Should I or Shouldnt I ? - Independence,MO

I have never gotten the flu shot for my son.
He has never had the flu and I can't even remember the last time he was sick. He's never had a cold that lasted longer than a day. His allergies is the only that really bothers him.

I believe his system is doing just fine defending itself, and I am worried about messing with it.

I'm not against the flu shot but I don't it's necessary for everyone. I get the flu shot for myself, and never had any problems from it.

Sorry not much help but

I am a HUGE advocate of flu shots! Having worked in public school for five years, I can tell you that kids are not the best at covering mouths and noses when they cough and sneeze (and I worked with middle schoolers!). My 2-year old will be getting the shot, and got it last year when he was 1 (he was too young the flu season before that). You can google possible side effects--neither my son nor I have ever had anything more severe than a sore arm. The mist-type (no needle) has more potential for side effects so we opt for the needle. Good luck and stay healthy!

Hi, my name is A. and I have 5 girls (4 I birth and 1 step daughter). I think you should let her get the flu shot because everything that is going on right now. My chlidren get it every year because they all have asthma. Once you sstart letting her get it you will feel better.

My family and I do not get any vaccines as we qualify for exemption under state law.

Here is info on the flu shot:
http://drtenpenny.com/the_truth_about_the_flu_Shot.aspx

I was exposed about a month ago to several people with flu-like symptoms, and I began to get the aches & scratchy throat. I took the homeopathic remedy oscillo, and I was 100% four hours later. There is a children's version as well.

http://www.oscillo.com/

IMPO, oscillo and other natural supportive measurea are much better solutions to potential flu than the shot. And the regular flu shot has thimerisol. You can ask for mercury free, but you are still getting the aluminum, formaldehyde/formalin, egg protein, etc. etc.

I hope that helps-
Dr. Alyssa

check out mercola.com
You may have to join to access the archives, but search flu shot and read some of his articles. He is an MD in IL.

Our 2.5 year old got the flu shot last year (I'm a stay-at-home mom, but we go to a lot of play places, and I was pregnant at the time). We didn't have any problems with it. She was able to get one of the Thimerisol (sp?) free vaccines from her pediatrician. We'll all be getting flu shots again this year because we have an infant. Talk to your pediatrician about it, I'm sure they could give you some helpful info. In my opinion the benefits outweigh any risks.

I am a registered nurse and have never had the flu shot. Neither has my husband of 21 years nor our 19 year old son or 15 year old daughter.

Lori K

I do not think there is a right or wrong answer. I say to go with your gut. I am a nurse who has worked in ICU and ER for about 8 years. I have been exposed to many pts. with the flu and I have never come down with the flu. Luck? Perhaps! I just believe in exposure and letting my own immune system take over. The media uses alot of scare tactic and hypes up alot of things just to make some money. Every article you read will have pros and cons to the vaccine. I don't think either one outweighs the the other. This has weighed very heavily on me and I have even cried over which decision is best for my baby. I finally decided that I have never vaccinated myself so I am not going to vaccinate my baby.

My son who is now 21 months got the flu shot when he was 12 months. His doctor recommended it and he only got a mild cold once after so I think it was worth it. I would just do what you think is best.

Like the other responses I would get the flu shot for your child. I know when I take my babies to the PED for their baby wellness check up they encourage the flu shot. Unfortuntely when they are young and haven't had the shot before they have to have two flu shots. The second shot is a booster shot. At first I thought about getting the girls the H1N1 shot but I just read the little ones will have to have 2 shots which would mean they would have 4 flu shots. Plus I have read that the H1N1 has been affecting children over 5 more severely then they younger children. Plus the vaccine is still too new. Sorry, I got off track a little but I would definately get the regular flu shot for your little one. Take care and have a healthy year.

hi D., When my son was that little we never took him to get a flu shot and I'm glad we didn't cause when he was a year old, we found out that my son was allergic to eggs. He still is but if he had gotten the shot, I have no idea what would have happend to him cause you aren't suspose to have on if you have allergies to eggs. Now, I'm not sure what to do about my 3 month old. My husband doesn't want to get him a flu shot until he's older, because he wants to make sure that he's not allergic to eggs. Good Luck on everything. Take care and God Bless you and your family. p.s. I read some of the other reponses and some people said that they got the flu after getting the shot, I have heard of this cause my mom got sick and so did my husband after get the shot but that is the stomach flu you get. The stomach flu and Influenza are differnet. Influenza can be very harmful and even result in death. oh, and just because some of these other people haven't gotten it, doesn't mean they never will.

I personally do not do the flu shot for myself or any of my family for other reasons, but a friend of mine sent the below link to me the other day and it put a whole new perspective on flu shots for me. Now I have NOT verified the info, but you can take it as you wish, as well as anyone else reading, as we ALL have a right to our opinions.

Also note that if you truly go and read about the flu and the H1N1 flu's, the ratio of death from it is very low, as well as most flu bugs there are annually. The flu is just another virus that is out there that it is a 50/50 shot in getting it with or without the shot. I would rather let my immune system handle defending itself verses putting a virus there on purpose. Plus if you read about any type of flu shots it is just an educated guess at what flu strain will be going around and not a guarantee that it will get the one your family might end up with.

I wish you luck in making the decision that is right for your family.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/sardi/sardi119.html

Both of my children have gotten the flu shot and have not had any side effects. Unfortunetly we all got the flu last year except for my 15 month old. I do beleive that if we did not get the shot we would have been a whole lot sicker.

There are too many things parents need to know in order to make an intelligent decision about these things. Most people let the Dr. decide for them or act on uninformed beliefs. It is easy to frighten a parent into doing almost anything if you can get them to believe it will protect their child from a perceived danger. And, no parent wants to believe they made a poor choice for their child. It is the most painful thing a parent ever feels. So, once people have made a choice, one way or the other, we tend to defend it. But, you are a parent who has asked the question and is looking for the truth. So, look for facts, not beliefs.

After many years of studying these things for myself, I would never consider subjecting my child to the toxic and artificial manipulation of their developing immune system, which vaccines provide. But, I also studied how to help the body develop natural defenses and strong cellular functions that maintain a body's natural balance of microbes. I realize that it take a lot for a parent to become well informed. But, I also see the growing number of children with breathing disorders, extraordinary allergies, learning problems, and neurological developmental delays. Many of these have been linked to vaccines by reputable doctors and research scientists. Someone needs to start doing the homework and stop subjecting children to toxins that distort normal development.

I know we need to rely on doctors when in crisis. But, I also have learned that there is a great advantage in learning and making one's own decisions on medical matters whenever possible. Billions of dollars are made each year from vaccines. There is a strong insentive for people in that industry to consider the risks to your child as accetable risks. I do not appreciate the lack of forthcoming information about the truth behind the science and the twisted scare tactics that have been used in the past to insite the masses to buy vaccines.

I would visit Dr. Mercola's website to learn more. There is also trustworthy information at the National Vaccine Information Center. I don't think you will regret learning before you choose. Then, whatever you decide, you will know you did the best you could under the circumstances by making a fully informed decision.

Hello...

I would definitely recommend getting the flu shot for your daughter. There is no harm in it. In fact, most doctors recommend it for young children. I have a 6 month old, a 3 year old and a 4 year old, and they are all scheduled to have their flu shots next Friday. My two oldest had one last year. Be prepared, b/c the doctors will probably want to give your little lady her shot in two doses, about a month apart. That is what they are going to with my little guy. Also, FYI your little one will be old enough for the H1N1 flu shot when it becomes available in October! Good luck this flu season!

i personally wont ever get my kids a flu shot! but that is just me personally. they just scare me to death. i tend to try and tread in the more natural side of things, but i am not an anti-vac person. as far as the flu shot goes though, no way. they have to change those every year and i just dont trust something that has been studied less then a year to inject into my child.

I know I'm in the minority on this, but I did & didn't get the shot. (My daughter is a FT daycare child too.)

Year #1, I (hesitantly) let my daughter get it, and that night, she threw up in bed. She never had any negative reaction to any of her vaccinations, but the flu shot got her sick. She did recover the next day.

Year #2, I said no, and I had no problems at all with her getting sick.

I have NEVER gotten a flu shot, and I'm 52 years old and have never had the flu. I think it's your decision and frankly, how strong you think your genes are. No one in my family has ever gotten the flu. Maybe we're good hand washers or something like that.

Hi D.! I know there are a lot of people that don't like any of the "extra" vaccinations, and until I had my own children, I never got he flu shot. But I will be getting flu shots for both of my daughters this year. My 2.5 year old had the flu two times when she was a baby- before she got the shot, but after she got the shot did't have the flu again. She did not have any side effects at all. I was pregnant with my second daughter last year when it was time for shots and the pediatrician and my ob-gyn both insisted that the whole family get them. Again, no side effects and no more flu!

my daughters' are 2 and 7 and will be getting the flu shot, they havent had no reactions to it. but they will not be getting the swine flu shot.

I get the flu shots for all 3 children they never had a side effect,my son never gets sick 2 ear infections slight colds and seasonal allergies my daughter she seem's to catch a cold every now and then ear infections and she'll throwup a few times a day when she does get sick my baby is 6 m and will get her shot she was hospitalized for a week shen she was 2 m old so I want to protect her as much as I can.It's not alway's possible to stay home everday to avoid illness but staying at home is when we're ill.I don"t think it's a bad idea ther are therimosal free and her being in daycare she will be at a greater risk for catching it or something like it.

I personally don't get the flu shot or have my son get it. I even run a home daycare.... I just figure the flu is the flu. You're gonna be sick a couple days! It's the MMR and Hep. shots and all the others that you NEED to get! Now if I can find a pnemonia and bronchitius shot I'll be all over that. My son had pnemonia, bronchitius and rsv at 2 months old(in a daycare center)and now at 2 yrs old he doesn't get through the season without getting 1 or both. My friend is a teacher and as far as I know she still gets the flu shot. But she feels the symptoms after getting the shot without being contagious. Hope others give you more advice to help with your decision.

My son was born in May and got his first flu shot that Nov., as soon as he was old enough. He has gotten one every year since then and is going Sat for the nasal mist (1st time for this). We have never had any problem, it wasn't as bad as some of the other shots that he's had (as far as soreness or crankyness). Daycare will provide you with lots of illness, I promise you'll be sicker than you ever have just by them bringing it home, the flu is not something you want to add to that, plus the flu is dangerous in young children. Good luck!!

I have had my children vaccinated since they were old enough to receive the flu shot. I highly recommend it, as the flu can sometimes be deadly for small children, and being in daycare, they pass EVERYTHING around. I do suggest that when you call your pediatrician to schedule the shot, be sure to ask for the flu vaccine without thimerosol (a preservative that has mercury in it.) Our pediatrician always obliges the request when I make it.

YES! YES! YES! Have her get the shot. Infants, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are the most at risk.
Also, one mom wrote about not getting vaccines---do not heed her advice. It is because of vaccines that many horrible diseases no longer exist in the U.S. It is far more detrimental for a child to get an illness than to get the vaccine. A small poke and a few tears beats the risk of watching your child suffer an avoidable disease and/or burying your child.
I say definitely go for the shot!
Have a great day!
K.

Hi D., I have never gotten my kids a flu shot, and my husband I don't get them either. My kids have always gont to daycare or preschool and now are both in "big" school. Neither have ever had the flu. I have not had the flu in 12 or 15 years (I was in college the last time I had it). It's been at least that long for my husband also, and he works on life support equiment and is in hospitals all the time. We wash our hands a lot (with regular soap, not antibactial) and just practice good hygen. I had talked to our kids doctor about it and even he said that he thought it was better to teach your kids good habits like washing your hands a lot then the shot. And even if you do get the flu shot, it does not prevent all strains of the flu.

So, I would suggest talking to your doctor about it and see what they think are the pros and cons. I know that I even turned one down when my youngest was a baby and there was a shortage and doctors were only getting a small number of the shots. She was a preemie so the doctor had a dose for her (all preemies got one that year). I passed it up and he has never given me a hard time about it.

Good luck!!