Flu Shots 2020

[sengsational]

One more thing about this year's flu...

Pay close attention to which symptom comes first, as it can help you know if you have Covid-19 or the flu. Not that it would be definitive, but the paper below indicates that if you get a fever first (before a cough), that's more likely Covid-19. If you get a cough first (before a fever), that's more likely seasonal influenza. I'm not sure if this isn't just "gee-whiz" stuff, because what behavior would you actually change? None the less, I think being in-tune with what your body is telling you is probably a good thing.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00473/full

 

[harllee]

One more thing about this year's flu...

Pay close attention to which symptom comes first, as it can help you know if you have Covid-19 or the flu. Not that it would be definitive, but the paper below indicates that if you get a fever first (before a cough), that's more likely Covid-19. If you get a cough first (before a fever), that's more likely seasonal influenza. I'm not sure if this isn't just "gee-whiz" stuff, because what behavior would you actually change? None the less, I think being in-tune with what your body is telling you is probably a good thing.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00473/full

Well I guess everyone is different but a couple of years ago when DH and I had really bad cases of the flu we had fever first and never developed much of a cough. Every time I have had the flu it come on very suddenly--it is like being hit by a truck--I am fine one minute and then a few minutes later I am so sick I have to go straight to bed. From everything I have read and heard Covid comes on more gradually.
I also understand many people with Covid have stomach issues and I have never had that with influenza (except when I take Tamiflu, it makes me sick on my stomach).

 

[Badger]

One of our highly respected grocery store chains has a pharmacy that we use. We get our flu shots there. I started getting them a couple of years ago because the shot doesn't cost us anything and they give you a $10 gift certificate. I use it to buy a couple of their real half gallon size cartons of ice cream on my way out.


Cheers!

 

[badatmath]

Also... Walgreens allows you to make an appointment online for immunizations. So you won't waste a trip should they run out.

Good to know thanks. It said I can't get shingles shot without an Rx (I am over 50 IDK why).

I might try the flu shot there though later in the year.

 

[Gumby]

One more thing about this year's flu...

Pay close attention to which symptom comes first, as it can help you know if you have Covid-19 or the flu. Not that it would be definitive, but the paper below indicates that if you get a fever first (before a cough), that's more likely Covid-19. If you get a cough first (before a fever), that's more likely seasonal influenza. I'm not sure if this isn't just "gee-whiz" stuff, because what behavior would you actually change? None the less, I think being in-tune with what your body is telling you is probably a good thing.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00473/full

This is one of the things I discussed with my doctor at my annual physical today. He said that it can be difficult to tell from the initial symptoms whether you have the flu or COVID. For that reason, he recommends that I get the flu shot, so that if I do get sick, it is probably COVID and they can take the appropriate actions for that right away. I have gotten a flu shot every year for about the past 13 years, so he really didn't need to sell me on it, but I found his explanation reasonable.

 

[RunningBum]

This is one of the things I discussed with my doctor at my annual physical today. He said that it can be difficult to tell from the initial symptoms whether you have the flu or COVID. For that reason, he recommends that I get the flu shot, so that if I do get sick, it is probably COVID and they can take the appropriate actions for that right away. I have gotten a flu shot every year for about the past 13 years, so he really didn't need to sell me on it, but I found his explanation reasonable.

I was thinking about that same rationale this afternoon. But what are the appropriate actions they would take right away if it's COVID? Maybe I haven't been keeping up, but don't they say to stay home unless symptoms like shortness of breath get bad?

In any case, that still seems like it might tip the scales back to getting a flu shot, for me.

 

[badatmath]

Since I w*rk still I am expected to do it from home but if we were at work I would be expected to get tested I think to prove I could return.

 

[Badger]

Good to know thanks. It said I can't get shingles shot without an Rx (I am over 50 IDK why).

I might try the flu shot there though later in the year.

That surprises me. I am well past 50 and I was able to get both the shingle shots and flu shots without an Rx in the state where I live. I just walked in the pharmacy.


Cheers!

 

[donheff]

DW and I stopped in to visit a recently opened renovated Safeway yesterday. First, it was a great redo - looks like a Wegman's for anyone familiar with those upscale grocery stores. They had the high dose flu vaccine available and the pharmacist recommended getting them while the supply was available. She said they were effective for about 6 months and should get us through the worst of the season so did not recommend a second shot. She suggested that, if we wanted to err on the side of caution, wait until after the CDC reports on the effectiveness of this year's shot. Then pop for a second if they are highly effective, skip it if they are mediocre.

 

[Dawg52]

That surprises me. I am well past 50 and I was able to get both the shingle shots and flu shots without an Rx in the state where I live. I just walked in the pharmacy.


Cheers!

Here in MS you need an Rx for Claritin-d. I think Oregon is the only other State that requires one. Many States have different laws.....

 

[badatmath]

Many States have different laws.....

I would think a vaccine law would not be so specific that flu is okay but Shingrix is not but whatever works I guess?!

 

[Souschef]

I'm absolutely getting the flu shot. And my pneumonia booster.

+1 I just got both of them Tuesday

 

[Winemaker]

That surprises me. I am well past 50 and I was able to get both the shingle shots and flu shots without an Rx in the state where I live. I just walked in the pharmacy.


Cheers!

I could get a Shingrix shot whenever I wanted, if I could find someone who had the serum, but I would have to pay for it. If I wanted my insurance company to pay for it, I would need a prescription and be over 60. I eventually found a pharmacy who had the serum after a 1.5 year search.

 

[Bongleur]

A couple of informative articles:

JAMA Insights
Clinical Update
August 14, 2020
Influenza in the COVID-19 Era
Daniel A. Solomon, MD1; Amy C. Sherman, MD1; Sanjat Kanjilal, MD, MPH1,2
Author Affiliations Article Information
JAMA. Published online August 14, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.14661
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2769676

Table. Comparison Between Seasonal Influenza and SARS-CoV-2

and

June 11, 2020
The Dual Epidemics of COVID-19 and Influenza - Vaccine Acceptance, Coverage, and Mandates
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2767284

>
The health system, and wider society, must prepare for the likelihood of co-epidemics of COVID-19 and influenza. What are the most effective strategies for increasing influenza vaccine coverage across the population and particularly in schools, businesses, and hospitals? Should states or businesses require vaccinations? Influenza vaccination, moreover, could offer valuable lessons for ensuring vaccine acceptance and uptake when COVID-19 vaccines become available.
...
Yet influenza vaccine coverage remains low. In 2018-2019, vaccination coverage among adults was estimated at 45.3%.2 Even with relatively low coverage, the CDC estimated that the vaccine prevented approximately 4.4 million influenza cases, 58 000 hospitalizations, and 3500 deaths.3 High vaccine coverage would reduce influenza-related mortality, while also helping to preserve the capacity and function of the health system during circulation of influenza viruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness varies by age, health status, and season. Vaccination reduces the risk of influenza illness by an estimated 40% to 60% when circulating viruses are well-matched to the vaccine.4 In addition to preventing influenza infections, vaccines also reduce intensive care admissions and duration of hospitalizations.
...
Childhood immunization rates have declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, with vaccine doses decreasing by an estimated 21.5% during January-April 2020
...
As a major driver of influenza circulation, children should be a vaccine priority, thus reducing hospitalizations not only for children but for adults who frequently contract influenza from children.
...
Currently, 6 states require influenza vaccination for day care, but no state mandates it for grades K-12.
...
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permits businesses to require influenza vaccination as a condition of employment. Similar OSHA guidance is likely when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), however, requires employers to grant exemptions for medical necessity or religious beliefs.
...
Yet vaccine hesitancy is already causing concern, especially as herd immunity for COVID-19 requires an estimated 55% to 82% uptake.9

Surveys of 493 and 2200 individuals found that 3 in 4 people would consent to COVID-19 vaccination, and only 30% would become vaccinated soon after availability.9 Experience with increasing influenza vaccination coverage could be instructive.

At the very least, all levels of government should develop evidence-based immunization plans, appealing to individuals’ ethical responsibilities to protect themselves, health care workers, family members, and vulnerable populations.
>

 

[Retired Expat]

I actually live in South America where we are in the middle of our flu season and it is cold outside!. Flu cases are at an all time low due to social distancing, mask wearing and hand disinfecting. ordinarily I would have had 2 colds by now yet so far nothing. On the other hand there is no gym going, movies, crowded bar or partiea

We continúe to mostly self isolate and insist that others where masks around us although if you where one it is rare that the other person won’t

 

[YVRRocketSurgery]

I try to get a flu shot every year but some years I don't just out of laziness.
There's a tiny pharmacy near our place where I've gone to get my shot that last few years and where I'll likely go again this year. I usually go late in the year though like Oct/Nov. Years ago my megacorp offered free shots at the office. That was convenient. I think the last time I had the flu was in the early aughts over NYE. Sick as a dog and missed going out for First Night festivities. Haven't had the flu since; but still typically get an annual sore throat and cold.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

As far as the flu shot goes, I'm in. Have been getting it for many years and no flu.

<snip>. Too many people believe they need to do nothing and go around as they did last January and they will be fine. That's the fake news - If you want to die, feel free, I prefer not to and will take appropriate precautions.

Yes, true enough. But there are compelling reasons THIS YEAR to get the flu shot. One, if it’s a bad flu year we don’t want to fill the hospitals with flu cases. Save room for the Covid cases! Also: Your flu shot protects you and those you’re in contact with.

Two, the flu can weaken your immune system and make you especially vulnerable to the Covid virus.

If we were all staying home, wearing masks, keeping contacts to a minimum, and washing our hands thoroughly and often, we might escape a high Covid count this winter. And those things would also protect us from the flu! But that doesn’t seem to be the case across wide swaths of America. Get the shot.

 

[zinger1457]

Sorry, misread the post I replied to.

 

[mijoy]

I think I am big time in the minority here so PLEASE take this with a grain of salt.

No flu shot for me. No fear of covid-19 death given the stats on mortality rate for an otherwise healthy 63 year old (better chance of death from an accident on the roads and I ain't stopping driving).

When does it get to the point where it just is not worth the worry?

Having said that, I follow all the rules (mask, sanitizing etc) because I respect those who feel differently and want no part of hurting others.

I just can't wait till I can go to a store again without feeling like a leper.

 

[travelover]

........... No fear of covid-19 death given the stats on mortality rate for an otherwise healthy 63 year old (better chance of death from an accident on the roads and I ain't stopping driving). ........

Here is what worries me.

Although COVID-19 is seen as a disease that primarily affects the lungs, it can damage many other organs as well. This organ damage may increase the risk of long-term health problems.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases...th/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351

 

[RobLJ]

I like the mask mandate, because I suspect if it is there, I'm less likely to get COVID from you and give it to my loved ones.

If not, I'm not going anywhere you might be. It's not personal, but I have a 88 year old mother and I won't let you kill her through me. I like her a lot more than I like you, but it's nothing personal.
Yep; I know it's a big surprise, but the economy isn't "recovering" anytime soon as long as the virus is circulating here and it is in Nevada, so I'm not "going out." Sorry.

The [MOD EDIT] politicians can mandate that "we're open" but I'm not participating. Y'all can do what you want to do; it's your life and your money; spend it as you will; I wish you well and good health.
But it's my 88 year old mother--so if you are maskless, I'm not participating anywhere where you are. That's any business that lets anyone in without a mask. Period. No money from me. Nada. Zip. No money. You're free to go there and spread germs, if you have them or get them if you don't and I wish you good luck and hope you don't get COVID, both for you and your loved ones.

Now that I know flu shots are available I'll get one next week, because that's another way I could kill my mother.

This is one of the mistakes that CDC made, another one is the restricted testing in early days.

Masks certainly prevent droplets from directly hitting you by tracking them on the surface of the masks. I do not actually like the idea of mask mandate.

 

[RobLJ]

I had a really bad case of the flu 25 years ago. It took me 2 months to recover. So I get a shot every year (actually I think I missed it maybe 2 years out of the last 25, which is embarrassing, but I'm not a saint.).
I was out for 2 weeks, then got sick again every one-three days; it was miserable. I know the flu shot won't necessarily prevent me from getting a variety that isn't in the shot, but
I'm not taking the risk if I can get a shot for free, which I can. That was miserable. It really sucked, big time. And my kids were really concerned about me (they were 10 and 12).
The thought that I was letting them down because I was too lazy to get a shot, made it even worse.
That's just my experience (anecdotally), but it........sucked, non-anecdotally. I thought I was going to lose my job.
If my mother happens to catch something like that from me, she would be dead.
I'm a bit narcissistic, but I learned when I had kids that it wasn't just about me. I'm not judging yall if you don't get a shot, because the COVID risks are real, but it seems a decent tradeoff of risk, at least to me.

Good luck and good health to all of you, whatever you decide!

 

[harllee]

I like the mask mandate, because I suspect if it is there, I'm less likely to get COVID from you and give it to my loved ones.

If not, I'm not going anywhere you might be. It's not personal, but I have a 88 year old mother and I won't let you kill her through me. I like her a lot more than I like you, but it's nothing personal.
Yep; I know it's a big surprise, but the economy isn't "recovering" anytime soon as long as the virus is circulating here and it is in Nevada, so I'm not "going out." Sorry.

The [MOD EDIT] politicians can mandate that "we're open" but I'm not participating. Y'all can do what you want to do; it's your life and your money; spend it as you will; I wish you well and good health.
But it's my 88 year old mother--so if you are maskless, I'm not participating anywhere where you are. That's any business that lets anyone in without a mask. Period. No money from me. Nada. Zip. No money. You're free to go there and spread germs, if you have them or get them if you don't and I wish you good luck and hope you don't get COVID, both for you and your loved ones.

Now that I know flu shots are available I'll get one next week, because that's another way I could kill my mother.

Thank you for this! With an 89 year old mother and a 70 year old DH with an autoimmune disease I feel the same way. I have been trying to say this--but you said it so much better than me! But I am going to wait until Oct 1 for my shot, that is when my doctor recommended I get it for the longest protection.

 

[meleana]

My thought is that if you are isolating most of the time, wearing a mask in public, and washing your hands frequently, you are reducing your chances of getting the flu just like you are trying to avoid the coronavirus. I'm undecided for myself but leaning towards not getting one this year.

My thoughts exactly. I never get the flu shot. Just moved to another state and new doctor says at least just get it this one time due to COVID. Really? I mean- if all this masks and social distancing bs works then why would I need a flu shot? SMH...

I am 64 btw.

 

[zinger1457]

My thoughts exactly. I never get the flu shot. Just moved to another state and new doctor says at least just get it this one time due to COVID. Really? I mean- if all this masks and social distancing bs works then why would I need a flu shot? SMH...

Trying to understand your logic. You claim wearing a mask and social distancing is BS but if it did work I wouldn't need a flu shot so I'm not going to get one?