Flu Shot??? Yes or No??

[ckmommy]

Let me start by saying that I have never gotten the shot. My kids have never gotten the shot either. I am wondering how effective it is and do you think that it is worth it? My DH thinks that we should not get it because by getting the flu, our immune system gets stronger. I agree with him, but we our in a flu outbreak at our house at the present moment and I am tried of cleaning up vomit. If the shot will prevent the war with the bucket, I am all for it!! So, what are your thoughts....

BTW, my kids are 7, 5, 2, 2, and 1.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Parkhopper]

DS11 has asthma so he has gotten a flu shot every year since he was small. DH and I have always gotten one to show him that it is a good thing and it is not "punishment" for having asthma. Last year was the only year that DS got a shot that we didn't because I just didn't feel right about taking a shot away from someone who may have needed it more last year when there were shortages.

Suzi

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Here's a link which explains flu shot facts.

http://my.webmd.com/hw/cold_and_flu/hw122163.asp


I get a flu shot every year because I am a hospital nurse. My elderly mother gets one also. My kids got one on the recommendation of my doctors the year I had chemo so they didn't transmit flu to me.

It's a personal decision - educate yourself to the facts and then decide. As for your kids, what does your pediatrician recommend?

A GI bug that you see with vomiting and diarrhea is not what is considered the "flu" so getting the shot probably won't prevent that this winter (handwashing is key to prevention here). True influenza can (and does) kill which is why they offer the shots. Your husband is thinking more of the common cold which is different.

 

[pozey]

I usually get a shot each year, as do each of my children.

I can't recall the last time any of us had the flu.......(knock on wood...)

 

[lovemygoofy]

I got my flu shot this morning because I have asthma and severe upper respitory problems. For me I can begin with the flu and finish with pneumonia.

 

[Bob Slydell]

DS gets one each year because of his asthma. DW gets one the past couple years because she's a Hodgkin's survivor. DS2 will get one once he's past 6 months old.

And I've never gotten one in the past, but will probably get one this year so that I don't pass on anything to the rest of the family.

 

[puffkin]

My DH used to get the shot every year because he is type I diabetic. He always got sick every year, though probably not a full blown case of the flu. Definitely sick enough to miss work a few days.

The past few years, he hasn't gotten the shot, and hasn't gotten sick at all. I am not sure if that is a coincidence or not, but he isn't planning on getting the flu shot again. I have never had the flu or the shot (I very rarely get any type of cold/stomach bug).

 

[minniecarousel]

I haven't had the flu shot for several years now. (We used to get them at work.) My 88 year-old mother got her shot yesterday. Last year's hysteria and long lines almost resulted in her not getting it, but we found a way. For her, since she has been getting the fly shot every year, I'd hate to have her go without. I think it's a real "toss-up" for healthy people to receive the flu shot. It's such a personal decision.

 

[cl1067]

I never had gotten the shot or had my kids get them until the year DD1 was in 1st grade and got both Influenza A and B. First she got B and strep missed 4 days of school, went back to school for 4 days and then got A which she gave to both me and my husband. At the time DD2 was a year old and I was working in public accounting and this was February. So I was trying to take care of a houseful of sick people and still work an insane amount of hours...after that we started getting the shot.

 

[catherine]

I have been out in the community today doing flu shots, so I have just been reading info regarding the latest research. An Italian study concluded that flu shots have little effect in reducing flu and pneumonia cases in the community and may only be useful for people living in care homes!

I will be getting a flu shot as I'm in contact with people who have flu. DH will be getting one because he has respiratory problems. However DD's 7 and 11 won't be having one.

 

[4nana]

YES!

DH and I started getting the flu shot a few yrs back and will both get one tomorrow. I keep telling myself we are seniors now and need to be more precautious . I have a compromised immune system, where most colds used to turn into bronchitis, which I could count on twice a year . Plus we enjoy helping with our grands often and also do P/T day care. Call it karma or whatever, but since we've been getting the flu shots, thankfully we very rarely even get a cold!!!!!

 

[justjulie]

Yes - my whole family gets the flu shot - my boys are 9 and 14.

 

[MizBlu]

I've never got a flu shot because I'm fatalistic enough to believe I'd be the one to get the "bad" batch so I'd go from being a healthy 51 year old who can survive the flu to a dead 51 year old who was felled by the shot.

 

[hugsquared]

Yes, I'm a nurse and feel like with all I'm exposed to, I need it. Did you say your family already has the flu? Too late now. It takes a good month for the vaccine to "take hold". If you got the shot today and exposed tomorrow, you will more than likely get the flu. Thats why they start pushing it early before flu season really starts...although it sounds like your family it the first on the block to get the new toy (sorry). Hope everyone feels better and the bucket brigade stopes.

 

[ckmommy]

Boy, I had always thought the vomitting was a sure sign of the FLU. I guess if the shot does not prevent the vomit bug from entering my house, I may for go the shot. My kids are all healthy (well not right now, but for the most part). I guess I will talk to our Pedi. about it in a month.

Pea-n-me, any idea what vomiting about every other day for 8 days might be? My DS5 has this. Hs seems really OK, then runs to the bathroom. He told me last night that he is a "pattern"--vomit, don't vomit, vomit,........

 

[KelNottAt]

Nope. DH, DS13, DD11, and myself have never had the flu shot. We're not in any high risk or recommended groups. It's even given out free at my office, but I still decline because I'd rather someone who really needs it get "my" dose.

Oh, and we've never had the flu, either. (fingers crossed, knock on wood...)

 

[shortbun]

Yes-we will get flu shots.
DS has had official influenza twice in the last three years. Awful!
I had the flu shot and did not get it from him.

 

[BARBARAAPPLE]

MY DAUGHTER WENT FOR A PHYSICAL LAST FRIDAY AND THE FIRST WORD OUT OF THE DR MOUTH WAS SHE NEEDS TO HAVE A FLU SHOT ...

SHE IS 12 WITH ASTHMA

SHE WAS NOT HAPPY FOR THE REST OF THE DAY SHE THOUGHT I HAD ALREADY PLANNED IT BEFORE WE GOT THERE

 

[debster812]

DS is getting his today actually. He is 8 with slight asthma, and his doctor and PNP reccommend it each year.

DH and I did not get them last year due to the critical shortages, and we'll see what this year brings.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

No, not necessary..we are healthy, so not in any of the at risk groups. I do not feel they are not needed for those outside those groups.