A few years ago I had the first reaction that I had ever had other than a sore arm.
The doctor concluded that my reaction was to the preservative in the vaccine.
That was About 3 or 4 years ago and I have not had any reaction since. Also I have not had the flu since taking flu shot.
Some flu vaccines do not contain preservative. I think the one I received this year is preservative-free.
I have been getting a flu shot every year for the past decade, and I have never had the flu. People tell me that it is miserable.
A year or so ago, I had a reaction to the flu vaccine. I discussed it with a nurse this year, and she thought that I would be fine taking the vaccine. So I did. I did not react to it.