do you prefer one over the other? why or why not? any advantages/disadvantages to one or the other?
I hear a lot of my patients saying they prefer flu mist, and one said they got the flu everytime after getting the shot, but not the mist, and the mist doesn't give you the arm pain like the shot.
I wish I had more time to research the two but I have to get the shot this week for school/work!
38 votes
grapefruit / 4997 posts
I've always gotten the flu shot, every year and on schedule and I have never had the flu so I stick to getting a shot. (I hope I don't jinx myself now) yikes!
squash / 13208 posts
I may be wrong but I think the mist is a live virus and the shot is not - maybe that is why the mist is more effective?
Last year DD who was 2.5 wasn't allowed to get the mist but my DS who was 5 did.
cantaloupe / 6206 posts
I prefer the shot because the mist is a live virus and people sometimes get minor cold-like symptoms a day or two afterward.
The only time I've ever gotten the flu (like, the REAL FLU - 103 fever for 6 days straight) was a year I didn't get the shot.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I prefer the shot, because I am not afraid of needles and I would want to save the mist for people who wouldn't get a shot if that was their only option.
honeydew / 7283 posts
I've always gotten the shot and I've never had a REAL flu. I'll get mine from my OB as soon as they have them available.
pomelo / 5257 posts
I've only ever gotten the shot but it doesn't bother me. My arm gets a bit sore, but NBD. Plus I agree with what @looch: said about leaving the most for needle-phobic people. Like my H who wouldn't get the shot unless I actually take him there to get it 
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
Shot. But only because my office has someone come in and administer them for free. If they did the mist then that's what I'd get!
grapefruit / 4649 posts
I get the shot but I have an immuno-compromised family member who can't be in close contact with people who receive live vaccines. I don't know that many people fall into that category though.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
@lawbee11: Ditto, but even if they offered the mist, I'd probably still get the shot.
No flu with the shot yet. Except for last year when I was preggo. I got flu like symptoms for about 24 hours post shot, but was fine afterwards.
persimmon / 1343 posts
Personally I have never received any flu vaccine nor have I had the flu, but my DD gets the flu shot. Kids in my family have received the flu mist and given everyone in the house symptoms multiple times so I would rather avoid that!
pomelo / 5298 posts
Locally, the shot seems to be all that's available for healthy adults (or at least that's all I see advertised). LO got the mist last year at 2 years old. Her pediatrician had it available and it seemed like they preferred to use the mist on the kids. She handled it like a champ.
pomegranate / 3533 posts
I think they avoid giving the mist to people with asthma or other respiratory problems. I've only ever received the shot.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
I took flu mist once. I actually used to work for the company that makes it. I found it quite irritating to the nose and because it is live virus, there is a miniscule chance that you can get some cold symptoms from it.
pear / 1799 posts
I've never had either. I considered a flu shot while pregnant, but chose not to since I work at home. Pregnant women should not get the mist ... I am sure care providers know this information!!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@Mrs. Jacks: any idea how "well" you're supposed to be to get the shot? I have a respiratory virus that's been going on for over two weeks- better than I was but still not completely over it. Should I wait to get it?
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@Mrs. Pen: if you don't have a fever, you're probably fine. You might feel a touch more achy but may not even feel it.
coconut / 8430 posts
Oh interesting. I didn't do any research into it and chose the flu mist for my LO (quite honestly I didn't even know it was an option until yesterday!) She does seem to have a slight runny nose so now I wonder if I made the right choice!
I chose the mist because she was really excited to go to the doctor for her well-check and I didn't want her to associate the doctor's office with pain just yet. 
kiwi / 524 posts
My understanding is that the shot is more effective for babies and adults, but for children of a certain age (3-8?) the mist is more effective.
I've always just gotten the shot, but for LO I'll go with whichever his doctor recommends based on his age.
pineapple / 12802 posts
I'm not sure it's even an option where I live. I have never heard of it until today!
pomegranate / 3791 posts
Well, right now I can't do the most because its not avoid idea if you're pregnant since its a live virus. But otherwise? I'm a needlephobe...take a guess! LOL
grapefruit / 4441 posts
I need to check, but I sort of remember that there were more strains (and thus, more coverage) in the shot, at least last year.
ETA: Nevermind, a brief Google search suggests they all cover 4 strains this year.
papaya / 10473 posts
I don't get the mist since it's a live virus. I just get the shot,
And I'm picky about who administers it. I have a coworker who is *excellent* with needle sticks so I wait til she's free 
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