Flu Vaccine 2011

devais

Hi everyone!

I know there has been a few threads regarding the flu vaccine but I can't seem to find one that is up to date...

I am going on holiday at the end of January and am anxious not to catch the flu/swine flu while I am away so was thinking of getting the flu vaccine this weekend. If I wasn't going on holiday I don't think I would get the vaccine as I am a bit wary about vaccines but obviously don't want my holiday ruined should I catch it. I have read the HSE website and it seems the vaccine also covers swine flu this year.

Has anyone on here had the vaccine in recent weeks and if so, what, if any, side affects have you experienced...

Thanks in advance for any replies

FluffyCat

I havent had the 2-in-1 this year but when I had the swine flu vaccine last year all I had was a very sore arm for a few days. I dont think side effects are common

drzhivago

devais wrote: »

Hi everyone!

I know there has been a few threads regarding the flu vaccine but I can't seem to find one that is up to date...

I am going on holiday at the end of January and am anxious not to catch the flu/swine flu while I am away so was thinking of getting the flu vaccine this weekend. If I wasn't going on holiday I don't think I would get the vaccine as I am a bit wary about vaccines but obviously don't want my holiday ruined should I catch it. I have read the HSE website and it seems the vaccine also covers swine flu this year.

Has anyone on here had the vaccine in recent weeks and if so, what, if any, side affects have you experienced...

Thanks in advance for any replies

Obviously medically qualified so bit of bias here

Not in the business of giving vaccine myself so no vested financial interest

I was queuing up day 1 when it came out for staff where I work, very little side effects as other poster said but if it stops me getting sick it exactly what I need, have a medical condition that doesnt respond well to side ball ilnesses

MOST people who get seasonal flu get over it, have a miserable few days, need paracetamol/fluids but wont be badly affected

The very young, very old, people pregnant or who have medical conditions can be more affected

One option if you dont like vaccines is to check where you are going to see from their health surveillance services whether they have high incidence of flu before travelling ALTHOUGH you are more likely to get it here if you get it at all as we are in flu season now

tinytina

I am due a baby next week and trying to get my two other kids vaccinated to prevent them bringing flu home from school or creche. I've been told by my GP that they don't fall into the 'at risk' category so she can't offer us the vaccine (even though 1 of them is under 5, which I believe is considered an at risk group).

Boots pharmacies are giving the vaccines, however not to under 16s and I am wondering is there anywhere else I can go privately (I am in the Limerick area) to get them the seasonal flu vaccine?

Thanks,

devais

Well I bit the bullet and got the vaccine on Saturday!

No side affects (so far) except for a very sore arm - the doctor warned me about this (she said it would feel sore for a week, to take painkillers and gave me the injection in my left arm as I'm right handed) but I thought she was exaggerating! Feels like a I've had a really bad fall on that side...

Anyway, I'll survive a sore arm and at least I won't bring the flu with me on holiday:D

devais

Tinytina, I am not in the at risk group either but my doctor had no problem giving me the vaccine - infact she said that anyone who came into her who was going on holiday she automatically gave them the vaccine...

tk123

Has anyone just walked into Boots and gotten the vaccine? I called them earlier and they wanted me to make an appointment but said I'd get it if they were quiet..the store in question is always empty!

Reesy

Hi, I just read that the Boots flu jab costs £12.99 http://www.boots.com/en/Pharmacy-Health/Health-assessments-services/Boots-Flu-Vaccination-Service/What-is-Seasonal-Flu-/ and I read on another forum that here it costs EUR 30! If that's true, wot a rip-off!

Hrududu

I got the swine flu vaccine last year. Does that cover the strain that is currently going around or is it recommended to get this years vaccine?

Ciara11

www.swineflu.ie is very good for information. I got it in October, had a sore arm was all for day or two. Glad i got it.

My understanding is that you need to get it again if you got it last year if you are in an at risk group

Ann22

Ciara11 wrote: »

My understanding is that you need to get it again if you got it last year if you are in an at risk group

Ciara, that site said the following..............This year a large number of people in Ireland will be immune to the H1N1 virus, either because they had the virus last year or because they received the vaccine during the Swine Flu Vaccination Programme that ran from November 2009 to March 2010

Maybe people with serious illnesses would need a top up but it doesn't say so.

My 9yr old niece couldn't get done last year as she had Bell's Palsy, she suffers with her chest when she has a cold so my sister tried to get her done. The doc won't do it as she's not in a high risk category.

She went to Boots and they said they only give the jab to over 18s (€15) but if she got a doc's prescription they would give her the vial of vaccine and she'd have to take it to the doc or nurse to administer it (within the hour as it can't be out of the fridge for longer). The doc still wouldn't write the prescription.

Originally my sister had rung the outpatients dept in the hospital to see if there was a clinic running like last year but the nurse said no and that she suspected there wasn't enough money in the country to pay for a mass vaccination:(.