I have an almost 15 mo old son who has gotten his first flu shot this year. Our pediatrician told us he must have a 2nd one. We got a second opinion from another pediatrician at Phx Children's medical center who also recommends the 2nd one. I am trying to find out if there are other parents out there who have given their 15 month old the flu shot this year.
The following websites might be of interest to you:
Dr. Mercola is at the top of his game and has posted some particularly interesting info re the Swine Flu vac and vaccinations in general. Hope these help
Blessings.
Because my children are adversely allergic to vaccinations, I do preventative with them. Good vitamins, extra Vit. C and zinc. I get the ones from sprouts or a health food store rather than Walmart or anything like that. You can even find liquid or you can get a juice extractor (juicer) and juice fresh veggies and fruit... They rarely get sick and if they do, it goes away quickly. I know adults who get the flu shot and they only get one. But with kids, they do a series normally with others. Maybe the flu shot is similiar. Good luck!
Unfortunately it is true, up until they are certain age they need to get the shot twice. My son just received his flu shot, which he is also a patient at Phx Childrens. They should have given you a hand out talking about the shot. I never look at these things anymore, but I decided this time to look at it. And in there it states that when the child is, I believe, under the age of nine they must get 2 if they have never had one. And when they are younger than that as well. All the Drs at the medical center will never steer you wrong. My son as been a patient their for over 10 yrs and they are very good Doctors.
Hope this helps
When my daughter was that age, the doctor pressured me into it and I did... I regretted it because, she got the flu anyway... I will NOT do it again, not to either of my kids. Plus , now since I have educated myself a lot better, We do natural PREVENTATIVE measures and we ALL avoid getting sick.
I am anti vaccination personally. It is my understanding however that the flu shots still contain mercury, but I could be wrong. My daughter is the same age. I just know really good natural doctors who can help if she does get sick. But that is just my opinion.
THe info about the booster is correct. However, IMHO the flu shot in itself is useless to begin with, and far more dangerous than helpful. I have been studying vac/flu shots for the past several years after my daughter was severly injured from a vaccination, and after I got pneumonia every time I recieved a flu shot. (I know, I know they say it is impossible, but 4 times in a row is a bit of a coincidence, and I never get sick now that i no longer get the shots... )
The flu shot only guards against a VERY limited number of strains of the flu. Typically 2-4. There are hundreds of strains out there at any given time that you can contract. Unless you happen to get one that you are covered against, the shot gives you no protection. If you want more information on this, I will be happy to send to you. I know searching the web is a very daunting task as you end up with more conspiracy theory websites and such than 1 person can possibley deal with.
Again, IMO, it is far greater risk to give an unknown "drug" into your child than to keep them healthy, give them good foods and keep their immune system STRONG. (get sneaky with veggies if you have to... i even found a recipe that adds spinach into brownies that is actually really good)
Good luck with your decision. In the end it is your decision, and you must decide what is right for your child. I found this information way too late for my daughter's sake, but my son (19 months) is not going to receive them, and his doctors are ok with that too. Mostly because they know he is not a soda drinking - mac and cheese eating baby,he gets a good diet, and is checked regularly. (By both regular and naturopathic Dr.s)
ps- if you do decide to get the shots, or any other vaccinations, PLEASE remember to NEVER allow your kids to get a shot when they have so much as a sniffle or a sneaze!!!!!! I cannot tell you how important this is, and yet most docs will tell you, "oh no, its fine!" And when your kid does not stop screaming for a week, and a fever of over 103 that will not go away - they say that is normal too... Not to scare you, but it is important!
This is normal to have to get two shots for their first time getting the flu shot. When it's their first time, they get 1/2 dose each shot, to be easier on their bodies.
Children get a half vaccine when they get the first vacinnation. This is why they have to have two shots. My 6 and 3 years old have gotten the flu shot since they were both 8 months old. Children can catch the flu easily and my husband who is a pharmacist at a hospital always recommends the flu shot to parents. The flu is serious for little ones and the flu shot will take care of the worry. Next year, he will only have to have one shot.
There are two things going on possibly. First, as others have mentioned, the first time kids get a flu shot, they typically get a second one shortly thereafter as a booster. Second, THIS year, according to our pediatrician, the thermasol-free version of the vaccine that they usually use for kids (in an abundance of caution) is not yet available. If a child gets a shot now, he is getting 1/2 dose of the version that has thermasol in it - the way they did flu shots for kids until 5 years ago. You have to come back and get the second dose in a few weeks.
The first time that a child gets a flu shot, they need to have two...it is called a booster. They do this because they do not want to expose a child to a full dose of the flu vaccination the first time they have it. If you do not get it boostered, it will not have the full effect. After their first time, they will not have to have it boostered again, as they give them the full dose in the first shot. If you have already gotten the first flu shot for him, definately go back and get it boostered or it will pretty much be useless.
They Mentioned it on the news a few weeks ago. Any Child 10 and under would have to receive 2 Shots. I Know that the 1st time I gave my children their flu shots(about 3 yrs. ago) they had their 1st dose and a few months later had to get a booster Shot.
My son who is 3-1/2 had a flu shot at 1 year old and has had them ever since. He hasn't contracted the flu ever. I think it is a good idea especially if your son is around other children.
It sounds like you have a bad feeling about giving your baby the 2nd shot....there is nothing more powerful than a mothers instincts. I am willing to bet you have gotten or will get many responses of mothers who have given their child the second shot considering it is being recommended by so many doctors. Everyone can react differently. Listen to your instincts as a mother and then decide.
My son (13 months) just got his this week. We were told to bring him back in 1 month for a second one.
Hi P.,
I do not have a child who is your age, but children who are getting the flu shot for the first time do actually need two doses. I noticed someone commenting on the thimerosal that is sometimes used as a preservative in some vaccines. If this is a concern for you, I have been told that there are thimerosal-free flu vaccines available for kids under 3 yrs.
Hope this helps!!
Hi P.. If this is his first flu shot, than it is typical that they give it in two doses. The same thing happened with my son. I hope this helps!!
It was my understanding when my kids got their flu shots (the first time round) that they needed 2 doses because they receive a much smaller dose than we do, but need to have a 'full' dose to be 'covered' and so that's why they need the first one and then a 'booster' in 4 weeks.
Hi P.!
I completely agree with Leslie T, and have quoted her below. These are the best possible sites for you to gain information on what you are intuitively picking up on.. Listen to your to gut!... Read up and be informed at the very least.
Much Love
C.
From:
Leslie T
Date:
Wed. Sep. 30, 2009
The following websites might be of interest to you:
Dr. Mercola is at the top of his game and has posted some particularly interesting info re the Swine Flu vac and vaccinations in general. Hope these help
Blessings.
I've never given my boys flu shots. The only time my oldest got one was because they snuck it in with his vaccination. Didn't even tell me, I was so mad.
From my research I've found that while the vaccinations for children are thimeasol free, the flu shots are not. Thimeasol is made with ethylmercury, a substance which the FDA hasn't even studied.
I would research what exactly is in these shots myself. Ask to read the package insert, it is quite enlightening as to who NOT to give the vaccine too and how effective it might be.
Any child 2 and I under gets 2 doses of the flu shot. My son until last year's flu shot got 2 doses and my daughter has always gotten 2 doses of the flu shot. They haven't gotten their flu shots yet this year. I always get their flu shots especially now since my son goes to prek and manages to bring everything home possible.
I can't remember exactly how old my little guy was when he got his first flu shot but he was probably around 5 mos or so. He had to get 2 doses and he was perfectly fine. Didn't even get fussy or a fever! After they get the first set of flu shots then they only need one everytime after that. I just took him to get it this year, he's now 16 mos., and because he already had two the first time he only needed one shot. Both my boys got it on Friday and have been fine all weekend. I highly recommend getting it for you and your children, especially if you're going to open a daycare!
When I got my daughter her flu shot last year around 14 months old she had to come back in 4 weeks to get a 2nd shot. My doctor explained to me that because it was her first flu shot, they need a booster for it work properly. Once they have their first series, they only need the one shot every year after that.
My two year old son had his first flu shot when he was just a few months old. He had to have two because one was a booster. He only had to one last year and one this year. I highly recommend the shot. We have been fortunate that Andrew has not had any side effects (fever, illness, etc) and he has been able to avoid the flu bug every season. I'm hoping that he avoids it all together this year as well. Good luck with your decision!
I have given both of my children flu shots since they were old enough. They both had to get 2 the first time. I have gotten them one every year since and I get one myself. It has really helped me from getting sick. I used to get the flu 2xs a year and I havent gotten it since I started getting the shot myself.
P.~
This is the second year our daughter has recieved her flu shot. Last year she was 5 months old when she got it and this year she is 15 months old. They give it in 2 shots rather than one because it is easier for their little bodies to handle. MollyGeneva got hers and thankfully avoided the flu which both her dad and I got. The 2 shots spread out makes it easier for their bodies but still gives them the full effect of the shot. One shot is not going to fully protect your son. It is just half of the shot.
I really suggest doing some research on your own before you get flu shots.
B.
My kids are older now but I have always given them the flu shot. And yes, the first time a child gets the flu shot they need to have it twice (I think 1 month apart). If your child did not have any adverse reactions then I would definitely get the second shot. If you do not administer the shot correctly it will not work properly.
I know it's scary giving kids shot, I was always a mess but usually the illness you are protecting them from is worse than the shot side effects. I wish you the best of luck.
I think you should be very careful about this. Personally I would avoid all vaccines. read the latest hathor report on www.tomkenyon.com
Last year when we gave my then almost two-year-old the flu shot, he ended up only getting one shot, because we chose the preservative free and when it was time for the second shot, they didn't have any more left. His doctor said it would still give him at least 80 percent immunity (they're never sure they guessed correctly on the strain, anyway). Anyway, I know the two shots are recommended the first time, but that was our experience. I think my then six-month-old might have only had one, too.
