Have you had your flu shot?

[snafu]

Do you know where to go in your community for a free or nearly free flu shot? Some cities offer free clinics at local hospitals or libraries for example.

[kork13]

I believe most drugstores (Walgreens, CVS, supermarket pharmacies, etc) offer flu shots, which are almost universally covered by health insurance. Unless you live/work nearby your doctor's office, those seem like the easiest way to get the flu shot.

Of course, as a military member, they give us our vaccinations early & often... I got mine back in late September.

[rennigade]

I went to CVS...I have health insurance so it was free. First time getting a flu shot. Last year I was sick for 3ish months...hoping to dodge that bullet but like I told the doctor...ill get the mutated strain not covered by the injection.

[creditcardfree]

No, and I'm not getting one. Just because something is free or marketed to the hilt like Black Friday doesn't mean it's good for you. I highly suggest doing research on the effectiveness, and the ingredients in the flu vaccine. It's a crap shoot at best on effectiveness and the ingredients (like thiomersal (mercury is a known neurotoxin) are more harmful to our bodies than getting the flu. There are other ways to stay healthy and avoid the flu than a flu shot. Again your choice, but I've done my research and it is not right for me. If I get the flu, I will definitely stay away from others and I always make a point of sneezing into my shirt when around others.

My husband is in the military and is getting his today. He would like to opt out but when your job requires it, it is hard.

[bjl584]

Planning on stopping today after work for one. Target is close to me, so I'm going there.

[Nutria]

and the ingredients (like thiomersal (mercury is a known neurotoxin) are more harmful to our bodies than getting the flu.

Someone as smart as you should know that it's all about the dosage.

That being said... http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056...1204#t=article
vaccinating schoolchildren is an effective way to reduce the chance of everyone else getting the flu.

[disneysteve]

Yep. Got mine a couple of weeks ago at work. DW got hers at CVS. The more people who get them, the better.

I'll stay out of the "vaccine denier" debate as it just raises my blood pressure.

[rennigade]

I'll stay out of the "vaccine denier" debate as it just raises my blood pressure.

Ah come on...surely those keyboard warrior anti vacciners obtained their doctorate...spent decades in a lab environment running experiments and have wrote numerous published papers on why certain vaccines are bad. They always seem like experts in the subject matter...who wouldnt believe them!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Got mine, as I do every year.

My doctor asked when I was in the office at the end of August whether I wanted to get it then, but said he was unsure if they still had any vaccine in the office. I told him to save it for someone higher risk and less mobile, that I'd wait till November to get mine at a drugstore -- which I have done.

[klarose]

No. And I will not be getting one.

No reason to ridicule creditcardfree for opposing your view.

[Wringer-Washer]

Neither myself or my husband have had a flu shot. Our family physician recommended not getting it, due to the fact that both DH and myself are in good health.

P.S. I couldn't find an introduction or welcome board for newcomers, so please accept this as my hello to all of you here!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

hello and I got my flu shot.

Herd immunity only works when people all do it. Hence why we keep having outbreaks of stuff.

my pressure rises as well so I'll bow out about anti-vax and the incorrect statements about vaccines.

[moneybags]

No. And I will not be getting one.

No reason to ridicule creditcardfree for opposing your view.

Agree; I think there is a big difference between being an anti-vaxxer and not getting a flu shot. I don't get a flu shot, but I'm not an anti-vaxxer.

[disneysteve]

Neither myself or my husband have had a flu shot. Our family physician recommended not getting it, due to the fact that both DH and myself are in good health.

It's interesting that a doctor would do that. The very first thing a lawyer looks for when reviewing a potential malpractice claim is if the doctor deviated from the Medical Standard of Care (MSOC). Telling your patients not to get a flu shot is a blatant deviation. Any patient who later contracts the flu would have no trouble finding a lawyer to sue the doctor for negligence.

Wringer-Washer, you might want to find out in what other ways your doctor chooses to deviate from MSOC in his/her practice.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Disneysteve, do you think a doctor would actually tell (come up with a list?) of their deviations from MSOC when asked directly? I'd think they'd be more discreet, withholding, especially if asked using such a term.