Many many years ago I had a flu vaccine and days later had tonsillitis. I have never had one again. Over the years I have seen clients of mine have bad colds and flu following their shots. As I'm self employed I was even more reluctant to possibly invite sickness by not having it. I have been flu free year in year out. Presently there have been a lot of cancellations in my business due to illness following the flu shot. My doctor and oncologist now class me as high risk following chemo. My doctor says he has one in the fridge waiting for me. Another reason I would never have the shot is because I am scared stiff of having injections in my arm. I've had an array of blood tests this week to check on my overall well-being since chemo and they are all pretty normal.All through the last 9 months I have had everything I've been told would be in my interest. I'v been poked prodded, cut open, poisoned and radiated. Umpteen needles and here I am a quivering weakling at the thought of a flu shot. Yes, I am asking if I really need it, can I live without it, and I want all answers to say I don't have to have one, said no one ever. If I had it and then got sick from it I would be as mad as hell. I had my first check up today and told I'm doing 'brilliantly'. As I've done everything in my power to ensure I recovered well why am I questioning the merits of a flu shot. My auto correct keeps changing my o in shot to an i. Mmmmm

Up to you if you have it or not! Since being diagnosed my GP insists. It has been three weeks since I've had the flu shot and no discomfort at all. I am a little rattly at night but that is more to do with if I go and check the chooks late or head out for firewood and struggle with the night air...……..pretty chilly here as I am more than 600m above sea level.Last year I had the injection but still managed to pick up colds, 3 in total with 6-8 weeks for one of them. That suggests to me the immune system is still not right and hopefully the flu shot is an insurance not to get the flu!Take care

I caught the flu in Melbourne at a Uni conference 40 years ago and have never forgotten how ill I was. When work started offering flu injections as part of OH&S I jumped at it and have had them for many years without ill effects beyond an occasional warm arm at the injection site. My husband also has had flu injections for years at work and now in retirement at home .My children have have been having them too as they are attending high school and many bugs circulate in that environment. In addition two of my kids have had asthma .We thought it wise for our health as ageing parents too that they be inoculated especially so since my cancer diagnosis .None have had side effects beyond what I described.My only negative is one year ( last ?) my sons both got flu despite being inoculated as the strain circulating was not in the vaccine.Luckily they are very fit and healthy but both were laid low for a week.I would never travel o/s without a flu injection nor even a lengthy flight domestically in flu season.It seems almost inevitable to pick up a cold on a flight but the flu I’d prefer to avoid.It’s not an ironclad guarantee but it provides protection against major strains circulating and imo is very worthwhile.

@Blondy My family and I have been having the flu shots for years and I have had one this year on my onc's strong advice. None of us have ever been sick following it. The vaccine is not a live one so, unless you are one of those people who have an allergic reaction, it is not going to give you the flu. However, people may already have come into contact with colds, etc before they have the shot and link it to the vaccine. I had the flu many years ago and came close to being hospitalised - it's nothing like a cold and I would never wish it on anyone. I would suggest that you speak to your onc about it.

@Blondy. I would agree that u should talk to your oncologist but ultimately it’s your decision. I have never had the flu shot and my oncologist want done to get it as I was having chemo. I have recently finished chemo and never ended up getting it but that’s just me.

As a kid I had the flu a few times and the difference between flu and a cold is with the flu it seems to affect the optic nerves of the eye making it hurt to look sideways. I asked my doctor recently about getting the flu needle as I had just spent 12 days getting over the sniffles and over a month later I still have bronchitis and he said the best way to get immunity from the flu is to get the flu. Needless to say I am not going back to that doctor again. Perhaps he read this paper on the 1918 flu where it wasn't just the young and elderly who copped it, it was the healthy ones who were in their prime and their own bodies went in to overdrive to fight it. https://shorthand.uq.edu.au/small-change/fifty-million-dead/

Thoughts on flu vaccine. | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

Blondy
Member
8 years ago
kmakm. I can't answer because I am laughing too much at your answer.
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
Well that's a good question @Blondy. *puts on psychologist hat* Why do you think that is?!
Blondy
Member
8 years ago
They said 'you'll need surgery', I screamed YES. You'll need chemo, YES, You'll need radiotherapy, I screamed YES. You should have the flu vac. So why am I hiding in the corner like a scary cat.
Annie_C
Member
8 years ago
I have begun having the flu vaccine, never had a reaction apart from a sore arm at the jab site. Given that I am an asthmatic my gp (lovely girl young enough to be my granddaughter!) reccommended the pneuomovax. For once I took her advice.
Vangirl
Member
8 years ago
I have one every year as I'm asthmatic and don't want to catch anything that might end up on my chest. My oncologist was fine with me having one before chemo started but said it may not be as effective as the antibodies don't kick in as well while you're on chemo.
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
I have it every year and have never had a problem with it.
Sister
Member
8 years ago
Yep, I've had flu twice prior to being a regular at the vaccine desk. Never want to repeat that as I wished I was dead. I've never had a problem with the vaccine except for a slightly sore arm. I had mine done a couple of months ago - free due to the bc. I've felt anxious though as I have not had the kids done this year - it slipped through the cracks.
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
I've had several over the years and never had a problem other than being a little sore on the arm for a day. I've had 'flu twice as an adult. Ghastly.
Romla
Member
8 years ago
I caught the flu in Melbourne at a Uni conference 40 years ago and have never forgotten how ill I was. When work started offering flu injections as part of OH&S I jumped at it and have had them for many years without ill effects beyond an occasional warm arm at the injection site. My husband also has had flu injections for years at work and now in retirement at home .

My children have have been having them too as they are attending high school and many bugs circulate in that environment. In addition two of my kids have had asthma .We thought it wise for our health as ageing parents too that they be inoculated especially so since my cancer diagnosis .None have had side effects beyond what I described.

My only negative is one year ( last ?) my sons both got flu despite being inoculated as the strain circulating was not in the vaccine.Luckily they are very fit and healthy but both were laid low for a week.

I would never travel o/s without a flu injection nor even a lengthy flight domestically in flu season.It seems almost inevitable to pick up a cold on a flight but the flu I’d prefer to avoid.

It’s not an ironclad guarantee but it provides protection against major strains circulating and imo is very worthwhile.
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Real flu is horrible - it's not a bad cold. I didn't have flu vaccinations until comparatively recently. I am "at risk" through age and cancer treatment. I have had no reactions at all to shots for four years. And no flu. I travelled overseas shortly after shots for two years, also with no ill effects. I was strongly advised to have shots before travel.