HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

I just took my son for his 1 year well visit. He received a shot for the measles and a shot for chicken pox. The doctor also recommended the flu vaccine.

I held off because of what I've heard about both good and bad things about the vaccine like once you have the flu vaccine you always have to have it. I'm pretty ignorant to this kind of stuff I'm trying my hardest to understand what is really needed for my child. He is my first and I want to make the right decision.

What was your reason on not getting the vaccine? Can you help me understand the pros and cons about it. I did read the pamphlet...and I've asked certain family members what they did and it was mixed. I'm really confused on what to do.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

pro's - the flu can land your child in the hospital


con's - for me, none.

eta - and I have never heard that one you get the flu shot, you have to continue to get it.

Message edited 10/29/2008 12:08:57 PM.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

personally I dont think I will be getting the flu shot for DD...i got it once and had a not so great reaction to it and ended up sick pretty much the whole winter so I do not want her to have to go through that.
Shes goes to my best friends for the day and its only her son and one other kid a couple times a week.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

I did not give DS the flu shot. DH & I both agreed that since we do not get it that we were not going to give to DS.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

the flu shot is always a hit or miss--its made from the strain the year before.
Last year..they were wrong and thats according to the top pediatric in Good Sam.
That being said..it is a fact you can get the shot and still get the flu just maybe not as bad.
So..either way sad to say they can wind up in the hospital-the nose spray is a live virus and I have to say..and this is only my families experience,
My mother and Mil get it every year and get the flu anyhow, I think it depends on your immune system as well.
You also have to know your child is not allergic to eggs.
Now..my dd had asthma as a child, she still gets maybe 1 attack a year.
When she was bad we did get her the flu shot.
Everyones opinion is different and go with your gut.
I think in the wintertime is very important to not take them here, there everywhere like malls.
I am not saying do not go out--just enclosed areas with lots of people.
You def need to wash down all carts with germicide and wash their hands often.
No vaccination is 100000%

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

1. My Aunt died from a reaction to a flu shot.
2. My DS has reactions to every shot he gets (runs a fever).
3. Studies have shown in recent years that the flu shot in this age group has not reduced hospital visits and doctor visits for the flu.
4. You can still get the flu.
5. The vaccine contains sooooo many chemicals and "junk" - to me it is not worth it since the benefits are just not that clear to me. I think dying from the Flu is probably just as rare and dying from a reaction to the flu vaccine. I BF my DS, give him organic foods, etc etc. so why am I going to contaminate his body for what I see as no real benefit.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

I do not give many vaccines as DS runs very high fevers for "common" things like teething.

The flu vaccine at best is 70% efficient, and if DS gets any symptoms we are off to the Dr.

You need to do what is right for you though, there is not ONE answer for this decision

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

Gave DD her flu shot and she got a REALLY bad cold /flu 2x in one month few days after getting a shot Still no idea if it was b/c of the shot or she got it somewhere. She has to get the 2nd half in few weeks but not sure if I am gonna go through with it.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

I don't get the flu vaccine, nor will DS. I think it is an extra vaccine that is not necessary IMO.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

Posted by Mikismom

pro's - the flu can land your child in the hospital


con's - for me, none.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

Because DH and I have never gotten it and we never had the flu.

DS does not go to daycare or any gym classes - reducing his exposure to the virus. I know he can't live in a bubble, but I really feel that it is not necessary.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

I just took DD for her 18 month visit the other day and asked my ped. if she should get it (I was only going to give it because I will have a newborn in a week) and she said it wasn't necessary. DD is not in daycare and I didn't sign her up for fall/winter activities so her exposure to other children will be very limited this season. DH is the only one that got one and that is just because he's the only one around people every day.

Re: HELP What was your reason on not giving your DC the Flu vaccine?

I did not give DD (six months) the flu shot. I personally feel that she gets enough vaccinations at such a young age. She also does not go to daycare (I work from home).

I had three nurses tell me that it is not necessary and not always effective. The vaccine is made up of three seperate starins of the flue from the past year. If the strain that hits this year is different from the strains choosen, you will still get the flu.