Flu Shot Facts & Side Effects (Updated for 2016-2017)

[rangerrebew]

Flu Shot Facts & Side Effects (Updated for 2016-2017)
By Rachael Rettner, Senior Writer | February 16, 2017 05:30pm ET


Seasonal flu shots are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Credit: AZP Worldwide | Shutterstock

The seasonal flu shot is a yearly vaccine administered to protect against the flu, or influenza.

In the United States, flu shots are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The flu can be a very serious illness, especially in young children, adults ages 65 and over, those with underlying health conditions, and pregnant women.

http://www.livescience.com/40279-flu-shot-information.html

[Applewood]

This old bag gets a flu shot every year and a pneumonia shot every five years.   Doctor's orders.  And so far, not even a cold this year. Usually, I get something after I've been to Florida.  Last year, some putz behind me on the plane coughed on me.  2 days later I was sick.  This year, I was lucky.  No one coughed on me.

[libertybele]

This old bag gets a flu shot every year and a pneumonia shot every five years.   Doctor's orders.  And so far, not even a cold this year. Usually, I get something after I've been to Florida.  Last year, some putz behind me on the plane coughed on me.  2 days later I was sick.  This year, I was lucky.  No one coughed on me.

I didn't get the flu shot nor the pneumonia shot.  It was reported that this years flu shot is only 43% effective...so I didn't get it.  Wouldn't ya know it ... had company over from across the state, and now I'm sick!

[Applewood]

I didn't get the flu shot nor the pneumonia shot.  It was reported that this years flu shot is only 43% effective...so I didn't get it.  Wouldn't ya know it ... had company over from across the state, and now I'm sick!

Statistically, I don't believe these vaccines are all that effective.  The vaccine changes every year, presumably according to which strains of flu are predicted to be prevalent.  But the predictions are really guesswork.  Scientists may conceivably miss a strain -- which is  the strain I'm guaranteed to get. 

But I think any vaccine will afford you some protection in the sense that while you still may get the flu, it may not be as bad as it could have been.  That's usually how it is with me.  The flu may not be as severe, or it may go away sooner. 

Anyway, here's hoping you will get well very soon.