The Junkyard

G, I dont know if it is a good idea or not to get the shot! My wife is a nurse and never gets the flu shot or flu until this year. She has it now. I got it when i was in Orlando. It started while I was at the game and my 18 year old got it the day after we got back. It last a week and then you still feel drained. Oh did i say that it sucks! I remember when my 3 oldest sons (now grown) were babies and we passed around a flu or virus or whatever for more than 3 weeks!
Have fun getting your shot!

I have to get one every year because I work in the OR and got mine in early November. I've been around a LOT of sick people, my girlfriend has had three different colds since November 20 and I haven't gotten the slightest bit sick.

I believe they work and I think this year it's an especially good move.

Most important things is sanitize/ wash your hands. I wash mine about 20 times a day.

It's not a live virus in the vaccine, so you can not get the flu from the shot. It's always better to get the shot than not. They are usually about 80% effective during an average year. If you've been vaccinated it can also reduce the duration and ease the symptoms if you do happen to get the flu.
This year may not be the best "match", but it never hurts to get the vaccination.

G, sorry to break it to you, but if you haven't had a tetanus booster within the last three years, you probably need to get one also. The current vaccine boosts your immunization for pertussis (whooping cough) that is almost as dangerous to your 5 month old as flu is. The older tetanus vaccines did not have the pertussis with it.

Oh, and it takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to have full effect.

Gentry

Definitely not wasting your time, especially with an infant at home. As a public health pharmacist, I'd advise you to get one every year. And yes, as Drdawgfan advised, get a Td (tetanus-diphtheria) booster, too. (Need a booster every 10 years; again if injuried and it's been greater than 5 years.)

Some flu and tetanus vaccine facts FYI, if you care to read it:

The influenza vaccine is comprised of three component antigens (H1N1, H3N2, and B virus). The strain of each is the best guess estimate by the CDC, WHO, FDA and others as to which strain of the three antigen components will be circulating in the Western Hemisphere each flu season and most likely to give one the flu.

As dawgdoc said, they are usually accurate about 2/3rds of the time, but usually accurate enough to give you some some protective antigenicity. Especially with an infant at home, or if you are elderly or immune compromised, it's wise to get one every year. A flu shot can't always protect against the flu, but if you get exposed and come down with it, you'll be less sick and sick for a shorter period of time than if you didn't get vaccinated.

Very much worth getting. The flu shot can't give you the flu, for the virual antigens are attenuated (killed). Sometimes after receiving it, for a day or two you may feel flu-like achy. That's just your body building up protective antibodies to the vaccine viral components, and is normal. Taking Acetomenaphen for a couple of days after your flu shot will usually help prevent this acheness.

After receiving a flu shot, it takes around two weeks until you build up your protective antibodies and are most protected. You only need one shot each year.

JAW, Jr.

Thanks, Swom! Didn't know whether or not to post all that. Glad you appreciated reading it.

I pray you don't get guillain-barre syndrome....it's a real mf'er. Got it in Athens my freshman year, missed over 2 years of school, ended up with a chronic form and have nerve damage and problems 12 years later. It's rare, but can be caused by flu shot or other vaccinations...I'm told not to get flu shots as a result.

Yeah JAWJeR is THE MAN around here!

Gracious, man. Sorry to hear that.

Never had the flu shot in my adult life and never had the flu. Govmint conspiracy IYAM