[EDDIE51]

I have had it this year as I am over 60. Only got flu once and that was about 20 years ago, it was horrendous temp of 104 on Boxing day and could hardly walk. Never want that again.

[Old_Geezer]

It has to have a point or they can't stick it in your arm.

Cheeky so & sos at the GPs have started offering me the jab. I must be an even older geezer than I thought.

No I didn't take up the offer. And I have had flu in the past, proper flu, the sort that knocks you out cold for days, not a little sniffle looking for sympathy. Rather take my chances to be honest volunteering for a jab isn't something I'd opt for if I could avoid it.

[chelle7272]

I'm 39 and never had flu, offered the flu jab at work I didn't have it. i'm not even sure why not, ok I'm not keen on needles and am aware of some people having bad reactions to the jab, but maybe just a case of 'if it ain't broke...'..?

[237SJ]

I don`t see why never having had flu would make a difference, but no I wouldn`t have the jab (at my age and my level of health). If I was elderly or had a condition that made me vulnerable I would have it.

[Old_Geezer]

"Enjoy your youth, though, I wish I still had mine."
Did you let him escape ?

[lcg]

yup...have one every year. still get flu sometimes, tho. but, i suppose it's better to be safe than sorry, right? x

[chelle7272]

lol og

[ummmm]

Firstly 237, you can't appreciate what having the flu is like if you've never had it. Secondly, some people are more prone to picking up virus's than others. If you're not prone to picking up things...would you bother?

[237SJ]

Well if you`ve never had it I can tell you it`s horrible. I still wouldn`t have the jab though. I just don`t feel I want to take NHS resources as a healthy person by having the jab. I don`t have any medical condition that makes me vulnerable so apart from the loss to industry due to sick days, I can`t see the point of vaccinating healthy people. I`ll risk it. If I get it, I get it. I take bigger risks than that in life.

[ummmm]

I agree...I'm healthy also.