I never get the flu shot since I don't get colds or flu's... But I understand the reason people do and I applaud them. My Husband gets one every year.

*Peace* ~ ~ *Peace*

MaDiva

aka: Wolfie

Got mine yesterday. Stung a bit going in and my arm is a little stiff today.  Much less of a reaction than I've had some years.

Little M and I hit the first clinic offered by the local health unit almost 2 weeks ago. Not because it was the first but it is the closest they are getting to us (and even it wasn't that close). We've been getting it since Ontario started offering it to all residents and the only year we had the flu in that time was 2010 (or somewhere thereabouts) when it went through Little M's school before the clinics started.

Mendalla

Got mine on Monday - in the hospital hallway, outside the elevator!  I had gone over to Employee Health but they were closed; on my way back to my office, I spied the mobile flu shot nurse about to get on the elevator with her cart - she was happy to oblige right then & there!  And I was rewarded with a small container of hand sanitizer, and a big Coffee Crisp bar!   

I got mine about 30 minutes after the first clinic here opened for them.  It must have taken all of five minutes from the time I walked in to the time I sat down to visit with some neighbors.

I also got a pneumonia shot a couple of years ago. It is for 5 years and is free to over 70.

We all know how I feel about them for myself I think.  I'm up to 4 doctors who don't want me to get them.  I have been bugging Chemguy to get his, but he was working out of town, maybe tomorrow or Friday.

The line ups this year have been very short I've noticed.  All the pharmacies got them the same time as the clinics, usually there's a big delay.

I have refilled all my travel sized hand sanitizer.

I get one every year.  I had mine a couple of weeks ago at my pharmacy.   Less pain than a misquito bite  at the time - no pain later in the day or thereafter.   Seelerman got one a few days ago - mentioned a bit of tenderness and stiffness in the area that evening.  We are both seniors - no charge.  No waiting.  Just a request that we hang around the store for the next fifteen minutes.  

My wife is in chemgal's category. She had a bad (not severe or life-threatening, but bad enough) reaction to it years ago so can't get it anymore. Mercifully, she has a pretty strong immune system so doesn't get very ill herself and she doesn't spend much time around those considered highly vulnerable so it isn't a huge issue that she isn't getting it.

Mendalla

CH, I think my sister got that one for free a few years ago.  I didn't bother, the few times I had pneumonia it always started with something else first, that would gradually build.  She on the other hand would be healthy one day and would have pneumonia the next.

Mendalla, what type of reaction did your wife have?  You don't hear about it often.

It's been a while, but IIRC it is similar to the reaction she has to opiates (which she also has to avoid). Gets very drowsy and disoriented and generally doesn't feel well for a while afterwards.

The opiate thing is, pardon the pun, a pain because dumbarse docs never seem to read the chart and keep prescribing Tylenol 3s and other pain relievers containing codeine and such like when she clearly tells them she can't take them.

Mendalla

I've experienced that too, last time it was a mailed list of recommendations - it said to get the flu vaccine right after a paragraph about the issues I had with it.  I called to confirm - maybe he meant the flumist even though that was also contraindicated?  Nope, he didn't think I should get anything.

I've never had a flu shot.  I am not getting one this year.  I found that I have a moderate allergy to egg whites, and if I remember correctly (could be wrong) that you shouldn't have one if you have an allergy to eggs?

I am waiting til I get better and then am going to get a shingles vaccine.

Beloved, they recommend that people who have egg allergies talk to their doctor/allergist.  I think that's just for severe allergies, like the people who cannot eat anything that contains traces of eggs.  It's because the vaccine is manufactured in eggs.

I recommend you all get your flu shot.......Canada seems to be on my vacation list lately, and I don't want to spend it with the sniffles. (Just kiddin'!)

Does this mean you are coming back again soon Pilgrims?

Not while summer is here in Oz.....

But, there's still more I'd like to do in Canada - and my days for coping with that LONG flight are fading....

Also, I have an elderly mother and a very ill brother, so I'm putting off thinking about holidays till at least the New Year.

I enjoy my visits to Canada - you're becoming my second home. (And so many "relatives")......

Wait... you don't want to experience this?

I'm shocked!   

I used to get one, especailly when I for years at HSC and Ryerson.

Now, with my neurologoical condition which apparenttly accompanies an immunology condition, I have not had a flu shot in 5 years.  Neither my GP or neuorologist recommend it.  Both work out of MSH and are connected to UofT Faculty of Medicine. 

I am not boasting about my primary care physicians.

I am saying that for the last five years, dealing with neurological issues, both doctors (as did I with my own independent research) decide that getting a flu shot would not be good.  

Apparently with neurological conditions there exists a corresponding weakining of immune systems.  makes sense to me as I am a livining example of it. A flu shot is not recommended for people with compromised immune systems.  That said, a flu shot for people who are healthy is very important - and I still support the flu shot for everyone who is  healthy. 

Just talk to your doctor if you have an underlying disease or condition, and if your docot cannot answer questions to your satisfaction, then contact a doctor in Immunology, Infection, Injury and Repair working in a University affiliated hospital in your area = or at least try  do so.

I am hoping to get shot today on my lunch break.  I'm just glad that I don't (personally) have to worry about measles.

Haven't ever taken a flu shot. Should. Just haven't.