The Flu Shot

[imoldernu]

Of course you know all about that... and the super flu shot for those over age 65. You've either decided that you'll get it, or will be certain that the last time you got a flu shot, you also got the flu, and you'll stay away.

The title was misleading... The thing that prompted the subject, was the latest news on the Ebola virus... Because it's relatively new, and has spread so quickly, that virologists are concerned that what was thought to be a "contact" bodily fluid virus... may become an airborne virus.

Right or wrong, news like this can be of great concern throughout the world, as travel patterns could expose every cranny of the globe.

Sometimes forgotten is what happened 94 years ago, in 1918... the great world flu epidemic. It infected 500 million people, and caused the deaths of 50 million to 100 million people... 3% to 5% of the entire world population at the time. That same percent would work out to 200 million to 400 million deaths, given today' population.

Here's hoping this is just a doomsday rumor monger scare, but just a heads up to possibilities, when we look at the news.

Anyway, we got our flu shots for free yesterday... medicare... and in this morning's mail... an offer from CVS for free shots... PLUS a $5 coupon towards anything in the store.

Hmmm... just when ya think you have it all figgered out...

 

[Khan]

Local blood donation center gives free flu shots to donors.

I was employed by USAF and they gave free shots most years.

My insurance covers free flu shots.

 

[Walt34]

I got it for free when working. I was "essential personnel" and did not get the day off when the County shut down for some weather event. More likely, if it was my day off I'd get called in. And three feet of snow in the driveway was not an excuse for not coming.

One guy had the bomb-sniffing dog and tried that. They sent a helicopter for him.

Now insurance covers the flu shot and nice to know that Medicare will too next year.

 

[WhoDaresWins]

I like to get the flu shot in October. It is free at my PCP's office with my retiree plan "preventive care" . I am not eligible for the "super flu" shot as I am not yet 65 nor do I have any conditions that would qualify me for it.

 

[nash031]

Yep, free with the Navy, though I don't like the fact that I'm forced to get it...

 

[travelover]

Just got a flu shot at the local supermarket. If I paid cash at the supermarket it was $25, if I got it at Costco is was only $15. I "paid" with my insurance card. They were billed $40.

 

[Nodak]

I usually wait until October to get the shot. I've gotten it every year since the swine flu scare of 1977.

 

[kramer]

I get it every year and usually get it around October. I have gotten it both in the USA and the Philippines (where I currently live). The cost for me is roughly $29 in both places. Well worth it!

 

[harley]

We have a drive through flu shot process here on MDs Eastern Shore. Just go to the Perdue Stadium (Single A Baseball) parking lot, pay your $10, stick your arm out the car window, and Bam! off you go. Pretty cool.

 

[ChainsBeGone]

I received the free (and mandatory) flu shot every year in the Army. I also made sure my family received the shot each year as well. None of us have had the flu in the 20+ years we've been getting the flu shots, and we make sure to still get them in post-Army life.

Given the thousands of death's each year due to the flu, I'm still surprised by those who are eligible, but choose not to get the flu shot.

How Many People Die From Flu Each Year? Depends How You Slice The Data : Shots - Health News : NPR

 

[Alan]

We'll get ours when we get back from our travels end of November. "free" with our insurance.

 

[travelover]

We have a drive through flu shot process here on MDs Eastern Shore. Just go to the Perdue Stadium (Single A Baseball) parking lot, pay your $10, stick your arm out the car window, and Bam! off you go. Pretty cool.

Ironic because last year when I got a shot at the health clinic, they demanded I sit for 20 minutes before driving in case I had a reaction.

 

[harley]

Ironic because last year when I got a shot at the health clinic, they demanded I sit for 20 minutes before driving in case I had a reaction.

Actually, I think they told us to park and wait a bit for that, but I didn't bother.

 

[Gotadimple]

Just got a flu shot at the local supermarket. If I paid cash at the supermarket it was $25, if I got it at Costco is was only $15. I "paid" with my insurance card. They were billed $40.

Yes they were billed, but they didn't pay $40. Probably they paid $5-$6 (the cost of the drug and it's administration).

Rita

 

[travelover]

Yes they were billed, but they didn't pay $40. Probably they paid $5-$6 (the cost of the drug and it's administration).

Rita

EOB said $42 charged, $38 paid

 

[athena53]

I've always been skeptical but I got flu shots when my previous employer gave us brownie points in the company Wellness program for getting one. So, I got a flu shot last time this year and so did DH. We went to Alaska in July. We caught some awful respiratory bug. I'm rarely sick so when something hits me, it's bad. When something hits DH, who has health issues, it takes him about a month to get even close to normal again (with the help of the medical profession).

I know that there are many different kinds of flu and that the vaccine is aimed at whatever the experts think will be the most prevalent in the upcoming season, but I think I'm going to go back to not getting shots.

 

[Rustic23]

When in the AF I have a fight surgeon talk to us. Bottom line, if you ever get the flu you will be the first in line to get the shot afterwards. The shot may make you sick, but the flu kills people! I had what I think was the flu once. Everything hurt. It hurt to open your eyes in a dark room! It hurt to move. It hurt to lay still! and yes even my hair hurt, well at least what hair I had attached to the scalp. I never miss getting a flu shot!

 

[Alan]

When in the AF I have a fight surgeon talk to us. Bottom line, if you ever get the flu you will be the first in line to get the shot afterwards. The shot may make you sick, but the flu kills people! I had what I think was the flu once. Everything hurt. It hurt to open your eyes in a dark room! It hurt to move. It hurt to lay still! and yes even my hair hurt, well at least what hair I had attached to the scalp. I never miss getting a flu shot!

We have a good friend at home who is in her early 30's, very fit, runs 5 miles every morning and gets a flu shot every year. Last year she didn't for some reason and in March she got the flu so bad she was in hospital for 3 nights. She swears she will never miss another flu shot.

 

[AllDone]

I had the real influenza when I was in college. It was a horrible experience, not just a bad cold. Everything hurt. I was in bed for a week and crappy for two more. My mom had influenza in 2000 and wound up on a ventilator in the ICU with pneumonia. We both get our flu shots every year.

 

[Walt34]

Bottom line, if you ever get the flu you will be the first in line to get the shot afterwards. The shot may make you sick, but the flu kills people! I had what I think was the flu once. Everything hurt. It hurt to open your eyes in a dark room! It hurt to move. It hurt to lay still! and yes even my hair hurt, well at least what hair I had attached to the scalp. I never miss getting a flu shot!

+1!

In spite of the shot I did get the flu one year, or at least a variant not covered by the shot. It didn't kill me (obviously) but there were times I was wishing it would just to get it over with.

 

[Ally]

We get the flu shot every year. The one year I didn't, I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

 

[aja8888]

I got the pneumonia shot last year, preventive, of course.

I don't get flu shots anymore. The last one I got in the 1980's got me really sick for a couple of weeks.

Since not getting the flu shot, I have not gotten the flu, or anything more than some allergy irritations.

Maybe I am crazy, or lucky, or just one who does not get bitten by the flu bug.

 

[Telly]

.....Anyway, we got our flu shots for free yesterday... medicare... and in this morning's mail... an offer from CVS for free shots... PLUS a $5 coupon towards anything in the store.

Hmmm... just when ya think you have it all figgered out...

We got a CVS advert in the mail, I think it was ~$20 for the flu shot, and then get a $5 coupon towards anything in the store... quite a bit different then yours!

I got my first flu shot ever when I was in the hospital in great pain after near-emergency surgery. They were going room to room hawking the flu shot and a pneumonia shot. I said OK for the flu shot. Hospital billed it for $200, ins. co. got it down to ~$50, IIRC.

Last year $35 at CVS. For this year, I hope to do it in Dr. office to get well-health ins. coverage on it, and also get the Shingles shot (that one has been weighing on my mind to get, before it's too late). And probably a Tetanus shot TDAP or whatever. DW has been after me for years to get one. I am assuming I can call and set something up where I go in and a nurse gives them to me, and I don't see Dr. and do not get billed for a whole office visit thing.
Plan on doing this in October, I don't know if there is a wear-off effect over time on the flu shot, don't want to get it too early. Or maybe it doesn't matter, I really don't know.

 

[Ronnieboy]

I don't get flu shots anymore. The last one I got in the 1980's got me really sick for a couple of weeks.

Since not getting the flu shot, I have not gotten the flu, or anything more than some allergy irritations.

Maybe I am crazy, or lucky, or just one who does not get bitten by the flu bug.

You can't get the flu from the flu shot, even the live virus can't give you the flu.

You can still get the flu even after getting the flu shot, there are about 40 types of flu and the shot protects you against 3 (or 4 if you get the quadravalent shot). Hopefully, if you still get the flu it will be less severe than the flu blown flu. i.e. 10 days of feeling like death warmed over....

 

[Ronnieboy]

Last year $35 at CVS. For this year, I hope to do it in Dr. office to get well-health ins. coverage on it, and also get the Shingles shot (that one has been weighing on my mind to get, before it's too late). And probably a Tetanus shot TDAP or whatever. DW has been after me for years to get one. I am assuming I can call and set something up where I go in and a nurse gives them to me, and I don't see Dr. and do not get billed for a whole office visit thing.
Plan on doing this in October, I don't know if there is a wear-off effect over time on the flu shot, don't want to get it too early. Or maybe it doesn't matter, I really don't know.

The shot is considered as lasting a 'year'. Or realistically through flu season. The earliest I have seen the shot come out is mid August, it is believed to be effective for 9+ months so easily thru May. I would get it as soon as possible, avoid the crowds, and while supplies are plentiful. Most places run out starting around January.