Has anyone had a bad reaction or actually had flu from the flu vaccination? If so how did it affect you?

[John_Mills]

[vivdunstan Volunteer]

I had the flu vaccine for many years with no problems, taking it under consultant's orders because of the immunosuppression drugs I was on to treat my vasculitis. Then one year it seems to have exacerbated my cerebral vasculitis. A week after the vaccine my disease activity increased rapidly in terms of both symptoms and inflammation markers. The consultant thought the flu vaccine was probably to blame, and ordered me never to have another flu vaccine. And I can't have it now anyway because I'm on so many immunsuppressive drugs simultaneously, and would get no adequate protective immune response from the vaccine. My husband gets the annual vaccine, as my carer, which gives me a bit of protection from catching the infection.

My Mum had a bad reaction to the flu vaccine last year, as did other people in her town. She probably reacted to the egg content in it. I've been trying to encourage her to have a vaccine this year (she gets it because she is in her 70s) and ask for the egg-free version.

[Hidden]

I've had the jab every year (as per Dr David Jayne at Addenbrookes' recommendation) for the last 5 years and never had an issue with my WG/GWP on any occasion.

Healthy wishes.

[JacquiM Volunteer]

Yes I did many years before I got WG though. I felt so ill I swore I would never have another one!!

I did, however, have the flu jab end of last year following a recommendation from my GP/Consultant and was OK thankfuly. Not keen on having them simply due to what is in them

[JacquiM Volunteer]

Forgot to mention that I have only had proper flu once. Wasn't the best of times so I decided to have the flu jab the year after which affected me very badly.

I thought that I had a bad case of flu beginning of 2011 which turned out to be Vascultitis!

Happy days

[LynneJ Vasculitis UK Volunteer]

Both my husband and brother and dad had bad reactions but that was in the 70's and 80's. My dad kept on having them with reactions every time, my brother swore he would never have one again ( I think he should as he is also on Azathioprine now) My husband has had one for the last two years (for my sake, bless him) with no ill effects so far. I have also had them for the past two years and OK so far.

[HiveMind]

I've never had any flu vaccine and therefore I've never had any reactions. My CSS is stable right now with my inflammatory markers going down all the time.

I don't want to add even more chemicals into the mix and " wait and see" what happens.

My motto is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

[SusannC]

I get the flu jab, but have never had a bad reaction from it.

[metalback]

ive had the flu vaccine for 12 years mostly with no reaction. This was initially for Asthma and as a carer. Some years I feel a ill for 24 hours and have had a red patch on arm. but it quickly passes. I last had flu in 1990.

[braindamage]

My wife and I receive invitations to contact our surgery for these. Unfortunately mine was in nine different languages - non English!

The first two were followed by flu.

[John_Mills Volunteer]

John has been contacted by the surgery for the last 11 years and never had one... his consultant never advised to have or not have one...it was up to John....but last year John had the worst winter ever for about 2 months so he has booked his jab this year... I am more nervous than him.... so just wanted to see how others reacted to the flu jab..as ever with Vasculitis nothing is black or white... just shades of black/grey or White/grey.... no two people with Vasculitis are ever the same.... with anything really.... just have to go with it.... thankyou for all the comments....

[pickle]

I've been having the flu jab for several years as i have asthma with no bad side effects so I've got my jab booked for next Sat, but when I spoke to my consultant in the week he advised me not to have it but at the same time handed me a info leaflet about the cyclophosphamide I'm having on Friday which advises having the flu jab!

[SueAshdown]

Hi I have the flu vaccine every year with no problem. Had this years last friday.

Don't forget you also need to get your pneumonia vaccine every 5 years if you are on immunosuppressent meds.

[Lafaerie]

I suffer badly in the winter with colds etc. Had my first flu jab last year and was so well all through the season, I will definitely have it again this year - just have to check with my new German doctors

[mandijt]

I had my flu & pneumonia jabs on monday (after having to cancel previously due to ill health....lol!) and i've been fine - not even sore arms.

[RP99]

I gave in and had a flu jab in 2010 and suffered a relapse of GPA just after. I haven't had one since. I generally do not get flu so I feel this is a good choice for me at the moment.

[AndrewT]

I have been having the flu-jab for many years, in fact I'm 'due' another one soon, with no ill effect. Very occationally I might experience a 'sore arm' for a couple of days but hey if it stops me getting the flu.............

AndrewT

[lnem]

I have been having the flu jab since i 've had WG------ 10yrs. It is not a live vaccine so cannot give you flu. Sometimes people get symptoms co-incidentally because it was going to happen anyway. The alternative is much worse in my opinion.

[amms43]

I have had flu and pneumonia vaccinations since having pneumonia from undiagnosed vasculitis 14 years ago. This is the first year I have been on Prednisolone and I do not know whether to take up the vaccination or not. I am going to wait for my next appointment at Addenbrookes to ask.