Flu Shot

My friend in Chicago only got his Covid-19 vaccines (J&J initially, then he started over and did two jabs of Pfizer). He didn't think he needed the flu shot, but he wound up getting sick with the flu. He's in good shape and relatively young, but he was pretty sick for at least 3 weeks with the flu. Not everyone is lucky, and the flu can spread to others who are immunocompromised and therefore not fully protected from vaccines (i.e., breakthrough cases). The vaccines protect both ourselves and others, not just ourselves. It also helps slow the mutations of influenza or even cross-breeds of viral and/or bacterial infections, if that's even possible. Many didn't think that the kind of coronavirus we're seeing today was possible until it happened, and now that's getting worse.

So please, consider getting the flu shot to protect yourself and others. Unless you have allergic reactions to the flu shot, it really is the safest way to prevent additional respiratory infections.

I said what I said about the VA because I'm just frustrated at the lack of information that they should be aware of when patients ask them. We're no longer in the military; we should have a right to know what we are putting into our bodies, and what alternatives there are.

If you truly cannot get the flu shot, then consider social distancing, essential outings only, and mask-wearing whenever you're indoors outside of your home, such as in hallways of your apartment or condo complex, in common rooms, at work, shopping, or in crowded outdoor areas.

Yup, got my flu shot in October. I got the covid vax in March. I still need to get the booster.