My dad works in a hospital. The other hospital employees are ALWAYS sick with something. We almost always get flu shots. Got free ones the past few years because we've got connections with someone who does flu vaccinations here in the city, but I think I'm going to be paying for mine this year.

Since getting the flu would probably be 'Hell on Earth' I have been getting them every year. And it is free (Medicare), so why not.

I probably will get it, since my 5 Grands are back in school and bring their lovin germs to me each Sunday.. .. I may even get a mask..LOL!

It's a tough decision for me because I live alone, so I don't have a S/O or young children to live with that may be carriers of the flu and pass it on to me.

On the flip side, I work in a contact center for a large company. Recycled air. Mmm. However, since I have been working there, I have had the flu only once in nearly 7 years I have worked there. I have never before gone for the shot.

I'm siding on "probably won't bother". My mother gets the shot, my dad is dead set against it (he's anti taking anything, except his heart medication and a couple supplements). I figure I'll try without the shot this year, and if I end up sick with flu, it may be a sign to get the shot the following year.

I of course get the shot so that I don't bring anything home to my Olhipie and my 84 year old Mom who lives with us. Mom gets the shot but the Olhipie thinks he is hard as nail and could never get the flu. We have been together for over 7 years and he hasn't had as much as a cold.

As for paying for it if you are on medicare it is paid for 100%.

Ummm, flu is not usually a "can sitting" type of illness. It's a respiratory virus that causes, headache, sore throat and body aches/fever. Sounds like you had a an intestinal virus, not flu.

I'm allergic to eggs, so until they figure out another way of making the vaccine, not much of a choice here. I had the flu this past Spring, uber-high fever & painful coughing..They gave me tamiflu and the symptoms were gone in a day. Still felt like poo-toast and was off work for a week, but much better than it could've been. That's the first time I've had the flu in 23 years, and never had a flu shot...

Really? I was nauseous as well, but I was taking gravol to curb the desire to 'toss my cookies' and cut down on the nausea.

Entirely possible what you're saying about an intestinal virus though. I did have body aches to go along with what I had. Don't recall a sore throat.

I betcha I did have an intestinal issue. I have not tossed my cookies from being since since I was much much younger. I can't even remember the last time. Certainly before University.

of course this is a personal choice.

however, it's thought that getting the flu can make a person with MS seriously ill. being sick and/or having a fever from and infection can raise our chances of flaring our disease, causing exacerbations.

that may be worse than having the flu itself. that's why they veer on the side of getting the shot. it's the same for elderly folks. to get the flu could be serious.

Jim and I both get the flu shot every year. Jim because he has ms and me because I care for him. He also gets the menigitis shot every three years. No problems so far. The va provides our shots free.