Flu Season and a Poll

[Lulu54]

The news tells us the Flu Season is upon us with a vengeance this year and is going strong in all 50 states.  Whether to get the flu vaccine or not has been debated here every time flu 'season' rolls around and if you are interested in reading more of the varied perspectives, I will find an old thread to bring to the first page and give the link here.

In the meantime, I really am curious as to what you decided this year about getting the vaccine and would like to know - please feel free to add comments for more insight because a simple poll usually doesn't tell the whole story.

[Antalya]

Hi all-  I'm on Tysabri but got a flu shot before I started in Oct.  All  fine.  I asked my neuro about a pneumonia shot and she said as long as it is an injection with an INACTIVE virus, it's fine.  I don't know if that is an option w/ the flu shot?   That would make sense for all, I'd think.

(I'd like to start a thread, but don't have a clue how to do it.  Guess the explanation is that I am a gumbie!  LOL   =^-^=

[JaneK1975]

I got two of them this year!

[twopack]

I'm with you Laura.  I've had three urgent visits to the emergency room in my life.  One was with my initial MS event.  Another was last year when my heart rate dropped to 29 (and I got a pacemaker).  The third was for influenza (honest-to-God-influenza).  Like you, I was exiled to a darkened bedroom where I moaned and offered death wishes for days.  

One bout with the Real Deal and I never want to risk it again.  Tag on a relapse?  Ahh.... NO!

I also noticed the mixed result specifically when Tysabri was part of the equation.  Just another aspect of MS that must be individualized I guess.

So this year was no different than usual.  I had my flu vaccine with no problems - other than needing to delay it a few weeks after taking a round of steroids.  BTW, had a shingles vaccine in 2012 too.  Live vaccine there.  Again, no problems.
.

[Lulu54]

Interesting mixof replies here - this is just out of my own curiousity.  I am on tysabri and had no problem with getting the shot.  The last time I had the flu - the real thing and not just an inconvenient virus - was 1981.  My daughter was an infant and all I could do was be in bed with the lights off for about ten days, alternating my thinking that I was going to die or wishing I would.

I know the vaccine works by altering out immune system, but it doesn't cause the flu - just a reminder that the vaccine is not a live virus - the nasal mist is a live virus and should never be taken by someone with MS from what I know.

My parents are elderly (90's) and the flu to them could be deadly.  I also have very young grandchildren who could be very ill from the flu. I figure it is important for me to get the vaccine to protect them and the rest of the herd.  There's an intersting chart on herd immunity at wikipedia if you are interested in the numbers -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity

[Mike_Shuswap]

I follow my Neuro's and my GP's recommendations and get the flu shot every year now, since diagnosis almost 3 years ago.

In Canada it's free to seniors or anyone with chronic health issues, as well as other who fit certain criteria, and in my rural area they hold a flu shot clinic at a local hall, so no real reason for me not to get it.

I haven't had the flu in many years, but why take the chance?

[kwarendorf]

My doc says Tysabri and flu shots are not a good mix.