Help! Pediatrician Just Called; Recommending Flu Shots for Kids

[legs22]

Posted by mickeysaver:

As for the fact that the Type A Influenza isn't matched well in the vaccine this year, yeah, it's true. The Type B was matched much better. The Type A that is included in the vaccine will still cause the body to produce some antibodies that should be useful to an extent in warding off the Type A Influenza that is making the rounds.

Posted by jwsqrdplus2:

I hate to dissuade people from doing things that help their children, but isn't this year's flu shot Type B?? Meaning that it would have little to no impact against the Type A that is going around?

Posted by Hipporina:

Another note to the negative side. We have decided not to get the flu shot for any of us this year either because it is in a large part not effective against the strain that is going around this year.

From the CDC website:

Laboratory Surveillance*: During week 47, WHO and NREVSS laboratories reported 3,138 specimens tested for influenza viruses, and 1,076 (34.3%) were positive. Of these, 136 were influenza A(H3N2) viruses, 934 were influenza A viruses that were not subtyped, and 6 were influenza B viruses.

Since September 28, WHO and NREVSS laboratories have tested a total of 14,933 specimens for influenza viruses and 3,337 (22.3%) were positive. Among the 3,337 influenza viruses, 3,326 (99.7%) were influenza A viruses and 11 (0.3%) were influenza B viruses. Seven hundred fifty-one (23%) of the 3,326 influenza A viruses have been subtyped; 741 (98.7%) were influenza A (H3N2) viruses and 10 (1.3%) were A (H1) viruses.

Antigenic Characterization: CDC has antigenically characterized 108 influenza A (H3N2) viruses collected by U.S. laboratories since October 1 and found that 19 (18%) were similar antigenically to the vaccine strain A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2), and 89 (82%) were similar to the drift variant, A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2). The A/Fujian strain predominated in Australia and New Zealand during the recent Southern Hemisphere influenza season and is a drift variant related to the vaccine strain, A/Panama/2007/99. Antibodies produced against the vaccine virus cross-react with A/Fujian/411/2002-like viruses, but at a lower level than against A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2). Vaccine effectiveness depends, in part, on the match between vaccine strains and circulating viruses and cannot be determined by laboratory testing. Although vaccine effectiveness against A/Fujian/411/2002-like viruses may be less than that against A/Panama/2007/99-like viruses, it is expected that the current U.S. vaccine will offer some cross-protective immunity against the A/Fujian/411/2002-like viruses and reduce the severity of disease.

Influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and influenza B strains are included in each year’s influenza vaccine.

 

[Lanshark]

Just called my pediatrician in the Marietta, GA area and they are definitely recommending it for kids this year. We'll all be going to Krogrer tomorrow for 12:00 to 4:00 to get the shot.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Well, I had my flu shot this morning. On the drive home I called the pediatrician and asked about DS. She mentioned that if there are any medical issues, the kids should most likely have it, but it's up to the parent's preference. Being DS is diabetic, he's definitely getting it now! His appointment is scheduled for this evening.

 

[caseylouandtyler2]

My DD gets one every year, she has heart defects and the shot is pretty much a MUST. At her physicals the pediatrician puts her name on "high risk" list. As soon as they receive the vaccines I get a phone call to have her vaccinated.

This year my DS10mos. received the vaccine. He didn't even flinch. He didn't notice he got the shot.

It is recommended that all family members living with a high risk individual get this shot.


DD hasn't had the flu only colds, so far the shot has only helped our family. And We will get them every year.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

guess I should get one since I'm back with the catering firm for a holiday job(plus being the sister to a asthmaic and girlfriend of another,but DBf has a milder form and has not bothered him for sometime)

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I called the pediatrician today and the nurse sounded rather exasperated that I even asked if they were recommending flu shots! Then when she asked the doctor (she didn't know if they were recommending them or not) she came back and said it was up to me, but even if I wanted them they didn't have enough in until next week, so to call then!
Maybe I should check the schedule at MY Kroger and save myself the trouble!
Robin M.

 

[Oh Kay!]

I am so glad to have caught this thread. I scheduled an appointment for my two boys. The Ped. recommends flu shots for everyone. Thank you starting the thread susannen.

 

[Lorix2]

Just some info for next year....most health care facilities set up their own flu clinics in November. In fact, we couldn't make appt's for myself and my DH to have the shots in the dr's office until the clinic dates were done (2 weekends in a row). I think it took all of 2 minutes for both of us, it was great. We were able to have the kids done in the dr's office though.

So...I marked my calendar in mid-October as a reminder to schedule the flu shots for next year as well.

 

[suzannen]

Lorix2,
That's actually a really good idea. I'm going to go mark my calendar for next year right now.

Meanwhile, as I get ready to leave to take my DD for her shot, my co-worker just got a call from her pediatrician. Her 8 year old DD was supposed to go tomorrow for her 2nd shot, but like others here, they've run out and will notify her when they get more in. It's all very confusing isn't it?

 

[mtemm]

I'm getting confused about the second shot you all are talking about. Last year Daniel got his first flu shot and we were told he would need 2 that year, a month apart, but after that only one shot every year. My sister in MD told me the same thing. We've moved and have a new ped and they say the same thing...even at 21 months he only needs 1 shot because only the first year they get it do they need 2.

 

[suzannen]

mtemm,
I was told if your child is under 8 years old, he/she would need two shots for the first year only. After that and after age 9, it's only the one shot. I believe several here have mentioned the two shots because it is the first time their kids are being vaccinated and they are under 9.

 

[Lorix2]

Oh, sorry, I should have clarified. Thanks suzannen.

This IS the first year my kids got the flu shot and my youngest being under 9, needed to get the double shot. I was told next year he'd only need one.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Should I get one with my job?

 

[Mskanga]

Children under the age of 9 get two shots only the first time they get the flu shot, after that it's only one shot.

 

[Mskanga]

Originally posted by CourtasanSatine
Should I get one with my job?

I don't know what you do , but I work in the school and with so many kids and germs going around, I got it this year for the first time in my life. Let's see how it works, all I know for now is that the shot didn't kill me or make me sick.

 

[Planogirl]

We've already had the flu here and I would recommend getting the shot if you can. Our pediatrician did say that there are two strains going around, one that normally lasts just a few days and one that is much worse. DS was sick for about 5 days so I don't know which strain he had. We would still like to get him a shot but the doctor won't allow it until he has been over the flu for a period of time.

Has anyone heard any recommendations for adults?

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I'm waiting tables over break from school,my sister is asthmatic and DBF has a milder form

 

[Lorix2]

Courtasan-I am a server too and even if my DD didn't have asthma, I'd still get the shot. We touch dirty napkins, silverware, glasses, plates, bus buckets, rags, etc...we interact with alot of germs on our shifts! We probably encounter more bacteria than the kids do at school

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Lorix: I'm working lunches at a pizza place near the mall,it's just for break and it should be fun(college type place)

 

[Lorix2]

That does sound fun