Flu Shots

This year, I got my flu shot and my son is getting his, Dad refuses. I am doing it because we catch EVERYTHING that goes around his daycare.

Also, if there is an allergy to egg you can't get it. I read some place (can't remember where) you aren't supposed to get flu shots more than 3 yrs in a row because its related to alztiemers?

Hi N.,

Please read the "mercury" post with an open mind. There is no proof that Thimerosal has anything to do with neurological complication! Plus it has been researched repeatedly in different countries with the same result. No link between ethylmercury and neurodevelopmental disorders have been proven. There is a preservative free flu mist that is completely safe.

C.

N.,
Forgive me in advance, I don't want offend...but are you not aware that the flu shot has thimerosal (aka mercury)?
Children under 3 yrs old already get 36 vaccinations from birth to age 3. Unfortunatly, everyone is scratching their heads and asking why is there such a rise in ADHD, ADD, Autism? Our world is not the same as it was 20-30-40 years ago, so many kids have weaker immune systems and mom doesn't know it, the pediatrician doesn't know it because the pediatrician does not check the immune system before vaccinating a young child..we have a cookie cutter program for vaccinations. There is tons of research and tons of proof that the kids with a weakened immune system already in place, most kids with these neurological issues got their scheduled vaccinations, flu shots and so on. The thimerosal triggered it. I am not against vaccinations, we need them..but why put more mercury into them than we have to? At least try to read up on this and make an educated decision...Giving your child a "quality" muli-vitamin and extra doses of Vitamin C along w/other immune building vitamins and a healthy diet (no McNuggets) can really protect them from the flu. I wonder why our pediatricians don't mention these natural methods anymore??? I suppose they wouldn't sell too many flu shots if they did.

If you're a SAHM it's not so critical that your kids get flu shots - this is much more of an issue if they're in group daycare. That said, the flu is a drag and if it makes you feel better, get the kids shots. I personally get a flu shot but that is because I teach and interact with a large number of people each day. If I were at home I might skip it.

No matter what you decide, the best thing you can do to prevent it and other illnesses is to wash your hands (and your kids' hands) when you come in from being somewhere. We make a habit of doing this and very rarely get sick.

I have 3 children and our whole family gets the flu shot every year. The Amer. Assoc. of Pediatrics recommendation is that all children over the age of 6 months receive the flu shot. My 6 year old is in kindergarten in one school, my 4 year old is in pre-school in a different school. The baby is 6 1/2 months old. I figure between 2 schools, play group, and all the various outings and errands that we run, we encounter a lot of germs. While I'm a huge fan of hand washing and multi-vitamins, the flu is really miserable and super dangerous for little ones, so why risk it? The flu vaccine DOES NOT have thimerasol in it (mercury.) Vaccines in the US don't have that anymore. Plus, the flu shot is made new each year. Ask your pediatrician, they will tell you the same thing. (We sent all our old, thimerasol-containing shots to Africa, but that's another story. Now they have rising autism rates there.) But, if you are home all day, your 3 year old isn't in school yet, and you are breastfeeding the baby, then maybe you could skip it. The immunities from breastmilk will help a lot, and if the 3 year old isn't in school then you aren't coming into contact with nearly as many germs. But, even then, think about the germy grocery cart, the kid area at the gym, and that's why we get it. Good luck.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/thimerosal.htm

Check out the link above for some information.

I haven't decided what we'll do in our family, yet.

My daughter (almost 3) got her flu shot the past 2 years and my husband and I both didn't. I got the flu twice last year and my husband once, while my daughter didn't get it at all. This year we have a 3 month old infant and so we are all getting the flu shot to help protect her against the flu, since she cannot get the shot herself.

Hi N.,

I got the kids their flu stuff this year (shot for my daughter and nasal stuff for my son) because they are more apt to be exposed to the flu viruses than I am, being at school and being exposed to so many more people during the day.

It's important to realize that the flu shot is not to prevent every single strain of the flu, as there are several. In fact, if you do the research, the vaccine is based on the strain that they "think" will be the most prevalent for the year. So while many people complain that they still get the flu after getting the vaccine - often times it's because it's a different strain of the flu. (Ironically though, I am one of those people LOL).

So it's a crapshoot really.

You get people from extremes on both sides with beliefes on vaccines. I personally am of the belief that I'd rather my son and daughter be vaccinated then risk getting whatever they are being vaccinated for. But like I said, this is one of those hot topics.

Good luck with your decision.

This could just be my experience, who knows.

I got the flu shot once about 6 years ago. I got so horribly sick almost immediately afterwards and had a rough winter/cold season. Because I can tend to be a big baby I said never again will I get a flu shot!

I haven't gotten the flu shot since and guess what - I haven't gotten the flu since! I even work at a high school, which is basically a huge germ factory.

Although I've had a great run of luck, now that I have an 8 month old I am definitely doing more research. I really, really, REALLY don't want to get the shot again but if it preserves my child's health I'll suck it up and do it.

Hello--I was at one time not so sure about the shot. Why give them a shot that isnt mandatory? Well I straight out asked my dr. if she gets her kids the shot and she said yes. Now for 2years my 6yr. old 4yr old and I have gotten them. If my son isnt too young he will be getting it too. We have never had a side effects. If your ped. has kids ask if his children get it or if you know of any doctors--ask around but I would rather get my kids the shot then see them so sick or even hospitalized as this flu can be serious it isnt just like the 24hour throwing up flu.

According to our doc, the whole family should get them. My husband and I are bad and do not. But the kids should at least... although we just had ours on Monday and now they have the sniffles today. Grrr. Good luck!

N.,
My advice is that you and your husband get the flu shots but not the kids. I'm speaking from my own experience with my son. There was a noticeable change since he got the shot. He is fine now but I believe that it delayed his speech development.

Hi, my friend!

I personally am totally against the flu shots. Because I am high risk (I have diabetes) and my kids are little, we are all encouraged to get them but I have seen more illnesses as a result of the shot and frankly, I am scared of what preservatives they use in the shot so we don't. My husband has in years past but when he does, he gets colds all winter.

Hope this helps. By the way, did you ever get my personal e-mail address?

Be well.
N.

I'm not totally sure on the guidelines for young children. I would consult your pediatrician on that one. As for adults.. well, I have had the REAL flu before, you know. the one where you ache all over, have a fever and can't move out of bed for a few days. My husband and I had it several years ago, and we were so sick we couldn't even get out of bed to feed our DOG! I teach preschool so I started getting them like 4-5 years ago and I have not had an allergic reaction.I mean your arm can hurt like heck for a day or so.. sore at the shot sight..

When you go for the shot, they ask you if you have ever had a reaction to the flu shot in the past or if you have an egg allergy.. if so, they won't give it to you. My husband is a heart patient so they give it to him. This was when there was a shortage and you had to meet certain requirements to even get one. It seems there are plenty this year.
so.. I would recommend it as an adult and ask your doctor about your little ones.
hope you and yours stay healthy this winter!

N.-
I would recommend you and your husband get it for sure. As for the kids, discuss with your pediatrician. I had the flu years ago and I was off of work for over two weeks, my entire body felt like I was run over by a truck, I couldn't keep anything down, I basically was living between the bathroom and my bed, I ended up getting dehydrated and basically I was worthless to the world. I have never felt so horrible in my entire life. I've gotten my flu shot ever since and am thankful that I haven't had that experience again.

Talk to your doctor. Both my girls got the flu shot from the time they were young until a couple years ago. They are 16 and 17 now. My oldest daughter would have a mild reaction every year, but not my younger daughter. My children were prone to croup, bronchitis, pneumonia, and high fevers so it was recommended. I feel my oldest daughter actually is healthier now that we are not doing the flu shot, but it could just be a coincidence.
Chery

My husband and I only get it.

My little one does not get it, due to the mercury in the flu shots. They are still made in thimerisol in contrast to the other vaccines. Autism runs in our family.

I too am against "extra" shots for kids! Like they don't get enough... poor things! I had the flu shot ONCE and I was never SO SICK that winter!!! Never again. None of my kids have ever had them and the ped tries every year and I just say no thanks! Wash your hands, teach them to wash theirs often. And make sure they eat healthy and that's your best defense! Good luck.
Mom to four healthy kids that stay flu free! ;-)

My doctor recommended that my husband and I both get the flu shots so we don't pass the flu on to Connor.

My twin 4 year olds have been getting the flu shot since they were atleast a year old. I don't want to take the chance of them getting the flu. It's got to be worse for the little ones when they get it. I've also received the flu shot since they have been born, cause I have to be healthy for them. Just wish my husband would get it, because he is around tons of people all day long.

Bottom line, I would get the shots for the entire family. There are sooo many germs out there and not everyone washes there hands like they should. Why risk it. Just my opinion :).