It's that time of year again... Flu shot or not?

L

Lolly

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Location
Chicago Area
Just checked at our local pharmacy and they are offering the high potency flu shot "Fluad" for seniors over 65.. it is supposed to give a boosted immune reaction to the flu vaccine.. Medicare pays for it 100%.. I am planning on getting a shot... just not sure about the stronger one.. I'm 68. Anyone had this one?
 

Lolly, I'm 67 1/2 and I've taken the regular dose flu shot for several years (got the flu once anyway) with no reaction other than a slightly sore arm for a couple of days.

I took the 'Super Duper High Potency Old Fart Shot' last year for the first time and it gave me flu like symptoms for 18 hours......sweats, chills, stuffy head plus a really sore arm for several days.

I'll get a shot again this year like always but I'm probably going to stick with the regular dose.
 
I've had the regular shot every year and have never gotten the flu. Some years my arm was more sore than others, but I chalked that up to a good immune response. I am leery about getting the Super Duper High Potency Old Fart Shot.. They claim our immune response to vaccine declines with age..
 

There are a gazillion viruses out there, and the shot can only protect us on so many, but I would be scared to death not to get one. I'm known for hosting cold viruses, then the consistently following sinus infections. It takes 3-4 wks out of my life, so any protection I can offer myself, I'm all for it! Thanks for the reminder!
 
Just a word of warning to everyone ....I had the flu shot in may as a normally do every winter ( I'm a Aussie so we are just approaching spring )
Australia had had the worst flu on record this winter ..including myself ..so if you don't have the flu shot maybe concider having it this coming winter ...I've had this horrible flu for going in 5 weeks and I've still got it despite having antibiotics and trying just about every lotion and potion on the market ... the flu causes a itchy throat that makes you cough http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/w...-+including+symptoms+treatment+and+prevention
I've been away for 4 weeks , on a winter break to warmer part of Australia and its spoilt my holiday
 
Everybody wants to give me a flu shot. My grocery store has a pharmacy with huge flu shot signs. You go inside a Rite-Aide or CVS , they're running up and asking you to get a flu shot. They are really concerned about my health or they're making a big buck off of it.
Money seems to be why they're asking about my flu shot.
 
I will get my annual flu shot in November.

I will ask my PCP about Fluad but he will probably tell me that my immune system is still strong and we need to wait a few years to see how Fluad does over time, we'll see.
 
I got the heavy duty shot 2 years ago. Had low grade fever and chills for 24 hours. A wasted day, so I won't be getting Fluad again. Forgot to get one at all last year and didn't get the flu. Will do the low level shot this year if I don't forget again.:rolleyes:
 
Aunt Bea said:
I will get my annual flu shot in November.

I will ask my PCP about Fluad but he will probably tell me that my immune system is still strong and we need to wait a few years to see how Fluad does over time, we'll see.
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That was y next question.. Is September 1st too early to get the shot?
 
I always get a flu shot, after a particularly scary bout with the flu several years ago. I got the super super one last year and will do so again. Even if it gave me chills, etc. for 18 hours, it would be well worth it to avoid how sick I was several years ago -- I truly feared I would not survive it, and it flattened me for almost two weeks. Then it took forever to get completely rid of it.

That's when I revised my "I don't need a flu shot" theory.
 
I just dread having to talk my doctor out of getting it.

My arm was sore for six months after the last one I got.

So last year he gave me the nasal spray that they give kids.

I didn't get the flu, but I think if you stay away from crowded places, it's unlikely you will get it.

For some reason it seems to show up in senior homes. I don't understand that because I think they all get the shot.
 
I have never ever had a flu shot, and I seldom get sick or have the flu; so it is just not something that I even think about doing. I take plenty of probiotics (kefir and yogurt) and that seems to keep my immune system working well enough that a flu shot is not necessary. I don't get the pneumonia shot either. My doctor always tells me that I should get one, anyway.
 
Happyflowerlady said:
I have never ever had a flu shot, and I seldom get sick or have the flu; so it is just not something that I even think about doing. I take plenty of probiotics (kefir and yogurt) and that seems to keep my immune system working well enough that a flu shot is not necessary. I don't get the pneumonia shot either. My doctor always tells me that I should get one, anyway.
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And the shingles shot.. I've had it.. as well as the pneumonia shot.. I am also up to date on mu my tetanus shots.
 
Lolly said:
That was y next question.. Is September 1st too early to get the shot?
Click to expand...

I just read an article that stated because the flu season lasts through the winter / into 2018 the best time to get the shot is between Halloween and Thanksgiving......I'm going to hold off a little while on getting mine.
 
The pharmacist told me yesterday that the shot lasts for 6 months.. and it takes 2 weeks to become effective.. I think I will get mine the end of September... it will carry me thru the end of March.
 
Lolly said:
The pharmacist told me yesterday that the shot lasts for 6 months.. and it takes 2 weeks to become effective.. I think I will get mine the end of September... it will carry me thru the end of March.
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Have you made up your mind if you're going to get the 'Old Fart Shot' or the regular dose yet ?
 
IKE said:
Have you made up your mind if you're going to get the 'Old Fart Shot' or the regular dose yet ?
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Not yet... still pondering.. the regular shot protected me even while I was working in a hospital.. with every virus and germ imaginable surrounding me. I'm retired now and I'm not in contact with huge numbers of people.. so maybe the old fart shot is overkill.. I don't know. I just might try it and if it lays me out.. I'll go back to the regular one next year.
 
Lolly said:
Just checked at our local pharmacy and they are offering the high potency flu shot "Fluad" for seniors over 65.. it is supposed to give a boosted immune reaction to the flu vaccine.. Medicare pays for it 100%.. I am planning on getting a shot... just not sure about the stronger one.. I'm 68. Anyone had this one?
Click to expand...

Hi Lolly: These flu shots are usually recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. This is the first time I have heard of an immunity booster. I used to be a nurse. If you are concerned call your Dr. or call the pharmacy and ask about the side effects associated with with this vaccine. On the other hand I have taken these shots for years and have never had more than a very mild case of the sniffles and a slight temp which I thought I could associate with this shot.
 

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