Yup. But why is it still a numbers game? Why do we have to gamble and play the odds when scientific research could hold the answers if anyone cared to look?
They list just about everything on a pill packet, including the very symptoms you are trying to escape. It can seem a hard choice, can't it? I have had the flu vaccine in recent years, I didn't this year because I forgot and was lazy, or too busy - I forget which.
But if you believe your ME was triggered by a vaccine it must be a hard decision to have further vaccines and there is a lot of fear being attached to them in general - also a lot of nonsense I think - if you choose to seek it out.
If I had kids of my own, I would have them vaccinated, no question. I think childhood vaccinations are very important. But the flu vaccine remains one considered only necessary for 'at risk' groups:
Flu jab for people with medical conditions
The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to anyone with a serious long term health condition. That includes these types of illnesses:
If you live with someone who has a weakened immune system, you may also be advised to have a flu vaccine. Speak to your GP about this.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/who-should-have-flu-vaccine.aspx
About this year's flu jab: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx
The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to anyone with a serious long term health condition. That includes these types of illnesses:
- chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as asthma (that requires inhaled or tablet steroid treatment or has led to hospital admission in the past), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
- chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease or motor neurone disease [ME used to be listed here in previous years]
- diabetes
- problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system due to conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or as a result of medication such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
If you live with someone who has a weakened immune system, you may also be advised to have a flu vaccine. Speak to your GP about this.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/who-should-have-flu-vaccine.aspx
About this year's flu jab: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx