Are there disadvantages in getting the flu vaccination?

Question

I was going to get it for free -but two people (actually young doctors) told me that it was very unnecessary.

Answer 1

If you are young and healthy it is not "necessary", but I have always taken the flu shot because I don't want to miss a week of work. True influenza - not just a cold - is a bad experience. You would not die, but you would feel too miserable to do anything for days. The risk is so minimal and the cost for a "free" flu shot so negligible, why not get it?
It does not "cause" the flu. You can have some flu like symptoms for a day or so as past of the immune reaction to the shot. I never have anything but slight arm soreness for one day. It's up to you. Your body. Your choice.

Answer 2

I'd go with Thera 9's answer...unless you are very young or old and/or immunocompromised, then the worst thing that can happen is you get the flu. That's not actually a bad thing though, since studies seem to suggest that you can get some immunity against further flu attacks, assuming of course there isn't a major shift in the genome sequence.

Answer 3

It is very unnecessary if you are not immunocompromised or old.

You could potentially get the flu from the flu vaccine because of how the vaccine is made. It is a weak version of the flu, but it is the flu regardless.

Right now they are pushing it like mad. Money is the main reason.

Another benefit is if EVERYONE else, or most of the people, around you have the vaccine, you are protected by something called herd immunity. You are less likely to have it if everyone around you can't give it to you becuase THEY are vaccinated. It is free PLUS you don't have to have a weak version of the flu.

No worries.

Answer 4

you don't have to have it because then you have a posibility of getting a little sick anyways...it is made up of the flu....so you're getting it injected into you so that your immune system can protect you from the flu.....but i got it and i feel fine...no jynx...lol