Flu Shot

I'm sure this will be a hot button topic, but I wanted to ask the masses.

Flu shot for infant. Yay or Nay

Re: Flu Shot

My ds will be 6 months in January so that is the earliest he can receive the flu shot and honestly I am so unsure if I want to give it to him. I have some time though.

Re: Flu Shot

DD had the flu last year. It was awful miserable living hell. If the shot gives her a chance of not having to suffer like that, i'll take it. Even if it's not 100%.

Complications from flu can be scary in infants.

Flu Shot

DD will be one and we will prob will not do the flu shot. My son is 4 and never had one, but this year he has to for school.

Flu Shot

I think we're going to give DD it. She's 7 months and not in daycare or anything, but I'd rather be safe. I'm going to talk to the ped about it at her next visit for her expert opinion. I had the flu once and I just never want her to go through that hell!

Flu Shot

Yes. My DS had it at 9 mons

Re: Flu Shot

Yes. I always get it and so will DD. She had no reaction to it and I never have either and have been getting it for years.

Flu Shot

DS will be getting it. He'll be 8ish months when he gets it. He goes to Day Care and I just don't want to risk having him get the flu.

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Yup, the minute DS is eligible at 6m I am running to the Ped.

Flu Shot

I my LOs didn't get it as infants. They go to daycare.

Flu Shot

I wasn't going to do it, but after thinking about all the places I take DS (he's 10 months) - including my class every now and then - I was convinced. I don't want to risk him getting the flu at this age when I could have maybe helped prevent it.

Flu Shot

Never have, never will.
She has been in daycare since 14w

We both got the swine flu when it was big. But survived it. Yes, it was rough, but lots of hydration, immediate doctor intervention and good hand washing habits, and 'sick habits' and it was passed within a week or so.

I live by these rules
- don't touch your eyes, nose
- always wash your hands whenever there's a sink
- don't eat hand foods until you wash
- if you use a tissue, toss it with one use and wash your hands when done
- drink lots of clear fluids
- rest
- eat healthy as you can.

Re: Flu Shot

If in daycare definitely yay.
If not- I probably still would. The flu is no joke in a baby.

Re: Flu Shot

I feel like Flu-shots were originally intended for infants and the elderly.

I don't get a flu-shot myself, But I did get it for DD while she was a baby, and last year when she was 2 b/c she goes to daycare and I had a newborn at home.

This year, I think will get it for my 9M DD but not my older DD who is now 3 1/2

Re: Flu Shot

My DD got hers last year at 6 months. She attends daycare and I work in a preschool, so I felt that she was at high risk.

Flu Shot

DS is almost 2 and he has not had the flu shot, I have no plans of having it administered this year.

Hoping for no flames as this is truly a PSA. If you do decide to have your child administered the flu shot:
1) Ensure that the shot your pediatrician will be administering is approved and has been tested on children their age. This link, from the FDA lists the most popular shots and the vaccine inserts, on page one it will tell you the approved age group.

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm094045.htm

2) DO NOT allow other shots to be combined, if you have and your child is ok- GREAT! But please know that the flu shot HAS NOT been tested for safety when combined with other vaccines. See section 7. of the Fluzone package insert (fluzone is approved for 6 months and over) Drug Interactions- Data evaluating the concomitant administration of Fluzone with other vaccines are not available.

Again, not looking to . I genuinely hope everyone's child is healthy so if this helps one parent protect their child I will be grateful. If you have doubts, do your research. Call your pediatrican's office and ask what vaccine they administer and read the insert beforehand. The insert is from the company itself so there is no bias, just facts.

Message edited 9/19/2013 9:43:43 AM.

Flu Shot

yes DS is in daycare and i don't want to take any chances. There was already a case of the flu at his daycare.

Re: Flu Shot

Yes. Both boys have been getting it since they were babies.
It's something that helps protect my children,
I got it yesterday at CVS and my boys have their apt next weekend. My 4 yr old is in preK and my 2 yr old isn't, but he goes out in public, mommy and me classes, birthday parties, etc.
Sure I have them wash their hands all the time, use tissues, etc. They are still kids. I see my 2 yr old put things in his mouth all the time. He would grab anything in public and then his hand in his mouth. WE don't live in a bubble and do believe it's good to get exposure, but also need protection from illnesses.
My brother is an RN and says the flu is serious and why would I want to take any chances.

ETA - they first got it at 6 months bc they were in daycare at the time. I just keep doing it every year for them now. Never had a reaction to it.

Message edited 9/19/2013 9:46:20 AM.

Flu Shot

Thank you all!
DH and I have never had the flu shot ourselves so we were kind of iffy about giving it to DS.
That being said, he doesn't go out in public much and my mom watches him. So I guess we'll see how bad the season will be?

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for us, no. My son is nine months and will see the dr next week. He home all day w me because I work from home with him. I see no reason for it. Myself and DH never had one.

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My dd stays home with me, so no. My older two will not be getting the flu shot either.

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DS got his last year as an infant. DD was in school at the time and obviously exposed to a lot of germs so I didn't want to take a chance.

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DS use to get the flu shot but as of last year I decided no more flu shots. He is in daycare but he is a healthy boy. He did get the flu this past year but it lasted a day. I feel he's healthy enough to fight the flu should he get it.

Re: Flu Shot

Yes. DS will have it at his 9 month appt.

Re: Flu Shot

I will give the same response I give in every single flu shot thread:

Talk to your doctor, do independent research, and go with your gut feelings. Do not make medical decisions for your baby based on the results of an LIF poll.

There are really hardcore pro-vax and anti-vax people on this site, I would not take advice from either of these camps, quite honestly.