In the US I rarely had colds or the flu but twice I have been hit hard with the flu bugs here. I see they are expecting another bad flu season and the shots are available (free for high risk cases). I've not had a flu shot before and am interested in others' experience with reactions, if any, to the shots here.

Also can I have the doctor do the shot as I understand if you go to the farmacia they give you a vial and syringe?!

The pharmacist gives us the shot here. Never had a reaction but I hear it's bad if you are allergic to eggs (the vaccine is grown in chicken eggs).

I had read (and misunderstood)that flu shots were available in the pharmacy. So, I went and the lady says, "One moment". Goes to the back and returns with a box, and says "Five euro." and gives me the box. HUH? She explains I should give myself the shot. Not knowing how to do that she said I had to find a place to inject me...and to do it within 4 hours or the shot would be bad (unless refrigerated). So, I ran around Verona until I found a place that would do it. I discovered later that just about any of my Italian friends were comfortable with giving shots.

BTW, the flu shots were generally given here (in US) about two weeks ago. My township offered them for $18.00, and TARGET stores for $29.00...with nurses, thank you.

Here in Trento if you are not eligible for a free flu shot (must be high risk or over 65)you can buy it at a farmicia for Euro 8,50. You then take it to your medico di base who gives it to you. We bought ours several weeks ago and went to our doctor. She said it was too early, I guess they lose effectiveness after awhile. So, she put it in her refrigerator and we returned the other day to have her give them to us.

Ever since getting the flu 6 years ago, we are religious about getting one every year. I have never had a reaction, except for a sore arm when lying on it in bed. that only lasted one night.
Monica

I wonder how similar the vaccines are to the ones given in the USA--it is a world-wide concoction? Or are they different based on what flu viruses are expected in a given area in the world?

Does anyone know if the shots must be given in a muscle, or just subcutaneously? I ask because this May when I was here on vacation, I broke my foot, had to have surgery, and for 8 weeks had to give myself blood thinner shots in the stomach. I can do that!!! But, if the flu shot must be given in a different manner....well, guess I need to find an expert.

They go in your upper arm.

I know various parents here who are giving the shot to their little (otherwise healthy) kids - ie under 10 years. Does anyone else think that is really wrong?

They do it at the school on base here. Cuts down on missed school days, etc.

I am going next week to get my first ever flu shot because they say this year is so bad and I am honestly thinking about doing it for my children as well. The ped says it is up to me of course but he is recommending it. They said this year will be one of the worst on record.

does anyone know about Venice as t where to get the shot...I am willing to pay but I just don't know where to go...thanks

Every farmacia around here has signs in their window. Try your local one.

thanks hopefully they will give it to us....

"I wonder how similar the vaccines are to the ones given in the USA--it is a world-wide concoction? Or are they different based on what flu viruses are expected in a given area in the world?"

Yep, it's the same shot. We're going home at Christmas and asked the company's medical staff if we should get the shot here (and pay for it) or for free at home. They said it's the same shot all over so we'll probably wait until we get there in December. The kids (7 & 9) have been getting them for 4 years now at our ped's recommendation. They don't like it, but they've never gotten the flu, either.

Are the "high risk" requirements the same as the States? My hubby is Type I diabetic which is HR in the US, but not sure about here. Personally, I'd like to have the shot before I sit in the flying metal tube with hundreds of my not-so-closest friends for multiple hours (i.e. the airplane ride home) in mid-December.

I know someone who was quite sick from getting a flu shot and even got the flu afterwards. I think that unless you are high risk or don't have a good immune system, flu shots aren't necessary.

I think it's one of those a priori fallacies (after, therefore must have been because of). My wife got her flu shot back in the States a month ago and never got sick. I got mine yesterday and then went to lift at the gym, today went on a bike ride, walked the dogs- I'm fine. The flu virus in the vaccine is so weakened it can't give you the flu, only build your resistance to it.

I think there is a lot of hype here about flu shots. It is just not possible to vaccinate against the many many types around and any new ones coming in. I also think that many Italians are born hypochondriacs and will believe anything and will pay for it too. It no doubt helps older people or asthmatic people to ward of most of the cold viruses but I don't think it's a necessity for healthy kids.

Mine have never had it and have never had flu either. A few coughs and sniffles but not flu. Mind you - they do not go around in scarves and hats to keep their ears and throats protected from the fresh air from October onwards. They are not kept inside in over-heated rooms because it's a bit too chilly to play outside and they don't live in fear of getting sick because their mother is always at them with a thermometer telling everybody that they have "a line" or two or not letting them run because they have to avoid sweating and using the very system that mother nature gave them to regulate their own body temperatures !

If they were constantly sick every winter then of course I might change my mind - but for now - we don't get the flu injection.

I agree that not everyone needs the shot. There are specific populations that are more susceptible than others. They should get the shot. For everyone else, it's a personal choice.

Just a note though- flu vaccine does not vaccinate against the common cold. It is against a particular set of influenza viruses, which changes each year. This year one of the biggees is Australian flu, which has already killed several people in Italy.

The chances of catching a flu bug depend on your possible exposure. Kids are susceptible because they go to school and are exposed to other children. Teachers are also susceptible for the same reason. Frequent use of public transportation is a risk.

Any constant exposure to lots of people up your chances of catching something, and if your immune system has taken a hit fighting off a nasty cold, you could be at risk of catching flu on top.

Basically if you're healthy, you probably won't even get a sniffle.

So take your vitamins, drink your green tea and stock up on AirBorne (it saved my husband last year)!

Yes, I had it every year for 24 years in the military. In addition to giving it to us because we were around a lot of people, they were going by the epidemiological data. Populations which are vaccinated have fewer days missed work due to influenza.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill 2:
I think it's one of those a priori fallacies (after, therefore must have been because of). My wife got her flu shot back in the States a month ago and never got sick. I got mine yesterday and then went to lift at the gym, today went on a bike ride, walked the dogs- I'm fine. The flu virus in the vaccine is so weakened it can't give you the flu, only build your resistance to it.

I didn't mean that she got the flu because of the flu shot. I meant that despite the flu shot, she still got the flu. (must have been a different kind)

quote:

I know someone who was quite sick from getting a flu shot

I was speaking to this statement

People occasionally got sick from the shot during the first couple of years it was around. As Bill says, you CAN'T get sick from it anymore. Although if your arm is not sore afterwards, it means the vaccine is dead and the shot has not worked....so you should expect this - and it can actually hurt quite a bit for several days.

On the other hand, if you are allergic to eggs, you can get very sick from the shot, and should not get it.

Very true Laurie.

AND...I would like to add my voice to those recommending the shot,especially this year, and most especially if you are over 60 or immune challenged; this Flu is said to be quite nasty. I resisted for a long time, but I have to say that in 12 years that I've gotten the vaccine, I've gotten Flu only once - and that was the year I didn't get the shot.

quote:

Originally posted by Laurie:
Although if your arm is not sore afterwards, it means the vaccine is dead and the shot has not worked....so you should expect this - and it can actually hurt quite a bit for several days.

Okay, I got my shot on Tuesday and while it was a bit sore for a little while it was not that sore. Granted, I had it done in my right arm which due to the herniated disks in my neck has a lot of problems with sensibility. Should I worry that the shot didn't "take"?