Flu Shot after birth...thoughts?

Corinneallyson · June 2009

So, when I got my packet of info, it says the CDC suggests people taking care of a baby under 5 mo (i think?) should get the flu shot...

I really didn't want to get the flu shot, and didn't when I found out I was pregnant. I've never had the flu (the one time I've been that sick it ended up being a "bacterial infection," which cannot be cured with medicine...so why bother?), everyone I know that gets one generally gets sick after getting one, and also has had a major medical reason to get one. I am healthy - and really don't want to get on the whole regimen of having to get one all the time...

What is everyone else doing, and why?

*blondie* · June 2009

I won't get one right away but dh and I will both get one again next fall. It's free for us so I say why not?

KSimone619 · June 2009

Since flu season doesn't start until oct/nov....I won't get one right away, but probably around flu season time (I get one every year, I work in health care)

Mrs_mam · June 2009

I only get flu shots during flu season (the winter), and I get one every year. I had the bad flu once and it was terrible. Are you sure they don't mean for you to get a shot if you are caring for a baby during flu season? Generally they aren't even available until October at the earliest since they are updated each year for the predicted flu strains. Seems kind of useless to get one off-season.

amhough · June 2009

ditto PP, DH and I both work with the public, so come flu season next year we will both be getting flu shots.

HeyyRed · June 2009

I am religiously opposed to flu shots. I had one one year when I was teaching and this is what I ended up getting that year:

6 YES 6 bouts of Tonsilitis

1 Case of Shingles

2 Major eye infections that caused my eyes to swell shut for two days

1 bout of Strep Throat

3 Colds

I try and avoid anti-biotics (which made the situation worse because they basically deplete your immune system and can last up to 6 months in your system and I clearly developed a resistance to penicillin after being that sick for the entire year) and opt for naturopathic remedies.

Since that year, I saw a naturopath about my tonsils and using Cats Claw (Una Da Gato) I have 'cured' my chronic?Tonsilitis and haven't had a bout of it in almost 10 years.

sept14 · June 2009

I got my flu shot this fall while pregnant and will get one next fall too.

If you had bacterial infection, it would have been treated with antibiotics.

JCM083009 · June 2009

I won't. But then again I don't get the flu shot anyway, so I am not about to start.

pharmacygirl · June 2009

It is recommended to get your flu shot at flu season. The shot should be available around the middle of september. I can't remember what the recommendations are for babies but I think they can get their flu shot after 6 months. That may be why they rec it if your caring for a child under 5 months and that would imply during flu season. I get mine every year since I am around sick people all the time and I am certified to give vaccines so I will give about 300+ shots during flu season to my patients. By the way it does not cause the flu b/c it is an inactive vaccine.

cprn · June 2009

The Flu Vaccine is not licensed to give after March 31st. All clinics are required to return left-over vaccine, so no clinic should have "left overs". You will have to wait until the fall now.

It's a really good idea for all care givers (parents, grandparents, family, day care workers) to get the flu vaccine to create a circle of protection around the little one. We are ALL carriers.

cprn · June 2009

pharmacygirl:
It is recommended to get your flu shot at flu season. The shot should be available around the middle of september. I can't remember what the recommendations are for babies but I think they can get their flu shot after 6 months. That may be why they rec it if your caring for a child under 5 months and that would imply during flu season. I get mine every year since I am around sick people all the time and I am certified to give vaccines so I will give about 300+ shots during flu season to my patients. By the way it does not cause the flu b/c it is an inactive vaccine.

That is correct. The flu shot is licensed for 6 months and up and the SHOT is inactive virus. There is a nasal mist available for ages 2 years and up (except for children with history of respiratory disease like asthma, BPD, etc), but this is a live virus. All infants/children receiving their first flu immunization will receive 2 doses the first year...yes 2 shots or 2 nasal sprays. True, also, it does not cause flu because it is inactive.

CourtneyRDH · June 2009

I never get the flu and I've never had the flu shot. It seems like the people who get the flu are ones who have had flu shots. I don't think it's a coincidence either. My brother had never had the flu in his life and he got a flu shot about 5 years go....without fail every flu season he gets the flu now. He told me he will never, ever get a flu shot again. Unless you are sick or are elderly I think it's a dumb idea.?

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