Meg, you may be allergic to the thimerosol they use as a preservative. I am, so my allergist divides the shot into three portions over a couple weeks to make sure I don't react. With my fibro and my DH's asthma we're hoping to qualify for the shots this year. I thought about being a good Samaritan and not getting one because other people needed it more. Then I thought about how with my fibro I'd feel three times worse (due to three times the normal level of pain transmitters) than a normal person with the flu and decided I qualify!! I'm going to ask my doctor on Friday when I see him. I better start a list!
I became a believer in flu shots after two things happened. About 15 years ago I got the flu so bad I couldn't raise my head off the pillow for a whole week. Then I read that not only does it prevent the flu strain it's designed for, if you catch a slightly different flu it makes it a milder version than if you didn't get a shot.