My one and only flu shot was during the Ford administration. I figured since I commuted by NYC subway and worked as a field tech, in and out of many different offices, it was a good idea. Got deathly ill for a week. Since then I’ve had the flu on occassion, but nothing so bad as when I got that shot. This year, at 68, I had a two day fever, a cough and aches. One more day of weakness and I was back to normal.
Conclusion....NO flu shots for Roccus!
Good decision. :)
No flu shots for me either.
As we age catching the flu is more dangerous because it can leave you with pneumonia which can easily kill you.
I have not had the flu since I began taking flu shots every year for about 20 years. I don't miss my flu shot and you should reconsider yours.
There are a lot of possibilities here.
Did you have an allergic reaction to that shot? Were you exposed to the flu before the shot had time to work (it takes about 2 weeks to develop immunity following a shot)? Did you catch a flu or flu-like illness that was not contained in the shot?
For people who are allergic to the flu shot, there are now flu shots available that are not made in eggs.
The flu vaccine can only protect against 3 (4, in some newer vaccines) kinds of flu. But there are many kinds of flu. Whether or not the shot will protect you depends on how similar the flu you are exposed to is to the (dead) flu contained in the shot.
At your age, the immune system is becoming weak. People over the age of 60 are especially prone to influenza and its complications. One common complication is secondary infections; your body's fight against the influenza virus leaves you susceptible to bacterial infection.
As we age catching the flu is more dangerous because it can leave you with pneumonia which can easily kill you.
I have not had the flu since I began taking flu shots every year for about 20 years. I don't miss my flu shot and you should reconsider yours.