Flu shot - yay or nay?

Meery82

) to all that crap.

sammyfay88

I would definitely say get it. I got it the begging of this flu season, granted I was required because I work in the Medical Group in the Air Force and can't say no. It is also recommended by most doctors. Your baby will also benifit once born because it will have the antibodies against the flu as well.

 

ktlucas

golfergirl08 said:

ktlucas said:

I have never gotten a flu shot, and not going to start now.  

Another one of these, I see. Any good reason? Just don't feel like it?

Never had one before.  Your body builds natural immunities.  I don't believe in unnecessary toxic poisons.  They are not proven 100% effective.  To each their own on this subject.  

PrimRoseMama

ktlucas said:

golfergirl08 said:

ktlucas said:

I have never gotten a flu shot, and not going to start now.  

Another one of these, I see. Any good reason? Just don't feel like it?

Never had one before.  Your body builds natural immunities.  I don't believe in unnecessary toxic poisons.  They are not proven 100% effective.  To each their own on this subject.  

No no no. Not to "each their own" you put others at risk when you choose not to vaccinate yourself. If you get a highly contagious strain & kill my 5 month old because of your stupidity then it's not to each their own. It's your shitty decision making that impacts my life in a very real way.

puntacana2013

Getting the flu is more serious than just "feeling sick"... It can be extremely dangerous to your unborn baby. Maybe even life threatening. Also - if you choose NOT to get the shot then your newborn will have no immunity, and is still a very high risk if he/she gets sick. If you get the shot while pregnant, then your baby will have more immunity after birth. I strongly recommend you get it as long as your doctor agrees.

burdittj

My husband is an ICU doc and has had several pregnant ladies admitted for the flu and it is not looking good for all of them. He has had several patients die of flu in the past two weeks. Please, Please, Please get the shot. Also NONE of his coworkers have gotten the flu because they are all required to get the shot.

JesseKhloe&Me

Yes. I have the flu now at 35 weeks. I was hospitalized for 4 days & I am still not over it. It is terrible. Get the shot. I didn't & Its not worth all of this stress & not feeling well.

Sscarolynedvx

Never got it and won't get it! My doc recommended but its up to you.

tiggernorton04

I don't get the flu shoot. I do extra vitamin C and D to boost my immune system.

PrimRoseMama

golfergirl08 said:

I am just curious, for the people that said "my doctor recommended it but I am not getting it"... why would you go against the advice of your doctor for something like this? I really don't understand. 

@sscarolynedvx

ETA: And @wisconsincheese12

I'm going to guess pure, unadulterated stupidity mixed with "it could never happen to me!" With a dash of "I don't give a fuck about newborns under 6 months, cancer patients or other immune compromised people".

Just a guess!

redhead610

tiggernorton04 said:

I don't get the flu shoot. I do extra vitamin C and D to boost my immune system.

This will not help prevent you from getting the flu. Also, if you are already taking a prenatal vitamin, you need to be careful adding even more supplements in, because it is possible to get too much.

Lburtard

The last time I got the flu shot, I ended up in the hospital with a horrid case of the flu. So since then I haven't had another shot. I got the flu one time in the last 24 years (knock on wood). That's the reason I opted not to get the shot this year. Now I see the flu is coming on strong where we live and being pregnant it scares me. I'm torn. 

Meery82

Kimbus22 said:

It's only "Up to you" if you plan on keeping yourself in a bubble until May.  Otherwise your shitty decision making is impacting those around you and you're an asshole for only caring about yourself. 

I have zero tolerance for people who don't get a flu shot while pregnant (unless they are allergic).  Way to leave your kid unprotected.  Awesome first parenting decision.

This, 100%. How irresponsible. The same goes for those who don't vaccinate their children.

KLP1982

Hi, new here! This post caught my eye. I also opted not to get the flu shot (I'm due in late March with my first )

A little background about me: I have a doctorate degree in a medical field and graduate level coursework in immunology. I am a believer in vaccines and am current on all other routinely recommended vaccinations (and due to my profession, a few diseases that are not routinely vaccinated against). The flu shot, to me, is different. The efficacy is terrible. A recent meta analysis showed only a 59% efficacy rate in young, healthy adults. The efficacy rate is even lower in older adults and young children (the groups most susceptible to flu related complications). Aka, the reason those groups are most susceptible to getting the flu is because they don't mount an adequate immune response against the virus, and they are also less likely to mount an adequate immune response to the flu vaccine, making it less effective. This is likely the case for pregnant women as well. This means that someone who gets the flu shot basically has a 50/50 shot of getting the flu despite the shot. A good efficacy rate for a vaccine should be >90%. 

I also elected to not get the vaccine because I am not highly exposed to other people. I live only with my husband and work PT in a job where I'm also not exposed to many other people. If I commuted on a bus to work, was surrounded by a lot of people all day, etc, my decision might be different. Someday, if the vaccine improves, I might change my stance on getting it. 

I just wanted to share my viewpoint that just because someone doesn't get the flu shot, doesn't mean they are ignorant, irresponsible, or an idiot. People have to make their own decisions that are right for them! I respect those that elected to get the vaccine, just as I hope they respect my decision for not getting it. 

ktlucas

If you actually read the vaccine inserts, the manufactures do not recommend pregnant women getting them unless absolutely necessary, none have been tested on pregnant humans, has only been tested on pregnant and nursing lab rats, and some of the manufacturers want women who are pregnant and get vaccinated to enlist in a registry so they can see how it affects you. The CDC comes out with this recommendation but the creators of each vaccine want no liability for possible long-term effects on baby.

KLP1982

For my situation, no. Public policy is a blanket recommendation for simplicity's sake, not because it's necessarily the best decision for each individual. '

Whether you decide to respect other people's different decisions is up to you

KLP1982

Of course I wear a seatbelt. There isn't a risk with wearing a seatbelt.

There is, however, a very small, but serious, risk of side effects of getting a flu vaccination.  

For *my* situation, the risks associated with getting a flu shot are very small, but there was also minimal gain. My situation is different than yours, and each person needs to make their own decision. Like I said, I respect other's decisions to get vaccinated. I believe in vaccination (in general). I just don't believe in the flu vaccine (for me). I'm perfectly comfortable and confident in my educated decision, as we all should be  

RondackHiker

ktlucas said:

If you actually read the vaccine inserts, the manufactures do not recommend pregnant women getting them unless absolutely necessary, none have been tested on pregnant humans, has only been tested on pregnant and nursing lab rats, and some of the manufacturers want women who are pregnant and get vaccinated to enlist in a registry so they can see how it affects you. The CDC comes out with this recommendation but the creators of each vaccine want no liability for possible long-term effects on baby.

Because no one wants the liability for mom and baby. There are no studies because no one wants the liability. It's not because it's unsafe, but because the cost of liability is so high. It's the same reason many doctors are opting not to go into OB and many high risk OBs are leaving the field. The liability cost for two or more patients is extreme, and you can be sued until baby is 25.

Nothing is tested on pregnant women. That doesn't mean it's unsafe.

ktlucas

RondackHiker said:

If you actually read the vaccine inserts, the manufactures do not recommend pregnant women getting them unless absolutely necessary, none have been tested on pregnant humans, has only been tested on pregnant and nursing lab rats, and some of the manufacturers want women who are pregnant and get vaccinated to enlist in a registry so they can see how it affects you. The CDC comes out with this recommendation but the creators of each vaccine want no liability for possible long-term effects on baby.

Because no one wants the liability for mom and baby. There are no studies because no one wants the liability. It's not because it's unsafe, but because the cost of liability is so high. It's the same reason many doctors are opting not to go into OB and many high risk OBs are leaving the field. The liability cost for two or more patients is extreme, and you can be sued until baby is 25. Nothing is tested on pregnant women. That doesn't mean it's unsafe.

Does not mean it IS safe or 100% effective either.

KimbaleeZay

Yes I got it.  I've gotten it with each pg but haven't when I'm not pg.

FutureMrsAthenaLane

The Flu virus is hyper fast at adapting. Likely, by the time you get the shot, the strain that is around you has evolved well past the point of the one in that shot. Like the lovely KLP1982 has said, its efficiency rating is low.

For the flu shot, I suggest it if you can get it, simply as a preventive measure. If not then make sure to keep with good hygiene, and basic knowledge of preventing spreading illness. Some people CAN'T get the flu shot due to their immune system being compromised, or women who are pregnant have immune compromised children. In short, Be AWARE of those around you, and that they are around you. While you may not be getting sick, that doesn't mean that people can't get sick off of you.

If you do get your shot, do it within the time frame stated by your doctor and/or ob. Getting it too early or too late in your pregnancy can be either useless or just make you sicker then the normal side effects. Especially compounded with morning sickness.

All in all, I am pro vaccination. Simply because of the science of it. Seriously, take an immunization course, take a micro biology course. Fighting the logic and science of immunizations with ideals of "purity" and expectations of 100% safe and curing is sheer fantasy, and making light of what can be very serious. Look at the third world countries that are living the "pure" lifestyle you are putting your children through. Look at the infant and child death rates.

No medicine, vaccine, homeopathic remedy, ect is a 100% cure or 100% safe. However, on the opposite side, there is no 100% anything going the pure route either.

RondackHiker

There is so much stupidity in this thread.

Meery82

RondackHiker said:

There is so much stupidity in this thread.

There's even more of this stupidity on my FB. A girl I work with, a freaking RN, put up a link to an article about why the flu shot is dangerous. It was from realfarmacy.com. LOL. DH and I ripped her argument apart, but she can't be convinced. She's a nurse, FFS, she should know better. Then some other idiot was on there spouting off about wash your hands and you will be fine. Ok, no. Washing your hands is a good thing to do, of course, but the flu is airborne. Somehow she couldn't comprehend it. This person's child was allergic to the vaccine. I tried to explain herd immunity to her. Still no comprende. I gave up.

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Zimger

My family all had the flu shot.

I have a horrible cold right now and I am miserable and I'm set to deliver Thursday...I couldn't imagine if it was the flu!

buganne

Yay!  Get one.  Much better than the alternative.  You will do just fine ;-)

rhemker

Several people were questioning why she would be scared of a flu shot. I believe it is because of certain controversies indicating that people really don't know what affects it has on the baby, if any. Several of the ingredients can be questionable, and there is actually scientific research backing the fact that flu shots are 50% effective a anyway. You are probably fine if you do get the flu shot; however, it's still not a guarantee that you will be protected from it. And yes, you could potentially have less dramatic symptoms if you do contract the flu virus. I personally am wary of most doctors and the CDC's advice on medications and certain vaccinations, as I tend to believe that they are motivated to push drugs/certain vaccinations by pharmaceutical companies. Clearly, everyone has their own opinion and that is their right and choice! If you do get the vaccine, make sure it is the shot vs. the mist. The mist is a live vaccine and not recommended for pregnant women. Also, if you do not take the shot, people have suggested making sure you have sufficient Vitamin D and are taking fish oils for Omega 3 fatty acids.

ktlucas

haygurlhay said:

I have never gotten a flu shot, and not going to start now.  

Great reasoning. You've never gotten one, so why bother getting one now when it could help protect your unborn LO?

Or it could be harmful.  I am a healthy educated adult, my unborn child is healthy.  Why would I take a risk?  It's my right not too.  I live in America, freedom of choice hunny. 

notreal2

ktlucas said:

 Or it could be harmful.  I am a healthy educated adult, my unborn child is healthy.  Why would I take a risk?  It's my right not too.  I live in America, freedom of choice hunny. 

It's also our right to judge you.  Freedom of choice honey.

RachelDanaeJ

I am choosing not to get one because of the ingredients. They have to use an organic base, like animal blood/cells or fetal cells to make them. For religious reasons, I don't want animal blood/tissue in my or my babies blood.JJust another way to look at it

KatieGummow

So far this year (it is only Feb), 34 people in the Bay Area have died from the flu.  I got mine at 13w when my doctor recommended it for me.  

awc1986

I got mine at 9.5wks. My baby is developing fine and I didn't get flu this season. The only side effect I had was a sore arm for 1 day.

ktlucas

I realize people have died from flu complications.  I had a friend get the shot this year and still contracted the flu, they had to do a c-section and she was unable to hold her baby for days until the flu was out of her system.  I chose not to get it, I never had one in my entire 30+years and I'm not going to do it now because some random internet people think I need to.  My right, my choice, my opinion, my body, my child.  I could care less if you are judging me, you are not my maker.  

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Meery82

ktlucas said:

I realize people have died from flu complications.  I had a friend get the shot this year and still contracted the flu, they had to do a c-section and she was unable to hold her baby for days until the flu was out of her system.  I chose not to get it, I never had one in my entire 30+years and I'm not going to do it now because some random internet people think I need to.  My right, my choice, my opinion, my body, my child.  I could care less if you are judging me, you are not my maker.  

She's the speshulest of snowflakes. The flu is beneath her. She won't get it.

Meery82

RachelDanaeJ said:

I am choosing not to get one because of the ingredients. They have to use an organic base, like animal blood/cells or fetal cells to make them. For religious reasons, I don't want animal blood/tissue in my or my babies blood.JJust another way to look at it

WTF. No. Read something, FFS.

RebeccaY1

of course you should get it

ktlucas

Meery82 said:

She's the speshulest of snowflakes. The flu is beneath her. She won't get it.

You are absolutely correct!  Because I live a healthy lifestyle.  

haygurlhay said:

---------------------- Go for it. I'll be keeping your LO in my T&P.

Thanks, but you can keep me out your mouth.