Why You're Going Out Now to Get Flu Shots: ‘I Have Never Seen My Husband So Sick'

By Susan Jenkins

The flu arrived in Maryland this month about two weeks earlier than it did last year and many Patch Facebook readers have already received a flu vaccine or plan to get it soon.

Mike Lohsl answered why he gets a flu shot on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch’s Facebookpage: “Because my wife makes me!”

All kidding aside, here are some of the reasons why Patch readers said “yes” to getting vaccinated. Tune in later for the responses from those who said they're not getting a flu shot.

“My husband was diagnosed with the flu almost a month ago. He had the test done and it was positive,” wrote Mary Gambino Botkin on Ellicott City Patch’s Facebook page. “I have never seen my husband so sick in all the years I've known him.”

“I had two family members die from complications from influenza!” wrote Nicole Seifert-Petterson on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page. “So those of you that don't believe in getting one, that is your choice. I chose not to get the flu.”

“I am a dental hygienist and consider as necessary as my masks, gloves & protective eyewear!” wrote Lisa Stumphauzer Birchfield on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page.

“Got one because a quick needle jab is way better than the flu,” wrote Emily Steele on Columbia Patch’s Facebook page.

“My annual physical seems to always fall around this time of year so while I'm there I get one,” Chris Gardner wrote on Anne Arundel Patch’s Facebook page.

“I don't believe in receiving medicine that isn't needed but I have baby girl on the way so I got the shot to protect her,” wrote Jason Stegmaier on Odenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page.

“I never got one before but my work offered it for free and the nurse came to my office so I figured why not!” Sarah Conrad Keefer wrote on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page.

“I work in a high risk population for communicable diseases and I have children at home,” Bobby Weaver wrote on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page.

“My family gets them every year. We have never had the flu or any negative side effects other than mild soreness in the arm the day following the shot,” Dorothy Chapman Flint wrote on Crofton Patch’s Facebook page.

“I got it because I just had a baby and the doctor suggested it,” Oksana Merryman wrote on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page.

“I have children and work with kids!” Stacey Cooper wrote on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page. “I haven't had the flu in years ... can't afford to!”

“I got mine in August, I work in a pharmacy and I'm around sick people every day, better to be safer than sorry,” Beth Wilgis wrote on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page.

“Never used to get it because I never got the flu. Until a few years ago, when I had the flu then bronchitis and developed asthma. Now I find it's worth it to get the shot!” Jan Biondo wrote on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page.

“I had the flu so bad ten years ago that since then I get a shot every year!” Kathy Jolliff-Ewing wrote on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch’s Facebook page.  

Some worried about exposing others to the flu if they weren’t vaccinated.

“Those who don't get the flu shot expose others when they get sick,” Ginger Montecino wrote on Odenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page. “Flu can have deadly side effects.”

“I am a massage therapist and I need to protect myself as well as my clients,” Claire Hiebler Heath wrote on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page. “Also, one place where I am contracted, mandates everyone to get a flu shot. I am also a breast cancer survivor.”

“We get because unfortunately we have relatives and friends actively having chemo treatments. It's more for their safety than our own,” Candy Rohlfing Nies wrote on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page.

“Working in a doctor's office so figured it's just smart to be protected, both for them and me,” Denise Lucas wrote on Bowie Patch’s Facebook page. “But this year IT HURT!!! And now I feel like I got hit in the arm. Don't recall this discomfort from past years.”

“My civil duty as a nurse, to protect myself and the community around me and to protect those that can't get the flu shot,” Jen Riley wrote on Dundalk Patch’s Facebook page.

Others agreed about the benefits of getting the vaccine.

“I get them every year and I've never gotten the flu,” Bridget Gallagher wrote on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page.

“Ever since I started getting it I never contracted the flu,” Frank Szczepanski wrote on Dundalk Patch’s Facebook page. “Prior to that I would get it every year. Twice I had temps of 104.7. Will continue to get it.”

“I work in the ER, and I get to see all the people who didn't get the shot. Every one of them is miserable, and some are seriously ill,” Kerry Ryan Birney wrote on Columbia Patch’s Facebook page.

“We get one every year for the past few years, but honestly I haven't had flu since 1965!” Jeri Berger Delambo wrote on Dundalk Patch’s Facebook page.

“The one year I didn't get it, I got the flu really bad and almost ended up in the hospital,” Kay Moreland wrote on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page. “Never again am I not getting a flu shot!”

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