Flu Shots ???

[Primm_n_Proper_Baby]

Originally Posted by dorfmama We all get them. 2 of my daughters have asthma, one fairly bad. If they got the flu, it would probably mean a hospital stay. As far as getting the flu from the flu shot, it is not possible. The shot contains a dead virus. It is a myth that you can get it from the shot. If my daughters didn't have asthma, I probably wouldn't get one (mostly because I wouldn't take the time to do it). I don't know if I would still get them for the kids since I've never been in that position. We didn't get them before my 2nd daughter's asthma diagnosis, but she was diagnosed fairly young.

Yep, Owen gets them every year (asthma) and I'm debating getting all the kids the flu shot this year. Last winter Olivia (then around 3 mos) caught influenze from Patrick. The only reason we caught her being sick was because we in the docs office for Patrick. It was so weird, she was fine when we left the house, by the time we pulled into the parking lot at the docs she had a fever, was all flush and unconsolable. They caught it in time to give her the tamiflu thing. She was still miserably sick (with scary high fevers) for about 4 days. She would have been hospitalized if we hadn't caught it right away.

So...this year I'm seriously considering getting all the kids vac.

[Dorothy'smom]

Originally Posted by TwinKristi Hmmm, not my experience. The flu shot protects against Influenza, not a stomach virus. The flu typically lasts 1-2wks in a healthy person, but much longer in an unhealthy or weakened immune-system person, child, etc.

This is true! I started getting flu shots at 15 and the 2 years since then that I haven't gotten them I got so sick from Influenza.... over 102 fever for more than a week, could hardly breathe, coughing for weeks afterward. We are all getting flu shots this week. My daughter gets croupy with the slightest cold. I don't even want to know what she'd be like with the flu.

The stomach flu is NOT Influenza. There is no vaccine for gastrointestinal viruses.

[ouchienurse]

We get them yearly.

[JustAugust]

Never never never. I think the flu shot is the biggest load of crap ever. We DID actually get the flu last year and it was horrible, I was sick for 2 weeks, so was DH, but out son never got it! But nearly everyone got the flu last year, shot or not, as the shot was completely ineffective.

Anyways, despite of what I think of it, the shot's been proven to be ineffective before age 5 or 6, so there's no reason to even consider it before then. (And it's rarely effective after)

ETA: And it's true that the shot will not infect you with the flu, but all the side effects of the shot mimic flu symptoms, so even though it's not the actual flu, it can feel just like it (if you were to get those symptoms). The FluMist DOES shed though, so really anyone who gets that is spreading the flu to anyone they come across. Great plan, huh? *sigh*

[Primm_n_Proper_Baby]

Originally Posted by Tiffer23 Never never never. I think the flu shot is the biggest load of crap ever. We DID actually get the flu last year and it was horrible, I was sick for 2 weeks, so was DH, but out son never got it! But nearly everyone got the flu last year, shot or not, as the shot was completely ineffective. Anyways, despite of what I think of it, the shot's been proven to be ineffective before age 5 or 6, so there's no reason to even consider it before then. (And it's rarely effective after)

For INFLUENZA or the 'flu'? Do you have links to the info. I've found otherwise, so if you have data I'd love to see it. We've discussed this issue back and forth in our house. TIA!

ETA: Owen has gotten the flu shot every year for the last 4 years (so since around age 5) because of his asthma. He's never gotton influenza BUT he sure has gotten pnumonia (sp?) several times since. He's just prone to having small colds turn big....I don't know what would happen to him if he got influenza - it would likely be another hospital stay .

[VMnFAM]

We got them last year because we had an infant. This year, I think only DH will get one because he works in the hospital. We still have more researching to do before I am 100% comfortable.

[zacks_mommy]

We all get the flu vaccines for a few reasons. I have asthma and the last time I got the flu (even with the shot), I landed in the hospital with severe pneumonia (can't afford to do that again!). Because I have asthma and ds has already tested positive for allergies, there is a 90% chance he will develop asthma in his lifetime. Since he is at daycare, there is a higher chance that he will get sick with something. One of the kiddos at daycare has heart issues and another has asthma, so we try to protect them as well and not pass bugs!

[mlbarbian1205]

We do not do the flu shot. It is one of the shots that still contains mercury (since it's not only for children). Also, since I learned that they basically "guess" which strains to include in the shot every year, even if they get it, it doesn't mean it is going to protect against the right strains (take last year for example, they got it wrong). Just my opinion.

[militarymama]

We are military & they only give the flu shots to active duty soldiers, hospital workers, teachers, the elderly, children 2 & under & children certain medical conditions that if they were to get the flu could cause them to be sicker than a "healthy" person. That said, DH sort of has to get it. Eden is in the age range, but will not be getting it. Cadence, on the other hand, has asthma (we are just getting off steriods, round the clock treatments & antibiotics for flares & pneumonia & it is only October!!) so she WILL be getting it. Everyone else here can handle a few days of being sick.

[kat7597]

We do not get the flu vax. I've never been comfortable with it. The only year I caved and got it was when my ds was an infant...we all got it because he was a preemie. Ironically, it was the only year we all got the flu (diagnosed via nose swabs as Influenza A).

Flumist is imo responsible for spreading the illness. People get the mist and then go on w/ their routines while they are shedding the virus - therefore exposing everyone they come in contact with. Great idea

Kimberly