My husband and I are struggling with our decision on getting flu shots for our kids. I am very torn. I know the likelihood of something detrimental happening because of this shot (they have had them in the past) is small, but i am in a state of worry about vaccines right now. I just keep thinking the flu isn't a devastating illness (my kids are healthy) so maybe the risk of putting this stuff in their bodies isn't worth it. Then again thinking of them with the flu for a week and how miserable that is makes me think i will regret that i could have done something to prevent it. I am so glad they have had most of their other vaccines and I am not having to make that choice. I keep going back and forth and so does my husband. Any thoughts? advice?
Typically what people object to in vaccines are the preservatives. Most flu shots have preservatives; my pedi told me they make them without, but most pedis don't get them due to cost. The flu mist is a good alternative if you want a vaccine without the preservative, it's preservative free.
I just saw a show on TV talking about the flu shot. The flu kills over 200,000 people each year in the U.S.. I have ALWAYS gotten my kids the flu shot (they are 3 & 5) and just feel that it is a little thing I can do to preserve their health. My doctor (Katz in Plano) carries the flu shot without the preservatives and will give it in place of the regular when requested. If that is your concern, ask your dr. if he does the same.
Good luck!!
According to our school nurse, the flu shot doesn't have the "side effect" of making you sick anymore. I know that I used to worry about them getting sick from the vaccine itself. But she set my mind at ease, and we took both our kids to the doctor last week for their shots.
Good Luck,
M. L
Well, I read parts of the other posts and for me have never gotten the flu shot and neither have my children. This week, my lil' one has the flu. I think I had it, but recovered in about one day and my two year old is fine too. The important thing is to watch for dehydration and pneumonia type side effects. GO to www.askdrsears.com for more details on what to watch for. People get the flu every day and I am sure someone out there has died, and that would be devastating, but really, when I went in this week, the nurse told me that there have been lots of flu shot failures so they think there are two strands of the virus this year (don't we hear that every year??). Vaccines are a personal issue and really comes down to your circumstances (health, fears, etc.). I don't care for the scare tactics....dying is a reality everyday just when getting in your car, but people do it everyday. Do what your instincts tell you; they are a gift from God.
I get mine every year and have got the shot for my son since he's been around. We get ours at Trinity Pharmacy in Carrollton because they carry kid doses (infants too) and the preservative free kind. Well worth it.
Sorry this is so late, but I wanted to reply. The flu shot does not prevent the flu! People are under the misconception that it does, but it does not. There are so many different strands of the virus, it is impossible to vaccinate for the one that will be going around. Besides, the reason you should NEVER get the flu shot is a big one... The flu shot is laced with aluminum and mercury and has been linked to alzhiemer's disease. Every shot is suppose to increase your risk of getting alzhiemer's by 5 times. Scary! I'm a doctor so I know these things. The media just uses reverse psychology and says, "Oh, we have a shortage of the flu vaccine this year!" Yeah, right! I've never had the flu shot, and never gotten the flu. It is based on your own immune system, whether or not you get the flu. Also, there is no such thing as "mercury free" vaccines. They may say that, but it is impossible, because the vaccines have to have shelf life and it take mercury to do it. Godd luck with your decision, I hope I caught you in time.
I agree 100% with Karen. The flu may not just be a one week inconvenience. I recently saw something on the Today Show about a little girl's parents who did not give the flu shot because it was not available (due to the shortage I think last year) and her daughter was hospitalized and ended up dying. I am not saying this to be mean, I am just telling you what I saw. My 5yo had never received it until this year due to her being allergic to eggs (the shot has egg proteins in it) but her Dr. suggested she get it this year since she is in school. My kids wash their hands alot but you never know what they will pick up in school, the store etc.... You will make the right decision for you and your children. I personally made the decision to go for it. I have not heard much debate about the flu shot but I don't know that it would be worth it to not get it unless of course your kids all stay at home. Good luck with your decision.
The tongue is a powerful tool. If you are thinking about your family getting the flu, they will. You have to think, "We don't get sick in the (say your last name) house and really mean it. If you say this and really feel in your core that your family is going to get it, your family will get it. Therefore, your faith will reveal how you really feel and will manifest.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that the flu isn't a devastating illness. The flu can be life-threatening, especially for certain high risk groups. Even though your kids are healthy and not considered high risk, the benefits of getting a flu shot may outweigh the risk. Here's a little info I found: The flu shot does not contain live virus - it is an inactivated vaccine given by injection. Another option is the FluMist vaccine, which can be given to children over age 5. The FluMist vaccine contains a weakened live flu virus. These weakened strains usually do not cause illness because they have lost strength, but they can sometimes cause the flu. The decision is yours, of course! The WebMD site has alot of good info (http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/default.htm).
Hi S.,
1) You're right; most of the time the flu is just a nasty inconvenience for a week or so. However, any virus can be devestating if it ends up in the heart, lungs, liver, etc. and the body's immune system is not able to defeat it. Unfortunately, I know this first hand because my 8 year old son died from liver failure caused by a virus almost two years ago. That was an illness that the rest of the family will NEVER recover from.
2) I agree with you on the distrust of vaccines. That's why my husband, myself and my remaining son use a product that supports our immune system instead. We have not had to see a doctor for anything more than a yearly physical in the last 2.5 years. I just wish we had discovered this product long before the virus struck my older son. Maybe he would have been better equipped to fight it.
3) Email or call me if you'd like more info on what we're using. Good luck...I know it's a big decision!
____@____.com
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I would get your childs flu shots this year.
I recently learned after my daughters Pre-school started coming down with MRSA (staph infections) that a child who had MRSA then caught the flu and died.
The doctors said if the child had never caught the flu, he wouldn't have died because his immune system would have been stronger to fight the MRSA.
MRSA is going around like crazy right now so definitely get the shots if you're able.
Also, like another mom said it doesn't 100% prevent them from catching the flu BUT it will make the flu less severe if they were to still catch it.
My kids have always gotten their shots since 18 mnths and up and never caught the flu afterwards.
It never hurts to be extra safe. Even if they're healthy, it can be very difficult to prevent our kids from catching something that is SO contagious!
Good luck to you.
