I know this is probably controversial topic.....

jesspacatc

got it yesterday

Mrs*Lauren*and*Justin

Yes, our whole family will get it (even if I have to drag DH there myself). I work in an ER, and actually caught H1N1 when I was pregnant. I have never been so miserable, and will do anything anyone tells me to avoid it again! There is no way I want to risk catching the flu and bringing it home to DS- and if I do bring something home, I want my family protected. 

ToledoDeux

Sage Mommy:

ToledoDeux:

Sage Mommy:

Cityplanner:

Yeah, I know what you mean. I haven't been in an accident since I got my license. That's 18 years of unnecessary seatbelt wearing. And don't get me started on the unnecessary car seat buying! ::shrugs::

haha I knew someone would use the seatbelt example. I didn't realize i was required by law to get a flu shot. Thanks for the info!

Most likely if I get the flu, I will feel like crap for a few days. Most likely if I don;t wear a seatbelt and get into a car accident, the effects will be much worse.

Or I could die from the flu on the way to the ER while wearing my seatbelt.

She asked my reason. I don't feel it's necessary for my family. Have the PD come by and write and me a ticket.

LOL.  That's not the point of the comparison.  And you are smart enough to know that.

Exactly. There is no point in her comparison. That's why I decided to be funny;)

Huh.  I got the point.

ladysingstheblues

So so thick.

ridesbuttons

pink.dutch.tulips:

the flu shot is NOT on par w/ wearing safety belts or getting a car seat. flu shots aren't mandatory by law. you will not get a ticket if you don't get a flu shot. now your local PD WILL ticket you if you don't buckle up or worse, if you choose NOT to buckle your lo in a car seat.

fwiw, getting the flu shot is NOT a guarantee that you won't get the flu. you can still get the flu even IF you get a flu shot.

 

You can still be injured in a car crash if you are wearing your seatbelt.  That's not the point.  And certainly the money part of things has zero relevance.  The point is, it is a proven precaution that saves lives.

Flu shots save lives - there is no debate here.  Seatbelts save lives - same thing.

People who decline flu shots are largely looking for a conspiracy that simply does not exist (allergies notwithstanding).

 

goodheartedmommy

No. We all had H1N1 last year, and it sucked, and then we were stronger because of it. I've unfortunately seen one of the catastrophic side effects of the flu vaccine first hand--my brother got Guillaume-Barre Syndrome from it at the age of 4. While that alone did not make me decide to not get the flu shot, it was enough to make me do research and make the choice that I felt was right for our family. As healthy people, I'm not worried about the flu for us. I'm much more worried about possible long-term side effects because of it.

ohfour

deltagirl79:

ohfour:

I do like the Dr. Sears Vaccine Book, because while it seems like he's generally for doing the AAP recommended schedule, he does understand why someone would choose not to, and has recommendations of an alternative schedule (fully vaxed) and a selective schedule (only most important vaxs), and lists them in order of importance based on how common the disease is, how severe it can be,  etc. There is a specific chapter on the flu shot. It tells about side effects, makeup of each brand of shot, how common it is, etc. It's a good tool to use to make your decision IMO, whichever way you decide. I would get it out from the library and read if I were you.

I am curious about the bolded statement. If the flu shot is remade each year for that year's most likely strains how can a book that is at least a few years old have the makeup of the shot in it?

Here's an example from the book:

"Fluarix Brand (killed injected vaccine) contains:'

- killed and split virus particles
-saline solution
-octoxynol
-vitamin E
- polysorbate 80
-mercury, used during manufacturing, then filtered out (the residual is less than 1 microgram)
-hydrocortisone
-gentamicin (antibiotic)
-formaldehyde
-egg proteins
-sodium deoxycholate"

It has a list like this for each brand, and then an area of the book where it addresses what each of those chemicals actually is. Very informative, IMO.