# When should I get my flu shot? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2020, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520 "2020-09-13T23:30:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/61 "2020-10-20T17:44:57Z")
Just got my flu shot. The nurse also asked me if I wanted a pneumonia vaccine at the same time. So I said sure why not - I didn’t even know there was a vaccine for pneumonia! ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/62 "2020-10-20T18:22:46Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > So I said sure why not - I didn’t even know there was a vaccine for pneumonia! Glad you got both! Being a home care nurse I’ve seen pneumonia kill so many, it’s a sneaky bastard. I update my pneumonia status whenever they develop an improved vaccine. I think I’m up to 2 now. Please there is always the Shingrix shingles vaccine-get that as soon as you’re eligible (I think its 60 or 65 years old), shingles is another disease I never, ever want to have, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/63 "2020-10-20T18:43:34Z")
Yeah - presumably for the more common pathogens that cause pneumonia. I got the shot about 5 years ago, when I first saw a new doctor (I was a bit younger than the general recommendation, but as an asthmatic I’m higher risk). I haven’t asked about the shingles vaccination but will probably bring it up at my next visit. I’m not especially eager to find out firsthand what a treat it is… As a side note: don’t forget tetanus boosters. Usually given as TDaP even to adults (diphtheria, acellular pertussis, I think). I had one when my son was a newborn, then some time 10 years or so later, then again a year or so back. Supposed to be every 10ish years, I think. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/64 "2020-10-20T18:55:18Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I haven’t asked about the shingles vaccination but will probably bring it up at my next visit. I’m not especially eager to find out firsthand what a treat it is… The 2 shots aren’t bad at all, if that’s what you’re asking (my arm was sore for a few days). But, yes, shingles outbreaks are hideous, not very effective pain meds for them or much to do that can hurry the outbreak along and gone. To be avoided at all costs. > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > As a side note: don’t forget tetanus boosters. Usually given as TDaP even to adults (diphtheria, acellular pertussis, I think). I had one when my son was a newborn, then some time 10 years or so later, then again a year or so back. Supposed to be every 10ish years, I think. Right on all counts. About every 10 years, especially if you’ll be near an infant before they are old enough to get vaccinated. I finally learned to record it in my phone when I got TdaP with stitches so I wouldn’t have to get it again 4 years later when a feral cat bit me. Happiest was when I needed one cause my dear daughter was about to present me with my first grandchild. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/65 "2020-10-20T20:06:30Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Please there is always the Shingrix shingles vaccine-get that as soon as you’re eligible (I think its 60 or 65 years old), shingles is another disease I never, ever want to have, ever. The new Shingrix vaccine is actually recommended starting at age 50. It’s a two-shot series taken two to six months apart. > **[Get the Shingrix Vaccine If You Are 50 or Older](https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/multimedia/shringrix-50-older.html)** > > 1 in 3 people will develop #shingles, also known as #herpeszoster.  If you’re over 50, learn how being vaccinated with Shingrix can prevent this painful rash illness and possible long-term nerve pain. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/66 "2020-10-20T20:14:13Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Being a home care nurse I’ve seen pneumonia kill so many, it’s a sneaky bastard. I update my pneumonia status whenever they develop an improved vaccine. This sounds very wise. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/67 "2020-10-20T20:29:11Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > The 2 shots aren’t bad at all, if that’s what you’re asking (my arm was sore for a few days). But, yes, shingles outbreaks are hideous, not very effective pain meds for them or much to do that can hurry the outbreak along and gone. To be avoided at all costs. Yep - I meant shingles, not the immunization. I’ll often have a bit of swelling / pain near the flu shot site, and I wouldn’t imagine the shingles vaccine would be much worse. Shingles itself… ::::shudder:::: ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/68 "2020-10-20T21:25:46Z")
> [@robby](#): > > The new Shingrix vaccine is actually recommended starting at age 50 Thank you~I let the details sift out of my brain😎 Lots of that lately😏 ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/69 "2020-10-20T21:27:35Z")
I usually get mine within days of my doctor having it. I get allergy shots every month, so the first time I’m there when they have the shots in stock, I get that one as well. It’s a very casual place too. If you’re just getting shots, you don’t need to make an appointment, you just show up. So if I get my allergy shots and find out the got the flu shot in a few days later, I’ll stop in and get it. And, it works out well that my job brings me into their office on a regular basis, so sometimes I’ll get my allergy or flu shot because I happen to be there for entirely non-medical reasons. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/70 "2020-10-21T00:47:12Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Please there is always the Shingrix shingles vaccine-get that as soon as you’re eligible (I think its 60 or 65 years old), shingles is another disease I never, ever want to have, ever. I have always assumed that because I had chicken pox as a child, that I didn’t have to worry about shingles. My doctor has never suggested it, but during that time I was 50-60, I was working government jobs and got my flu and pneumonia shots there so its very possible she assumed I got that shot at work as well. Is this something I should talk to her about? ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2020, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/71 "2020-10-21T01:07:54Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I have always assumed that because I had chicken pox as a child, that I didn’t have to worry about shingles. My doctor has never suggested it, but during that time I was 50-60, I was working government jobs and got my flu and pneumonia shots there so its very possible she assumed I got that shot at work as well. > > Is this something I should talk to her about? IMHO, yes, absolutely. Our internist was adamant that my wife and I get the shingles vaccination series as soon as we were eligible (age 50 and above for Shingrix). BTW, it’s _because_ you had chicken pox that you need to worry about shingles. (And virtually every person gets chicken pox by the time they reach adulthood [something like \>95%]). When you recover from chicken pox, your body doesn’t completely clear the virus from your system. Instead, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles. Incidentally, I don’t recall ever having had chicken pox as a child, but about 10 years ago my doctor ordered a blood test to check, and sure enough, I’d had it, too. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520/72 "2020-10-21T01:40:34Z")
> [@robby](#): > > (And virtually every person gets chicken pox by the time they reach adulthood [something like \>95%]). The \>95% statistic for adults is commonly given, but [here](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html) the CDC adds that \>99% of Americans 40 years and older have had chickenpox, even if they don’t remember having had the disease. Incidentally, if anyone got the older shingles vaccine (Zostavax), they are recommending you still get the new Shingrix vaccine. It’s much more effective (97% effective, as opposed to the older vaccine, which was only about 50-64% effective, and even less for people \>70 years old). > **[Chickenpox, shingles and vaccines: USC expert shares what you need to know](https://today.usc.edu/chickenpox-and-shingles-vaccines-usc-doctor-on-what-you-need-to-know/)** > > USC physician Sharon Orrange talks about shingles, the chickenpox vaccine and much more for adults who want to avoid a trip to the hospital. Whats the difference between chickenpox and shingles? Should I get vaccinated? > **[Shingles vaccination is the best way to help protect yourself](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html)** > > CDC recommends two doses of Shingrix to prevent shingles in adults 50+ and immunocompromised adults 19+. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-get-my-flu-shot/920520.md?page=3)