If you get the shot your most likely going to get sick and hurt. If you don't get the shot you might not get sick at al this winter. I'm not getting the flu shot and haven't gotten one in 10 years. I've had the flu once, and then I'm not sure that wasn't just a flare. *hugs*

The flu shot does not contain a live virus. It does however contain mercury. There are alternatives that you might be able to get in your area that's mercury-free. The health nurse is checking into this for me. I got the flu shot for 3 years previously and had no reactions AND no flu!!! It does work but I'm just leery of the mercury content.

I have to get the shot every year because I have asthma. I have never had any negative reactions to the shot

I forgot to add that people who are allergic to eggs shouldn't get the flu shot.

very informative girls thanks to everyone! *hugs*

Sheesh.. I did not think of even half of this stuff! I already got my flu shot. I did it the same day I took my Avonex (i have MS too, lucky me!) I felt kind of crappy that night, but I always do after the Avonex

the flu shot is not a live vaccine. but the flu mist is a live virus. its only for "healthy" people. you have to inhale it up your nose and its gross. once you get it, you will be breathing the live virus for 2 weeks.

i get sick easily so i'm afraid that even if i don't get the mist myself, i will just get sick from being around everyone else who has gotten it.

i never got flu shots growing up. the first time i ever got the flu, was the same year i got the flu mist, though it was months later. this probably had more to do with the fact that i live in a dorm rather than to do with getting the flu mist.

ive took the shots for years never bothered me but hubby would get deathly sick with them but he had really bad lungs and felt like he should get them.but took mine week ago today dont know if it was shot or not but have a rough week last week but had cortozone shot and started new med .

I may be missing something here, but since when can a clinic force you to do anything, including taking a flu vaccine? Why do you feel you have to justify refusing it?

Wouldn't a "no thank you" suffice?
Gentle Hugs.

i get flu shot and never any problems and no flu bugs either get me sick!!!!!!!

MERCURY HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT AS OF THIS YEAR....GOING FOR THE SHOT....TINKER, YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE ON WHT YOU GET???

Some of the vaccines still have mercury, but most are doing away with it, and it is being phased out in all of them. I have gotten the flu shots for years, as I have asthma, and the only year I didn't get my shot, I got the flu and was off from work, sick, and totally miserable for nearly two weeks.

sorry, i should have explained. i'm in the military (or will be until my medical board is finished and i am kicked out in a couple of months. yes, i will be medically retired at the age of 21). they make us all get the flu mist b/c its for healthy people, which we are supposed to be. the shot is saved for those who can't handle a live vaccine. they give us the mist b/c living with your closest 4,000 friends is not the best environment for not getting sick and they don't want a flu outbreak.

you have to really fight to convince them not to give it to you. and its kinda mandatory. so i have to come up with justification of why i shouldn't get the mist. since its a live and kicking virus, it doesnt' seem like a good idea to me. even a weakened virus could kick my butt. i'm always getting sick.

Update on this issue:

I was able to get the flu shot rather than the mist, but only because i will be visiting someone over thanksgiving break who has a "weakened" immune system.

since the shots dont' have mercury in them anymore, i figured it would be fine. it didn't bother me at first. it normally hurts when i get shots(the whole burning sensation thing), but not this one. i hardly felt it. which i thought was kinda odd, but i'm not gonna complain. then last night the muscle she put it in started hurting really badly. i can hardly move that arm without the muscle going into spasm and having shooting, burning pain in it. i have to be careful not to flex that muscle at all, otherwise is spazzes. i'm sure its just a fibro thing and am hoping it will go away in a few days.

Has anyone else ever had this happen?