I don't. I think they prolly don't work very well.

I have gotten one every year since 1957 when I was hospitalized for Influenza. The Flu shot is for is to for a 3-4 day thing...it's for the big one. You will know it if you ever get it.....I have a scar on my lungs that it left me with.

And evidently I can't spell. It is not for the 3-4 day flu thing is what I meant to say.

Ive got one sporadically over the last ten+ years, the two years I skipped I was hospitalized for pneumonia. Since my last hospital visit I have not failed to get one (as recommended by my pulmonologist and GP), and I have not been hospitalized for pneumonia. I have had a few mild cases (infections) which were treated without being hospitalized, but I have never experienced any noticeable side-effects.

This year Ill be taking the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) as advised by my pulmonologist.

Over-all, the final answer depends on an individuals risk category and their willingness to run the risk and accept the consequences of either taking it or not taking it. Ones pulmonologist or GP is the best judge of whether one should have the vaccine and which type they should take so anyone questioning the advisability should simply ask. However, if one is over 49 and has COPD they are in a very high risk category and will be strongly recommended to have the vaccine. (Unless of course there is some other issues another good reason to ask before getting a flu vaccine if one has multiple medical conditions.)

If over 65 years; general risk information; and links to more information than you probably will ever wanted to know about flu vaccines:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/65over.htm

The Pneumococcal Vaccination; (notice the recommendation for older adults):
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pneumonia/

I have not had a flu shot in seven years nor do I desire one. Each person should decide for themselves. Most physicians have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and support the pharmaceutical industry.

The ultimate question is, do you believe the government when they tell you vaccines are safe? Do you trust the FDA and CDC?

I take it every year as I have no reason not to (minor side effects). I haven't had the flu or pneumonia since - this is sufficient experience for me to keep going with it - I know I did what I could. I have to trust my doctors and those agencies that surround them as my knowledge of medicine and most things associated is limited. I would be a basket case if I were constantly challenging - not good for my mental health.

I have had one for last 7 years , my doc advised it. I do get some side affects some years , feel real crappy. I have never had the flu.

Yep. Just like many other things it is hard to know the right thing to do.

I do get the shot for years now.....I get it because I feel if I were to get the flu the shot would at least lessen the symptoms...I hope lol

I've gotten a flu shot every year since the mid '80's. And, yes, I have still come down with the flu a few times, pneumonia twice but I still believe in them and will continue to get one each year. Have never, ever had a bad reaction from the shot.

Many years ago, long before I had symptoms of copd, I got the flu (the real deal) and I was very sick for days. Ever since then, I've gotten an annual flu shot and have not gotten the flu.

There are safer ways to avoid the flu. I would never be injected with this.

My wife and I got our "enhanced" (because we're "old") flu shots three weeks ago. A week ago my wife got a pneumonia vaccine. Because of my advanced end stage emphysema it was advised that I NOT get the pneumonia vaccine because a live virus is used. That was ok with me. The last time I had a pneumonia shot, five years ago, I came down with pneumonia that almost killed me!

No flu shots for me. I don't feel I am around the public that much to warrant it. Had 1 strain about 20 years ago and more of a respiratory type flu last winter and was told that strain was not the one the shots were given for. As such I tend to stick to not getting them (against my Dr.'s wishes). I did get the Pn shot last year but now after reading silfoxx2002, wonder if the "thought to be respiratory flu" was really a form of pn.... hmmm.

I think I should stick to my initial gut reaction and refuse all of it. Then again, I am leery of any RX or meds from prior bad experience whereby a side afftect to one drug resulted in a continuous pattern of having yet more RX to combat the side affect - but each RX created yet another. Finally one day I just stopped all drugs and all misery went away. As such that experience left a very bad taste in my mouth.

yes, i get flu shot each year.
last year I got the flu horribly, but since getting them I don't seem to get the flu.
I have always sworn by the pneumonia vaccine also.
I used to get pneumonia annually until I got the vaccine 6 years ago & haven't had pneumonia since.

They are now recommending a 2nd type of pneumonia shot that I was going to get, but I guess I better ask the dr a bit more about it! I didn't realize they were live vaccines!