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

Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
I had a flu shot two weeks ago, had a bit of a sore arm for a day ( which was probably due to me being unable to relax when I know someone is going to stab me)

Having had a proper dose of the flu in 2016, shortly after my second tumour was discovered, I am shit scared of having it again. My white cells are still low 12 months post chemo and I will not take any unnecessary risks, it can kill you if you are already debilitated. I have not gone through all this to be bumped off by something I could possibly have prevented.

The vaccine is not live, it can not give you the disease. It can kick your immune system up the arse and you can get some symptoms similar to what your body would do if you had the virus. That only lasts a day or so if it happens, which is not as common as you may be lead to believe. People can be easily manipulated into having side effects, tell the world the flu shot makes you pee glitter and that's what everyone will report.
Kiwi_Angel
Member
7 years ago
@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.
Sister
Member
7 years ago
@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.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Oh that's just made me smile! Flu shit lol!
TabooGal
Member
7 years ago
Bloody autocorrect!

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Thoughts on flu vaccine.

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