[rjvpmn]

How many of you get flu shots for your kids? I really dont like to do any more than I have to with shots but am wondering pros and cons. My daughter had the flu last spring and I got it from her( I had a flu shot) She has been sick a lot this fall so I am worried about her. She is 4 but I am worried about side effects. Give me pros cons or your thoughts.
Thanks
Becky

[sheababy]

We were just at the Dr with DD (18 months) today and got her flu shot. There was a notice that the CDC is now recommending them for all children 6 months and up. The shot is not a live virus so it will not cause your child to get sick. She had to have 2 last year and did not have any problems.

That being said-this is the first year I have ever had one. My employer convinced me it was a good idea and our work was doing them at no cost to us.

I'm not sure how well they work but if the CDC is recommending them they must do some good. The downside to the shot is the makers can only guess what strain will be going around. From what I've heard-they did not do a good job determining this for last year's vaccine. This year's vaccine is supposed to be a lot better.

[luv2teach2]

I wouldn't hesitate. My friend didn't get you ds the shot and has had pneumonia the past couple of weeks. My father is a dr and he see more children each year with the flu and it can be deadly in little ones. The pros far out weigh the cons but it is a matter of choice I wouldn't wait to long though as flu season is already upon us.

[rjvpmn]

My daughter did have it last spring ( in April) i also got it from her and i had the shot. She was real sick. She had a pneumonia this fall too. She just seems to get everything. I guess I just didnt like what I read about linking it to Alzheimers etc. I am sure there are risks with it down the road we dont even know. I am sure I will go in tomorrow. I just like to be well informed.
Thanks for responding
Becky

[MoonKitty77]

My daughter just got hers at her 2 year checkup.

[devildogwife]

My son has severe congenital heart disease and is medically fragile. It is absolutely imperative that he gets one (and already has) and that DH and I get one (already have) to protect him. Absolutely necessary in our situation.

[TeeTee]

Like the previous poster my son has to have it due to being high risk. He is 7 and has always gotten the vaccine with no complications. My dd got the vaccine last year and she got the flu anyway, as another poster stated it depends on which strain is going around. I would say do it, but if you have any concerns ask your pediatrician. It doesn't contain live virus so it will not cause the flu.

[afl]

I did the flu mist this year for DD (2 1/2). Man, was that easy compared to the drama I know would have taken place if they stuck her. I read up on it and even though it contains some live virus, there's still such a tiny risk of them getting sick from it.

[dspakowsky]

Our family does not get flu shots.

There was a recent post about this, maybe one month ago, that you might want to search for. There was a lot of great responses.

[mcnay1]

Until we had our children, I never got the flu shot. I was rarely sick. In fact, my boss, who is a big proponent of the flu shot always thought I was scared of the shot. But, that was farther than the truth...I just didnt think it was necessary. Well, have 2 kids in daycare/preschool, we have found that it is imperetive to have it and get the kids one. None of us have had any side effects from it. My oldest son, like many people, had the flu shot last year and got the flu. It just doesnt catch all the strains. This year, they are supposed to be dead on with what they captured. But, you never know.

I do have to put in a plug for something if you or somebody in your family does get the flu. Last year, when JD got the flu, we were able to get him to the doctor within 48 hours of him getting it. The doctor gave him Tamiflu and then gave the rest of us Tamiflu prevention. It was wonderful! It cleared JD up within 12-24 hours and the rest of us never got it. The trick was getting him to the doctor with the first 48 hours and having him test positive for the flu.

The shot is totally up to you...I would recommend it and if you do get the flu, I highly recommend Tamiflu...

[ej-momtobe]

I was going to get a flu shot for DS if it was mercury free. I called the doctors office and they said it was not, so DS is not getting one. I worry about injecting excess 'stuff' into a 2 year old. In a few years I will probably get one for him. I did get one for me, because I catch everythign going around, and would not want to pass it along to him.

I know that everyone claims the vaccine is safe and there have been no studies to confirm the suspected link between autism and mercury, but there has been enough data suggesting a link that it makes me nervous to give this to our otherwise VERY healthy 2 year old.

[Disneycrazed]

We all get flu shots here. I work with kids so I can bring a lot into the house and we also have my father living with us who is 81 so we make a point of everyone getting flu shots.

[rjvpmn]

I understand your worrying about the mercury. My oldest son is on the autism spectrum. I have always wondered as he did change after the MMR vaccine and it was given to him when he was just getting well after Roseola. I know many think there is a link and many dont but I figure why chance it .. I wont be getting him one. I was thinking of my two other kids that have never shown a sign of reacting to the vaccines. they are 4 and 6. The 4 yr old has just been so sick this last yr and had a pneumonia this fall we couldnt get rid of without two antibiotics at the same time.. it was scary. I think everyone has a different opinion but I appreciate all the responses as they all make you think twice.
Thanks

[nurse_reedle]

We don't get them in our house, and even if we did, I wouldn't get them for my little ones because of the mercury in them.

[DDAmasa]

Everyone in my house gets them each year. The shot is harmless. The flu can and does kill.