Flu Vaccine

[twoboysdad]

You probably have heard about the shortage of nearly half of the flu vaccine.

Does anyone know if after OHS you may have a better chance of catching the Flu? I am curious if I should try to get a shot before my Oct 15th surgery or if I should not worry about it.

I am a pretty healthy person. In fact, I never opt for the Flu Shot because I never catch it. I figure there always is a shortage and Iam sure someone needs it more than me. But this year it may be differnent due to my surgery.

What do you all think?

Jeff

 

[Ross]

Being this close to surgery, I wouldn't recommend it, but you might want to check with the surgeon and get his opinion on it.

 

[Harpoon]

Check with the surgeon.

Generally folks who have heart conditions (whatever the variety) are bumped up to the "preffered" list for flu shots because when they catch the flu, it hits them much harder than the "average" human being.

Same is true for the elderly and certain other groups of people.

Healthcare workers get priority as well because they're exposed to the virus a lot more the average person and can spread it around "more efficiently" because of that exposure.

The vaccines are distrubuted by region as well so some places might not have any while others have surpluses. Generally they try to spread extra around to areas that don't have enough, but it can be a slow process.

Last year I got my vaccine at the doctor's office though none of the "clinics" at local grocery stores and pharmacies had any to offer. I don't think the local Red Cross office did either, they had been planning a number of clinics which would also include various types of screenings and such but had to run an ad in the paper a week before their clinics saying they did not have flu vaccine.


I got mine "kinda" late too.

 

[liamty]

Having the flu injection just gives you a bit more back up and protection for your heart, whether you are healthy otherwise or not, especially if you deal with the public, are are around the public a lot. Ours here only protect for specific strains of the flu virus, not all flus, and we are warned that the immunisation only lasts for a couple of months, so if you get it too early then you lose your immunity for the mid to end of the season. It needs to be timed right, so even if it isn't recommended before surgery it may be ok for afterwards. It is also worth considering incubating youself in your recovery so that you come into contact with as few people as possible to minimise your chances of contracting it anyway. We also have a pnuemonia immunisation here, it lasts for about 2 years I think.
Good luck anyway!!!!!

 

[Harpoon]

In the States at least, October/November seems to be the best time got flu shots, before winter really kicks in.

It only works if you're "reasonably" healthy and don't already have the flu bug in your system when you get the shot. Many people contract the flu within a few days of getting the vaccine and attribute it to the injection when they've already had the "potent" virus in their system. The injection can drop your immune system down a notch as it's creating antibodies against the flu vaccine (and the real virus) so the infection you already have gets a boost to hit in harder.

That's actually one of the problems with going to a flu shot clinic someplace instead of seeing your regular doctor who will give you a quick physical before administering the shot.

Only once did I go to a clinic for the shot and that was because my doctor's office didn't have any left and my doc told me to try a clinic.

I have a pneumonia shot that's still good for, I THINK, another 4 years,