How Does This Year's Flu Shot Stack Up? (MedPage Today)

[Jason]

A study was released looking at flu vaccine effectiveness using flu season data from the Southern Hemisphere. Vaccine effectiveness against severe illness (i.e. hospitalization) was 35% for high-risk groups with varying ranges for children, and people with comorbidities. Older adults had a 31% effectiveness. Some might say, "Why bother?" I say 35% is a fair bit higher than 0%. The general population can get flu and COVID-19 shots together beginning October 30. Mine is scheduled for November 1.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/uritheflu/112461

[ssfc72]

I don't need to get the covid shot this season. :-)  I just got finished having covid, last week, so I am already resistant to it for this season.

[Jason]

I don't need to get the covid shot this season. :-)  I just got finished having covid, last week, so I am already resistant to it for this season.

Lucky you! I mean, unlucky you! Do you still have tests left, Bill? Or did you pick up some more? I have plenty left, but they're all well past the expiry date. They can still work. They just become less accurate.

My topic was about the flu shot. Are you getting that this season?

[ssfc72]

Yes, I still have some outdated covid rapid test kits.
The test kits are still accurate past their expiry date.
Apparently at the time the test kits were manufactured the companies did not have much data to go by in establishing an expiry date.
Now they have more data which shows the old test kits are still good, past their expiry dates.
In the USA you can go on the internet and find the Brand of test kit you have and look up it's new, revised expiry date.

[Jason]

In the USA you can go on the internet and find the Brand of test kit you have and look up it's new, revised expiry date.

That's cool. I'll have to see if they have my brand listed. I'm starting to attend some lightly-attended social occasions so it'd be good to test afterward to protect my wife.

Btw, how was COVID for you this time? I remember last time you said you were suffering after-effects a month later.

[ssfc72]

The last time I had covid, the effects were mild and lasted about a week but I had no energy for about 4 weeks.

This time, I had no energy for about 3 weeks.

[fox]

I just got the flu shot yesterday. I could have gotten the Covid shot at the same time, but I prefer to get them separately. That way, if I have any negative reaction, I know what to attribute it to. So far, my only reaction to the flu shot is a slightly sore arm.

[ssfc72]

A year ago last fall, I got both the covid and flu shot (first time getting the flu shot) at the same time and I had a very bad reaction to it that same evening.

This year I have already tested positive for having covid in October, so I don't think I will get any shots, this year.

[Jason]

When

I just got the flu shot yesterday. I could have gotten the Covid shot at the same time, but I prefer to get them separately. That way, if I have any negative reaction, I know what to attribute it to. So far, my only reaction to the flu shot is a slightly sore arm.

I got them both together, one in each arm. But I quickly forgot which shot went into each arm. I know the right arm felt like he shoved the needle right through it. I'm not sure if he went too deep or hit a nerve.

Normally, the Moderna shot gives me a swollen arm for about 3-5 days so if the COVID went in that arm, I was in for a new world of hurt. After a few hours, it was obvious which arm got the COVID injection. The arm with the brute-forced shot felt fine and the other started throbbing and swelled up. The pharmacist told me it was Moderna but even if he hadn't, I would have known. I do not react with Pfizer. I think my reaction is probably hyped up because I have an autoimmune condition (eczema).

Still worth it.