I haven't had the vaccine this year (usually get it every year) and I have the feeling I'm going to pay for it. I don't feel sick but driving in (and currently) I've had the urge to puke all morning. One of the guys in my office recently had it.

I've never gotten the vaccine, and I've never had the flu.

Currently knocking on all wood. 

No vaccine, can't recall the last time I've had the flu. 

I don't think I've ever had a real "flu", but since my wife is a pharmacist I have been getting the flu vaccine for the last few years. There really is no reason not to from a side effect standpoint.

posted by Automatik

No vaccine, can't recall the last time I've had the flu. 

if you cant recall when you last had the flu then you have never had it.  It is horrible

I feel like we see this story every year.  I also feel like this thread is posted every year. 

I have taken the flu shot every year.  Growing up as an AF brat there was no choice, but to take the shot and I continued to do it when I became indepedent. Not sure how well it works.  I have gotten the flu 3 or 4 times in my life.  As cc said, if you had the flu you know you had the flu.  It's pretty miserable.  A couple years ago on back to back christmases I got the flu.  It normally lasts a little over 48 hours for me.  I am not sure if my recovery was quick because I take the shot or generally because I live a healthier lifestyle.  Those 48 hours suck though.  It will put you out and good luck trying to function for a couple days.  Honestly, if you knowingly go to work or school with the flu, go fuck yourself. 

Spin zone for getting the flu:  If you are looking to reset your diet or start a diet (cutting weight), it's a good start! 

No vaccine for me ever...  

First time since 2008 I didn't get one.  Just getting over something, not the flu more like a bronchitis.

Likely will get one next year as my part time job requires it and brings them in to administer them at work 

posted by justincredible

The flu is officially an epidemic, according to the CDC. Anyone out there still not have the vaccine this year? No vaccine for me yet this year, or for the last 15+ years that I can remember. Wondering if I should change that now.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/flu-now-considered-epidemic-us-hospitalizations-climb-peak/story?id=52305172

I can't remember ever getting the vaccine myself, although I'm sure I was taken to get it by my parents when I was young. Interestingly, the only time I was diagnosed with the flu (as in the actual flu, not the "I have a cold and am saying it's the flu because I don't feel good and want it to sound more dramatic") was when I was in elementary school.

haven't gotten the flu in a few years.

i did get a weird cold thing that ive been fighting for a few weeks that won't go away.

posted by MontyBrunswick

haven't gotten the flu in a few years.

i did get a weird cold thing that ive been fighting for a few weeks that won't go away.

 

Same here. Incredibly congested, headache, head feels like a million pounds. But if I take Tylenol or NyQuil it goes away. Soon as the medicine runs out, I get it right back. Been almost 3 weeks. It’s annoying as shit. 

posted by MontyBrunswick

haven't gotten the flu in a few years.

i did get a weird cold thing that ive been fighting for a few weeks that won't go away.

 

posted by SportsAndLady

Same here. Incredibly congested, headache, head feels like a million pounds. But if I take Tylenol or NyQuil it goes away. Soon as the medicine runs out, I get it right back. Been almost 3 weeks. It’s annoying as shit. 

Had that for about a good 4 weeks this past december.  

I haven't even had a cold in over 20 years.

Which, I don't know, they say usually means when you do get sick it's a lot worse for you.  So I get the flu shot.  I know how badly I would curse myself if I didn't get the shot and got the flu.  And supposedly even if you still do get the flu it won't be as bad.

You go to Walgreens or CVS and get the shot in like 10 minutes.  Unless money is real tight, there's really no reason not to get it

No flu shot for me, haven’t had the flu in probably 20 years. 

Yep got the flu shot. Pretty dumb/lazy not to.

posted by gut

I haven't even had a cold in over 20 years.

Which, I don't know, they say usually means when you do get sick it's a lot worse for you.  So I get the flu shot.  I know how badly I would curse myself if I didn't get the shot and got the flu.  And supposedly even if you still do get the flu it won't be as bad.

You go to Walgreens or CVS and get the shot in like 10 minutes.  Unless money is real tight, there's really no reason not to get it

posted by Mulva

No flu shot for me, haven’t had the flu in probably 20 years. 

posted by Fab4Runner

I've never gotten the vaccine, and I've never had the flu.

Currently knocking on all wood. 

WOW! Science should study you all and your amazing immune system.

posted by gut

Unless money is real tight, there's really no reason not to get it

It's covered by pretty much all insurances. Shit, Publix down here actually gace $10 gift cards away for people to get it. 

posted by Commander of Awesome

posted by Fab4Runner

I've never gotten the vaccine, and I've never had the flu.

Currently knocking on all wood. 

WOW! Science should study you all and your amazing immune system.

I'm not anti-flu shot. I honestly just never even think about it since I've never had the flu. My husband hasn't either...and he's never even had a cold as an adult. We're pretty bad about doctors, shots and all medication around here for those reasons. I got a minor cold last February and we had no cold meds in the house, which sucked. I should probably be a grown up and stock an actual medicine cabinet. 

I’m on an immune suppressant medicine for my back disease. Too risky for me to get the flu shot, as it may actually make me sick lol. 

Luckily, I haven’t had the flu in the years I’ve been on it (4 now), but I always get congested during the season changes (to winter and to spring). It lasts about a week for normal people, but I’m always at 2-3. Fucking sucks.

posted by Commander of Awesome

posted by Fab4Runner

I've never gotten the vaccine, and I've never had the flu.

Currently knocking on all wood. 

WOW! Science should study you all and your amazing immune system.

Amazing immune systems?  Possible.  More probably due to practicing preventive hygiene on a regular basis.

I've had a flu shot maybe 3 times in the last 15 years - probably because it happened to be offered at work.  Other than that, I haven't had the flu in over 40 years, during my junior year in high school.  I was off for a week.

I used to get 2-3 colds per year regularly until I started making a conscious effort about 12 years ago to wash my hands much more frequently, and bump doors open with my elbow instead of grabbing the handle.  Now I get one cold every 2 years or so.  I figure it reduces my chance of getting the flu even more.

They really fucked up the flu shot this year.  

posted by gut

I haven't even had a cold in over 20 years.

 

How the fuck is this even possible?

posted by Zunardo

I used to get 2-3 colds per year regularly until I started making a conscious effort about 12 years ago to wash my hands much more frequently, and bump doors open with my elbow instead of grabbing the handle.  Now I get one cold every 2 years or so.  I figure it reduces my chance of getting the flu even more.

My hands are dry as fuck every winter, because I do the same.  I still get a cold every year it seems.  I like to blame assholes who don't properly practice proper ettiquete when they are sick.  Anyone who coughs in public without covering their mouth should be punched in the face.  I also hate when people come to the office and they are clearly severely sick.  GTFO. I don't know how you all avoid getting a cold so consistently.  Maybe it's because I live in a city and I am exposed to more people or it's because I ref wrestling and I am around dipshit teenagers.  All I know is I do my part in preventitive care, so I blame everyone else when i get sick. 

posted by like_that

How the fuck is this even possible?

Genes.  My dad doesn't ever get sick, either.   I would get the cold and flu when I was younger (though I can probably count that on one hand), but most years I had perfect attendance at school.

Pat yourself on the back much, gut? Jesus lol