BajaNomad - Poll: Do you get (or plan to get) flu vaccinations?

Poll: Do you get (or plan to get) flu vaccinations?

BigWooo - 10-31-2009 at 06:24 AM

For the last 25 years I've always taken the vaccinations because I was exposed to flu patients on a regular basis. I'll continue that into retirement as a precaution. Why risk getting the flu and being miserable when you don't have to?

My last day at work, yesterday, we ran on some VERY sick patients. Although it's impossible to diagnose swine flu by physical assessment, I'm convinced at least two of the people we ran on had it. I've never in my career seen anyone so ill, one so bad I don't give him much chance of surviving the next few days.

The big problem with swine flu is not necessarily the swine flu itself (although for some it's very miserable) it's the secondary bacterial (mostly respiratory) infections that can follow. H1N1 lowers your ability to fight off these infections. That seems to be what is causing most of the deaths. Yes, I'll get the H1N1 vaccination also, when it's finally available...if I wasn't infected yesterday

rocmoc - 10-31-2009 at 07:39 AM

We have every vaccination except Yellow Fever & Rabies! Many Countries will not let you enter or leave if you do not have current vaccinations.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

grace59 - 10-31-2009 at 07:55 AM

I've gotten the seasonal flu shot now for many years. Other than a sore arm for a couple of days, I have no ill effects. MY husband and I travel a lot (plus I teach first grade) so we like to prevent ourselves from getting ill. Actually, my husband didn't get shots until a few years ago. After we got back from a trip he got sick with the flu and was miserable for a week and I didn't get ill. After that he began to join me in the flu shot line. We plan on getting the h1n1 when it is available to us. Why be sick if you don't need to....by the way....seasonal flu is also deadly....it kills 36,000 people in the US each year!

SteveD - 10-31-2009 at 08:02 AM

As always, I've got the seasonal flu shot. However, because I am over 60, I may not be able to get (or need) the H1N1 shot. The mortality rates being reported for children and pregnant women is alarming. I thing everyone in those groups should be first in line!

Dianamo - 10-31-2009 at 08:06 AM

I had concerns about the vaccine before I read this article prepared by Dr. Russell Blaylock, a retired neurosurgeon, now researcher, author and lecturer. Make up your own mind, but be fully informed, as for me, I'm taking my chances with both flu's this year.

http://www.milieuziektes.nl/Rapporten/Vaccines.pdf

David K - 10-31-2009 at 08:13 AM

I got a flu shot once... gave me a terrible flu, and never got a shot since!

Perhaps the shots are better now?

Baja Angel gets them every year (she works in health care) and has received both the standard flu shot.... and the new H1N1/ Swine flu shot this month... she is not yet sick!

fishingmako - 10-31-2009 at 10:56 AM

I will get the regular flu shot, as I have for the past few years.

I absolutely will not get the H1N1, I do a bit of research now and again, and not for me, way to new and really no history, It has 3 to 4 different past flu ingredients,plus MERCURY and other products, I personaly don't want it in my body, you asked, only my opinion.

TMW - 10-31-2009 at 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dianamo
I had concerns about the vaccine before I read this article prepared by Dr. Russell Blaylock, a retired neurosurgeon, now researcher, author and lecturer. Make up your own mind, but be fully informed, as for me, I'm taking my chances with both flu's this year.

http://www.milieuziektes.nl/Rapporten/Vaccines.pdf

After reading about Blaylock at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Blaylock
I think he's a little off.

TMW - 10-31-2009 at 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishingmako
I will get the regular flu shot, as I have for the past few years.

I absolutely will not get the H1N1, I do a bit of research now and again, and not for me, way to new and really no history, It has 3 to 4 different past flu ingredients,plus MERCURY and other products, I personaly don't want it in my body, you asked, only my opinion.

Do you eat Chunk White Tuna?

There is 3.7 micrograms mercury in a 6 oz can of chunk white tuna. There is 2.5 micrograms mercury in a H1N1 vaccine dose made by GlaxoSmithKline. Used as a preservative.

[Edited on 10-31-2009 by TW]

Von - 10-31-2009 at 11:27 AM

Im 37 two daughters we never get any shots live in SD not worry about we are a very healthy active family that takes vitamins and excersice alot...

fishingmako - 10-31-2009 at 11:50 AM

TW, you can do what you want to do? all I said is what I said end of discussion.

DENNIS - 10-31-2009 at 04:15 PM

If I had to make frequent visits to the VA, I'd have had the shots. I can't imagine a more unhealthy atmosphere than in an elevator at a hospital.
Ive never had flu shots and seldom get sick.

Bajahowodd - 10-31-2009 at 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
If I had to make frequent visits to the VA, I'd have had the shots. I can't imagine a more unhealthy atmosphere than in an elevator at a hospital.
Ive never had flu shots and seldom get sick.

Try a restroom in a hospital!

Just as a humorous aside, there are two relatively high profile people in the media who are anti-vaccination. They are Rush Limbaugh and Bill Maher. Strange bedfellows, no?

grace59 - 10-31-2009 at 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW

Quote:

After reading about Blaylock at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Blaylock
I think he's a little off.

Yes, I did some research too and he certainly is a bit out there in all he says. We all need to do our own research and determine if we get the shot. There are always risks in what ever choice we might make. Be well.

Cypress - 10-31-2009 at 05:04 PM

I'll take my chances, somebody else can have my dose of vaccine.

fishingmako - 10-31-2009 at 07:01 PM

me too and my wife.

Never Have-Probably Never Will !

MrBillM - 10-31-2009 at 08:47 PM

Getting Older, I was actually considering it this year but, unlike most Flu, the Swine Stuff is more severe for children than the old.

Bad for them. Good for us.

Of course, you never know. If it kills me, I'll make sure everyone knows.

fixtrauma - 10-31-2009 at 11:04 PM

Quote:

Elevator? Not good I am sure, but try the Emergency Department waiting room!

As the House Supervisor I am in the ED frequently as well as all other areas of the hospital. So I chose to be inoculated with both the seasonal and the H1N1. Got them the first day that they were each available.

On a side note: our daughter who works Critical Care in another city told me today that last night she lost her 20's something patient to the complications of H1N1.

Even though 20's something aged patients die every day for other reasons it is still un-nerving to see something like this take down healthy young children and adults.

Yep.........I chose to be inoculated.

24baja - 11-1-2009 at 01:01 AM

Were going to spend 17 hours on a plane with many people so we got the H1N1, and I get the reg flu shot each year (for health reasons) and am healthy when my hubby gets the flu, he never takes that shot.

writereva - 11-1-2009 at 08:20 AM

Hi from a newbie. I also got sick from my one and only flu shot many years ago. Dr told me I was allergic to something in it and said I should not get any more as they might kill me. :no:

Years later I also had a reaction to a contact lens solution. I learned that both the lens solutions and flu shots contained thimerosol (as a preservative) and that is what I may have reacted to. But even if I could locate flu shots without thimerosol, I still don't think I'd chance it.

TMW - 11-1-2009 at 10:22 AM

The seasonal flu is made up of what they think the flu will be. Often they are wrong as the strain changes. That's why people usually still get the flu after getting the flu shot. With H1N1 the strain is known and targeted.

Whether you get a flu shot of either type is your business.

DENNIS - 11-1-2009 at 11:29 AM

Just wash your hands over and over and the world will be a better place. It's like when some of us were kids they told us that when the enemy was dropping atom bombs on top of us, we should get under the desk for protection. I guess we'll never know if that was the straight scoop or not.

Anyway, just be a good American and do what your government says. :barf:

durrelllrobert - 11-1-2009 at 11:51 AM

IF IT AIN"T BROKE DON"T FIX IT :!:

Fred - 11-1-2009 at 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Just wash your hands over and over and the world will be a better place. It's like when some of us were kids they told us that when the enemy was dropping atom bombs on top of us, we should get under the desk for protection. I guess we'll never know if that was the straight scoop or not.

Anyway, just be a good American and do what your government says. :barf:

Dennis......What government are you talking about? Surely, not the USA.

Bajahowodd - 11-1-2009 at 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 24baja
Were going to spend 17 hours on a plane with many people so we got the H1N1, and I get the reg flu shot each year (for health reasons) and am healthy when my hubby gets the flu, he never takes that shot.

17 hours. Long trip. Even if you are outside the target age, spending that much time in a flying petri dish, it makes abundant sense to have gotten the vaccination.

And thanks, Dennis for reminding us just how effective duck and cover could have been in the event of a nuclear attack. Little secret: I was a certified radiological monitor for shelters as a member of Civil Defense. No glory. It got me extra credit at school. Just wonder, given the cold war mentality, if we've really learned anything. Think about it. As remote as it might have been, a nuclear attack on one of our major cities would have resulted in massive casualties. Our response was duck and cover. Today, maybe a group of disgruntled religious zealots could blow up a bus. Does that equate to all the suspension of liberties and privacy under the patriot act?

[Edited on 11-2-2009 by Bajahowodd]

DENNIS - 11-1-2009 at 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Does that equate to all the suspension of liberties and privacy under the patriot act?

No.........No more than the foolish efforts at the port of entry have today.
It is overkill to say the least.

One Thing's Certain

MrBillM - 11-2-2009 at 01:17 PM

IF you get the Flu, it is (almost) 100 Percent certain to be H1N1.

Oso - 11-2-2009 at 04:57 PM

Too late for me. I've already had what I THINK was H1N1. Milder than most other flus I've had, no sneezing or coughing just cold chills, shivering and an achy feeling. Lasted two days, stayed home a third just to be sure not to pass it on. Self-medicated with my favorite remedy, a toddy with rum, lemon, honey and hot water. Wife didn't get it from me. Neither of us have ever had the shots, she's adamant that she won't. I vaguely considered it but it's not yet available to my age group anyway. I don't know if it's possible to get the same flu twice in a season, but I never have. I think kids and young people maybe should get the shots. It seems they're getting the worst of it. I guess us pedos viejos have been exposed to so many bugs over time that we have more immunities.

roadhog - 11-28-2009 at 04:45 PM

Living in South Florida had continuous exposure to flu from all directions. Not uncommon to contract a serious cold 2-3 times a winter. After flu shots, no colds, no flu. Amazing.
I was infected with H1N1 at Friday Harbor, driving down to Mora for recovery. A week immovable, sleep+chicken soup/bread, 3 days of non functioning, as difficult walking - a mind body effect not fever per se: understanding for child death as functioning required reasoning not autopilot.
So I went for the CDC recommended Twinex, typhoid, tetanus, flu. I tried to hold the hepatitis to B but the information nurse strongly recommended A for possible emergency medicine infection.

woody with a view - 11-28-2009 at 04:52 PM

we're all gonna die from something. i haven't had a flu for 5-7 years. the last real good one was 12 years ago. i could barely pee in the trash can, the toilet was too far and the walls were moving.

capn.sharky - 11-29-2009 at 09:25 AM

I get a flu shot every year and pneumonia shot every ten years. Bad heart and doctors orders. I never get the flu--so they must work. Still not sure I will get the H1N1 shot....as at 67 I have been exposed to swine flu in the 80's.