Whaaat? No Flu Shot for Me!

[rookiegirl]

I had my 3 mos. appointment with my Nephrologist this morning.  They ran out of Flu vaccine and don't know when they can get more.  My company offers the flu vaccine, but because I went to my Dr., I missed the window to get my shot.  I called my Family Physician and they too no longer have the vaccine.  I called Walgreen and they ran out, CVS ran out.  I called my Neph office and left a message to let her know everywhere I called no longer have the Flu shot.  This makes me angry.  I've been post-transplant for 7mos. now.  Now what? Isn't imperative that I get the Flu shot???

[okarol]

I know our local heath department has reserves for chronically ill residents. Perhaps your city has something similar? Try giving them a call.

[Jess21]

I feel for you... I can't get a flu shot until atleast 6 months post-transplant (or after that if my transplant neph doesn't "think" it would help yet)....that's in JANUARY!

[paris]

Rookiegirl, Raleigh is out of the shots, again.  And there is none left in reserves now. Health department is waiting for another batch.  I think I am just going to hibernate until the flu season is over!     I hope you find someone who still has the shots.   

[rookiegirl]

Good News!  I go tomorrow to have my flu shot.  My company has another scheduled location about 5 miles from where I work.

Question? I have been sneezing and some cough.  I don't know if related to my sinus allergy or whether I'm coming down with something.  No fever, no aches.  If I take the flu shot tomorrow, will this make me sick?

We have some people in my office with flu/cold symptoms and I try my very best to stay away, but really hard when you are in meetings several times per day.  I do wash, wash, sanitize like crazy.

[Jean]

I have been told that if you have a cold, you cant get the seasonal flu shot. Since mine was mild, my Dr. gave it to me anyways. As far as swine flu, I think hibernating is your best bet.

[RightSide]

Question? I have been sneezing and some cough.  I don't know if related to my sinus allergy or whether I'm coming down with something.  No fever, no aches.  If I take the flu shot tomorrow, will this make me sick?

If you're feeling quite sick--especially if you start spiking a fever--you should not have the flu shot.  If your sputum is dark yellow or green, that indicates a bacterial respiratory infection, and again you should not have the flu shot.

But I took a flu shot when I had been getting over a simple cold, and I did fine.

[Phraxis]

First full disclosure, I have had the regular and swine flu shots. My neph and a couple of other specialists said that being six weeks post transplant it is unlikely that I will gain immunity from them as my immune system is still too suppressed. A situation that is likely to persist for 6 months or more. You have to have the ability to develop immunity. But no effects felt.

In Canada, all provinces except Alberta have given special groups priority. In Alberta, they offered the shots to everyone until this weekend when they suspended clinics due to shortages. And large populations of vulnerable groups have not been immunized. A bit of an issue there. However, despite some vocal opposition, virtually every shot available has been used so there is a high demand. Anecdotally allot of people are contracting the flu, and likely developing immunity to it without suffering severe symptoms.