I haven't had a flu for at least 5 years, and have never had a flu shot. I have an opportunity to get a flu shot next Thursday, and was wondering if I should bother. I have a moderately important 8K XC race on Saturday (2 days later). Any chance the shot could have an ill effect on my race?
Never felt any effects past more than 24 hours later, and those were minor at most. If you're feeling well with no recent colds or similar symptoms, you should be fine. But if you've been training hard and feel like you might be redlining, or if you have had a cold or symptoms recently, don't take any chances.
Is this the only oportunity you'll have to get a flu shot? When I was in school the training room gave us a chance to get the shot after the season just in case. Why risk having a bad race if you could get the shot another time when any side effects wouldn't hurt your running, ya know. It's just that you never know how those shots are going to effect you. Most likely there'll be no ill effect at all, but then again there COULD be. Just a thought.