It is time for my annual flu shot. I’ve been getting these annually for at least the past 30 years. I’ve heard the mixture is “a best guess” and that effectiveness in preventing/minimizing the flu ranges from 10%-50%.
I don’t care. I’ll take those odds.
I’ve had the flu 3 times in the past 20 years. It sucked. Each time I was down for at least a week. One time I suffered from continuous with vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration (I almost went to the ER for IV fluids). Another time, it was a bronchial plague and fever that took me out for two weeks.
So bring on the flu shot. If it offers me even 10% protection, I’m in
Since I’m going to have a sore shoulder for a few days from the flu shot anyway, I decided to get the bivalent Covid booster that targets the BA 4 & 5 variants at the same time.
I’m 5 months out from my last booster. BA 4 & 5 are reportedly extremely contagious. And the little germ monsters are back in school undoubtedly spreading covid and any other communicable diseases willy nilly.
For the first time since the pandemic begin, I now personally know several people who have Covid (or have had it recently since Omicron became prevalent).
I still haven’t gotten it – most likely because I’m rarely in close contact with any other human beings and I’m never in crowded indoor environments.
I’ll let you know if I die.
More likely, I’ll just complain for a few days about my sore shoulders.
Update 9/8/22: Easy peasy. I registered online with Walgreens for both shots, field out the form online and brought a copy with me and arrived 15 minutes before my appointment. I was in and out in 20 minutes.
Update 9/9/22 One day later: Both shoulders started aching in the night, as expected with the Covid shot shoulder a but more achy. Neither bothered me enough to get up and take an Advil or Tylenol. I felt my shoulders ache during my swim today but that’s always the case after I get any shot. My joints and lower back ached a little more than usual, although I cannot say this is due to the shots or just old age. I have had no other side effects.