What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine? Updated

I am so confused. My DS has his 12 month appointment tomorrow and I know I am going to delay the MMR shot until 18 months, but I am not sure what to do about the flu shot.

I have read both the pros and cons and see good points on both sides. Last winter my DS was not eligible to get a flu shot and my DH and I did not get one either. I have never had one. Well. when my DS was 3.5 months old my DH came down with the worst flu. He actually stayed at his mom's house for a few days so not to infect our DS. I am expecting baby #2 in 2 weeks and part of me thinks we should all get vaccinated to protect ourselves and the baby. Also, my DH teaches middle school students so he is exposed to many germs during the winter. Then I read all of these negative affects about it and I question it. HELP!!!

I would love to hear your opinions both positive and negative.

Update: Thanks for all your responses. So today I went to the Ped and he really did not push the shot on me. He just said just because your DS gets it does not mean he will not get the flu. He said it is basically a crap shoot. This I knew prior to the visit. He said and I remember last years flu shot did not match the strand of flu people were getting. The year before that it did. In the end we finally decided to give it to our DS because there will be a newborn baby in the house in 10 days and we figure we should probably all get one this year. I have never had one. I am telling you parents just have so much to worry about. I feel like I am always questioning everything. Hopefully I made the right decision.

Message edited 10/14/2008 7:11:38 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

I got one last year for the first time since I was pregnant and wanted DS to be protected during the winter months (he was born in Nov.)

This year, DS got the first shot a few weeks ago (it's a 2 shot vaccine), because he was starting daycare and I was more afraid of what he might pick up from the other kids than the side effects of the vaccine. We go back for the second one in 2 weeks. DS didn't have any reaction to it at all, but he has never had any problems with any of the shots.

Message edited 10/13/2008 7:37:57 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

I would have at least your DH get one, especially since he is so exposed being a teacher.

If your DS goes to day care I would get him one too. If the baby will be born in the winter you should all get one.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

my DH works in a hospital so he gets one, and because I am the primary caretaker of DC, I am planning to get one. She is getting one too.
Even though I am an germaphobe and I wash after touching everything in public, you can't be too careful.

DC is getting hers tomorrow. I hope to be getting mine next week.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

All 3 of my children have gotten the flu shot. They are 5, 3, and 13 months. My 3 year old got the flu last year, even though he got the shot, and the flu is NOT NOT NOT fun AT all.

I am all for protecting them from getting sick.

Edited to add: DH and I also both get one every year. Better safe than sick!

Message edited 10/13/2008 7:46:10 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

DS just had his first one. I used to get the shot every year but I would feel lousy for a day or 2 after. I skipped several years but I think I want one this year. My DH doesn't want to get one and I won't hound him.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

In NJ (where we live), all school children need to have one to stay in school. Regardless, since DS2 is too young to get one, DS1 would have gotten one to protect the baby. DH will get one through his job and I will go to a local walk-in clinic to get mine.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

We don't give it because of egg allergies.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

DS doesnt get one and won't...the same for myself and DH.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

DH and I have never gotten the shot. I am a teacher and have never gotten anything close to the flu; I might get 2 colds a year. We have decided not to get the shots for ourselves and DD as well.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

DD is 13 months old.She got all her shots at 12 month's apt and a week later a flu shot . I didn't want to risk anything, especially bc we were going out of country. She got a bad cold twice since the shot. We were so worried about all the shots including the flu shot, but after researching and talking to many different doctors here and overseas we decided to give DD all her shots.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

No flu shots for me or my kids ever, not even when I was p/g.

Message edited 10/13/2008 8:53:03 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

Thanks for all your responses. For those of you who chose not to get the flu shot I would love to hear why. I am not trying to start controversy I just need to be convinced one way or the other, and I am not even after reading the literature for and against it.

TIA

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

Kristina got hers at her 8 month appt this past Friday, and I will be getting mine soon as well.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

DD got one last year and she already got hers for this year. My DS is too little, but I think it's important esp. with them in daycare. I think the dangers of them getting the flu outweigh the possible side effects of the vaccine. My DD never had a reaction.

My DH and I get them as well.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

DD got her first one and will get her second in a couple of weeks. I am in sales and she goes to daycare....plus DH is on the train.....so with all that one of us is bound to get sick.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

no way...I researched it-and its not for us/

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

My DH and I are absolutely getting it-if us getting it gives her even a little more protection then it's a no brainer for us. Now, whether we get it for her or not-we are still discussing.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

DD will get it again this year. DH & I both work in school settings, and there are tons of germs floating around.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

We live in NJ also and DS goes to daycare, so it is required for him to get a flu shot.

We got the first one a couple of weeks ago and he will go back for his second one in a couple of weeks (he was too young last year).

In any event, I have never gotten a flu vaccine myself and I also have never gotten the flu, however all it takes is one time to get it and anything I can do to protect my DS from getting the flu is worth it in my mind (I have read stories from other moms who's DC have gotten the flu and how horrible it is).

My company is giving free flu shots this year and I have signed up to get one next month for myself.

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

Re: What are your thoughts on the flu vaccine?

I get it for DD#1 for the "just in case" scenario. I work in an elementary school and she goes to preschool, so I just try and take precautions...

My DD#2 is only 10 weeks old. If by Jan. (6 months) it is still flu season, I may vaccinate her as well. I will see what the doctor says.