Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Bella has a dr's apt today and I know the PED wants to give her a flu shot. But something in me, my mommy instinct, keeps saying "No, there's no reason to give her one" in the back of my head.

Opinions????

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

i felt the same way.
and then my doc talked to me about it in detail.
I gave it to maddie and am happy that I did- the flu is a nasty, nasty bug- and because we can't give them anything to help with their symptoms, I wanted to make sure she didn't get the flu.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

I am in the same boat as you. My last pediatrician pressured me and I did the first round. My mother watches her and I just didn't really want to get it. Not for the mercury or autism, I just didn't want to put her through that. Now my new pediatrican said "oh we give ALL of our patients the flu shot". I kept saying I just really don't want to and ending up saying after a while I'll think about it and let you know next appt. Well yesterday was her next appt, she had to go back for an MMR shot that was on back order and I actually postponed and rescheduled because I didn't feel like dealing with the pressure of it. Do what YOU feel is best.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

I feel the same way! In fact, Abby had her 7 month appt yesterday and I asked my pediatrician if it was imperative. She definitely recommends it as babies have the same rates of hospitalization due to flu as the elderly. Also, Abby just got over bronchiolitis which makes her more susceptible. She also noted that they give a preservative-free shot to babies.

So, basically, I'm still up in the air, but am leaning toward doing it next month. BTW, my 2 year old DD has hers.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

I just don't want to feel pressured into it when I'm feeling this way I guess I'll ask her about it 1st and then tell her I'd like to wait a little bit more. She's getting another round of regular shots today and it's just seems too much - IMO.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

I'm sooo torn about this, but Im leaning towards it b/c of his recent hospitilization , hes more susceptible to problems if he gets the flu. And it seems like everyone is sick right now.

Its a tough decision!

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

We decided not to get the flu shot even though the ped recommended it. Basically we did it for the same reasons that you are talking about; It just didn't sit right with me. DD is not in a daycare situation so we just decided that it's not for her right now.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

We had decided not to have it given to DS and and our ped was fine with it.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Posted by chelle

Bella has a dr's apt today and I know the PED wants to give her a flu shot. But something in me, my mommy instinct, keeps saying "No, there's no reason to give her one" in the back of my head.

Opinions????

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Just another perspective. DD is not in daycare - DH and I both had our shots - I am a SAHM - twice in the past month DH who is never sick has come home with something from work - Luckily he stays far away from both of us, sleeps in another room and neither one of us has caught anything either time.

Being home doesn't preclude them from getting the shot. She could get it when you run an errand and someone sick breathes or coughs on her in an elevator or if you DH brings something home that is going around the office - by the time he shows signs he is sick he could already have passed it.

I am planning on giving DD the shot - The flu sends many to the hospital and even can kill an infant or elderly person. I have seen from my old job what the flu can do - I don't want to put DD thru that - I did speak with the ped about it and the risks of the flu far outweigh that of the shot. He only carries the preservative free ones - of course this is if he has any left when we go on the 20th.

Before you make your decision why don't you speak with your ped in detail and then tell him you will think about it - you can always go home and think about it and bring her in another day if you feel it is the right thing for you. This why you can think about it without feeling pressured.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

We did the first round.
I, too, am a SAHM. But, as the above poster said, they (our DCs) can catch it anywhere, like the grocery store.
Another reason why we did it is because my nephew is 3 and goes to pre-k..We see him 2 or 3 times a week and who knows what he may bring home.
Of course if my nephew is not feeling well, my sister will call and give me the heads up. It actually happened last week. We were supposed to go shopping, but, put it on hold because she didn't want DS to possibly catch what my nephew had and I totally agreed with her.
It should totally be your decision. Our Dr. said he recommends it, however, he did not pressure us.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

I feel very confident withm y Dr., so when he told me that Ds should have it I agreed. I'm glad I did. even though Ds isn't around too many kids, I work with children and he does spend time with my niece who is always sick with a cold. i just didn't want to take any chances.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

the way I see it is this:
what's worse, putting them through a shot, or putting them through the flu for a week?

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

I got the flu shot for myself 2 days before I was induced, since I knew DD would not be able to get one and this way she would be protected.

Like the pp's said - unless you and DH lock yourselves in the house, your DC can definitely get it. Personally, I wouldn't use the argument of daycare as a deciding factor.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

My ds just had his 9mo check up last week and we gave him the flu shot. My dr did not pressure us into getting just told us that he does recommend it because of my older son that attends school. I do not regret getting it done however I didn't have to second guess my decision. You have to go with what makes you feel comfortable

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

I work in an elementary school and even though I SCRUB my hands throughout the day and even change as soon as I get home before touching DD- I have still given her 2 colds.

Whether I want to or not- I'm going to HAVE to give her the flu shot.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

I chose not to get it. I asked my own Dr. about it and what he did with his children. He said "As a Dr. I'm supposed to tell you to get it, but as a parent I would tell you that I didn't."
I think if Charlie was in daycare and around a lot of people and children, I might think about it. But I don't think he needs it now.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Message edited 12/4/2007 12:16:11 PM.

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

Re: Dr.'s apt today and flu shot?? advice....

I got the shot for DD, but I made sure there was no thimerosal or mercury in it. I figured better safe than sorry, especially since she is in daycare. She has to get the second round later this month.