I work in a germ factory called a college. Many of my students are coughing, sneezing, and wheezing on me. It’s the beginning of Flu Season here in Western NY. Time to get my annual flu shot. This is the 8th year in a row that I’ve gotten a flu shot. So far, no flu in all those years. I know the flu vaccine is a “likely mix” of flu strains. It’s a probability product. You can still get the flu even if you get the shot if you’re infected by a strain not in the mix. But, I’ll grasp at any opportunity to escape 10 days of illness. Have you gotten your flu shot yet?
I work for the school district which provides them on-site at the school for the cost of a doctor’s appointment co-pay (in our case, $20). So you get the convenience of not having to make an appointment and go to the doctor–just get in line. Shots are usually scheduled on teacher work days when students are not in school, so no worries about leaving classroom unattended, etc. Anyway, I always get one and I’m always amazed at how few people take advantage if the service. I got one on October 12 and there were other 10 people in line (we have over 100 staff in the school). It couldn’t be made any more convenient. I’ve never had the flu and hope I never do.
One of the reasons I turned to the flu shot, Deb, was that I was getting the flu every year. Very yucky. And it usually lasted close to 10 days. That’s too much time away from the classroom for me. I was able to arrange for colleagues to substitute for me while I was sick (mostly, the College allows professors simply to cancel classes when they’re ill). I didn’t want students to fall behind while I was down with the flu bug. Your amazement is similar to mine: very few of my colleague get the flu shot even though they’re readily accessable.
About a month ago. Earliest my doctor has ever offered it.
Good for you, Patti. We made our appointment after we returned from BOUCHERCON. The flu season, at least among my students, has already started.
Nice of Stilwell to share his cardiac nurse’s services with you.
Since Jackie is no longer expoaed to gangs of seven and eight year olds she stopped getting bronchitis every year or two. Fortunately we haven’t had the flu or we’d be clamoring for shots like you.
Yes, it was nice for Stilwell to lend me one of nurses for this Public Service Announcement about flu shots, Jeff. Diane gets her flu shot with me on the theory that if I get the flu, she’s going to get the flu. Diane also insists that her 93-year-old mother get a flu shot.
It has yet to be offered by my cheap-o medical plan, even though I understood Medi-Care paid for one annually.
If you’re on Medicare, Rick, flu shots are fully covered.
George, I hope you and everyone else in the northeast get through the storm okay.
The coastal areas will be most affected, Drongo. But we’ll have to contend with inches upon inches of rain the next few days. I appreciate your concern.
Yes–prayers and thoughts to everyone in the storm’s path. Please take care–and make sure your phone is charged before the power goes out! (Take it from me, you’ll be glad you did.)
Our A&T GO Phone is charged, our iPad is charged, and I have an uninterruptable power supply for the sump pump if we lose electricity. After a day of constant rain today, I’m considering building an Ark. Thank you for your concern, too!
On the one hand I’m happy to be away from home in the land of the 0% chance of rain – Las Vegas and Phoenix. On the other I hope we don’thave problems with the trip home, which is after the storm should be long gone. And even though we don’t own a house I’m concerned about potential damage.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Parts of NYC are being evacuated, Jeff. Scary.
I get one very year and it’s covered by my Medicare.
I consider flu shots cheap medical insurance, Randy, especially if your insurance or Medicare covers it.
Rick, check with your county health department. Your flu shots should be covered.
(got mine last month).
I got my flu shot Thursday. It’s a ritual. Nowadays it’s usually during a doctor’s appointment. I’ve often wondered what my grandparents would think, though, in the days when I got my shots at the grocery store. For several years, Books & Company hosted Visiting Nurses for an afternoon of flu shots and Diana paid for all the booksellers to get one. She figured it was easier than juggling the schedule to accommodate illness.
I agree with Diana, Beth: in the long run it’s cheaper to prevent the flu than to deal with the scheduling and health disruptions caused by the flu.