Community Corner

Your Say on Flu Shots: 'Never Had One … Never Will'

Patch asked Facebook readers for their thoughts on getting vaccinated against the flu.

Some people just don’t think flu vaccines are safe or effective despite recommendations from health care professionals that receiving the shot could prevent spreading the influenza virus.

Opinions were split among Patch Facebook readers about whether or not to get the flu shot. Click here to see the reasons that people said they were in favor of getting the flu vaccine.

Here are some of the reasons Patch readers said “no” to getting vaccinated.

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Michael Vogeler said no to a flu shot and wrote “YOLO”—you only live once—as his reason onOdenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page.

“I actually don't get one and they offer them at work for free. I just don’t trust the shot,” wrote Heidi Falter on Catonsville Patch’s Facebook page.

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“Never had one ... never will ... try not to put man made toxins in while doing all these crazy cleanses to flush them out,” wrote Dana Kiplinger on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page.

“Don't believe in it,” wrote Gen Rock on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page. “Haven't had the flu since I was a child.”

“I believe that they are unnecessary,” wrote Shannon Nickey onArbutus Patch’s Facebook page.

“I rather be sick for 3 weeks then be stuck with one needle,” wrote Nathan Potter on Odenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page. “And I rarely get sick.”

“I asked my physician if he was getting one and he said no. That was good enough for me,” wrote Lois Letu-David Harry on Essex-Middle River Patch’s Facebook page.

“I used to get flu shots and within a week I'd be down with something, whereas when I'd go without the shot I was fine,” wrote Brandi Elizabeth Brown on Havre de Grace Patch’s Facebookpage.

“Never got it and only have had the flu once, and that was my first semester at college - horrible food, wasn't taking care of myself, and living in a pretty dirty dorm,” wrote Katie Langenhoven on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page.

“Our parents and grandparents didn't get them … and they lived well into their 80s and 90s,” wrote Russell Rudez on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page. “We have white blood cells for a reason.”

“I don't typically get them and I also don't typically get sick, so probably going to pass again this year,” wrote Christie Lane Craven on Odenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page.

“Haven't got one in four years and haven't had an illness in four years, go figure,” wrote Adam Kotschwar on Odenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page.

Others worry about potential side effects of the vaccine or had an experience where it didn’t work.

“Got one last year and got the flu ... sick all winter,” wrote Chris Wickless Koloski on Arbutus Patch’s Facebook page.

“I had to get it for work a couple years ago and I really did get sick for about a week,” wrote Brandon Martin Bacon onWestminster Patch’s Facebook page.

“Neither me nor my family: a vaccination that has given us a cold every time for the last three years? Mmmmm. No thanks,” wrote Leon Esteban Cadavid on Broadneck Patch’s Facebook page.

“Don't believe in them, got one once, got sick as a dog, doc said it didn't work for that strain,” wrote Nat Luckman on Pikesville Patch’s Facebook page.

“I do not believe the side effects are worth the risk,” wrote Tricia Pfister on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page.


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