Jennifer Garner wants everyone to get their flu shots

by Angie Felton (Subscribe to Angie Felton's posts) Oct 19th 2007 9:35AM

Categories: Health & Safety, Celeb Parenting, In The News

There aren't many people who want their face associated with influenza, but Jennifer Garner is willing to do it if it means more people will get their flu shots. Garner appears in public service announcements for FacesofInfluenza.org stressing the importance of prevention when it comes to this sometimes deadly illness.

"You and I and those close to us need to get vaccinated," Jennifer says in the PSA. "Influenza isn't the common cold – it's serious."

I never really had a bad case of influenza until last Thanksgiving. I alternated between nearly spontaneously combusting from fever to almost losing teeth from their chattering so hard from the cold. Every pore on my entire body ached and was heavy with a fatigue so sharp, I could feel it cutting me as I laid on the couch. I NEVER want to feel like that again. Everyone in this house is getting a flu shot this year. Have you always been faithful getting your flu shots?

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Comments (13)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Chris 10-19-2007 @ 10:16AM

I work for a hospital so all employees have to get flu shots as we are a high infection source (plus I work with the elderly and they are always at risk). I tend to harass all my friends and family, especially those with children. My dad hates shots, but when my daughter was a newborn I told him he would not be allowed in the house until he got his shot (he was high risk being elderly and she was high risk being an infant!!). He got it the next day!

Marcia 10-19-2007 @ 10:12AM

*knock on wood* I've never had the flu THAT badly. In fact, I've only had it one time. The family members I know that get the shot end up getting sick from it anyways. I rather take my chances than purposely get a shot that will more than likely make me get it, even if it's not as serious as it could've been.

Amanda 10-19-2007 @ 10:19AM

I used to work in an office with a boss who had Lupus. we were all extremely vigilant about hand washing and staying home if we were sick and spraying everything down with lysol! He paid for us all to get the flu shot every year, and every year that I got the shot I got the flu BAD. when I quit working there, I quit getting the shot and I have not had the flu since then (knock wood). I have a one year old and a two year old who are both in daycare, and I took them to the doctor for their first 'part' of the flu shot. so far they are doing good! I hope that all able children in daycares and schools will get immunizations and flu shots.

ame s 10-19-2007 @ 10:37AM

I and one daughter got the flu shot last year in October. My older daughter opted for the flu mist. When she came down with type B flu in March, we learned that the flu shot/mist only offer protection for 3 months. That was surprising. We're waiting until November this year and keeping fingers crossed that no one will get the flu before November!

Jenn 10-19-2007 @ 1:33PM

I never got the flu shot on a regular basis until I got pregnant.
I've also never had the flu.
One thing to note for people who are saying that got the flu "despite" the shot -- it takes about two weeks after getting the shot for the immunity to build up. So, if you come in contact with the flu during that two week period, you can still come down with it.
Plus, the shot is made each year based on what strain is expected to be most prevalent. It only protects against those strains. The shot will not prevent you from getting sick if you pick up a different bug.

Dena 10-19-2007 @ 5:13PM

I have to say, the stories of perfectly healthy kids dying from the flu have scared the heck out of me. My 3 and a half year old daughter and I just got our flu shots yesterday (and I'm 5 months pregnant!). I saw a story profiling families from the group Families Fighting Flu on the Today show and it made me cry -- the little girl they showed reminded me SO much of my daughter. Check out their Web site if you want a good cry - www.familiesfightingflu.com/about/families.

Sabrina 10-19-2007 @ 7:06PM

I never get a flu shot, I don't have an explaination as to why, I just don't. DH does because he's military, and the kids do....and we usually manage to avoid actually getting bad flu, minor flu is still pretty common for us though.

Sandyone 10-28-2007 @ 9:39AM

I wish she'd mentioned that the flu shot should be the thimerasol free one. I'd rather get the worst flu than inject that level of mercury.

Also keep in mind that FluMist recipients should avoid contact with immuno-compromised people for 21 days after the vaccine is administered.

Michelle 10-20-2007 @ 10:21AM

I worked as a preschool teacher in a previous life and caught everything the kids did. So, I got a flu shot every year. Then, my son was born a micro-preemie the year of the great flu-shot shortage. One of the things they required of us to release him, was to receive flu shots, since he was coming home at the beginning of RSV season. His father and I had to stand in line at the grocery store for hours one day with hundreds of elderly people. When we finally got to the front of the line, I seriously thought we were going to be turned away! But, I explained our situation and they gave us our shots. Since then, we have gotten them every year. My husband grumbles every time, but we have 2 young children with compromised immune systems, so there is no room for discussion. Grandma even has to comply, since she is our other caregiver.

SKL 10-22-2007 @ 3:27PM

Never had one, and don't plan to until I get "really" old. I don't like having the flu, but I do like keeping my immune system in shape to fight off infections.

Does anyone besides me wonder whether the recent "superbugs" are "super" partly (or mainly) because many of us have developed weakened immune systems, because we use pharmaceuticals to prevent or fight everything?

Uly 10-23-2007 @ 9:48AM

No, SKL, I don't. Because I know, instead of simply speculating about it, that these germs are harder to kill - not that they attack humans in a worse manner. This is because of increased use of antibiotics, not increased use of vaccinations. (That's why we hardly ever see super-duper smallpox around here.)

John B 11-12-2007 @ 9:24AM

Hi Everyone, And Jennifer Garner,
What do you know about the additive in Flu shot vaccines called "Themerosal"? It is acts as a preservative. It is MERCURY!
I did not know this until a nurse friend mentioned it to me. She does not vaccinate her son for this reason and this is why many people don't get the shot and especially why they do not vaccinate their children. The subject of Themerosal needs to be addressed. I'd appreciate Jennifer investigating this and reporting on it for everyone as part of her crusade. We trust her.
Why in the world would manufacturers put mercury in a flu shot as a preservative?? Is there no other alternative? I get the shot every year and just got the shot before I heard of this. I was about to get one for my my kids until now. If you see fit, perhaps you can enlighten us on the subject.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6332053/

Sara Cox 12-15-2007 @ 11:05PM

I had the flu last year for the first time ever and it was THAT bad. I never want to experience that again either!

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