What are the benefits of getting a flu shot?

Why would you get a flu shot? My grandma told me I should, but I don't understand why I should? Did you get it? Why or why not?

I have got the flu shot for at least the last 5 years. In that time, I have not had the flu at all. The flu shot puts antibodies for the latest kinds of flu likely to go round in your system, so that if that flu does try and infect you, your body can fight it off straight away and you don't get sick. Its a very good idea for older people or people who's immune systems are slower and weaker and can't make antibodies on their own as fast, but its a good idea for everyone I reckon - I have not had to take time off work or school for being sick from flu in that time (or for anything else for that matter, but thats probably not entirely due to the flu shot). Certainly the last thing you'd want is to come down with flu during exams - anything you can do to prevent it the better!

For the record, the flu shot CANNOT give you the flu. Some people have a reaction to the shot, but injecting antibodies into your system cannot possibly give you the flu. It takes 2 weeks or more for the antibodies to replicate inside you to a level where they can fight off the Flu and stop you from getting sick, so its still possible to catch the flu in the 2 weeks after your shot.

yea the flu shot is just to make ur body amune to the flu to get use to the flu i go it its not that bad but 4 some people when u get the flu shot u get sick afterwards

YOu should get the flu shot! I made the mistake of missing it this year as I didn't make the time to get it done and so I was struck with the flu!! It's horrible I had aches and pains everywhere it's just gross I was off School for over a week with it and the fist couple of days are the worst!!! I don't really like School anyway but I would have rather been at School then at home with the flu. It sucks big time and all I could take for any pain was just panadol which didn't really work.

So I suggest you get the shot.

I get both of my kids flu shots every year. We had a rough year 8 years ago and I will not miss it for them. I unfortunately can not take them as I am allergic to eggs. They do not however protect from all strains. But since the kids have had them. No flu. So do it. The real flu is not the 24-48 hour thing it is the worst feeling and very dangerous. Just do it. Your grandmother is right.