Had my free flu-jab this week and as it was my first time the nurse gave me the leaflet of possible problems.
When I asked around about Flu-jab reactions my BiL (who is a patient at the same doctors group) said that once - only a couple of years ago - they used to give the jab and ask people to wait in the waiting room for 10 minutes to make sure there was no serious reaction. This year with Covid and the reluctance to even allow people into the Health Centre at all, it was a case of walk in, stand where told - in the corridor OUTSIDE the nurses room, get jabbed and walk straight out of the back door - so as not to meet people queueing outside.
Do you read the leaflets of contraindications that are always in with
medications? I'm guessing most people don't, especially if it's
something that you've taken before. I've read the leaflet above and so far haven't noticed anything listed or not listed............Thank Goodness.
Husband and I have both had flu jabs for several years now (underlying health problems make it advisable)...we have a different vaccination each because I'm under 65, he's over. Some years I've had a sore arm or felt a bit under the weather after, some years he does but I dont. For the past 2 years I've had no reaction at all to mine, but he says his arm felt like he'd been kicked by a horse. And no I hardly ever read the leaflets!
ReplyDeleteI've had the flu jab twice now, and apart from a sore arm for a couple of days,at the injection site, nothing to report. I do read the leaflet if it's a new-to-me drug, but (touch wood) have never had any serious side effects. As you say, this year it was a case of mask on, in, jab, out, mask off. We're living through strange times. xx
ReplyDeleteI do tent to glance over those leaflets and focus on the side effects and contraindications but have never had any problems. You've reminded me that I must sort out my flu jab now the holiday is over. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI usually feel a bit achey after the jab but nothing more.
xx
I've had a flu jab for about 10 years now and apart from sometimes having a sore arm the next day have had no other symptoms at all. I usually get mine in Tesco and they used to tell you to stay in store for ten minutes afterwards but for the last two or three they allow you to leave immediately so it's nothing to do with COVID.
ReplyDeleteI've had one now for over 20 years due to asthma. The last two years I haven't had to wait. This year, our surgery handled it very effectively and I felt safe. Upon arrival at my appointment time I was met outside by two First Responders who took my details and showed me where to go. I then had my temp taken, no touch hand sanitiser, and shown where to stand. No queue, no others waiting. I was called immediately, in for my injection and left by the other door which was held open by another member of staff, so a completely hands free experience. That was how everyone who had it before was seen, all the new ones were dealt with in the City Hall where there was space for them to wait. They are now out of vaccine.
ReplyDeleteAlways if it’s a new to me drug. Hardly ever had a reaction. Still waiting for my flu jab. Would have had it by now if I had gone to my pharmacy but wanted to get on the doctors list this year ready for future years.
ReplyDeleteI don't normally read the information leaflet, but it's been a long time since I took any medication. However, about two years ago I went to the docs about a sinus problem. She prescribed a nose spray. I studied the leaflet and the warnings of side effects worried me, so I didn't use it. Chucked it away.
ReplyDeleteI had a nasal spray recommended to me for my allergies. Side effects not reassuring either, but took it for a week or so until one of the side effects (heavy nosebleeds) came to pass - all over my evening meal! - and then I thought s*d it, and binned it.
DeleteSue - Like Rustic Pumpkin I've had a Flu Jan annually for about 20 years or more because of my asthma. Like others, had to sit quietly for 10 mins after flu jab but guess we won't be doing that this year! We go next week. Had a stiff arm once I think.
ReplyDeleteEven before Covid the flu jab at the doctors was like a queue for a sale, arm at the ready, stab with the needle away you go. The preamble of 'are you allergic to eggs, are you ok with injections, what arm etc. being covered by other staff before you joined the queue. Certainly no sitting down.
ReplyDeleteSue I have had the flu jab for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I have a bit of a sore arm but it goes after a day or two - other than that no side effects ever. This year I have already had mine - they handled it very well - we were carefully spaced out, instructed not to arrive early and were through and out of the back door - I was back in my car in four minutes and have had no side effects at all.
ReplyDeleteI had a flu jab about 20 years ago and I was very bad from it so never both until I had the stroke and moved house and was advise to have it 2 years ago and each time it has been fine no pain at all.
ReplyDeleteHope it's going to be a nice day like yesterday I got a lot done in the garden. Enjoy your day everyone.
Hazel c uk 🌈🌈🌈
I've been having the flu jab for over ten years and yes I remember when you had to stay in the surgery for ten minutes in case you had an adverse reaction.
ReplyDeleteI read and keep all the leaflets that come with the medication, even the ones I've been taking for years. You never know, you may need to refer to them and sometimes I need to know why I am taking a certain pill especially when I want to reduce one or two. It is difficult for me as some of the side effects of unrelated pills are symptoms of MS and other conditions I have.
PS Sue - I always read any instructions. But then if there is nothing to read I have been known to read the list of ingredients from the side of the sauce bottle!
ReplyDeleteOur flu jabs were done differently this year. It was in a "community setting" ie not at the doctor's surgery but we were happy with that. We were all kept well away from each other and, yes, were told to sit for 5 minutes afterwards just to make sure we didn't have an anaphylactic reaction! No side effects for either of us but my arm did go hot and hard at the jab site but that wore off by the next day. I do read the leaflet but it's more a "just in case" kind of thing - not a "okay, what's going to go wrong" kind of thing. Does that even make sense??
ReplyDeleteOur surgery processed everyone very efficiently. Unlike some places, we were sent straight out into the carpark immediately, and didn't get a leaflet of any sort. I was fine, but my OH had an achey arm later in the evening. I try not to read these side effects leaflets unless I do experience anything unusual. Otherwise I might start imagining things!
ReplyDeleteMy upper arm still hurts when I lie on my shoulder in bed - after 3 weeks. The first one I've had.
ReplyDeleteI do read them but they are often very scary and I think that I'd be better not to! I had my first ever flu jab on Monday a couple of weeks ago and my arm felt very 'heavy' and bruised until the Friday. It wasn't unbearable but I hadn't expected it.
ReplyDelete"Jab" is such a scary word. Seems popular in UK.
ReplyDeleteEasier to spell than injection!
DeleteUS used to say ''shot''/ flu shot, but I fear jab is getting popular.
DeleteI had my first ever flu jab a few weeks ago along with the shingles one. I had to stand to have them but was then given a leaflet and sent into the corridor to sit down for 5 minutes on special yellow chairs! I was fine so left after a couple of minutes. I did read the leaflet but tried not to think about side effects in case it brought them on 😂 I was fine, just an achy arm on the flu jab side and a headache on the shingles side. Nothing to worry about. I'm now awaiting an appointment for the pneumonia jab 🙄
ReplyDeleteDid you have a reaction to your shingles shot? I have to have the 2nd one in November. Flu was in left, shingles in right. Some pain but it was ok. I had mine at the pharmacy and they didn't make you wait afterwards.
DeleteNo reaction to the shingles other than that my arm was a bit tender for a few days. I did have a dull headache on the left side for a few days too. I had flu in the right arm and shingles in the left.
DeleteI believe all the warnings that come with medications and flu shots are at least partially there to protect the manufacturer of the drug from possible law suits. I know there are of course, other good reasons to give the warnings but the world has become so involved with lawsuits these days.
ReplyDeleteTom and I had our high dose flu shots recently and we did not have any side effects other than a slightly sore arm so I am grateful for that. I hope you don't have any side effects either!
I have never I had a reaction from the flu shots. No. I never read the effects unless some strange thing occurs. Then I dig the papers out of the trash and read them. I should be embarrassed to admit that.
ReplyDeleteOur pharmacist (you would say chemist) always goes over the possible reactions with us when we pick up a new prescription.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
We had our flu jabs this week too. We had to stand in a socially distanced queue in the surgery carpark and then had the jabs outside under a gazebo at the end of the carpark. I've never been given a leaflet to read.
ReplyDeleteHad the flu jab every year for 20+ years at the hospital as staff and go straight back to work never heard of anyone being allergic.
ReplyDeleteI'll be having my flu jab in November at a football ground, so it's all outside though with gazebos. Younger son is under 18 so due to have the nasal spray instead - but when I was making the appointments they didn't have any nasal spray yet so weren't making appointments for it.
ReplyDeleteI check the leaflet for new medicines, there are some 'fun' possible side effects with steroid tablets! Luckily my asthma seems more under control since I got a car & I've not needed steroid tablets for a few years.