Flu Shot Poll

[Pixiedust34]

We switched to a new pediatrician this year and he recommends the flu shot. This is something I've been thinking about doing for the past couple of years but due to the shortages then I didn't get around to taking the kids in for shots at that time.

Next week, the kids have an appt. to get their cholesterol checked, and while there they have the chance to get the flu shot or the flu mist. I'm leaning toward the shot instead of the mist.

I'm curious as to what other parents have decided regarding the flu shot and/or flu mist.

 

[pperfectmom]

I don't do it because I see it as unneccesary for otherwise healthy people. Also it is the one vaccine that still uses thimerasol as a preservative.

 

[ckay87]

We are not in an at-risk group so I feel that it is unnecessary for us as well. Let someone "at risk" have ours. I've never had the flu in 37 years.

 

[laurie31]

I did the mist for my girls last year. We haven't decided what to do this year, but if they get the vaccine, it will be the mist. (that goes for me too!)

Kids do have to be over 5 to get the mist, so it's not an option for younger children.

 

[mommy*RN]

As DH and I both work in healthcare and have seen what the flu does to kids we do vaccinate. I actually would prefer not too and spare my kids the shot, but I do it to protect my kids. Here is what the CDC says about the thimerosal in the flu vaccine:

Is there an influenza vaccine that does not contain thimerosal as a preservative available this flu season (2006-07)?
At the current time, sanofi pasteur is projecting that 8 million to 9 million doses of thimerosal-free vaccine in pre-filled syringes or vials will be produced for the 2006-07 influenza season. The majority of this vaccine will be in 0.25 mL syringes (indicated for ages 6-35 months) with the remainder in 0.5 mL vials or syringes (indicated for ages 36 months and older). In addition, GlaxoSmithKline’s influenza vaccine for adults 18 years of age and older is preservative-free vaccine and Novartis (formerly Chiron) has a preservative-free preparation for persons 4 years of age and older. Also, the nasal-spray influenza vaccine (sold commercially as FluMist®) does not contain any thimerosal and can be given to healthy people 5 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

As a peds nurse I am SUPPOSED to recommended it per the CDC guidelines, however it is my belief that each parent should make their own educated choices. My recommendation is to do the research and base your decision on that. Good luck to all this influenza season! Last year we in WI were lucky and didn't see many cases at all...I'm hoping for the same this year!

 

[Bob Slydell]

We get the shot for both our boys -- our 6 year old because of his past history of asthma and our little one because he's, well, a little guy.

 

[debster812]

DS gets the flu shot as he is asthmatic. However, each winter his symptoms have been less and less, and his pediatrician said if we have no episodes this winter, he may skip the shot for him next year. He is 9

 

[golfgal]

Our kids will get the flu shot because of their asthma. I get one because I am their mom so that puts me in a 'high risk' group of being around people that aren't supposed to get the influenza AND I have had the influenza and I NEVER want it again. I would rather go through childbirth without medication then get influenza again! DH doesn't get a flu shot because he is a big baby .

The needle is REALLY small, you can't even feel it go in and I am a needle baby.

 

[wdwmom2]

My children have never had a flu shot, ages 15 and 22.

If you guys don't see me posting for a while, it's probably because I went over the edge. I work for a pedi, and if one more person calls me or any co-worker a liar and starts using 4 letter words and worse when we tell them that we haven't received our federal flu vaccine supply, I am going to totally lose it ! Seriously, we have no control when it arrives.

OK, I feel better now .

 

[chasbos]

Nobody in our family has or will ge the flu shot.

We are all healthy and getting sick once a year is not a bad thing - that is how you build an immunity system, IMO.

Now, we have never had anything worse than the 24 hour flu. So it just seems to be a waste to us.

 

[kilee]

I work for a pediatrician too. He too only gives it to high risk patient's. I've never gotten one and I do have asthma. I'm always sick this time of year (like right now) and you cannot get it while sick.

 

[powellrj]

I know that people swear the flu shot doesn't give you the flu, but I will never believe it. The only 2 times I have ever had the flu in 47 years were the 2 years I had flu shots. I had little 24 hour bugs before, but both times these were the full blown, fever chills, body aches and missed work kind of sick. The shots were more than 10 years apart because after the 1st time I thought it was all in my mind, after the 2nd time I swore I would never have another one.

DS #1 is in the army and he has to get and give them every year. He remembers the years of the flu shots and while he says you don't get the flu from the shots he can't explain why I only get the flu on shot years.

 

[golfgal]

Nobody in our family has or will ge the flu shot.

We are all healthy and getting sick once a year is not a bad thing - that is how you build an immunity system, IMO.

Now, we have never had anything worse than the 24 hour flu. So it just seems to be a waste to us.

The influenza is not the 24 hour bowl type flu, it is a respiratory illness with a high fever, severe body aches and other respiratory symptoms that last anywhere from a week to two weeks, believe me, you DON'T want to get this! Now, I agree, for normally healthy people getting the influenza isn't life threatening usually but OH BOY is it a horrible thing to have.

 

[Beth76]

I don't know yet. I've never had the flu shot and I've never had the flu. I honestly don't remember what I did last year for the boys. I know the year before I had to fight my ped to get my older son a shot because that was the year of the shortage and my little son wasn't old enough for it. We're generally very healthy so I'm thinking we may forgo the shot unless my ped really recommends it. At ages 2 and 5, my sons have each only thrown up once from a little 24 hour virus. Other than that they only get runny noses and an occasional low fever **knock on wood**

 

[DaisyD]

We all get the flu shot every year. The only one high risk is DH. Our Board of Ed got the flumist for all elementary students this year so DD got hers free. The Flumist has been shown to be more effective on children. DD loved not having to get a shot. DH and I got our shots today.

 

[AKLRULZ]

My kiddos have an appointment tomorrow for the shots.

 

[caitycaity]

i don't have kids, but i get the shot for me when there is not a shortage and it is available. i have had influenza multiple times as a child and once as an adult and let me tell you it is just about the most miserable thing i can think of.

because of my experience(s) with the flu when i was little, i will definitely get the flu vaccine for any kids i might have.

 

[Pigeon]

I think the flu shot is ridiculous for healthy people. Every year we get endless hype about how everyone should get the shot. Then there is the inevitable shortage, and we get endless hype about how the shot isn't really all that important. So no, we don't get the flu shot.

 

[mefordis]

I don't do it because I see it as unneccesary for otherwise healthy people. Also it is the one vaccine that still uses thimerasol as a preservative.

No way. I am against putting unnecessary drugs in my children and my family's bodies. Especially, as said, it does still contain thimerasol and God knows what else -- just about all vaccinations contain cancer containing aluminum.

I hope everyone reads up before giving to their children. It doesn't even cover all strains of the flu!