Got mine yesterday, 3rd year in a row. No after effects, not even a sore arm. I ran 4 miles immediately after getting it.
I used to not get one for a few reasons.
- My dad, who never gets sick, got one back in the early 70s and got the flu. I think they may have been using a more potent live virus in the vaccine back then?
- The swine flu vaccine sickness/deaths of 1976. I can still remember hearing discussions like "You getting the vaccine?" "Hell no!" "Me neither."
- By the time the flu vaccine seemed more widely accepted this century, I was working from home and didn't feel too exposed to catching the flu, so I decided not to bother.
I finally decided the vaccine seemed safe enough and reduces my chance of getting the flu or at least reduces the symptoms. I actually did get the flu the first year I got the vaccine, but it wasn't too bad. A couple days of bad chills.
So I can understand why some are still reluctant. It's an education issue, and also a mistrust that "they" are being truthful or that later they won't be proven to be wrong. But for myself, I am now convinced to get them.