Swine flu, to have or not to have, that is the question.

penrhyn

Ive had both the seasonal and the swine flu jab. Sore arm for a couple of days, and a funny taste/sore tongue?!
My swine flu jab was Pandemrix, its preferred as the other one which does not have the aduvant and has to be given twice.

foogirl1983

My hubby's had his first dose of the jab, has to go back in 3 weeks for his second. I'm going with him to get mine (I only have to have one dose, apparently).

He's had a sore arm for 4 or 5 days but no other side effects.

stargaze_3

In august this year I had swine flu, and probably because I have asthma, it went to my chest and turned to pneumonia,so I had to be treated for this with antibiotice for quite some time after, - still having pain from it now, back of my shoulder blades. Last month I was called in to Drs. to have swine flu injection, - I didn't hesitate, and I had it done straight away, - and glad of it too. I had a little bit of redness come on that arm, and yes, it was a little bit sore, - but nothing to make a fuss about. So yes for me, I am certainly glad that I have had it, NO REGRETS at all. - Stargaze. - ( soreness on arm didn't last long )

P2TKL

I had the jab on Wed...my arm is quite sore and red at the site of injection...its also hard and hot. Having said that i`m only aware of it when I or someone else touches the area. The nurse who gave me the injection did warn me that many people had complained of sore arms for about a week. Still better than having swine flu though

nigem

I had swine flu jab in left arm as I'm right handed, and seasonal in right arm at the same time. I usually get side effects from vaccinations, but had a very sore left arm for 24 hrs, and felt a little sick and had a virus type headache for the day. I carried on working so it wasnt that bad. Seasonal flu arm was absolutely ok.

mommame

Same here,pandemrix 2 jabs 2 weeks apart plus normal flu jab in the week in between,am in the at risk category as immunosuppressed.
No real side effects except for sore arm for about a week.

LesD

Heard the one about swine-flu morphing with bird-flu to make flying-pig flu?

'Obviously' the campaign has been a huge 'success'. The original projections of 'up to 40 a day dying' turned out to be a total of 300 so far in the UK. And how many deaths would have occured 'naturally' or 'accidentally' anyway. Estimates say 4,000 - 8,000 people die annually with flu and its complications.

And, did you know the only efficacy testing of Tamiflu was by Roche (the manufacturer)?

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/dec08_3/b5351

This was just another excuse for our tallented government to waste upwards of £200 million of our money.

So, back to your question, Islandman, I would suggest the risk of suffering if you have the jab probably outways the risk of being incapacitated with something if you don't.

Besides, you not having it will save the rest of us a few pence if Gordon can persuade Roche to take back the millions of unused doses that are certain to arise.

treliac

Had it two weeks ago. The injection was completely painless and I had less of a sore arm than I had from the seasonal flu vaccine.

I think it all depends on the exact point the needle enters the arm, i.e. what part of the arm the needle happens to strike. It's just the luck of the draw!

One thing the doctor told me, was that if I had already had swine flu I would be unlikely to get a reaction. If not, I could get a bit of a fever. I suspect that I did have a mild dose of SF in the summer!

sexandthecity

I have just had a letter from Gp this morning as I have a child under 5.

When she gets the slightest cold it goes on her chest so really she should be an ideal candidate for this jab, she doesnt eat well and doesnt have the best immune system, I do feel reluctant to give her this jab as its been rushed through testing but I dont want to her to catch it and get sick

missindecisive

hello, ive had the jab. sore arm for a couple of days, plus a headache and feeling a bit achey for 1 day. thats was it..worth putting up with I reckon than actually getting swine flu itself.