So, if you get a flu shot at Costco,

[Mr.Bill]

can you get just one or do they make you get injected a dozen times?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. You get just one shot, but it's a really big one.

[samnsara]

2. ha! I took me a second to get that. :)

[okaawhatever]

3. Good one. Took me a second too. nt

[Illumination]

4. Well that's a good question! Ha, ha! Was seriously looking @ getting a flu shot @ Safeway.

Have NEVER taken a flu shot. Did some research. The maker of the vaccine is Seqirus.
Found some info. on-line. Now I'm afraid to get one. Don't like the fact that they're the 1st on the market. Was it rushed? Also don't like the fact that you can develop myalgia! Knew someone with this. She was in constant pain! Another factor is that it's not always effective. There's other side effects also. Then I got to thinking that I'm home app. 5 or 6 days out of the friggin week anyway! Haven't had the flu for about 20 years. I'd rather go without again than contract something. But that's just me. Did you get one Mr. Bill?

[Mr.Bill]

6. Don't believe everything you read on the internet,

especially when it comes to vaccines. I started getting them when I turned about 62. I volunteered at a hospital and they required it or gave you the option of wearing a mask whenever you were in the building. I've had no bad side effects and haven't had the flu since I've been getting the shots.

The volunteer program is shut down because of the virus and probably will be for awhile. I'm still getting the shot this year. I'm on Medicare so it's free to me and in fact, Safeway gives you 10% off on your shopping trip and that coupon can be used anytime in the next 30 days, I believe.

[Illumination]

9. Have also done lots of volunteer work. Was a Candystriper way back in the day. Remember

them?
The site I went to about that shot was reputable. I still think I'm going to pass. Practically a hermit! BUT did you hear the good news on DU today? The title is: "University Of Pittsburgh Scientists Discover Biomolecule That May Neutralize Coronavirus". This gives us some hope when things have seemed hopeless...

[Mr.Bill]

12. Yes, I did see that article. Good News.

My wife is a retired RN and she started as a candy striper. Her daughter is also an RN and is the fourth generation RN in their family.

[Illumination]

14. WOW! What a wonderful family you have! Helping those in need can be very fulfilling!...

[Mr.Bill]

15. You know what the shocking thing is?

It's what nurses have been paid historically. My stepdaughter got her Masters degree when she was about 40. Now, understand that she is more than an RN. She supervises two departments at the hospital. She makes close to 200K if you include bonuses. My wife retired about ten years ago making about 125K. She didn't even have a Bachelors degree, which today is pretty much a necessity. Her mother was an RN from right after WWII until the late 80s. In the 50s she did that job for $1 an hour.

You might ask why and when did RNs start making the big money? My wife says it pretty much happened in the late 70s and early 80s. Why then? Some would point to union contracts and bargaining power. That's true to some extent. But my wife has a theory that can't be proven or disproven - the money got way better when more men started working in Nursing. I agree with her.

I have no college education. I worked in a trade, I was a printer. When I met my wife in '91, she was making a few dollars an hour more than me. Twenty years later when she retired she was making three times what I made. So in short, RNs are very well paid, especially in California. But it wasn't always so. Nursing is a calling, not a job. My wife went to nursing school with the prospect of maybe making $5 an hour. She says she would have done it for minimum wage. Now we both volunteer at the hospital for no money at all.

[Illumination]

19. That's a pretty incredible story! Thanks for that... $1.00 an hour in the 50s'? That really makes

me feel old! A master's degree & supervising 2 departments? WOW! You & your wife must be really proud of her! Good to hear you & your wife are not all about the $. With the greed in this world, you are two special people! How great that you both volunteer @ the hospital & ask nothing in return!
You & yours be well Mr. Bill...

[Mr.Bill]

20. Thank you for your kind words.

You be well also.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. They've been making flu vaccines for many years now.

The problem is that they have to guess about nine months ahead which current mutation of the virus to put in the vaccine. Typically they put two or three variants in the vaccine. Some years they get it more right than others. Which means some years the vaccine is more effective than others.

Chances are there will be essentially no flu season here this year, because there is pretty much no travel to and from China, which is where we almost always get the current round of flu. There was essentially no flu season in the southern hemisphere for exactly that reason.

[Illumination]

13. That's right! Thank you for that info. Poindex! That makes sense. Ok I feel much better about

my decision. A few month ago received a pneumonia shot. Feel good about that decision & feel fine. Ok so that's something positive! Good! Thanks again...

[Aristus]

11. I have to second the advice not to believe everything you hear on the internet.

The manufacturer is really irrelevant; they're following CDC guidelines for seasonal evaluation and development of influenza vaccine. It's not a money-maker for the pharmaceutical companies. We have a lot more experience developing flu vaccine than vaccine for COVID-19, obviously.

They usually get it mostly right. The vaccination plan is based on an educated guess as to which strain of flu will arise in any given season. And the researchers usually get it more or less right. 'Right' means a typical effectiveness of between 25% and 75%. Don't listen to anyone who tells you not to get the vaccine because it's not 100% effective. No vaccine is. But since the development of the influenza vaccine, deaths from influenza have dropped dramatically. Notice no one is dying of the flu in the millions like in 1918.

Even a partial immunity can be the difference between life and death.

The flu vaccine does not give you the flu. The inflammatory reaction that some patients experience after immunization can be mistaken for influenza infection, but in fact is just the immune system developing the immune antibodies that fight infection if exposed.

Even if you never get sick, get the vaccine anyway; the goal is to reduce transmission of the virus. If you get exposed to the virus and you have been immunized, the immune antibodies will kill the virus before you can pass it on to someone who may be more vulnerable than you.

And bear in mind, the anti-vaxx conspiracy theory is relatively new, and became, well, viral, due to toxic social media, hysterical 'my rights!' movements, and even a few well-meaning idiots. Vaccines save lives. Don't listen to the screamers; listen to the scientists.

Get your vaccines.

[Illumination]

16. Thank you Aristus for the wonderful post & explanation! Going to assume you're in the medical

field. Just have a few questions. Do you think there's a possibility we won't have a flu season due to very little travel in the U.S.? The other question is: When is the best time to get the flu shot for the best seasonal protection?

[Aristus]

18. I'm a Physician Assistant working in primary care - healthcare for the homeless.

We're definitely going to have a spread of influenza. All those anti-maskers out there? They're not just spreading COVID-19. We may not have a vaccine for COVID, but we have one for the flu, and it's more important than ever.

It never hurts to get it as soon as possible, since it takes around two weeks for the viral antibodies to reach an effective level. There are those who say get it in early October, so by the time the immunity attenuates, flu season will basically be over.

[Illumination]

22. Was associated with a major homeless coalition in Denver. They saved my life. Good for you

doing this work! Can't thank you enough for all you do! The homeless situation will be going through the roof with the shenanigans going on now. Honestly it just breaks my heart! That's why I will be thrilled to see Joe & Kamala in the W.H.!
OK Aristus will go to Safeway & get my shot tomorrow morning! Thank you again...

[Aristus]

24. Glad I could help.

Our air quality here in the Northwest is highly dangerous, as I'm sure you've heard. My patients are out in it. The shelters can only take so many while distancing properly. So my patients who usually sleep rough are having to breath in this horrible air.

Immunity against respiratory illnesses has never been more important.

[3catwoman3]

25. Myalgia just means body aches. Any immunization can make you...

...feel a little achy for 24-48 hours. Don't confuse that with fibromyalgia.

[Illumination]

27. My error. You are so right! My friend had fibromyalgia that disabled her so bad...

[hlthe2b]

5. You take bulk packaage with the remaining eleven dosess home with you. Bulk Cold Storage required

[DBoon]

7. You will pay a lot, but you will take home a whole pallett of vaccine

enough for the whole family for the next 3 years.

They will also sell you the freezer to keep the vaccines

[Fla Dem]

10. I heard the best time to get a shot is mid to late October.

That way the effectiveness lasts through the entire flu season thru April. I guess they become less effective over time.

[Mr.Bill]

17. FWIW, the hospital I volunteer at requires we get the shot by October 1st.

If not we have to wear a mask while in the building.

[Generic Brad]

21. The free samples are good

But you only get one of the four strains in this year's dose.

[appalachiablue]

23. For several yrs I've been lax about getting flu shots.

But not this year. If, heaven forbid you get the flu and then are infected with Covid, or visa versa, it's an ugly scenario.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

26. My doctor told me I need it. And he ment it

Along with all kinds of other vaccinations he gave me. Some I didn't think I was in the age range for. But because of my MS, I am now.
. Also been told to do my best to keep out of public till I can get vaccinated for Covid.
But that can take a while to get, but he said I better get use to not being a Social Butterfly ( not that I ever really was one) till then.

[Zorro]

28. Got mine at Costco yesterday

I was the only one there for the shot. Now is a good time to beat the crowds.