4 wks before cruise...flu shot or no flu shot??

[missmulan]

i need advice! i don't want my kids to get sick after the shot as i heard you can get sick from it.

 

[momof3luvs2run]

my son got it a few weeks ago. He didn't get sick from it at all. He qualified for the shot because of health reasons. The rest of the family did not though. So we couldn't get it.

I don't think you would have to worry about him getting sick for the cruise, since it is 4 weeks away.

 

[missmulan]

my son has health problems too...that's what scares me because he might get sick from the shot itself.

 

[momof3luvs2run]

I hear you -- it made me very nervous putting another shot into him. Good luck to you guys. And have fun on your trip!!!

 

[momto2dkids]

I don't think you have much to worry about regarding the flu shot giving your child the flu since the shots are made with a killed virus and thus can not cause the actual flu. The shots can however cause other symptoms that can be similar to flu i.e. soreness/ aches.

I have a 1 year old DD who does have some minor health problems, who was unable to get the flu shot last season because of her age at the time. New CDC recommendations are that child under nine who have never been vaccinated against the flu before two shots a month apart. Based on this, my DD received both shots. Neither gave her any problems.

After last years flu seasons and the number of deaths in otherwise healthy children I fear more about my child acquiring flu from someone else (siblings, playmates) and having major complications and even death from that than from the shot itself.

All that being said, you know your child best. Talk with your child's doctor and express your concerns. I'm sure that you both will come up with the plan that is right for your child.

Have a great cruise!

 

[budwmn]

My DS age 8 has had the flu shot every year due to asthma. He's never had any reaction other than a sore arm for a couple of days. My advice: get the shot and consider yourself lucky that your kids are protected!

 

[TLHB70]

How is this possible.........for you to get your kids the shot? I had an appointment for my two dds (ages 6 and 9) to get the shot a couple of weeks ago for that very reason. I wanted them protected before/for our cruise. However, with this shortage in flu shots this year our pediatrician cancelled the appointment. Since my girls aren't considered "high risk" they cannot get the shot. My whole family is going on board this weekend without the shot.

 

[Threehearts]

I believe these children fit the reqirements(asthma etc.) for the flu shot. I am on chemotherapy and there is not enough vaccine in MD for me to get the shot. I am hopeful that flu shots really will only be given to those who meet the CDC requirements since many of us who are high risk are going without. Threehearts

 

[TLHB70]

Oh yes, I agree that my children are not at high risk and should not get the shots in this case. I made their flu shot appointment many, many months ago when I found out that we would be cruising during flu season, before the flu shot shortage was even announced. (I scheduled the appointment for 2 1/2 weeks before our cruise which ended up being a couple of weeks ago.) I understand why the appointment was cancelled and why my girls cannot get the shot. They aren't high risk. My question was really in general. How can there be a question of should I get the shot before the cruise or not when there is little chance to get the shot at all?

 

[kaceyisme]

My son gets the shot every year due to his asthma. He has never gotten any reaction from it other than a sore arm. Definitely get the shot for them if they are high risk! By the way, it takes two weeks for the shot to take effect and protect you from the flu.

 

[momof3luvs2run]

my 8 yo son just finished up two years of chemo treatment for relapsed leukemia. That is why he met the requirements for the shot. We were all supposed to get it -- but because of the change in rules with the shortage, we could not. The clinics can be fined for giving it to anyone but those meeting the CDC requirements.

 

[SuzPasq]

I'd skip it. Flu shots have mercury and you really don't want to pump that into your children's systems. Furthermore, the flu vaccines only cover one or two strains of the flu, so there's no guarantee you or your kids would avoid it just because you had the vaccine.

 

[babysharknc]

I work in a public health dept. I would highly recommend that your child get a flu shot provided that the child meets the CDC guidelines. It is a myth that you get sick from the flu shot. The flu shot is a dead virus it cannot make you sick. Anyone who has gotten sick after the shot is only because they had contact with a live cold virus. Peak flu season starts around the Middle to end of December. Florida usually peaks around January. Last years flu season was unusually early.

Bottom line if your child meets the guidelines go get one. If your child is otherwise healthy forgo the shot and enjoy your vacation!!

Hope this helps.
Babysharknc

 

[lovinlife]

I just had my DD10 & DD5 for check-ups yesterday. They are healthy children who are not eligable for the flu shots. I on the other hand am on the priortity list to receive one (has not come in yet). The pediatrician said they could give my girls the flu mist which is a live vaccine (the shot is a dead vaccine) that is squirted up the nose. I declined it because my rheumatologist said that niether myself nor my children should receive it because it is live. (and I am high risk) it is easier to get sick from it, especially me. So now I am just praying (and encouraging LOTS of hand washing!) that we all stay healthy. We leave on Tues for AKL than the Magic on 11/13

 

[momto2dkids]

lovinlife-

I would check with MedImmune directly, the actual makers of Flumist. I have a DD (1) who fits into the high risk catergory this year for a couple of reason: 1. her age, 2. minor health problems. My DS 5 was able to check the flu shot about 2 weeks before the shortage was accounced. My older DD however was in school at the time of that appointment and wasn't able to get it. Their doctor recommended she get the FluMist, which is indeed a live, but weakened virus. When I asked how it would effect my DD(1) since she wasn't suppose to get the FluMist he wasn't sure.

I called MedImmune and after being on hold and passed around, finally was able to speak with a very nice doctor at MedImmune. She basically told me that the virus is so weakened that unless someone in your house is supremely immunocompromised (she said most in that category are already in isolation) that it shouldn't be a problem.



If you decide to check- make sure you check with MedImmune-not FluMist. When I asked them, I was given the run around to ask my doctor. When I told them my doctor wasn't sure either and that's why I was calling, they told me that it SHOULD be ok. I just kept pressing for someone who would know the answer. That's when they put me in touch with the doctor at MedImmune.


Edited to add: I just reread your post, since you already had your specialist (Rheumatologist), then I would go with them. Hopefully he/she knows more about the Flumist then many of the doctors. I really think Flumist needs to educate those that dispenseing Flumist better. I am sure there are many homes where one or two members are eligible to receive the Flumist, but also have member who should not get it. Flumist should be clearer with if it is still ok it that circumstance.

 

[missmulan]

Hi! I'm the original poster and i've decided that my little boy (almost 5) will be getting the flu shot tomorrow morning. i asked about his sister and the nurse said the doctor didn't think she was high risk enough. they actually went thru their files and called each of the high risk patients...so they called about my son, not daughter. that was nice i thought! hopefully he won't get too much of a reaction. poor child went thru extensive skin & allergy testing a week ago. now a flu shot...whew...too much for a kid to go thru!

 

[jenjersnap]

Originally posted by SuzPasq
I'd skip it. Flu shots have mercury and you really don't want to pump that into your children's systems. Furthermore, the flu vaccines only cover one or two strains of the flu, so there's no guarantee you or your kids would avoid it just because you had the vaccine.

Actually, Aventis Pasteur, makers of the only injected flu vax out there, does make a thimerosal (mercury-based preservative) free version. It makes up only 10% of the total doses available; however, because it costs more we've found that availability of it is actually *higher* in our part of the world. I would highly recommend it. There's no way I would give my child the high mercury shot, since it has - depending on your child's weight - something like 10 to 25 times what the EPA recommends as the maximum dosage of mercury. I am no expert, by any means, but that scares me and we gave our kids the merc-free shot.

The merc-free has the same name as the mercury filled one. The mercury containing one is .5ml dose in multi-vial packages. The merc-free is .25ml in a single dose. You can check the vial that is being injected for yourself to make sure.

 

[momof3luvs2run]

re the flu mist. Our Children's oncology clinic has signs posted all over the place telling parents NOT to get the flu mist for their child because it is live. I even pulled my son out of school last year because there were kids in his class who had the flu mist.

 

[momof3luvs2run]

definately not "pumping" mercury into our children with the flu shot. You may want to read up on that!! Also, I prefer to go with the advice of oncologists and my child's pediatrician re whether we should be giving our immune compromise child this shot or not. KWIM?

 

[SuzPasq]

Actually, Aventis Pasteur, makers of the only injected flu vax out there, does make a thimerosal (mercury-based preservative) free version. It makes up only 10% of the total doses available; however, because it costs more we've found that availability of it is actually *higher* in our part of the world. I would highly recommend it. There's no way I would give my child the high mercury shot, since it has - depending on your child's weight - something like 10 to 25 times what the EPA recommends as the maximum dosage of mercury. I am no expert, by any means, but that scares me and we gave our kids the merc-free shot.

The merc-free has the same name as the mercury filled one. The mercury containing one is .5ml dose in multi-vial packages. The merc-free is .25ml in a single dose. You can check the vial that is being injected for yourself to make sure.>

I decided to go with a general answer regarding mercury since, from my experience, most people don't know much about it. I'm very familiar with all types of vaccines.