Lots of debate on whether a flu shot is necessary and/or if it's dangerous.

So is it good preventive medicine or do the risks (thimerosal, Guillian-Barre syndrome, etc.) outweigh the benefits?

I got one last year for the first time and lived through it. Our company pays for it so I figured why not?

The OC is always an excellent place to get great advice. So what say you? Do it or leave it alone?

There's no evidence that thimerosal causes harm, so that part can be left out. Before people come on here and start spewing ignorance, a flu shot CANNOT give someone the flu. Yes, there is a chance you could still get the flu later this year even if you're immunized, but if so, you would've got it anyway. There is a chance, however, that your symptoms will be reduced in severity. By getting the flu shot you are immune to 4 strains of influenza that were most common in the Southern Hemisphere's season. Anyone with a chronic condition like diabetes or COPD should get the flu shot every year. Everyone else should get it for the sake of children and immunocompromised people around them. There is a reason why healthcare workers are required to be immunized. Get your damn flu shots.

GOONx19;1665436 wrote: Get your damn flu shots.

No.

I've become a fan of the flu shot in recent years.

I've never gotten one before and probably won't this year.

No.

always.

I don't believe that there is any proven scientific evidence of any harm associated with the modern vaccines for the flu except for allergy to one of its components. Nothing is 100% safe, but a true case of the flu is a devastating, debilitating disease. There is plenty of junk science that claims differently. But as a healthcare professional, I am trained to understand the difference.

I couldn't tell you the last time I got a flu shot, if ever. I'm not against them, I just haven't cared enough to get one and I've yet to get the flu. Now that I'm working in a much larger office going in to flu season (from 4 to 70+), and since our company provides them for free on a specific day, I might actually get one this year.

Oops, never mind. Just checked my email and the clinic was yesterday.

Done.

/in b4 1st idiotic "The flu shot gave me the flu" post.

I have never gotten one, but I may in the future.

Probably not.

I got one last year for the first time and decided to get one again this year. It's free through work so I figured why not.

Never used to, but since having kids (3 kids ages 4 and under) I've gotten one every year.

Never had a flu shot and they are free to my wife and I
I'm in the best of health now, feeling great (have a few injuries that I caused)
I'm thinking this year we will get that flu shot ..going to be lots of snow, extreme cold winter this year....
I know that this is the wrong way of thinking but ... I what to be prepared for the worst

I get one every year. I am Diabetic.

My part time job requires it and I will be getting it next month for free.
Dont know if it is a coincidence or not, but the last 4 years I have gotten sick about 14-17 days after getting the shot. Usually knocks me out for 24-36 hours.

No. I'm not a puss.

Mandatory for me. Getting it tomorrow. Going for the spray this year.

justincredible;1665459 wrote:I couldn't tell you the last time I got a flu shot, if ever. I'm not against them, I just haven't cared enough to get one and I've yet to get the flu.

This part is my world. I've not gotten one (at least since I was a child and my parents had me get all the shots for various shit) and I haven't gotten the flu either. For the past few years, I've had a brief cold in the Sept/Oct period when the weather changes and nothing after that other than sniffles from time to time. So far (knocking on wood) I haven't even gotten that cold this year.

My wife is a pharmacist and takes joy in being able to stab me with a syringe, so I humor her. I never really get sick and if not for her probably wouldn't get one. (FYI it's basically free for everyone, whether work has a clinic or not. almost all insurances cover it)

GoChiefs;1665438 wrote:No.

This.

justincredible;1665459 wrote:I couldn't tell you the last time I got a flu shot, if ever. I'm not against them, I just haven't cared enough to get one and I've yet to get the flu. Now that I'm working in a much larger office going in to flu season (from 4 to 70+), and since our company provides them for free on a specific day, I might actually get one this year.

If it helps, my office is about 70 people and I have not had the flu.

Never had the flu shot and never have had the flu.

I've gotten mine already on the advice from My Diabetic Dr