Have you had your flu shot yet?

JaneA
JaneA Member Posts: 335
edited November 2020 in General Cancer
Experts believe that mid-September through late October is the ideal time to get your flu shots. My hubby and I will be getting ours next week. What about all of you?

Comments

  • Terri
    Terri Member Posts: 36
    edited October 2020
    I did a few weeks ago. It might have been too early, but its done!!!
  • LiveWithCancer
    LiveWithCancer Member Posts: 470
    edited October 2020
    I haven't gotten one. Don't currently have plans for when/if I will get one.
  • Bug
    Bug Member Posts: 394
    edited October 2020
    I called the doc's office last week but they didn't have the vaccine yet. I called this morning and made appointments for husband and myself for October 7.
  • andreacha
    andreacha Member Posts: 196
    edited November 2020
    I got my hi-dose shot this past Friday, the 25th. I had my first reaction ever to the shot. I had just gotten in the door at home and my vision went crazy, zooming in or out. Lasted only a few minutes but I called my niece who is a nurse. She said if it happens again to call 911. She had the same thing in her mind as I did - a TIA - which I had after surgery in '06. Sent a note to the Dr. and he replied that he felt it was from the shot. Just an FYI for all.
  • Bug
    Bug Member Posts: 394
    edited November 2020
    I did not know there are different dosages. How many different dosages are there? Who determines the dosage you get? If it is the doctor or nurse, do they tell you you are getting something other than the usual dose?
  • Carool
    Carool Member Posts: 787
    edited November 2020
    I’m getting one from CVS next week. I’m pushing my partner to do the same. Aside from your scary reaction, andreacha, I know two women who had adverse reactions to the high-dose shot. I won’t take it, just the regular vaccine.
  • JaneA
    JaneA Member Posts: 335
    edited October 2020
    Bug, there is a "high dose" designed for those over 65. Sometimes, the pharmacy has them and sometimes not. I prefer not to take the high-dose because I've had auto-immune issues in the past and have a slightly positive anti-nuclear antibody level.
  • Lynne-I-Am
    Lynne-I-Am Member Posts: 89
    edited November 2020
    Hubby and I both had the high dose flu shot two weeks ago. Get the flu shot yearly.
  • Jayne
    Jayne Member Posts: 134
    edited November 2020
    Getting mine next week.
  • legaljen1969
    legaljen1969 Member Posts: 763
    edited November 2020
    I am not due until December, but will probably get one when it's time.
  • KB2013
    KB2013 Member Posts: 62
    edited November 2020
    Yep, a week ago.
  • Terri
    Terri Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2020
    They didn't offer the high dose. What is it?
  • meyati
    meyati Member Posts: 308
    edited November 2020
    Today--this am. The doctors and hospitals don't have any vaccine yet. They keep putting up notices when they'll start giving shots-then they pull them down and post a sorry flu vaccines aren't in yet.

    I normally go to Walgreens, but most of the stores here have a bad design for a quarantine. Waiting area next to prescription drop off and people walking by for milk or lipstick. The door to the shot room is open to the people wandering by and doing whatever- the door is open so I wonder about strict sanitation. It is about the size of a super small bath room without ventilation.

    I saw a sign up for Albertson pharmacy when I was shopping last week. I called up yesterday and gave my insurance- and Walgreen didn't meet my COVID sanitation expectations. They said they didn't have the super dooper vaccine until about 2 weeks. I told them that I wanted a shot today--

    When I left, several senior couples came in, and they were holding hands-so sweet. I hear then say-- We want shots now- not in NOV.
  • meyati
    meyati Member Posts: 308
    edited November 2020
    The lit I got from Albertson's is that high protective dose is not made from eggs. The normal flu shot is made from eggs.

    It's probably a biological or some such.

  • andreacha
    andreacha Member Posts: 196
    edited November 2020
    Legaljen 1969 - Many doctors I've seen on TV are telling people to get their shots in late September to mid-October. I wouldn't wait until November or December as that is when the Covid should be in full swing again by then. My doctor said the same thing. Ask yours.
  • Teachertina
    Teachertina Member Posts: 205
    edited November 2020
    Planning on getting flu shot this week. Just wondering if you need to get tested for COVID before taking the flu shot?
  • Bug
    Bug Member Posts: 394
    edited November 2020
    Teachertina, we are not required to get a COVID test but were asked screening questions when we made the appointment and, if it’s like other appointments, will be asked the same screening questions when we get there.
  • meyati
    meyati Member Posts: 308
    edited October 2020
    Teacherina--Bug is exactly correct. I had a scan- gone twice for blood draws, gone to the vet 3 times last week, the dentist in May, saw my ENT, had an oncology follow up, went to Urgent Care, been to 2 different pharmacies, and my flu shot Friday.

    Sometimes, I'm sent a COVID questionnaire through My Chart. I am asked if I have been exposed to COVID, Have been around anybody that was exposed to COVID, I'm asked if I have been vomiting or have a stomachache-diarrhea. if I have a fever, if I am fatigued, if I have been out of the country? I tell them that I have not been out of the county. That makes them happy.

    I get a phone call where they often ask the same questions. The dentist is the strictest and most complicated

    DENTIST--call before I leave, call when I get there and I stay in the car. They call me to go in, and then I go in. They open the door and take my temp. They ask me the questions again and I got my teeth cleaned. I paid---many places I hold my credit card and they scan it- the dentist office did not touch my credit card.

    My lab- I park- walk in masked. They check my temp- I answer the questions- they place a sticky tag on me- I give them my cell number. I return to my car and wait for the phone call. I went in- went to the lab side and had my blood drawn.

    Scan. I entered the hospital- they took my temp asked me the questions and sent me to the registrar. The registrar had a huge plate window. She had 2 different people in front of me, and she didn't wipe down a darn thing after either one. I went in, grabbed her bottle of disinfectant, and I sprayed the chairs, the door knob, my part of the desk. She freaked out and she should be glad that I didn't spray her. I told her that I was 78, have a bad immune system, and I'm in charge of my health and she did not wipe down anything at all. I signed the forms and paid. I went to scan- and they had me keep the mask on. I didn't catch anything

    Oncology-same hospital. I went in- they took my temp, asked me the questions, gave me a new mask and had me sanitize my hands. I held the cards and they scanned.

    I go to 1 pharmacy where I go through a drive through and my card is in their records. I still wear a mask. Costco pharmacy--I'm in a social distance line- they scan my cards while I hold them- that is also true when checking out groceries there.

    Flu shot I went to Albertsons grocery store and paid for it. Costco and Walgreens have the waiting area in high traffic-people buying milk and lipstick--no protection- not good during a pandemic.. Albertson's here has a quiet waiting area-no shoppers- the shot room is secluded where people aren't coughing near it-etc.

    Drs in hospitals and Urgent Care-- go to door, get temp taken- asked questions- got to receptionist- pay then nurse calls you in.

    I do not know what happens if you have a COVID symptom. March---and during the bad times, my doctors took care of me by phone.

    If you have to get blood drawn-- go early- take a cell phone- a book or listen to music- last time I took a nap.while waiting.

    My Bluetick- Jax- had a gland swell up quickly and the vet thought it was that lymph gland cancer.. I called up an emergency place and they said it was a 3 or 4 hour wait before a tech came out and takes the pet. This was on the weekend. I called up my vet on Monday AM and said he needed to get in quicker than the original appt. They got me in at 5 pm. I go and find a parking place-call give my number, what space- boxer-- labrador-- pit bull-chihuahua. They call back when the tech comes out. I'm masked- they are masked gloved everything- when the vet sees the pet- any question a tech comes out and asks and brings any forms to sign. It takes an hour just to refill a prescription or drop off dog poop. Everything takes a lot more time. So please try to be patient. I already was, so it didn't bother me.

    I hope this helped you in what to expect. I'd recommend taking your temp the day before and the day of the appointment- if you have any questions about that- you have time to call and ask

    Good luck- one step at a time. Things are more settled now so it should be OK.
  • meyati
    meyati Member Posts: 308
    edited October 2020
    Oh, I'm in a state with strict mask requirement. We wear masks everywhere- even while driving
  • meyati
    meyati Member Posts: 308
    edited October 2020
    Oh, flu shot is walk in at pharmacies-- Call to make sure. I called 2 places- if at doctor or clinic-- appt.
  • Teachertina
    Teachertina Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2020
    We need senior flu vaccine. Nobody has it in stock, can’t keep it in stock, can’t make appointment at pharmacy to get it. They keep saying call again tomorrow to see if they have more yet. This is a week now. Hopefully we will get it soon!
  • meyati
    meyati Member Posts: 308
    edited October 2020
    Teacherina-- i'm sure you have,, but have you called your doctor/clinic or a state hospital? I went outside my policy/authorized care options. I'm sa senior on Medicare and the place said they'd wring the money out of medicare, especially since I'm a cancer survivor.

    Next, I went down the list of pharmacies, and don't forget that most grocery stores have pharmacies that give shots. I called my 2 regular, then for quarantine issues, I called Albertson-A is at the head of the list anyway, and I walked in- got my shot and walked back out. Mission accomplished--many of my friends here don't have a shot yet.
  • alivenwell
    alivenwell Member Posts: 84
    edited October 2020
    Yes, I had my flu shot. I have been ordering everything online. Our grocery store is delivering groceries in paper bags with only the handle touched. The outside of the bags is presumed to be dirty. I also drove to the store, masked, showed my id, and had a store employee load groceries into the trunk of my car.
  • TanjaTuna
    TanjaTuna Member Posts: 3
    I want to get it but my Dr. doesn't want me to come into their office until Covid is gone. So I'm not sure how I will have access. I'm a NHL patient with a long history of rituxan infusions. Apparently I'm ultra high risk for severe Covid. My husband will get it and I will continue to quarantine here are home. I guess if I'm not in a public setting I won't get the flu.
  • meyati
    meyati Member Posts: 308
    edited October 2020
    Can you call up a pharmacy and make an appointment.-drive-thru flu shots-visiting nurse?

    Call the state-my state, NM, has drive up flu shot facilities. I've caught tetanus, hospitalized . for pasteurella multocida, and I caught Whooping Cough (2017) that kept me in bed for almost a year-that was in a long pharmacy line.

    Call your insurance rep-Call hospital administration-Ask pharmacies if they can do a drive through or know of one.

    A visiting nurse.

    I've said this to specialists--You know your specialty-no complaint, but you don't know administration.

    With Whooping cough, I had to research and make my own proposals for care and support. I had a so-called Mystery Disease last year- I finally got diagnosed and the proper meds the second week this March-2020. I got help from specialists, ER and Urgent Care staff and my family doctor.

    Somethings worked, and some didn't. The break through in getting care was when an Urgent Care NPA took pictures of me swollen and with rashes. So medical staff could see this was a constant condition, and they kept taking pictures for my medical record.

    We have to be our own advocates. Start calling and ask- then ask if they'd make an appointment.

    Your doctor is probably swamped----exhausted worried- so talk to him -his office about getting a flu shot at a drive through--an appointment early in the morning. One reason might be that he doesn't want you to have a shot.

    Wear a mask in the house when people are around-you know the drill better than I do. Good luck and God bless.

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