Why I’m getting the flu jab this year
I was diagnosed with asthma as a young adult and used to suffer terribly from the flu. I’d often be bedridden and off sick from work for two weeks at a time. So I started to have the flu jab every year and haven’t had flu since – that was over 25 years ago.
I’ve since been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which makes it even more crucial for me to be protected from the flu virus.
To anyone like me who has concerns about getting the flu jab, I would say it’s well worth it. I still get colds, but they’re nothing compared to what I’d experience with flu – it would knock me flat. If you have any kind of lung condition your defences are already low, so it’s important to do anything you can to help them. You might get an achy arm for a day or two, but that’s much better than being in bed for two weeks, or worse.
‘It also benefits people who can’t have the jab because they’re allergic to it’
I’m always blown away by how few people with lung conditions get the flu jab. It’s free! And it not only benefits you, it also benefits people who can’t have the jab because they’re allergic to it. After all, more people getting the jab means more people who are protected, making it less likely the flu can be passed around.
Now that we have the threat of COVID-19 to contend with I feel it’s more important than ever to get a flu vaccination. We all need to do our bit to keep well in the event of another major outbreak.
Read Dr Andy’s blog post: You and the flu vaccination
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