Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by CVS. They provided me with free flu shots and monetary compensation. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Growing up, I never got a flu shot. I am young and healthy, and have never had the flu. I didn’t see the point in getting a vaccine for something I figured wouldn’t be a big deal for my body to handle if I did come down with it. (Side note: I am 110% pro-vaccines. I signed up for the HPV vaccine as soon as I heard about it on the news. I was just always lazy with the flu vaccine and figured it wasn’t a big deal.)
Then I met Josh. And we fell in love. And I found out Josh has low IgA. This basically means that he has less antibodies in his body to fight off respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses. His lack of antibodies means it is a lot easier for him to get sick and that when he does get sick he’s likely to get a lot sicker than I would.
This puts him in the “high-risk” category for contracting the flu and then experiencing more severe symptoms from the flu. (True story: he’s had swine flu.) Whereas I grew up choosing not to get the flu shot, he didn’t have a choice. I never realized how important the flu shot could be to a young and otherwise healthy person. I now make sure to get one every year.
The earlier you get the flu shot the better, as the shot takes about two weeks to reach full effectiveness. I got my flu shot two weeks ago. Due to Josh being sick the past two weeks, he wasn’t able to get the shot. Yesterday he was finally feeling better so we headed over to CVS for him to get his flu shot.
I love Minute Clinics. As the sign says you simply walk up, sign in, and feel better. 😀
No paper forms here! Josh signed in using the computer and then the computer screen told us how long our expected wait would be.
In just a few minutes we were being led into a room and Josh was being given his flu shot. It was quick, simple, and almost painless. 😉
Before I met Josh I didn’t think twice about how my decision to not get the flu shot could affect others. Now I realize that while I personally may not be at as much of a risk, I’m a part of a much bigger picture. Getting a (free!) shot is the least I can do for those that I love.
Questions of the Day: Do you get the flu shot? Have you ever had the flu?
I have never gotten the flu shot… but I am honestly considering getting it for me and the boys this year. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of yucky bugs out this season… and we will be moving from CA to KS/MO which will introduce us to a whole bunch of new germs. :sigh:
It is so worth it for me for the peace of mind it brings!
I’ve never had a flu shot before – – – squirm, squirm. Actually, not that squeemish over needles, just inconvenient go to Dr. — good to know so easy to get done at CVS
Yes, easy, quick, and relatively painless!
i’ve been getting a flu shot for years as well. such a simple protective measure!
Yes! And so worth it to not get sick!
I’ve gotten a flu shot for the past few years. After working with so many doctors, I just don’t know how I couldn’t get one now.
Yeah, it’s such a habit for me now that I’ve been getting them since meeting Josh. After seeing what he goes through getting sick I do not want that!
I got mine last weekend! Yay flu shots 🙂
Here’s to not getting the flu!
My son and I just got ours yesterday, we do it every year. And my mother in law needs hers, so she was saying she may go to CVS because here in Austin they’re so conveniently located and the hours are good.
I love CVS! I wish there was one closer to my house!
I’ve started getting the flu shot when I was pregnant with my so over 7 years ago and I have been getting it ever since. He gets one too. We both have asthma so it is a necessity for both of us.
I’m so glad you guys get the flu shot! 🙂 Josh has asthma too and he said that having the flu with asthma makes it so much worse!
I’m glad you posted this because my Mom keeps asking me to go get my flu shot. 🙂
Now’s the perfect time! 🙂
I was debating if I wanted to get the flu shot or not this year. I’ve had the flu in the past (swine flu!) and it was seriously the most miserable I’ve ever felt. I’m just.. not big on needles lol. But you’ve convinced me.
This makes me really happy to hear! I promise it doesn’t really hurt. I hope you never get the flu again!
I had the worst case of the flu when my daughter was one. I couldn’t even take care of her, I was so weak. Ever since then, I’ve gotten the shot. I swore that if I could prevent it, I would never be that sick again! Not being able to take care of your child and having to beg others to help is the worst!
I’m so glad you get the shot now so you hopefully don’t have to deal with that again!
I am all for the flu shot. My husband, daughter and I all had swine flu when that was around and it was terrible. Since then we have never skipped our flu shots!
Oh man I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. Josh has told me about how horrible it was to have.
I got the REAL FLU last year.
Knocked me back for 6 weeks.
SIX WEEKS!
Marcus, who got a flu shot, did not get sick. Thankfully.
(He also, as you know, is high risk.)
We will all be getting flu shots this year.
Lesson learned. The end. Love, Us
Yay! I hope you never have to feel like that again!
I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a flu shot. I’m absolutely terrified to get shots. I’m 19 and my parents still have to trick me into getting shots!
I used to cry as a kid getting shots. Now I don’t even really feel them!
I am getting mine Friday! 🙂
Yay! Thinking pain-free thoughts for you! 🙂
I just got a flu shot for the first time in forever. It was really no big deal and I’m really glad I got it.
Yay! I’m so used to getting it yearly now that I don’t even bat an eye.
I always get my shot! I hate needles, but I hate getting sick even more, hahah.