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Flu jab?

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
C

Cleo

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
This might come across as a stupid question BUT...does everyone on this forum get the flu jab at the start of winter?

I have been a T1 for almost 20 years, have never had the flu jab and have never gotten the flu (well not up to now anyway..) I admit I am 'slightly sceptical' of these things but would be interested to hear what you fellow diabs think !
 
I was diagnosed T2 in January and one of the first things they did was give me the flu jab. Next time I go to see the diabetic nurse I ave also to ave the pneumonia jab.
 
It's offered me every year and except for 2011/12 I've taken it. I'm allergic to eggs so must have the egg-free version which was recalled in 2011 because the serum was contaminated somehow. They offered to do the thing under observation in hospital but I'm so seriously allergic that it really wasn't worth the risk. Got the egg free one again last year.

People with chronic conditions are often more vulnerable to infection so it makes sense to take the offer when it's made.
 
My Mum used to bribe me to get in when I was younger but I haven't bothered getting it for several years. I've just always been very sceptical of whether or not they actually work.
 
Nope no flu vaccine for me.
 
Thanks all-

Ivy and PumperSue : its nice to know I am not completely crazy!.

I dont doubt that they might work for *some* people and I understand that we are considered "immunocompromised" but I have never had the jab in 20 years and I've never had the flu, so only logical conclusion I can draw is that I dont need it. I am sure the fact that I used to work for the pharmaceutical industry has NOTHING to do with my bias! 🙂
 
I didn't til I got swine flu & thought its not worth it

So have one as soon as I can. I'd do it as it's not worth it
 
I've never had flu, but I have picked up various bugs/infections while my immune system was busy building antibodies to the flu jab 🙄

I tend to make a decision on a year-on-year basis.

GPs get a little extra cash for everyone on their list that gets one unde QoF, so sometimes I get one to reward them for being so nice about test strips.
 
I get mine each year through work (I'm a nurse)
I've had proper flu once, several years ago and before I was diabetic. It's an experience I NEVER want to repeat again!
Even if I wasn't diabetic I would still get the flu jab!
 
Get my flu jab every year and haven't had the flu, only the odd heavy cold.
 
have had flu jab every year since I had flu one time - never again!
Luckily, my OH also gets one on the NHS - he has asthma - otherwise he might get it and bring it into the house and give it to me while I was building up my immunity.
I think all families of people with compromised immunity should be offered it for that reason.
 
I wouldn't necessarily say it's because we're immuno-compromised - it's just that flu would seriously, seriously mess up your diabetes control should you get it.

I never make a special appointment to get it (I'm not taking time off work or wasting a Saturday morning to get immunised against something I've a low possibility of catching) but I generally will be in the doc's surgery at some point between October and February for something anyway so I get it done then.

Having said that, I still think the jab is worthwhile. There is an opinion among many that it doesn't work but I would suggest generally this is put forward by people who either don't understand the difference between flu and a bad cold, or people who don't understand variants of viruses and how the flu jab only protects against the flu strains that are predicted to be the most most common that winter. It's a bit like predicting the weather - just because one day you wore shorts and it was actually cold and rainy doesn't mean the entire weather forecasting system is useless.
 
I always have flu jab, not just because getting flu would mess up my control, although probably not do too much harm as my lungs etc are all OK, but also so that I can't pass it on to anyone else who might be less able to cope, but might not get immunised.
 
Carol's never had the jab in 6 years. We asked the DSN her opinion. She didn't say either way, but the implication was not to bother
I, as a carer, have never had one either

OH's mum has had them over the years and every time she did, she felt really poorly afterwards (I won't say she got the flu)
 
I've had the jab for over 30 years. The only time I didn't was when pregnant - in those days they didn't offer it in pregnancy. I caught flu and was very seriously ill. I have asthma, so flu could kill me, even ignoring the effects of and effects on D.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
GPs get a little extra cash for everyone on their list that gets one unde QoF, so sometimes I get one to reward them for being so nice about test strips.
Click to expand...

In that case I'd be refusing but it's nice you reward your gp!

They get money for it? I'd love to know how much coz it always hurts
 
Lauras87 said:
In that case I'd be refusing but it's nice you reward your gp!

They get money for it? I'd love to know how much coz it always hurts
Click to expand...

Quick Google suggests ?150 per point and that a D of any type getting a flu jab might be 3 points (out of a max of 900 points per practice) - so certainly worth their while to encourage us. Though of course... there is a personnel/appointment/medication cost involved in giving the vaccine itself!

They get a fair bit more if our A1c is decent too (up to 17 points!) and quite a bit if our BP/chol is on target
 
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everydayupsanddowns said:
Quick Google suggests ?150 per point and that a D of any type getting a flu jab might be 3 points (out of a max of 900 points per practice) - so certainly worth their while to encourage us. Though of course... there is a personnel/appointment/medication cost involved in giving the vaccine itself!

They get a fair bit more if our A1c is decent too (up to 17 points!) and quite a bit if our BP/chol is on target
Click to expand...

WHAT????? So if your consultant does all the hard work on your hba1c, your gp practice gets the cash?

I'm shocked thinking of all the money they get for people with medical conditions
 
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