Travel Health and Fitness - Do you take the flu shot?

Just curious how many FFers take the flu shot. Flying in a closed cabin could make one susceptible. Has anyone caught the flu while flying?

Everywhere I go offers flu shots, even grocery stores. I see doctors on the news suggesting everybody get one. I've never had a flu shot and only remember having the flu one time back in the 90s. Have been running on borrowed time?

I try to get one each year. Work covers the cost of it, and if they didn't, my insurance would.

Always get one.

I get one each year. A couple of times I've gotten the flu due to traveling & people sick on plane, & it was before I got the shot that year so I ended up getting sick (flying w/ a 102 temp home or having a high temp in a hotel room is not fun, btw).

What I like is that at some airports (ORD is one), they have medical stands where you can get the flu shot. Talk about convenient! I've done that a couple of times. Otherwise I just go to the local drugstore.

I'm self-employed & my insurance doesn't cover a flu shot so I pay the $24 out of pocket. But it's worth it to not be horribly sick & also not to lose work time.

Cheers.

I did as well - work has multiple days where they offer onsite, free flu shots for employees

I should add that now, since my mother had a kidney transplant, if I want to see her during flu season, I need to have a flu shot.

I always get a flu shot and have gotten one at ORD and find that very handy and time saving.

Have not gotten the shot in the past 10 years.

Usually if I feel something coming on, I hop up on Vitamin C and get some goodnight rest and it is gone within a day. The ONE year that I got the flu shot, I actually got sick and had to stay in bed for 3 days.

Nowadays, my wife and kid get the shot, but I don't. If I feel sick, I let my body fight it off and I do just fine without the shot.

I get one every year. I recommend it to all my patients.

My workplace has a roving band of needle pushers walking down the corridors looking to poke anyone they see! :D No sense in fighting them! ;)

I also get it through work... a nurse literally comes to the HQ building to administer the shots...:D

I wouldn't be without it... I DID have the flu about 5 years ago... for the first time in at least 16 years.

God it was awful.

I asked my GP if I didn't have something way more serious.. and she laughed and said "You've just forgotten how horrible it is"...;)

I haven't had one in several years. Since I am on a high deductible plan, I would have to pay for it. This year, my insurance company sent me a card eligible for a free flu shot and once it is used they will send me a $25 gift card. Definitely will be getting one this year!

Just curious how many FFers take the flu shot. Flying in a closed cabin could make one susceptible. Has anyone caught the flu while flying?

Everywhere I go offers flu shots, even grocery stores. I see doctors on the news suggesting everybody get one. I've never had a flu shot and only remember having the flu one time back in the 90s. Have been running on borrowed time?

It's $25 out here and really easy to get. Those who get the flu will have several really miserable days in bed to curse themselves for not getting the vaccine.

BTW, I've read a number of expert views on disease transmission in airplanes. It seems like the consensus is that the very low humidity of an air cabin actually makes it difficult for the transmission of pathogens. On the other hand, you are sitting very close to a handful of people for hours. So, it's not really the cabin air that is a problem, but rather your very close proximity to a few other passengers.

Traveling around the third world over the years I always seemed to pick up some kind of flu almost every year, for many years. I'm a tough guy and always just rode it out and just dealt with it. Life goes on. Then one day I had an epiphany and it came to me. I was like "wait a minute, they have shots that prevent flu. I should probably get one of those, since I always get the flu.":D

After my brilliant reasoning, I went from getting the flu almost every year to not having it since.

My employer reimburses all but $5 of the cost of a flu shot.

On the other hand, you are sitting very close to a handful of people for hours. So, it's not really the cabin air that is a problem, but rather your very close proximity to a few other passengers.

That's what I figured - I wasn't worried about the overall planes, but the people next to me who coughed & coughed & didn't cover their mouths and a couple of days later I ended up sick (because I hadn't gotten the shot yet).

I have to pay for the shot myself, but it's the best $25 I spend each year - not to be totally miserable/sick for days. It's bad enough if you're at home; worst if you're on the road.

FWIW - when you get the shot, they tell you it takes 2 weeks for you to be fully immunized. Also, each year they try to figure out which strains are going to be the worst & develop the shot you get from those projections. The majority can avoid the flu with the shot, but there will be folk who got the shot yet end up getting sick anyway because they got a different strain than the big ones. Still worth it IMO, as odds are you'd probably get the main one, not an offshoot.

Plus people who don't get the shot and then get sick and go to work or shopping or social activities when they're in the infectious stage drive me crazy. Thanks for exposing others to your illness, not to mention your own family. But that's a discussion for the Omnis ;)

Cheers.

Thanks for all the replies and stories. I'm heading over to CVS this afternoon to get the shot.

I always got the flu shot and always had a terrible reaction at the shot site. Arm would immediately swell and it would be painful for days. I discovered that if I got the preservative-free flu shot I would not have that pain and swelling. Apparently, there is mercury in most of the medications. I do just fine. I simply ask for the preservative-free one.

Each year I also get one - I get the flu shot free at I.U. Hospital so that's also nice!

I never get the flu shot. I have had the flu once in my life. I figure that would be about the same as if I got flu shots since they're really sort of guessing - albeit educated guesses - as to what they are vaccinating you against.

I don't touch door knobs, railings, holds in subways, anything other people touch. I stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing. I figure that's better than a flu shot.

+1 for getting it...other than allergies and the rare cold, it seems to help keep me healthy! :)

I don't touch door knobs, railings, holds in subways, anything other people touch. I stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing.

Are you related to Howie Mandel? ;) :p :D :D

Cheers.

I always got the flu shot and always had a terrible reaction at the shot site. Arm would immediately swell and it would be painful for days. I discovered that if I got the preservative-free flu shot I would not have that pain and swelling. Apparently, there is mercury in most of the medications. I do just fine. I simply ask for the preservative-free one.

That reminds me that they now have one that's inhaled, rather than injected, don't they?

That reminds me that they now have one that's inhaled, rather than injected, don't they?

LAIV (inhaled version of the vaccine) is not recommended for people younger than 2 or older than 50.

Someone told me if you raise your arm above your head & move it around a lot on the first day that your arm isn't as sore from the injection.

My arm gets sore from any injection, so I don't think it's specific to a flu shot (tetanus it lasts for a few days), but next time I get an injection of any type I'll try the moving the arm around strategy. Can't hurt; might help.

Cheers.

LAIV (inhaled version of the vaccine) is not recommended for people younger than 2 or older than 50.

Someone told me if you raise your arm above your head & move it around a lot on the first day that your arm isn't as sore from the injection.

My arm gets sore from any injection, so I don't think it's specific to a flu shot (tetanus it lasts for a few days), but next time I get an injection of any type I'll try the moving the arm around strategy. Can't hurt; might help.

Cheers.

Soreness is likely from your immune system (and fluid buildup) acting on the foreign substance just injected into your muscle. You will feel some dull pain and soreness like its being stretched, which is natural immune response. I would not recommend applying any pressure directly on it (though a gentle compress can help), but I have done some shoulder rotations in the past and it has helped keep my arm from getting too sore - helps get the blood moving (as does the warm compress) to clear away the fluid buildup that causes some of the stiffness.

Other people have suggested Advil to lessen the pain

BTW. This year I got my shot at a Target store Pharmacy in San Diego and the price was only $17.68 for anyone, insured or not. I don't know where that price came from but that was what I paid just walking into the Target store. I get all but $5 reimbursed by my employer anyway so no big difference to me but the $17.68 price did strike me as a heck of a deal so if Target Pharmacy still has that deal going, I'll give them a plug for that.

Don't know if they still do it (no CVS where I know live), but if you were a member of CVS rewards program you got a $2 discount on the flu shot.

Hmm, we do have a Target here but it's a smaller one; I don't think it has a pharmacy. I got mine for $24 at Sam's Club when I stopped by to buy some wine. Next year I'll have to check out a dif Target. Although I liked getting it at ORD when transiting, as it was easy to do when on the road.

neuron, thanks for the explanation & info.

Cheers.

LAIV (inhaled version of the vaccine) is not recommended for people younger than 2 or older than 50.

Someone told me if you raise your arm above your head & move it around a lot on the first day that your arm isn't as sore from the injection.

My arm gets sore from any injection, so I don't think it's specific to a flu shot (tetanus it lasts for a few days), but next time I get an injection of any type I'll try the moving the arm around strategy. Can't hurt; might help.

Cheers.
Thanks. I fit into that, although my company covers the cost of the shot, so... In fact, I get that this afternoon, at work. :)

Are you related to Howie Mandel? ;) :p :D :D

Cheers.

Don't touch me! ;)

(I did learn a ton from my son who works with ebola and other viruses. The things he does to avoid touching stuff touched by others is amazing ... and not real obvious until it's pointed out to you.)

Don't touch me! ;)

(I did learn a ton from my son who works with ebola and other viruses. The things he does to avoid touching stuff touched by others is amazing ... and not real obvious until it's pointed out to you.)

Do share. :)

I don't touch door knobs, railings, holds in subways, anything other people touch. I stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing. I figure that's better than a flu shot.

I never get the shot and I DO touch door knobs, railings, holds in subways ;)


I'm a little surprised that it seems most people, at least on this thread, do get it.

I never get the shot and I DO touch door knobs, railings, holds in subways ;)


I'm a little surprised that it seems most people, at least on this thread, do get it.
I used to get it only because work paid for it and I could simply walk downstairs on a set day to get it. Now, if I want to see my mother during "flu season" I need to have it. So, at least for me, there is somewhat of a medical reason for getting it.

I used to get it only because work paid for it and I could simply walk downstairs on a set day to get it. Now, if I want to see my mother during "flu season" I need to have it. So, at least for me, there is somewhat of a medical reason for getting it.

this is very true, while I would assume most of us are healthy, the most affected group are the very young, elderly and those who have another health problem or weakened immune system.

For those who are healthy, a bad flu may mean a few days (or a week) in bed and some aching pains, for someone who is more susceptible getting the flu can be fatal.

this is very true, while I would assume most of us are healthy, the most affected group are the very young, elderly and those who have another health problem or weakened immune system.

For those who are healthy, a bad flu may mean a few days (or a week) in bed and some aching pains, for someone who is more susceptible getting the flu can be fatal.

For those who come into contact regularly with those in one of the categories listed above as the most affected, you should get a flu shot too.

I don't go out of my way or pay extra for a flu shot. But if I happen to go to my doctor (at a VA clinic) and they have the shot, I'll certainly get it (for free).

It is really hit or miss if I get the flu or not. And getting a flu shot seems to have little to no impact on getting the flu, for me at least.

I follow all of the usual precautions...wash hands regularly, take my vitamins, watch diet/exercise, and try to stay away from those who come to work hacking. If I'm not feeling quite up to par, I'll just work from home and skip a workout our 2.

For me, I seem to get bronchitis or other respiratory infections, rather than the flu. These require that I go to a doctor, get an antibiotic, etc. I have asthma and take Asmanax, which makes getting these infections more likely.

this is very true, while I would assume most of us are healthy, the most affected group are the very young, elderly and those who have another health problem or weakened immune system.

For those who are healthy, a bad flu may mean a few days (or a week) in bed and some aching pains, for someone who is more susceptible getting the flu can be fatal.

There is an ongoing debate right now in public health about vaccine priorities when there is an outbreak of a particularly dangerous flu virus. The elderly have been high on the priority list, but the problem is that their immune systems tend to be weak. This often results in little or no immune response to the vaccine.

Some think young children should be a higher priority than the elderly, and that this would actually benefit the elderly. Young children are germ-spreading machines like no other group. It might actually better protect the elderly to prevent outbreaks among young children, as those outbreaks inevitably reach the elderly.

I'm getting it because we're expecting. Otherwise I'm kind of hit or miss with it.

Thanks for all the replies and stories. I'm heading over to CVS this afternoon to get the shot.

The CVS pharmacist blew me off.

BTW. This year I got my shot at a Target store Pharmacy in San Diego and the price was only $17.68 for anyone, insured or not. I don't know where that price came from but that was what I paid just walking into the Target store. I get all but $5 reimbursed by my employer anyway so no big difference to me but the $17.68 price did strike me as a heck of a deal so if Target Pharmacy still has that deal going, I'll give them a plug for that.

Thanks to your advice I went to a Target in PHX yesterday. They took my insurance so there was no charge and they had me injected and on my way in 10 minutes.

Can't remember the last time I had one. Maybe it's time...

The CVS pharmacist blew me off.

I'd send an email to CVS, as they've been advertising quite extensively about being able to get a flu shot there without an appointment.

There is an ongoing debate right now in public health about vaccine priorities when there is an outbreak of a particularly dangerous flu virus. The elderly have been high on the priority list, but the problem is that their immune systems tend to be weak. This often results in little or no immune response to the vaccine.

Some think young children should be a higher priority than the elderly, and that this would actually benefit the elderly. Young children are germ-spreading machines like no other group. It might actually better protect the elderly to prevent outbreaks among young children, as those outbreaks inevitably reach the elderly.

True. I am of the adage that protection of both groups is important, children for their hyper-social interactions and higher rates of vector transmission and elderly for their lower immunity and generally higher rates of complications with things like the flu. Children with less developed immune systems are also at risk as they have had fewer exposure opportunities and innate immune abilities. These would be reasons for protecting the individuals, but on a societal level, the medical costs for a bad flu season can be immense in treating the sick relative to the cost of a flu shot.

This is not saying the flu shot is 100% proof. I recall one year when the strain titres they used were not what hit during flu season and a lot of people still ended up with the flu, but the old adage goes -

an ounce of protection....

Many corporates offer it for free - does that change the priority listing given their buying power?

True. I am of the adage that protection of both groups is important...

The problem is that the production of the vaccine is a slow process, so saying yes to some groups means saying no to others. Likewise, giving equal priority to young children and the elderly usually means that there will not be enough supply to vaccinate everyone in both groups.

The problem is that the production of the vaccine is a slow process, so saying yes to some groups means saying no to others. Likewise, giving equal priority to young children and the elderly usually means that there will not be enough supply to vaccinate everyone in both groups.

No arguments, but some additional info

There are approximately 170 million flu vaccines available in the US -- half thiomersal or preservative free. If the vaccines were targeted to areas that are much more prone to the flu (northern states, pacific coast, eastern seaboard, esp FL), there prob is sufficient amounts to cover all children and elderly, but insufficient to cover all the population. The problem comes with timing as IIRC, the injections are time-dated and must be used within a certain amount of time upon manufacturing or first use. The second problem is that the flu shots are not released at the same time, so there are probably shortages at the start, but not later on in the season.

These are logistical issues with the flu shots and covering vulnerable populations, but it still stands the fewer who get the flu, the fewer who will spread it and hopefully the fewer who may die from it.

Let's just hope we don't see a repeat of 1918 -- over 50 million killed, most of them young and previously healthy. There's really no reason to believe something this bad or worse couldn't happen again.

I got the flu shot last week, at a CVS, but it took way longer than just "walking in."

Every year, I get the cold from Hades, plus I've had various flus that have left me laid out for a month. I'm pretty sure I had H1N1 in 2009 and I was sick for a month.

Yes. My employer offers it free each fall.

I've never taken the flu shot for travel or work reasons...

Just got mine 2 days ago, they brought a nurse into the office so was really easy.

So anyone that didn't get the shot get the flu? anyone who got the shot?


I didn't get the shot and *knock on wood* haven't been sick yet.

So anyone that didn't get the shot get the flu? anyone who got the shot?


I didn't get the shot and *knock on wood* haven't been sick yet.

I did get the shot and did not get sick thus far.

Last year was the first year I missed getting the shot & got the flu in Feb. Totally miserable.

Cheers.

I never take the flu shot, I took it once and got the flu. I never got the shot again and have only gotten the flu a time or two since. I just can't see the need in the shot for me personally.

I never take the flu shot, I took it once and got the flu. I never got the shot again and have only gotten the flu a time or two since. I just can't see the need in the shot for me personally.

And we all have to make our personal decisions. Not getting it works for you. Getting it works for me.

While the flu shot can't prevent the flu 100%, it does eliminate the odds about 90%.

To me that's worth it. The two times I've gotten the flu in recent years was because one year I caught the flu before the shots were available that autumn and last year when I didn't get it. Being that sick & miserable for several days is NOT something I want to repeat, so to me it's a no-brainer to get it.

Cheers.

Just curious how many FFers take the flu shot. Flying in a closed cabin could make one susceptible. Has anyone caught the flu while flying?

Fly spreads darn easily even outside of a closed cabin. I get a flu shot whichever years I can - there have sometimes been sufficient shortages that I couldn't until late in the season, so I didn't bother (two years ago, for example, with H1N1, I only had the new H1N1 vaccine because of shortages of the regular seasonal one.)

I've never knowingly gotten the flu while flying. I *have* badly ill while traveling; some woman turned and coughed directly on me in the Hong Kong subway, and I got a bit sick a few hours later, and terribly sick the next day. Had a fever of 102f when I got home, and was already starting to feel BETTER then; I'm surprised they let me onto the plane... a few years earlier with SARS they were doing outgoing IR checks as well as incoming.

I always get the flu shot. Prior to the shots, I got the flu every year and it seemed to be getting worse each time (whatever happened to the '24-hour' flu I got growing up?)

I've only had the flu once during that time. I waited for the free company shots which were very late in the season. Two weeks after the shot, I got the flu, I suspect from a co-worker who knowingly came in sick to 'save' sick leave.

I've never missed a shot since, but now I get it as soon as it's available in my area, even though that means paying out of pocket.

I don't think many will get the flu this year (as compared to last) since this year's vaccine was the same as last year's. I got them both years. It's a must do for proffies as college students are a brothel of germs and nasties.

I've had the flu at least once for the last few years even when I get the flu shot. I blame the exams. Students scuz all over them and then hand them in. I've actually considered not touching exams for a minumum of a week before touching them but alas that doesn't fit my university's definition of grading in a timely manner.

Last year was the worst yet. I was sick twice a month for 4 months straight. It was awful.

This year I've only gotten one virus from a student -- a computer virus. :rolleyes:

Always worth getting, in my opinion. I can't see any downside to getting it.