What Janelle had to say on Monday, October 19th, 2009
This year doctors (and the media) seem to be really hyping getting a flu shot for the H1N1 flu (Swine Flu). More so than any other year in my recent memory. I know the H1N1 virus is really bad, but the only time I’ve ever gotten a flu shot, I ended up getting SERIOUSLY ill anyway! 
All the years I haven’t gotten a vaccination, I’ve been absolutely fine!
So, I’m curious to know . . . how many of you get a yearly flu shot? Who has gotten a vaccination and gotten the flu anyway? And those of you who don’t get a yearly flu shot, do you end up getting the flu?
*****
CARLY HERE: I just found out Rom Rev Today’s Blog is giving away a copy of LUCKY BREAK! Visit and answer the question (it’s an easy one!) for a chance to win!
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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I’ve never gotten a flu shot, even though I could get one through work for free. I rarely get sick (knock on wood) but that doesn’t mean I tempt fate either. I try to get enough sleep, drink plenty of liquids, all that.
At work, since SARS a few years back, we’ve stocked up on anticeptic wipes and disinfectant cleaners and hand sanitizer, the good stuff with the alcohol in it, and we wipe down our office about once a week.
Of course nothing’s foolproof, but I have never felt the need to get the shot, and I’m afraid that if I did, I would get sick, like you. Since I can’t remember the last time I had the flu, why tempt fate???
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Great topic! As of right now, I’m not getting the H1N1 and I’m not giving it to my kids. Especially not the nose spray! I do get the flu shot as do the kids but around here it’s been hard to get. My girls have a Nov. appt for the flu shot and the doctor said if the vaccine comes in, they’ll keep the appointment, if it doesn’t they will cancel. They had to cancel their Oct. appointments. It’s very upsetting that the news keeps pushing “get your kids vaccinated” and there are no shots available. And at pharmacies like CVS you have to be 18 or older. I plan on stopping by my doctor today and seeing if they have it in for adults. But I’m talking regular Flu. I will ask both my doctor and the girls pediatrician about H1N1 but there’d have to be a strong reason to change my mind. My ped. is very conservative. If she gives it to her girls, I’d consider it. But she was wary about Gardicil and unsure if she’d give it to hers a few yrs ago. I insisted on giving my kids anyway. So I would seriously listen to her.
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We haven’t been able to get flu shots yet this year, but my youngest daughter was diagnosed with the H1N1 yesterday. We are at home and not the hospital, thank goodness. Now I have no idea if they will want to still vaccinate her after she’s better, or if she won’t qualify. Our heath department is going to do mass vaccinations at school, but they won’t have the vaccine for another month or so. It’s really confusing.
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Gillian — I hope it’s just a mild case for your daughter and she gets better quickly!
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I hope your daughter recovers quickly.
Take care,
Donna M
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Thanks, ladies.
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Dead virus or not, the last flu shot I got, I ended up in the hospital. (I ended up with malaria from the vaccine for it, too….so…uhm…yeah…
) Not going there again. No shot for me! Lawyer Guy may get one at VA. The Only? I have no clue what she’s doing.
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Absolutely NOT.
When I was a child, my mom would force me to get the flu shot, but I’ve never had one as an adult and don’t intend to. I firmly believe that the reason we are so susceptible to all these viruses is that we have over-medicated ourselves, over-vaccinated ourselves.
BTW, influenza is far deadlier than H1N1 — according to various doctors the media has quoted here. It’s my understanding that H1N1 is mild by comparison; the only reason it’s garnering so much attention is that it’s so widespread. Hence the term “pandemic.” It helps to keep in mind that “pandemic” doesn’t mean death or deadly, it means prevalent, over a widespread area.
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I’ve gotten the flu shot every year for about the last ten years because I’ve got a lung condition. In all those years, I’ve never gotten the flu once. That said, you can still get sick (even with flu) if a virus travels around that wasn’t included in the vaccine or if you were exposed to the flu and already incubating it before you got the shot (Sometimes it can take a couple weeks after being exposed to actually get sick, if you’ve had the vaccine in the meantime you might even blame the vaccine for the illness, when it wasn’t the cause). I have never regretted getting my yearly vaccinations. I used to get very very ill from the flu, the reason I get the shots now.
I’m not sure what to do about the new vaccine since the one specifically for the swine flu seems to be a bit rushed. I think in my case, I’ll probably get the shot and take my chances because I can’t risk getting the flu. I guess its one of those things, a bit of a gamble no matter what you do.
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Happy Monday Everyone!
Great topic Janelle! I am getting the flu shot because my company offers them for free. I am not sure if I am going to get the H1N1. I know I will definitley not be getting the nasal spray (I dont ltrust that it includes the live virus). Before I consider getting the H1N1 shot, I want to read up more on possible side effects, reactions, etc.
Carly- I got the Gardasil shots a few years ago as well. My ob/gyn thought it was best given my age. I think it was a good choice for me.
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No flu shot of any kind for me. My insurance will even cover the swine flu shot, but I’m not going to get the shot. My sister and her entire family have already had the swine flu(got it right after school started) and she said it was much milder than any other type of flu she has ever had. My understanding is the swine flu is only dangerous if you already have underlying health conditions. Plus the last time I got the flu shot, I got the flu.
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I get the flu shot every year. When I didn’t get one, I got the flu and was in bed for over 10 days. Do not ever want to feel like that again. I have gotten sick but nothing like the flu. Got my daughter the shot at her doctor’s office. Still waiting for someone to have it for me to get.
I would have my daughter vaccinated with H1N1 but doubt very much it will be available.
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Oh boy 2 shots, argh.
Yes I’ll get them. I agree with Wendy.
I’d certainly get them for my kids as the
Death toll in teens in particular is rapidly
Increasing.
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I do not get a flu shot. DH got the nasal version this year and immediately contracted a brief run of the flu or a cold.
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Disclaimer: I am not one of those moms who goes around saying “my kid got autism from shots” (I think he had it from birth, but that’s another story for another day). My kids also don’t have ashma.
I am NOT giving my kids flu shots or the H1N1 shots. The flu shot is the only shot in our state that contains mercury. I used to get the flu shot when I was working ( hubby does still). I refuse to get the H1N1 shot in our state. For some reason, Washington is putting higher than “safe’ levels of mercury in the shot to keep it preserved and because it is cheaper. We are actually (as a family who has a child with autism) in the ‘high risk’ group, but I refuse to give any of us the H1N1 shot (of course, if we had ashma, I would). Only 15% of the shots do not contain mercury and you have to ask specifically for it in our state. Most of my Mom friends (even those who aren’t vax people) are getting the shot. BTW, I do get the other shots (yes, I do believe in vax, but I think they rushed the H1N1)…be sure to ask your doctor what is right for your family and ask questions (ie. does it contain thermasol). My mom (who is typically told NOT to have vax) was told to get the H1N1 shot, but not to be the ‘first in line” by her doc. Obviously, I am still mad at this state for adding something that is not needed.
Again, I am not one of those anti-vax people, I totally believe in them (just a different schedule). I would suggest to anyone to talk seriously with their doctor and make the best decision for your family.
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My mom is really pushing me to get the flu shot but I really don’t want to. Last time I got the shot I got sick (like many people here). They are really pushing the H1N1 flu shot for college students especially those who live on campus cause we’re in such tight quarters…but they have yet to get that shot in anywhere around here – they said they would have it in the first week of Oct, I guess not. I probably won’t get that shot either though. I figure if I eat healthy, take my vitamins, and wash my hands I’ll have just a good of chance of not getting either flu as anyone else.
<3 J
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I got a regular flu shot last week when I went in for my Remicade infusion. My doctor suggested I get the H1N1 shot because my immune system is compromised. But, I don’t go out into a lot of public places except the grocery store or the drug store or the occasional restaurant. I rarely go to the mall. But he did say the flu is making its way through the school system. My daughter has never received a flu shot and even when I had the flu a few years ago she never got it. The Tri-County Health Dept is setting up flu shot clinics in some schools for November. I’m not sure if we are going to get the shot or not. I probably should but I’m on the fence about it.
Cher
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I am required to get a flu shot every year, because of my profession. I have been lucky, in al the years that I have gotten the shot I only remember being sick just once. I am not a big fan of anything nasal, so I will probably opt out on the H1N1.
Gillian, I hope that your daughter get well soon.
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I have gottena flu shot every year Janelle. It is a requirement for working where I work. The biggest gripe I have about it, is the fact that I have to pay for it. That bites the big one…anyway. Everytime I get a flu shot I do get a little cold, but then it goes away. I haven’t the gotten the shot yet this year, but it is primarily because the school’s infirmary doesn’t have it available yet, and I am so not paying upwards of 30-40 bucks to get it…that is a no go for me. I will probably get the H1N1 shot too because I have asthma, and I just don’t want to risk it. I hope that all is well. Today feels like a Sunday to me…I wish it was.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I have gotten the flu shot every year since 1999. I can say since I have taken the flu shot I haven’t even had a cold. I didn’t even ask for the H1N1 shot even though I should have because I have slight asthma and spots on my lungs. The H1N1 shot just scares me a little bit and I’m not sure why unless it just the media hype. I have also gotten the pneumonia shot 5 years ago and had a slight case last year. It was strange because it was the tightening in my lungs and pain but nothing else. They gave me antibiotics which seemed to clear it up.
I have my twins in college get the flu shot and they have been lucky enough not to get sick either. We just keep our fingers crossed.
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Having asthma, I get the flu shot every year. Luckily, my work provides the shot for me. I have not had any adverse reactions and the soreness is always gone by the next morning. If the H1N1 becomes available, I will most likely get it because of my asthma.
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I have gotten a flu shot every year, and have not gotten the flu.
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I started getting the flu shot many years ago after my doctor advised it. He may have told me to start getting them after I had a particularly nasty bout of the flu thanks to my youngest nephew! I was unbeliveably sick. I’ve never gotten any case of the flu since I’ve been taking the shots. The virus is dead so it can’t make you sick but that doesn’t mean you won’t get sick from being exposed to something it doesn’t cover. After watching 60 minutes last night I have a better understanding of the H1N1 flu bug, it is especially nasty to younger people, infants, young adults so I think it is very important that children get it. They did say it is not hitting older people like the seasonal flu does so many of them don’t need the shot. If you are not sure for any reason talk to your family doctor. I had my flu shot about three weeks ago with no adverse affects. Never have had any problems with the shot itself.
Over the years I’ve worked with people that are against getting the flu shot but end up getting sick & bringing it to work which has always been a pet peeve! If you are sick, please stay home, do not come to work and share your illness.
Good subject for today!
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I got a flu shot last year and several years ago; I plan to get one next Sat when I go for my physical. When I made the appt., they said they had the vaccine.
My kids are grown so the other flu shot would be a dilemma – but would probably have them get it. And neither time did I get sick from the flu shot.
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I didn’t get flu shots for years when I was younger, but after several years of getting bronchitis or pneumonia after the flu, I started opting for the vaccinations. Lo and behold, no serious illnesses in the years I’ve been getting the shots.
But this year, H1N1 hit before the vaccine was available. My daughter and husband both got it, and then converted to pneumonia. Then I got it — and it’s a miserable, extra-achy flu, btw — and yes, now I’ve got pneumonia, too.
So yeah, I wish I’d been able to get the shot in time, and I will certainly get it and the seasonal flu shot once I’m well enough.
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I’m 40, and have never had a flu shot. I’ve never had the flu, either. Well, until this year! I am recovering from a bad bout (following the other six members of my family…, maybe they had something to do with it?).
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I’ve been getting an annual flu shot the last three or four years. I still get really sick at least once a year, though, but it’s not necessarily because of the flu. I work with four- and five-year-olds, and my doctor recommends that I get a flu shot. Don’t know yet if I’ll be getting the H1N1 shot, too.
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I loud no from me. 13 years ago I developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome. I couldn’t stand or walk, was in the hospital for 10 days & off work for 8 l/2 weeks. #1 reason to get it, flu inoculations (though, that was not the case with me). Ad for relatively-new inoculation to prevent meningitis, Menactra, uses a statement of not recommended for someone who had experienced GBS.
Patricia
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I’ve gotten a seasonal flu shot every year for many, many years. In that time period , I’ve only gotten the flu a couple of times. I have chronic bronchitis,
so that dictates that I must have the injection.
I spent all this morning trying to find a flu shot clinic after I had called my doctor’s office. His nurse informed me that they never received their order of the vaccine. What’s more, they were counseling patients to try the pharmacies. I called one of the grocery stores after the pharmacies told me they were all out. The store I called had exactly three doses left, I reserved one and got over there within the hour. I am now duly vaccinated and so is Honey, he got his at work.
My theory on how the shortage came about: the pharmaceutical companies
decided to produce half N1H1 vaccine and half seasonal flu vaccine!
Pat Cochran
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NO I AM NOT GETTING THE SHOT I HAVE ASTHMA BUT MY DOC NEVER TOLD ME TO GET IT …I LOOK AT THEM STRANGELY WHEN THEY START PUSHING THESE NEW SHOTS AND TRY TO PUT THE FEAR OF GOD IN EVERYONE…I SERIOUSLY DONT’ TRUST THEM…LAST YEAR PEOPLE THAT GOT THE FLU SHOT STILL GOT THE FLU,,,JUST WASH YOUR HANDS AND USE SANITIZER AND WILL TAKE MY CHANCES….
DONNA
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I get a flu shot every year as I work in the medical field. I do it not only for my saftey but also for the saftey of our patients. A lot of people think the shot covers ALL flu but it does not so after getting the shot you can still get sick.
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I used to get the flu shot, I don’t any more. Haven’t noticed a difference in my health.
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I’ve been getting a flu shot for the past few years since I work with the public. I also have a chronic condition & take meds that weakens my immune system so my doc wants me to have flu shots. I don’t recall having a bad case of flu since taking the shots. I’m considering the H1N1 shot, too, if they are still available in my area. My husband was diagnosed with pneumonia which the doc said was most likely caused by H1N1. So, I’m sleeping in the other bedroom, washing my hands constantly & using hand sanitizer, avoiding him as much as possible & commensurate from the next room. I did buy him soup, though, just in case you think I sound like a lousy wife.