Flu vaccine - yes or no?

[vallaw]

Having reached the great age of 66, I have been offered a free seasonal flu vaccination. Should I accept?

[jno]

I always have. I've found I get far fewer colds than before (about one every two years instead of three stinkers each winter) - though I know colds aren't flu and this shouldn't happen, it does.

[wolf63]

I had my first flu jab last year and it was relatively painless and straightforward. The flu can be pretty nasty - do you really want to take the chance?

[Jayne-123]

Its a personal choice, however my parents had the jab and both came down with heavy colds afterwards, so wish they hadn't had it.

[Euphemia]

I agree with jno and wolf63.

[smurf]

yes have one every year if you have ever had flu you will definitely except

[funnygirl]

I always get sick when I have a flu jab!!!

Plus my arm swells up too.

[gina32]

i have read somehwre that peopel do get a cold after having teh jab but it is pure coincidence that it happens, nothing to do with the jab itself

[gingejbee]

My father has one every time it's offered, and has never had any problems (or flu).

[Mattk]

As Jayne said I know people who have had it but then gone straight down with a really heavy cold whereas all of the others of us in the office were fine!

This happened on more than one occasion.

[gina32]

pure coincidence

[gina32]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...conditions/flu1.shtml

[rsvp]

I've also been 'invited' to have the jab but have decided to decline - I have never had one and last had a cold about 10+years ago - also am outdoors at lot in all weathers which I think helps -however, that my decision and may not be right for others.

[boxtops]

Yes, I've had flu jabs for the past ten years or so. I have had seasonal flu twice in my life and it's so debilitating, I don't want to have it again. It's not so much the flu which hospitalises people, it's the complications which can set in as we get older. The colds and flu symptoms people get afterwards are coincidence. The flu jabs now include vaccine against swine flu so you would be doubly protected.

[hc4361]

I have had the flu jab every year for over 10 years. No pain, no problem, no flu.
Yes, I do get colds but if you've ever had the flu you know there is no comparison.
I've also had the one off pneumonia jab.

[jd_here]

YES! Only had flu once, when I was in my 20's, never want it again

[vallaw]

Thank you all for your advice. I think I'll go for it.