Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Can I ask why?

I'm not and I have my own reasons, but lately pressure from Dr.s, news reports etc have me faltering a bit and I just wanna make the best decision for myself and soon to be 3 children.

I would love to hear other peoples reasons why they are choosing not to give it..

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

We've never gotten them.

But if I had a NB in the house, and my DS went to school, I'd have everyone except the NB get it.

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

I am so torn, I was against it b/c I had it years ago and I felt like crap for ONE WHOLE month after the shot. I know you can't GET the FLU from it, but one can certainly have reactions from their immune response. So that's my concern for my child, I am so torn and my appt is tomorrow for DD...

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Right now for us, I do not feel the benefits outweigh the risks. Although with the swine flu and me being pregnant this flu season and a toddler I have given it some thought I still think we are not going to get it. DS ALWAYS reacts to shots - in fact, the only shot he never had a reaction to was the Hep B. But, at the same time he rarely gets sick. He is 2 and has only been sick three times and hasn't been sick since November. Also, my DH had serious reactions to shots as a child and, I have a family member that got GB disease from a flu shot and subsequently died.

So I weigh this against the fact that the flu shot is something that only *might" offer protection for us - against one strain of the flu if they are lucky enough to get it right. I have to say that the friends and family members I have who get the shot always get the flu and are sick more than we are so I'm not sure I see the benefit there. Also, on the medical side of it - I remember reading a study last year in a medical journal that studied two years - I think it was 2006-08 and found in those years that the flu shot in children ages 6 mos - 5 years DID NOT reduce the number of hospitalizations or ped visits for the flu in that age group - i.e. it made no difference. Also, although of course I trust my peds and the medical community and I know what they are saying on the news but, you have to remember they are all thinking about society on the whole. If the flu shot actually works that year of course it is wonderful if the majority of the public gets vaccinated BUT, they know that there will be some children and adults also that may have never got the flu but WILL have serious life altering affects from the vaccine - either now or in the future. So, that is something I think you need to consider for your individual child and yourself.

As you can see, this is something I have thought about it depth - do I feel I am 100% right and those that give tehh flu shot are wrong - Definitely not! Of course I worry if I made the right decision! But, I am doing what I think is right for my family.

The swine flu shot - now that is a whole other issue. I don't believe in being a test case for a vaccine - especially not while pg and not for my toddler.

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

I am not giving it to DS. Why, well because Im not. I have never gotten it. DS is NOT in a daycare setting where I would have to worry about other germy kids. I ***fingers crossed*** rarely get sick, and I PERSONALLY don't think he needs another shot. Im sure my Ped, ( A HUGE fan of ALL shots) will beg to differ with me. But I honestly don't think its needed. We will also be skipping the swine flu shot as it is WAY TO NEW to do a test run on my child.

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

My mother who is a RN is not a fan of it and was quite annoyed when the doc gave it to Ella. So Ella will not be getting it anymore.

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

I know I don't apply but...

If Lucas was not in daycare I don't think I would have him get one unless I had younger child in the house and Lucas was still doing classes or playdates often. I feel like in daycare he is exposed to so much and so we need to try to protect him but if he were home he wouldn't have that same exposure and then, in my opinion only, wouldn't need that level of protection.

I'd still be a nut about washing hands no matter what.

ETA: we will not get the swine flu shot and that is because it is too new for my comfort and the regular shot is more than I am comfortable with.

Message edited 9/13/2009 7:19:20 PM.

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

If I didn't work in a school, I wouldn't give it to Lily. But there are just too many germs floating around in a school setting for me to be comfortable with!

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Don't like whats in them.

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

I am so torn, I havent in the past but now that dd is stating pre nursery and the girls are in a home daycare setting. I might, not sure.
I hate that there is thimersol in it and many many people have still gotten sick with the flu with the vaccine.
as of right now I lean towards no.
and def NOT the swine flu vaccine, sorry no one in my family is going to be a guinnea pig!

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Jacob is allergic to eggs..he cant get the flu shot as per the doctor.

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

Because I choose not to, that's my reason, and because I'm her parent, that's all the reason I need.

However, with that said, I may be "forced" to since NJ has a state mandate that any children in daycare beginning at ages 6 months from Sept-Dec must get the flu shot. I'm trying to figure a way out of it.

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

DH and I do not nor we do we feel it is necessary for our DC to... Anyone we knew who had the shot had a reaction from it, just not worth the risk to us...

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

We do not get the flu shot.

As a PP said, the vaccination isn’t even close to be 100% effective and that’s when they get the strain right. Most people get sick when they get the shot and usually that sickness can be worse than the flu itself and have other complications.

AJ can’t speak, she has no way of telling me if she’s feeling ill or not. Its hard enough to follow her health now. I *HATE* when they blow off symptoms because of a shot (its all relative). My child should NEVER be ill due to a doctor visit. This infuriates me more than anything.

I had a horrible reaction to the flu shot when I was younger which included hospitalization, and extremely dangerously high fevers (yes I know things were different, but still) and haven’t had the flu shot since I was 7.

AJ is in daycare, I expect the handlers to all get the shot.

I am not aware of any State regulations requiring her to have the shot, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed I won’t have to.

I actually believe that my exposure to the world flu vaccination free has been a benefit to me. I have not had the flu since that tragic event when I was younger. I can’t help but wonder if I’ve built antibodies as well as my husband. We’re exposed to sick people, and people with sick children daily yet we’ve yet to have the flu.

The swine flu? I don’t know. I know from my work (insurance) that its out there and its dangerous and not a hoax. Still, I can’t help but wonder if its not being forced to try to drum up more regular flu shots. I’m still not sure. I may want to give her this one, but it seems like a PP said that our children would be guinea pigs.

Knowing me, the time will pass and next I’ll know flu season will be over.


(one can hope)

Re: Flu Vaccine-Another ? for those NOT giving it...

I don't do anything unless it is a requirement - I am against most vaccines....