Do you take the flu shot?
#17
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
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.
#19
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
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.
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.
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,047
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.
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
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.
#24
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toronto, NYC, somewhere on planet Earth
Programs: UA 1K, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 8,289
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.
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.
Other people have suggested Advil to lessen the pain
#25
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: PR Premier Elite
Posts: 1,950
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.
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
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.
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.
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,047
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.
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.
#28
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,047
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 30,569
I'm a little surprised that it seems most people, at least on this thread, do get it.