Flu yes ……..Covid no

Nope..to both here..

I compare how it was done when it was just getting going and nowadays. 

Back when blanket annual vaccinations started [maybe 30ish years ago?] we lived in MB, but got our vaccination in the closest village ... in SK.  I recall a contingent of 2 [possibly 3] who came from a larger center to the local seniors center... no appointment, you just showed up. There was a line shuffling along [a dozen people, give or take] and you just joined in ....gave your name/address, answered a couple of questions [allergic to albumin?] at the first desk...  the line just continued moving  [a few feet] where the nurse (?) may have, or may not have, asked a thing or two [allergic to albumin?]  more-or-less while giving the injection, and then you were off to the side for a cookie and juice. Probably 10 minutes tops [plus juice/cookie]. 

We're in a bigger center now [town not a village] ... register and make an appointment onliine or by phone  weeks ahead with about 10 minutes of mostly redundant info. Then when the time comes, you give your name upon entering [fairly big communnity hall ... filled with chairs tables, signs, stations, etc.] and are then "handed over" to a succession of volunteers who guide you through a couple or three seating areas.  The volunteers generally seem relatively unsure of things, though I've never heard of any "bad" experiences...  eventually (?)  you get to one of the 7 or 8 nurses who again goes through the schpiel [essentiall a repeat of the phone info given weeks before], and does the deed!  Then a 15-20 minute wait to make sure there's no bad reaction [NO JUICE OR COOKIE!!!   ] and you're free to go.  Probably only about an hour all told [+ the phone appointment].

Gotta tip my toque to modern efficiency.  

.... but like I often say: "Retirement has it's benefits." 

Got my flu shot a couple of weeks ago. No Covid shot.

No and No. And, never an "mrna" delivered jab again.

I wonder how many shots the VA gives on an average day.

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Originally posted by steve davis

I wonder how many shots the VA gives on an average day.

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A bit off topic, but your comment tweeked my interest a bit.  Yesterday I took my wife to her cardiologist for results of some tests.  I noticed a sign on the wall (among others) that indicated they do not accept VA medical coverage.  It further stated to visit the regional VA Hospital nearby.  Is this common or the rules.  I guess,  being a slacker, I do not know the details of VA health coverage?  Brad

A lot of doctors here won't take VA patients, especially if there's a VA clinic close. My daughter uses the VA for everything and most of it is fairly reasonable with a small co-pay. I presume that's true other places.

I have an upcoming cat scan to be performed at my local hospital because it's nearer to my home than Togus.
The VA has sent me to Brigham and Women's for brain surgery in 2018,Maine Eye Center for a partial sewing shut of my left eye,Mass Eye and Ear for complications from Glaucoma surgery (and paid for the train ticket and the 10k ambulance ride from Pen-Bay in Rockport,Maine to Mass Eye and Ear).
I was told to go to Pen Bay when I called with concerns.Pen Bay and the VA decided to send me to the best doctors right away.

Sometimes I still need to go to Boston (Jamaica Plain) for follow-up eye exams.I hope they can at some point let me go to nearby Pen Bay or Togus for that,but I just go where I'm sent and feel very fortunate and pleased with my VA healthcare

The VA has a program called “Community Care” in which if the clinic is not able to treat you quickly, or I guess not equipped, they have health care partners in your community that contract with them. Of course, not all health care providers participate. In the statements I have gotten for my hearing aids, I think it is United Healthcare that administers the program regarding billing.

I'm so glad to have BanjoHangout and all its public health experts to give me my annual vaccine recommendations!

Vaccines are typically delivered into muscle, not veins.

I'll be getting both. Did the same last year and cruised through the season with barely a sniffle.

mRNA vaccines are 20 years old at this point. They're tried and tested. I'm not an idiot, so I'm happy to know vaccines exist.

Covid yes, flu no. Although I’m not against it.

Ive been getting both for a number of years now,,, and i still have’nt grown an extra nose….

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Originally posted by LouieChee

I'm so glad to have BanjoHangout and all its public health experts to give me my annual vaccine recommendations!

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Where do you get "experts" from...I'm simply telling my experience with the VA and shots.

When I'm feeling fine I make sure not to change what I'm doing.I call it paying attention to what's happening.

I got both I guess.
Shots and giving blood.Muscle and vein.I'm glad my nurses know the difference.

I was in the Navy back in the late 60s, early 70s. I've been vaccinated for everything, including the bubonic plague. I was a police officer for thirty years and they used to give us vaccinations through the city at briefing every year. I guess I was retired before I knew it was optional. No one ever asked me if I want it or not, they just said roll up your sleeve. I'll pretty much take whatever shot they'll give me. I'm not picky. I got the covid shot before I went to the Netherlands and Belgium the end of August and I got the flu shot a couple weeks ago.

I'm a Veteran but I've never used the VA for my medical needs. No real reason, I just go to the clinic that is about a mile from my house. It seems easier. I will say that I am in pretty good health and don't require a lot of medical attention.

Especially because my lungs are compromised, I get every vaccine I can. The most reaction I’ve had is a typcal sore arm from a shot. For me, anyway, any risk from vaccination is miniscule compared to that from any sort of respiratory illness.

We do get all the vaccines. 
 

But just to be sure, we also take the advice of the experts and get the horse antibiotic injection monthly and put a jigger of bleach in the morning coffee once a week.  So far, seems to be working. 
 

I don't get the covids as I take a daily ivermectin that I wash down with colloidal silver while getting stabbed with pins. I don't trust "the jab".

However, I do inject peptides that I get off of a website (for personal research, of course).

I am curious as to why they would need to draw blood for those shots? I don't take the flu shots but during cCvid I got three. No blood drawn. Just needle into the top of the arm muscle.

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Originally posted by banjonz

I am curious as to why they would need to draw blood for those shots? I don't take the flu shots but during cCvid I got three. No blood drawn. Just needle into the top of the arm muscle.

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I don't think the blood draw had anything to do with the shots. It sounds like a "while you're here" kind of request. Might as well take blood and do a routine check.

Another veteran (retired) who got every military vaccine known to humanity, including anthrax. I retired right as COVID hit. I got the jab 4 times right on schedule voluntarily. About a week after the 4th one, I got sicker than I’ve ever been. Long story short, I tested positive for COVID. WTF!!??! I was pissed, disillusioned, and no longer trust any of that crap. No more for me, ever. It’s been over 4 years now, and I’ve been healthier than I’ve been in years.

Catching covid is much less likely for those with the vaccine, but not rare. 
 

One of the major benefits is the reduction of the severity of the disease if one catches it -- much less likely to require hospitalization, or be on a respirator, or die.  
 

Everyone is free to take their chances.  

Fwiw, everyone wasn't "free" to take their chances 5 years ago, at least in Canada.   

CBC TV had an MD on who explained it thusly: "If you don't get vaccinated, the [Covid] virus will find you, and you will die." 

Our Chief Provincial Health Officer was also quite specific .... If a person got vaccinated, chances were 98.7% that they would not require hospitalization.