Flu Shot

My 6 month old got the first half of hers and hasn't handled it well, she's been HORRIBLY fussy, and she normally doesn't react that way to shots.

I have got my oldest daughter the flu shot the last 3 years and she has never gotten sick. My two year has also had her flu shot the last two years, My pediatriction recommended it.

Hi Melissa,
Well my opinion. I haven't had the Flu shot in over 15 years. I will get the common cold but I don't get sick. If I do it will be a sore throat and I some yogurt and it goes away. I'm also a home child care provider and I have 4 children 2 of which are in school. For my kids I choose not to get them the Flu shot. I feel it would do them more harm than good. My kids all have really good immune systems and I feel like if I get them the Flu shot I would hinder that more than help that. Does that mean every kid should or shouldn't get the flu shot, no. I think we each have to look at our children as individuals and not as a whole group.
My husband doesn't get the Flu shot because he is allergic to eggs.

I would suggest you look at what exactly is IN the flu shot prior to making a decision. There is still the mercury preservative in flu shots for children - some offices do offer the thimerisol free version but only for infants or until their limited supply runs out. If thimerisol has been banned from normal childhood vaccines because of its danger to developing children's neurological systems, why is it OK in the flu vaccine? Also, many times additives like formaldhyde are common components to vaccines to prolong shelf life. Many time the reaction to the vaccine itself lowers the child's immune system (or adults too) which explains why many people DO get sick right after. It is not necessarily because of the vaccine component but a contraction of a virus they come in contact with as their body tried to rid itself of the toxins of the vaccine it just got. I must admit, I do have a conflict of interest, I have a child with autism who has severe reactions to vaccines so I have done extensive studies on immune system function and spoken with many, many doctors, quite a few in the naturopathic field, to determine what the safest route is. I feel strongly that I would much rather be up against a flu virus where I can treat my child or take them in for care if it got bad enough rather than try and undo damage to their developing neurological system which I am trying so hard to do with my son. That is a lot harder and unseen than a flu virus. There's no easy fix for damage to the nervous system. I prepare my children for flu season by adding in lots of fresh fruits and veggies to their foods, add Vit. C supplements, echinacea, elderberry syrup and other natural immune boosters plus lots of handwashing. For me personally, that is a lot safer for my children than the vaccine. I used to vaccinate my children against the flu but after further research, never again.....If you want to see for yourself, here's a link to the flu vaccine ingredients. http://www.novaccine.com/specific-vaccines/vaccine.asp?v_...

i dont understand why it makes sense to so many people to inject foreign substances in you/your childs body to "protect" against a strain of flu guessed at by strangers that may have been compeletely off the mark, and that overall weakens the immune system at a time when strength is key.
we dont get the flu shot (or any other shots for that matter) and we dont get the flu here.
sanitation and hand washing are the biggest factors.
keep yourselves clean and keep germs at bay. and remember, getting sick actually strengthens your immune system!

It is up to you but I would consider your child's reaction to his/her previous vaccines. The theory behind vaccines is good but I believe we are overwhelming them with them and even my doctor doesnt recommend the shot.

A good website is www.nvic.org. (National Vaccine Information Center) The information is fact based and helps you make an educated decision. Remember, most information the Dr's provide you about shots, comes from the pharmaceutical companies, and your Dr. in all likelyhood is going to defend their support of the shots - it's their profession, after all. I would NOT vaccinate my children with the flu shot. My children go to pre-school and have not had any shots. Zero. They do not get sick at all other than the occassional cold or run a fever. We also take Juice Plus as diet plays a major factor in health.
Regardless, it's a personal decison, and the best way to protect your family is to educate yourself on what is really in the vaccines. Data from the pharmaceutical companies is skewed at best, and their ultimate goal is to make money.

A child's immune system is the most concentrated at around 7-8 years of age. Looking at the statistics of how many people die from the flu each year is truly scary. I believe that the vaccine is a great idea. Also HAND WASHING! Is the BEST way to protect yourself from illness.

I am an old mom. My sons never got the flu shot. As adults I encourage them to get the shots (some listen - some don't). The flu shot is not meant to keep you from getting the flu. All it does is keep you from getting the flu for over 7 days. Yes, when I was growing up the flu lasted for a week and people died from it. The flu shot gives you the flu virus but in a small dosage so that you can build up antibodies to it. Thus keeping you from getting the full blown version. No one can quarentee that you will not get the flu, because there are so many versions of the flu. The flu shot is a gamble like any other vaccine. All the shots they have (measles, mumps, chicken poxs, polio, etc) will work on the majority of the people. BUT a few people will have a reaction to those shots. Still for the majority of the people the shots are better than getting the diease (I know, they did not have all the vaccines when I was growing up so I have had the mumps, measles, chicken pox just to name a few). I had my sons get the different vaccines when they were growing up, and so is my granddaughter. My sister can not get the flu shots because she is alergic to eggs. So she has to get the flu.

hi! i know you have a lot of responses already, but here is my 2 cents! i was hesitating on the shots because of all the "info" out there. well, my 3 yr old came down with the flu and was hospitalized on halloween. i know it was just the flu but it was very scary having to stay with your child in the hospital for a couple of days. i never want to experience that again. all my kids just got their flu shot last week. i feel better knowing i have done all that i can, (including hand washing as well). i.m not saying everyone has to get a flu shot, but my 3 yr old is a healthy, uncomprmised immunity child and still this flu knocked him down. just something to think about.!

I would.. I have two boys ages 3 & 2. They both get their shots each year.. So far they haven't gotten sick.. Knock on wood..

www.workathomeunited.com/missouri

I'm a single mother of two boys and last year when I was pregnant with my youngest, I decided for my oldest and I to get the flu shot. We didn't get sick at all, so we went ahead and got another one about a month ago and all is well so far. Some people get really sick from them but then again some don't so I say you have a 50/50 chance. If you have had a bad experience in the past then don't but if you haven't I say go for it! My baby however was sick at the time we got our flu shots therefore he hasnt recieved his yet!

Hi Melissa - One thing I didn't see mentioned in your responses was that consistently eating enough fruits and vegetables every day improves immune function and prevents sickness. It's much more important than most people think. It's hard adults to eat the recommended 9-13 fresh raw servings, and next to impossible for kids. That's why my family eats Juice Plus capsules/chewables. It's the easiest way to get 17 vine ripened fruits, vegetables and grains in every day. It's been such a wonderful thing for my family that I became a distributor to share this gift of health with others. See what the doctors say on my website and you can order there too. http://www.juiceplus.com/+cc42230.

So far the Juice Plus Children's Health Study results show kids on Juice Plus are healthier. My kids are in the study and I find the results to be true. Results are after 4-8 months and one year.

Fewer Doctor Visits: 46% 65%
Less School Missed: 39% 58%
Less Prescriptions/Medications: 41% 59%
Less Fast Food/Fewer Soft Drinks: 61% 73%
Eating More Fruits/Vegetables 43% 62%
Positive Benefit of Some Kind 90% 92%
Increased Awareness of Health 80% 90%

Call me if you have any questions ###-###-####. And there's so much more independent research on Juice Plus (see website). Wishing Wellness! Happy Holidays!

My daughter turned 2 on Monday and we gave her the flu shot the past two years. She has had no side-effects that we are aware of and it has really helped her from getting sick because she goes to daycare.

I am so glad you decided to get the flu shot... my daughter is 3 and one year we didn't get it for her (when she was 1 about to turn 2)... all 4 of us got the flu at the same time and it was so bad my daughter was actually hospitalized for dehydration. Her kidneys actually started shutting down... it was the scariest experience of my life. Thank goodness her doctor was on top of it and I followed my gut to bring her in to be checked...
All kids respond differently to the shot, we have never had any problems, but just watch them. If they react you will know for next year. I have never heard of a reaction so bad that it is worse than the flu itself!
Good luck and I hope you have a healthy season!

I agree with those that said not to get the shot, my daughter has had 2 flu shots and got the flu within weeks after, and the years she didn't she never got sick. But I do believe in all other vaccinations.

I hope your child does well, but keep a close eye (I am sure you do anyway) as your child can still get the flu. The vaccine is actually for last years flu strain and the flu you can catch from year to year are different and grow stronger.

Hi,
Sorry for late reply. But I have recently heard there are 2 flu vaccines that should be avoided especially for children. These 2 have been reported to have really bad affects such as vomiting and am not sure but possibly deaths. Please double check with authorities on which vaccine(s) are best for you AND your child. Have also heard that even adults have had servious side affects as well.

Hi Melissa,
I have a 4 year old boy and my husband and I both do not get the flu shot. So with that said, my son hasn't recv'd it either. My son has never been that sick except for your occassional cold: runny nose, fever etc.....he has throwned up but not so bad I had to take to the hospital (knock on wood!)

My husband got the flu sot once and said he's never felt so sick in his life than after that shot. I know a lot people trust in the flu shot, and it works for they're family.

My son has been swimming since he was around 1 month old (now he swims 250 yards in a olympic size lap pool) and I truly believe that the swimming has strengthened his lungs and endurance against bad cold/flu or upper respitory infection types illness'.

In addition, you can still get the flu with the flu shot.

My son has been exposed to other children from 4 months and on through: gymboree, infant/toddler program at first Pres. of Burl, little wonders, little hands, music mommy and me programs, the children center at Pacific Athletic Club, parks and so on.

J. K.

Absolutely. Why make your child suffer through the flu if they don't have to?

I am cautiously pro-flu shot (and all vaccines). I've received the flu shot in the past and immediately contracted the flu. I've also been vaccinated and not contracted the flu. But for those who are in close contact with or happen to be high risk persons (the very young, very old, or immunocompromised persons) it only makes sense to be smart and safe. It's a matter of protecting those around you and well as yourself. A high risk person risks severe complications, hospitalization, or even death if contracting the flu. I personally would not want to risk that for my child.

My child's too young this year for the flu shot (he's only 7 weeks old; the shot's recommended for 6 months and older), but my husband and I and our parents all were immunized. My son will eventually receive all of his vaccinations as well. At least in our pediatricians' office, vaccines are thimerosal free if that is a concern. I'm more concerned with strangers sticking their unwashed fingers in my child's mouth. Who knows where that finger's been!

Be careful what you read on the internet, and do so with an open and educated mind. There are some websites that assume to be unbiased, but if you look at them carefully, you may notice that 1) there are no trained professionals reporting the information, 2) ask for donations, and 3) may be founded by someone who has a very strong opinion (such as someone who was injured by the topic in question). Websites such as nvic.org give good information, but you may notice that many of the articles are slanted against immunizations and that the organization was founded by "parents whose children were injured or died following DPT vaccine reactions.... this charitable organization is totally publicly supported by donations from citizens". Of course, the American Academy of Pediatrics may be considered unbiased, but the Academy, of course, is strongly pro-immunization.

Lastly, it is true that the flu vaccine is developed to prevent against the strain of flu viruses that are mostly likely to be prevalent in the current flu season. So, yes, it is likely to still catch the flu if you are infected with a strain of flu virus that the flu vaccine is not protecting you against.