We took the kids this week for their shots. When I was telling a co-worker, they looked at me like I was nuts, and questioned why I vaccinated them. Apparently, she thinks flu shots make you sick and if kids aren't in daycare or school, there is no need to vaccinate. I hope those poor kiddos don't come down with the flu. Sometimes there is no reasoning with people.                 
                             
        
Re: Anyone NOT get their kids a flu shot?
I skipped their flu shots last year.
Both kids spent 7-10 days feverish and coughing their lungs out. I will be getting their flu shots this year without fail.
DS - December 2006
DD - December 2008
DH, me and Michelle get one but my older girls do not. Michelle catches EVERYTHING so easily. She's been getting a flu shot since she was a year old. Dh & I had to get one when Michelle was born because she was a preemie.
I'm not gonna give anyone a side eye who dont get flu shots or get the kids one.
I've never signed anything. DS got the flu shot when he had a cold and he's fine.
Can I ask what happened?
I think I have always got L a flu shot in the past, and he is always out of whack for a few days afterwards. I've contemplated not getting him one this year.
I don't get them. exH doesn't believe in them after he had a very adverse reaction.
And, hope hubby feels better!
We do not get the flu shot.
The shot does not make you sick since it's not a live virus. The flu mist IS a live virus, so most people get and can spread a mild flu on to others after getting it.
I don't get the kids flu shots.
I don't get myself one either.
*gasp*
(We all have healthy thriving immune systems. Being that sick sucks, and I hope we don't get it. But we have (knock on wood) not had it and I've NEVER got one (either have they). And I can tell you (blah blah blah) how many times I've heard of people getting the flu AFTER getting the flu shot. I've heard the story far too many times. And it does not protect agains all flu strains. Basically, you can get the shot and STILL get the flu. It only decreases your risk. Not worth it, IMO!)
Sometimes we get them, sometimes we don't. It just depends on a variety of factors such as whether or not the kids are attending school, if it's known to be a bad flu season, etc.
I haven't really given it any thought yet this year. Ds has his annual appt in a couple of weeks so I'll ask then, but I'm leaning towards not doing it this year since both of the kids will be staying home. They're not in school or daycare.
Unfortunately, speaking from experience, I'm guessing that your dad's oncologist would recommend that you all get a flu shot if you want to keep him as safe as possible while he's going through chemo. You're in a different situation this year, you may want to reconsider your decision on this.
nevermind.
Honestly, it's pretty much hit or miss in this house. Jeremy gets it most of the time because his annual physical is usually in September and it's just easier to get it done while there, though the year he didn't get one, he ended up with a confirmed case of H1N1. Nate hasn't been able to get in the past because of his egg allergy and they won't do the mist because he has asthma, though when I had him at the pedi when he was sick a few weeks ago, they told me that new research indicates that the shot is safe for those with a mild allergy. Nate did get the flu last year and was really, really sick with it. Alyssa gets it sometimes, but I'll admit I don't generally go out of my way to get it for her. I've gotten the flu shot 3 times as an adult and twice I still got the flu (not from the shot but later in the season).
I will add, that I don't put much stock in vaccines, at least not that they are 100% effective. Jeremy had all his shots and boosters and still had Rubella as a child. Nate had the chicken pox vaccine and ended up with Shingles. Oh, and when Nate was sick a few weeks ago, the Strep taste came back negative so the doctors only other "guess" was Rubella. Oy!
Kelly Monaghan's 5K - 5/15/11 - 3rd Place in AG
Walk the Talk 5K - 5/18/11 - 31:12 PR
Ridley Run 3.1 - 4/14/12 - 1st race of the year, 32:45
Girls are getting them tomorrow - always have.
I'll get one at work (work for a health system). I've had the actual flu and it was an awful bedridden week and a full month before I was better. I don't have a month of down time as a single parent.
J2 11.17.08
Same here.
{Ava 5.16.06} {Ella 12.29.07} {Drew 2.9.10}
we will this year because my sister will be home visiting for 3 weeks with a newborn and then again at Christmas time with a 2 month old....so to protect her baby we will get them.
I did when my kids were teeny tiny (Audrey caught the flu AND RSV the same week when she was 5 months old...worse week of my life). But we haven't the past few years. We all caught H1N1 and it really wasn't a big deal...we were down and out for about 2 or 3 days and back to normal within a week.
So, if we will be around babies often (like this year) it makes sense...if not...I'm ok with our immune systems fighting their own fight without help.