This years flu jab

[Sylvia22]

I had flu jab last year without any after effects but this year since I had it my fibro has flared and I have felt generally unwell. Anyone else experienced similar this year.

[Lora7again]

I don't have the flu jab but I think it is safe for thyroid patients because it isn't an active injection. It might not protect you from all the strains of flu but if you are elderly or frail it is recommended. I had it every year when I worked for the NHS because we were advised to because they didn't want us to take any time off work because of the flu because the NHS can't afford to be short staffed.

[lindi]

I had the flu jab on Monday this week & apart from feeling a bit hot & stuffed up yesterday I haven’t felt unwell. Maybe you’re just having a bit of a thyroid issue not connected to the jab? I hope you start to feel less unwell very soon x

[Howard39]

Hi

With all the dangerous things they put in it I’d never have it.

There was a flu epidemic here last year and 90% plus admitted to hospital had their injection. It only covers 3 strains anyway.

My specialist is not at all happy for any of us to have injections. The ingredients can cause heavy metal poisoning.

See Drmercola.com re vaccinations.

[Reykua in reply to Howard39]

You are 100% correct about the lack of efficacy of the flu jabs over the last couple or three years!

Seriously, I think people who are already unwell are often being used as medical guinea pigs by Big Pharma with little or no regard given to the side or after effects of their 'tests'.

I agree with much that Dr. Mercola has said and written regarding natural approaches to health but I struggle with some of his assertions as well.

I am not an 'anti-vaxer'.

Why? Because I have witnessed First Hand, in too many countries, the very awful and adverse effects of preventable diseases and illnesses like measles (and polio), TB, malaria, Hepatitis and HIV.

It is simply heartbreaking and devastating, the way they impact on children and families - especially the common and preventable 'vaccine available' childhood ones. It really is a case of Survival of the fittest and luckiest.

I also noticed that NOTHING we eat or drink in developed countries can be described as NATURAL anymore. Even in developing countries, the sheer scale of urbanisation, development and pollution has decimated their natural world.

On the basis of this one observation alone. I have stopped patronising him.

In my opinion, if he can make such false statements to garner interest, then it's very possible he may be making false statements about other things as well.

I guess I'm perfectly balanced - I'm critical of both extremes of opinion.

[Hillwoman in reply to Reykua]

Clearly, you have been deeply affected by your first-hand personal observations, but could I just point out that the assumption underlying your comments, that vaccination works, is open to question. Here is one doctor's opinion on the lack of clarity and honesty around the subject:

drmalcolmkendrick.org/2019/...

Please also bear in mind that most of us who now refuse vaccinations only became 'anti' as a consequence of adverse effects suffered by us or someone close to us. In the end, vaccination should remain the informed choice of the individual, although unbiased information is increasingly hard to come by.

[Reykua in reply to Hillwoman]

I completely agree.

All decisions pertaining to one's health should be considered on a personal level.

With regards to not being Anti, I respect your opinion and have taken the time to read a great deal on the subject - admittedly, not the link you provided - till today.

In truth, I was torn for many years as I have a leaning towards clean eating and being as 'natural' as possible, but having witnessed so much devastation - mainly impacting on more vulnerable communities - often brought in from outside (yes, Us foreigners in the main), I strongly believe that to prevent whole tribes and nations being possibly 'exterminated', decimated or wiped out because they contracted some preventable illness from some well meaning soul, mass vaccination may be the way to go.

Strangely, things have not changed much since the days of Captain Cook and other discoverers where native peoples who came into contact with the new settlers, died from what can best be described now as the Common Cold!

Choosing to not vaccine and living in a bubble is fine and perhaps a good personal choice.

Choosing to not vaccine with the potential of living with or being around others - especially those who's immunity could be below par for whatever reason (often through lack of exposure and no fault of their own), could be deadly.

[Hillwoman in reply to Reykua]

I take your point, but as I said earlier it applies if vaccination actually works, and there is ample evidence that some vaccines don't work well at all, e.g. measles.

[Reykua in reply to Hillwoman]

Perhaps.

You're right. There are many vaccines that are basically 'hit and miss' or as some would describe it, 'trial and error'.

However, the communities I've worked, with hindsight, would probably rather take the chance on the vaccinations only being partially effective than suffer what they've gone through thus far.

I considered posting some photos - but won't as many are of babies, young children, the elderly and nursing mothers and are far too disturbing.

However, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the additional information and educated debate. It has been particularly helpful to consolidate my reasons for doing a 1'20 degree' - Not 180, from being against to being for vaccinations - in principle and with some reservations.

I often have to remind myself of the sheer raft of vaccinations I had to take before travelling and how I trusted them to keep me (and them) 'safe and well' - which they did, even though I was constantly in close proximity with some of those in horrendous situations.

We may have to agree to disagree.

[Marz in reply to Reykua]

childrenshealthdefense.org/...

I am a Follower of the above website and feel the information reliable. I am not anti vaccinations totally - in spite of having had a horrid gut TB after the BCG - six months in hospital - surgeries galore - nasty treatment - then Crohns - more surgeries and so my health was compromised at a young age.

I think all our experiences - wherever/whenever they are - do colour our thoughts in the future. I last had Flu in 1958 when Asian Flu swept the country - perhaps that has protected me !

I often wonder how I entered India without any vaccinations some 20 years ago - I went to an Ayeurvedic Clinic for treatment - perhaps that protected me !

[Sylvia22 in reply to Hillwoman]

Very interesting article. Thank you

[Hillwoman in reply to Sylvia22]

You're welcome.

[Hidden]

Because of wotking with vulnerable people, I've had a flu jab ever since being offered it, with no I'll effects. Also after retiring. But last year, after being finally diagnosed with Hashis, I didn't feel comfortable with having it.

Might stimulating the immune system cause a flare up?

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I think in UK, the flu jab protects against 4 strains of flu and I asked if it contained thimerosal ( a mercury based preservative) and was told it did n't after pharmacist checked list of ingredients.

NHS link about flu jabs

nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...

Think this link lists the ingredients for flu jab in UK/Europe this year. Link aimed at health professionals.

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

[Hidden in reply to Sleepybunny]

The jab for adults protects against 3 strains, the nasal spray for kids protects against 4 strains.

[siddooo1]

Hi Sylvia22

I had a bad reaction to the flu jab a few years ago, it was due to the Gentamycin antibiotic used in the production of the jab. I went around to several pharmacies to find a jab which I could have ( I have several antibiotic allergies) and couldn't find one. Needless to say I no longer risk it. It could be that you have an allergy to some ingredient in the vaccine.

Kind regards

Sidd0001

[gabkad in reply to siddooo1]

Very interesting. Thanks for the information.

[Eelaines]

I just had the flu jab, and felt really unwell for a day or so afterwards. Tinnitus is one of my hypo symptoms, and it caused a massive spike in that. I do tend to react quite badly to immunisations, albeit temporary. I'm going to reconsider having it next year, as I can't face the unwell feeling!

As far as I can see there's no mercury in these jabs.

[Howard39 in reply to Eelaines]

Hi

No there is none in ours but they are in the American ones.

I think aluminium formaldehyde and sugar are bad enough.

Detoxing from the first two is v difficult and has serious side effects for some people.

[Hidden]

Perhaps you're reacting to the squalene oil adjuvant present in the vaccine. That can cause pain, swelling or redness at the injection site, slightly high temperature, headache, feeling generally unwell, shivering, or tiredness.

There's no mercury (in thiomersal) in the vaccine, its use was stopped years ago. There is aluminium, however.

vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/vk/vaccine-...

I don't have the flu vaccine as I'm a needle-phobe.

[Lily288 in reply to Hidden]

You're right, the mercury has been removed... just heard this on some documentary recently, but the fact that the vaccine contained mercury before this was admitted, tells me to beware of it in this sense but also what in their little minds have they used to replaced it with!? I prefer they do their practicing on others and yet, I don't want to be that cruel. I never get flu shots or any preventative anything. I figure if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

[bobsmydog]

Yes, me too! Last year no problem, this year feeling washed out, aches and pains and sore injection site lasting 4/5 days.

[molliemdz]

My mother got polymyalgia (which is a type of fibromyalgia) from the flu jab a number of years ago. She’d never had any symptoms of it previously, and it hit her suddenly and hard, the day after the jab. Her arms were almost useless for about two years. My father had to physically lift her to a sitting position in the mornings so she could get out of bed, he had to hook her bra for her.... She kept working (as a teacher) during that period, but she wouldn’t have been able to if she hadn’t had his help.

In the fifteen years I’ve been in the UK, the one and only time I’ve had the flu was the one and only time I’d had the flu jab.

Obviously, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have it; that’s for you to decide. But, to answer your question, I haven’t personally had a flare up of fibro symptoms after a flu jab, but my mother had the onset of it immediately following the jab (she also has hypothyroidism). I personally choose not to have it because I’ve read that it’s about 8-9% effective at preventing the flu each year, and I work hard at keeping my immune system healthy. For me, as someone with one autoimmune illness already, and a 1st degree relative who had an autoimmune illness immediately following the jab, I believe the risks outweigh the benefits.

[Treepie]

My wife is not hypo .The jab left her with a painful arm overnight and feeling unwell also with a headache for the next day.

I have declined for now.

[Beverleyb]

I had flu jab last year and felt wiped out for a few days and my arm ached for weeks afterwards.....I was a bit reluctant to have one this year but thinking back to previous years ,I’ve always caught the flu over Christmas period. I had the flu jab last week and pleased to say no after affects ..

[Chocaholic7]

I have the flu jab every year, normally with no after-effects other than a sore arm. This year I felt unwell for about 4 days after having it. However, the flu virus mutates each year and therefore the vaccine changes accordingly. Having had full-blown flu previously I would take a few days of feeling slightly unwell any day over having the flu!!!!

[UHelga]

I had annual flu vaccinations until a few years ago when I must have reacted to the chemical ingredients in the jab rather than the flu part. I suddenly started getting aural migraines (never had migraines before!) and they were getting more and more frequent over a period of 6 months. My docs weren’t interested in why this was happening and in the end I had to seek alternative help. It took me over a year to get rid of the toxins in my body and for the migraines to stop, and this is a good reason for me not to have the flu jab anymore!

[Sylvia22 in reply to UHelga]

That must have awful.

[Sylvia22]

Thank you all for replying to me. Seems some are affected and others not. I looked on link and it seems myalgia is quite a common reaction. I had the injection over two weeks ago and have felt unwell since. I am going to try and see what was in this years injection and last years as last year I had no reaction at all.

Thanks folks you are all brilliant.

[Britomartis29]

Because I have SLE (systemic lupus) I am advised not to get the flu vaccinations (we call them "flu shots" here in the US). No one has ever said that thyroid disease would rule out having the flu shot, though.

I've never had the vaccination, but my dad had it one year and had a very bad reaction: fever, severe aching all over, immobility of arms and legs (temporary). In addition, it was the only year he was ever ill with the flu! You could say, well, maybe it saved his life, for if he hadn't had it, his flu would have been all the worse. Hmm. He never had the vaccination again and never had flu again either; died at 89.

This may sound crazy but I think I'd rather die of flu than some other things. A friend's husband developed Guillain-Barré syndrome, possibly but not certainly related to a flu shot, and has basically been paralyzed for a year(getting slightly better now).

Of course, flu is a very serious thing, and they say that for the population overall, the vaccines have saved many lives. The NHS would not advise it for their own staff if it didn't effectively prevent illness, right?

[Petalrugbaba]

My mother died of meningitis 10 days after having the flu jab 😢

[Howard39 in reply to Petalrugbaba]

Hi

I am so sorry to hear about that.

That’s awful.

My best wishes.

[Sylvia22 in reply to Petalrugbaba]

So sorry for your loss xx

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Petalrugbaba]

I’m so sorry Petalrugbaba.

Was there a causal link?

[Petalrugbaba in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

It was many years ago. No link made but I think the jab lowered her immunity and then she contracted the deadly virus. I will not have the flu jab as can never forget the horror of it .

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Petalrugbaba]

Desperately sad. I’m sorry.

[JOLLYDOLLY]

Hi,

I had the flub jab last Saturday, no side affects apart from a big bruise on my arm lol. However, I have had a reaction with past jabs. So this is the first time I have had the jab in two years.

Hope it is just a coincidence for you and you soon feel well.

Take care

[Sylvia22 in reply to JOLLYDOLLY]

Thank you

[vocalEK in reply to JOLLYDOLLY]

In the UK, do they really forcefully jab you when you get a vaccine? Maybe that's where your bruise came from.

I had the flu shot last week and couldn't even feel it when the nurse slipped in the needle. No real after effects except for the area was a little sensitive to touch for a few days.

[JOLLYDOLLY in reply to vocalEK]

I did not take much notice of it either as I am used to having B12 jabs. When she did the jab, it drew blood only for a second, perhaps that was what caused the bruise?

[HowNowWhatNow]

My kids, husband and I all had the swine flu earlier this year.

It was so much worse than any flu I’ve ever had. In three out of four of us it led to secondary infections. My youngest had to go to A and E three times, once for the night when she was very unwell. I’m getting us the jabs this year.

[JOLLYDOLLY in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

That must have been pretty scary for you and the family. My only fear with having it was five years ago next month, I was in between chest infections, the GP decided to give me the jab anyway but it was the worst thing he could have done, as I contracted what they called severe pneumonia and ended up in High dependency for two weeks.

I guess it is a very personal thing whether to have it or not, but after having both flu and pneumonia myself, I would not wish either on anybody. This is the first time I have had the jab in three years, but I am too venerable and at high risk of several complications at the moment, so can't take the risk of catching flu this year, hence the reason for the change of mind.

Take care

[Sylvia22 in reply to JOLLYDOLLY]

So sorry you had that reaction

[JOLLYDOLLY in reply to Sylvia22]

Thank you, just unlucky I guess.

[Sylvia22]

How awful for you and your family