If you got your kid the flu shot, please come in

weddedwife

DD is 3 and I am 27 weeks pg. My Dr is really encouraging me to get the flu shot and have everyone in the house vaccinated as we may be bringing home a new baby in the middle of flu season. DD is also new to preschool and never did daycare or anything so it's possible she may pick up every bug that rolls through there.

I'm not usually an advocate for the flu shot; under any other circumstances I wouldn't even consider getting the vaccine nor would I want to vaccinate DD, but given the situation I may do it this year.

If you did vaccinate your kiddo, what's involved? I heard it was a series if shots the first time, not just 1? How did they do?

TMDMJAOCT07

My dd is just over 2.5, I got the flu shot when I was pregnant with her for 2 reasons. the first being I was due in February which is the heart of flu season (and being in a hospital during that time totally freaked me out) it was the year of the big H1N1 hoopla and I worked in a pediatric dental office, so I decided to play it safe with the amount of germs I was going to be around.

I have gotten the flu shot the last 2 years as well, because I can't afford to be down and out for a few days with a flu bug.

The first year (dd was about 9 months old) we had to do the series of 2 shots. Last year it was just 1 shot, and this year she is able to get the flu mist because she is over the age of 2 (at least thats how it works in IL, as long as they don't have breathing issues, etc). The flu mist is a live vaccine though (if I understood correctly), but as far as I know, they don't need the series of 2 shots if they are over the age of 1. I would double check that with your pedi (or shot clinic, where ever you go). It may be different for the first time around, so don't quote me on that one.

That being said, <knock on wood> we haven't had a reaction to anything and other then the initial cry during the shot everything has been fine and we've been flu free (again <knock on wood>). 

ppants

The first administration is done with two separate injections. It's only one injection every year after. My kids have gotten the flu vaccine for several years now. I was vaccinated while pg with them, and DH and I also get it every year. Thankfully, we haven't had to deal with the flu.

Angela814

We do the flu shot every year for me and the kids. I have asthma, so it's important for me to get it, and I think it's important for young children too. It was a 2 part shot the first time, but both my girls were 6 months then. I don't know if it's different when they're older.

Littlejen22

I always do, the shot leaves the arm sore for a few days like if you walked into a door knob. This year they got the nose spray and no side effects, they actually found it pretty funny and DS corrects every saying he did not get a flu shot.

sam19

If they've never had the flu shot before then they would have to get the shot twice. My daughter just got hers at her 3 year appointment. All it was was a quick poke in her thigh. She did really good and it pretty fast. She also had a finger poke for some blood work at the same time and was pretty fascinated by them getting the blood.

sucredee

DD got her first one at 6 or 7 months old and will be getting one every year. The first time it is a 2 series shot and thereafter just once.

i actually got H1N1 when I was 5.5 weeks pregnant (which was first week in October 2009 so I hadn't even had my regular flu shot then). I was lucky in that I am a PA and was running a fever at work (which I never do) so I checked for the flu and it was positive so I was treated immediately and everything turned out fine. 

Both DH and I are medical so I have always gotten a flu shot. It just isn't worth it to me to take a chance and be sick for 2 weeks. Flu can definitely be deadly especially in small kids.

During that first year of the H1N1 we actually had a pregnant lady get the flu shortly before she delivered and her baby got the flu. Baby did not make it....I don't know what your issue is with the flu vaccine but I would definitely do it. Your D is going to get sick a lot if she has never been in daycare/school before and to me it just wouldn't be worth the risk. Flu vaccines are safe. 

macchiatto

Ditto pp's that she needs two the first time. We are pro-flu-shot in our house, especially for the vulnerable or those who come in contact with vulnerable populations (which if you think about it, we all do when out in the community; I'd rather not risk spreading it around for the sake of the elderly, infants, immune-compromised, etc., who might really struggle fighting it). I think it's really worth getting. She is old enough for the flu mist so that is an option too.

NicoleWI

Same as above with the details of the shot. We've all done it before with no side effects and we will all be getting the shot again this year, especially w/ a baby due in Dec. You should also talk to your OB re: the whooping shot cough for you and your DH. Whooping cough is having a big resurgence and can be deadly in a newborn, so it's good to vaccinate the adults.

meglew

DD is 4.5 and this is her third year of having the shot.  She just got it a couple of weeks ago.  I also got it a couple of weeks ago at the advice of my OB (though I was going to anyway).  I had the shot while pregnant with DD as well.  Last year, DD was more sick than in years previous, being that it was her first year of pre-school and never had been in daycare before, but she never got the flu! :-)

weddedwife

NicoleWI:

You should also talk to your OB re: the whooping shot cough for you and your DH. Whooping cough is having a big resurgence and can be deadly in a newborn, so it's good to vaccinate the adults.

DH and I were both vaccinated last year and DD got it with her regular vacs so we are covered there.

Thanks for all the info ladies, I'll ask the Dr at my next appt what's involved for DD.

pea-kay

My boys have gotten the flu shot for the last few years (they have reactive airway disease, so a cold can turn into asthma very quickly) and it's just a shot. No biggie.

KathrynMD

I've always gotten the flu shot b/c I have asthma and DH started getting one when DD was born.  DD was born in December so didn't get on that year obviously, but she's gotten one every year since and we are going later this week to get hers for this year and I'll get mine next week.

We do the shot for her since its quick and done. 

Mrs.RockyM

You just make an appointment and get the shot. I think the 2 shots are only if you're 1 - and it's just a shot and the booster, so 2 shots.  Once you're over 2, you just get a regular 1x shot. 

DD, DH, and I have already gotten our flu shots since I'm due 10/13.  I wanted to have it earlier rather than later so that the baby could build up some of the immunities from it.  Part of the reason they stress pregnant women get it is because some of the immunities from the shot can be passed onto the baby too. We've also asked all family members who will be in semi-regular (more than 1x ) with the baby to do the same, as well as make sure they're up to date on the whopping cough vaccine.

ToBeMrsT

We always get the flu shot.  At our pediatrician's office they have walk-in hours for flu shots so it's super easy to get it done. I took my kids a few weeks ago.  If it's their first time you'll just have to come back in a month for the second shot.  

VTbride05

Both kids and I will get the flu shots (kids already did). DS has asthma and we need to keep as healthy as possible. For now it is the best option for us. DH does not get the flu shot b/c he got very very sick after getting it a few years ago.