Our school is offering flu shots to the students and families. My kids haven't ever had a flu shot before. Could they actually get the flu from getting the shot? Does it really work? We are expecting a baby in a couple of months and since both my kids are in school now and exposed to so much more, I am wondering if it would be worth it with the baby around. Any advice or past experience with the flu shot would be helpful.
Thanks so much to everyone who responded to my request. I honestly could not make a decision. I received 7 responses all with about the same advice. It has helped me to make a decision and I am so thankful to all of you and your wonderful advice. Sincerely - A.
Just to be safe, you may want to ask for a preservative free flu shot for yourself. You don't want to add mercury to your body in any amount, if you can help it, while you are pregnant. I will always get p-free for my dd, too, but not everyone is as picky about this subject as I.
Best wishes, and good luck with the delivery. :)
Not only should your children get a flu shot, you should as well. The flu shot is made from inactive materials so you cannot get the flu from taking the shot. I get one every year and make sure that my mom (who is a Senior Citizen) and my 2 year old receive theirs as well. With you expecting a baby in November it is important that everyone in your home receive the vaccine. Your newborn will not be able to receive a flu shot. Children under age 5 are considered high risk of serious complications from the flu. The American Lung Association has an excellent information campaign. Go to http://www.facesofinfluenza.org/ for more information. By the way, I work in the health field.
YES!!!! Get the shot! My girls have been getting it since they were 6 months old and we have never had a problem. My husband and I also get them and none of us have ever been sick from getting the shot. Especially with a newborn in the house, you all need to be protected from the flu. The flu can be deadly to a newborn. As the last poster said, you can't get the shot if you have an allergy to eggs. Call your doc and they can help you with any questions, but I say definitely get the shot!!
Yes, get it done. Both of my girls have gotten one since they were old enough to receive them. They are aged 8 and 4 1/2 as well. No, they cannot get the flu from this shot. A lot of people seem to get the flu from the shot, but it is usually because they already have it in their system right before they get it and it seems to flare up at the just right moment,thus people blame the shot when they get sick.
I am not a health professional, but have asked my pediatrician the same questions you asked and he reassured me of same concerns you have.
My kids did not get sick after getting a flu shot.
Hope this helps, other people may have had different experiences that I have had though. Several of my other friends had their kids done as soon as they were old enough and their kids did not get sick either.
I know you have been getting advice to get the flu shot and yes you should. But from a different angle my daughter got a virus last year it was 48 hours of flu followed by a week of diarrea. My son got it from school and was sick 1 week. But my daughter was less than 1 yr old and she became severely sick I had to quit work to take care of her. SHe couldn't keep fluids down and it went on for 6 weeks and was under Dr care. They said it just had to run its course. Her Dr known her since she was born, and had a grand daughter and would of down anything. They did tests after tests. When you have your baby in your arms and she can't even keep formula down you feel so helpless. We were lucky she came out of it. So if you can protect the baby I would.
Absolutely YOU should get the shot since you are pregnant. I got it last year while I was pregnant with my second. No harm to me or the baby and my OBGYN strongly and highly recommended it. I got it in his office instead of my family doc since his office received doses for pregnant women who are at high risk. If you are planning to nurse, having the flu shot and nursing will protect your new little one from what my pedi told me. And for your other kids, I would have them get it as well. It will not protect against all strains, but with a new baby you want to be as protected as you can since infants can't receive them until 6 months of age.
I am getting mine for the 6th year in a row, my 2 YO is getting one, and my little girl will get it the day she turns 6 months in October. My pedi orders child and adult doses and we all get them at her office. She orders the adult doses for parents of newborns and preemies or if they have kids at risk.
The influenza virus mutates very rapidly. Thus, every year, the CDC looks at flu patterns all over the world and anticipates which strains will be most prevalent in the U.S. during the coming flu season. It is impossible to immunize against every possible strain of the flu. As a result, if you (or someone you know) has gotten the flu even though they got the flu shot, that means they came down with a strain that was not included in the shot. I am a science teacher, but not a medical professional. My advice (as a mom) is yes, your children should get the flu shot. You will want your children to be immunized against the flu strains that the CDC will be most prevalent (and dangerous) during the coming flu season.
I have not heard of anyone getting the flu because of the shot...but you still can have flu after the shot..but the severity is less. Also if you are allergic to eggs then....the shot is not for you. The doctor is the right person to answer all your queries.
