Anyone not getting the flu shot?

My OB recommended I get it but I really do not think I am. I never get it for me or DD. I know too many people who got the shot and right after got sick. I have a horrible immune system and have a virus right now.
Anyone else skipping it?

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

That's the exact reason I chose not to get it. The last (and only) time I got a flu shot, I ended up with the flu. It was awful. I had always been fine up until then.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

Im not getting it. Im going to hope for the best.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

Just so you girls know, the CDC very strongly recommends that pregnant women get the flu shot...my ob strongly advised that I get it. Just my 2 cents...I figured it was a no-brainer to get it to protect my baby the best I can

Even if you feel a little sick from the shot (which I did not), it is MUCH better than getting the full-fledged flu

JMHO

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I'm not getting it either. Scared i might have a bad reation..never got it before....Doctors seem to encourage it.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

No, never get it nor have I with any pregnancy.ETA: I can go on and on about the Flu shot and it's benifits and it non-benifits. If you are generally a healthy person and never got the Flu shot before you DON'T have to get it if you choose not to. The flu shot is only for several strands on one Flu virus, not all of them (you can still get the Flu at anytime, it does not prevent all). Also the CDC picks the strands each year depending on what's the most popular strand to date. Use your judgement and don't be pushed into something you may feel strongly about. JMO.

Message edited 11/19/2007 4:03:37 PM.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

Me neither.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

My due date is only 20 days away. I don't think a flu shot at this point matters much one way or the other. I've never had one in the past, and since I had a cold for a week, I really don't think I could handle a negative side effect from a flu shot.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

Not getting the flu shot - never have and I haven't read a strong enough reason to start.

My OB was on board with my decision.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I'm not planning to get the flu shot. I haven't had the flu in years and years and I'm generally very healthy anyway. I'll talk to my OB about it when I see him this week, but I don't really think I'm going to get it.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I have never gotten one before, but I decided to get one so the baby would be protected. I am due in December and am already worried about the baby being exposed to germs from colds, I just don't want to worry about the flu as well.

ETA: I had no side effects at all except for a slightly sore arm for a day or two.

Message edited 11/19/2007 4:11:17 PM.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I don't think I have ever had the flu shot, or at least not as an adult. I have had the flu a couple times over the years, and it is VERY nasty stuff.

This year, I decided to get one since both my OB-GYN and my pediatrician strongly recommended it. No bad side effects, just a sore arm. The only people who usually should avoid it are those with egg allergies.

The shot is supposed to also help your baby a bit, and since mine is due in December, I was concerned about him catching the flu also. Another poster was right, it doesn't protect you against every strain, but it does offer some protection against the most common.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I'm kind of on fence about it. I wouldn't get it if it were for me, but since i'm preg. I'm undecided now. Honestly I don't want to get it though. My friend who is a doctor told me to get it and at my next appt. I will ask my midwives' opinion. Most likely I won't get it though.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I did get it. If it weren't for being pregnant I would not have gotten it as I havent *knock on wood* had the flu since I was in like 5th grade! But being due in December I wanted my baby to have that protection just in case!

I have had the shot in past years, my old job had it on site for free. Never had a reaction, I havent had the shot in the past 3 years. I got it 2 weeks ago and had not side effects.

Message edited 8/24/2009 2:04:35 PM.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I had mine a week and a half ago. My OB strongly recommends it for preggos and parents of newborns!

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I will never get a flu shot again...got one when i was a teenager (17 or 18 i think) couldnt lift my arm up for a week and i was in emerge 3 times that winter for sickness...never ever again, my mom agrees I do not react well to it...i think they are evil but everyone reacts dif i guess

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I'm not getting a flu shot. I have never gotten one, am as healthy as can be, and I too have yet to read a strong enough reason to start. If I was due during the winter months, I might do it so the baby would be protected, but I am due in April, so I am not worried about the flu then.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

nope, not getting it.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

not getting it either...

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I have to get it. First, I've NEVER gotten sick from it. Second, I'm constantly in doctor's offices since doctors are my clients. Just today I was in a waiting room waiting for a doctor to sign for samples and a woman checked into the front desk saying she was in so much pain (sounded like flu symptoms) that it felt like her skin was being carved off her body. No thanks! I do everything I can to stay healthy, but I'm around sick people a lot. Granted it could have been something else the woman had so I moved to the other side of the waiting room.

When I have forgone the shot in the past I always ended up with the flu - bad too... couldnt imagine going through that unable to take anything. I personally feel the risk of the flu outweighs what little risk (if any) is associated with the shot. Flu isn't something to take lightly, it can be VERY serious. Even when I worked in an office environment I remember all the "heroes" that used to come to work sick. Everyone I know got it during PG and none of the kids I know from those women have any problems. To say the shot is "evil" is a bit extreme. Flu used to kill people back in the day, again, not something to take lightly and it's a personal decision to take it or not to take it. If you can't take it due to severe reaction or allergy then that's one thing. For me, I see it as a life saver. I spoke to my OB at length about it before making my final decision. Do what is best for you.

From the Mayo Clinic:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu shots for all women who will be pregnant during flu season. In North America, peak flu season is usually November to March. Because the flu shot is made from killed (inactivated) influenza virus, it is considered safe during any stage of pregnancy. However, pregnant women should not use the nasal-spray flu vaccine, which is made with live, weakened influenza virus.

Pregnancy can affect your immune system and also put extra stress on your heart and lungs. As a result, you may be at increased risk of not only getting the flu but of developing serious complications of the flu, including pneumonia. In addition, pregnant women with the flu are far more likely to require hospitalization for flu complications than women with the flu who are not pregnant.

Message edited 11/19/2007 7:25:09 PM.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I haven't decided yet. I really don't want to get it, but my ob and DH want me to get it.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?

I didnt

(oops, thought this was the parenting board)

Message edited 11/19/2007 7:32:43 PM.

Re: Anyone not getting the flu shot?