Flu Shots...

BuffyJMB · October 2011

I've never had a flu shot before and I understand that we being pregnant are considered "high risk" of getting the flu. Are any of you actually opting out of the shot? All I know is that everyone I know who gets the flu shot gets horribly sick from it. My OB told me about it the last time I was in but I still haven't gotten it yet... what are y'all doing?

BuffyJMB · October 2011

Does it help to mention I NEVER get sick? I get stuffy, but that's about as sick as I've ever been in my entire life!

MotherMonster · October 2011

I'm not getting it. I have no intention of ever getting it. I'm allergic to things in it, but I think it's a waste of money to get a vaccine against a virus that mutates too fast for our medicine to keep up with.

Washing my hands or using hand sanitizer, and being very aware of who I'm around and who's sick (I'm a CNA and a nursing student) are my best defenses. I make sure to remind people to cover their coughs and I have no problem wearing a mask for my own protection.

I'm also diabetic so it's constantly pushed that I get it, but I remind people that what the vaccine contains isn't worth me dying over.

BuffyJMB · October 2011

I remember one of your other posts about being allergic to something too! I think the flu shot only protects you against that one strain of flu, and not the others too. Am I right on that?

katcarls · October 2011

You can't get the flu from the flu shot, the virus is inactivated. Your friends must have already been sick.

I got the flu and H1N1 shots with my first and I'll get the combined one with this pregnancy. I think the known benefits of getting a flu shot outweigh the unknown risks. Especially now that we are well aware of the dangers of H1N1 during pregnancy.

It doesn't matter if you never get sick. Even if you don't typically get the flu, your immune system isn't as good during pregnancy. Plus it's a lot harder to treat your symptoms since some medications are off limits. The antibodies also pass on to your baby which is good since they can't get the flu shot right away. A new study has shown that infants 0-6 months were almost 50% less likely to be hospitalized with the flu if their mom received the vaccine during pregnancy.

DevonPow · October 2011

It is impossible to get the flu from the flu shot - it is a dead virus (the flu MIST can give you minor symptoms since it is live, but they won't give that to pregnant women). People that say they got sick from the shot (not people actually allergic to it....it contains eggs, for example) simple have coincidentally gotten sick at the same time, which is not too surprising due to the time of year people get it. I have gotten the shot for years, including with both pregnancies, and gave had zero side affects other than a slightly sore arm, and avoiding the flu.

Tambcat · October 2011

It was free for me.

Hand sanitizer doesn't kill the flu virus.

I'd never gotten one before because I'm lazy/stubborn/defiant, but I didn't hesitate to get it this year. It's not just about me anymore. I will probably get one from here on out.

ADub09 · October 2011

I will be getting, if not only for me but for my baby. My OB explained to me the other day that my baby will be born towards the end of the flu season but if I don't get the shot it is being born with no protection at all against it. It is also free for me to get. And no amount of hand washing and hand sanitizer can truly kill the flu.

jkfranklin · October 2011

I am not getting it. Never have. Not gonna start now.

Moneypenny424 · October 2011

i will get the shot for sure. i have the stomach flu right now (which i've never had) and it is horrible. I'm attributing this to my suppressed pregnant immune system--I'm not taking any chances getting another illness like this one!

twinkletoes815 · October 2011

I got mine last Monday. My ob even recommended, but I usually get one yearly anyways. It won't make you sick b/c it's not live. The nasal spray is LIVE so I wouldn't get that one anyways. It's good for you and baby. It's poss to still get the flu even if you get the flu shot, but hopefully, it won't be as severe. Can you imagine being pregnant with full blown flu?!?! My DH had it last year, and it was horrible. Best to get the protection from the shot when you can!

NayNaysPlayPen · October 2011

I have never gotten sick and dont believe it is even possible to get sick from a flu shot. You can get a fever and a sore arm, thats about it. When it comes to my baby, those symptoms far outweight the risks. Other years I have gotten lazy and or just forgotten to get mine. I didnt hesitate this year.

daniela64 · October 2011

I also have never got the flu shot before. So I am opting out of it. I have heard some horror stories about pregnant woman getting the flu shot.

sweet melissa photography · October 2011

I didn't get it with my first (pregnant through the winter) and won't again. I have done my research. If most people really knew what was in the shot, they wouldn't get it. Thimerosal (a mercury derivative), Ethylene glycol (antifreeze), Phenol (a disinfectant dye), Aluminum, Benzethonium chloride (a disinfectant), Formaldehyde (a preservative and disinfectant), Chick embryos.

countdowntolockdown · October 2011

Do what you feel is right, but no, you're not correct that it only protects against one strain. This year's vaccine has both influenza and H1N1 (swine flu) protection. H1N1 targeted pregnant women more fiercely when the outbreak happened. Many pregnant women died or their unborn babies died.

On average, 36,000 Americans die every year because of influenza per the CDC. Also, the flu has already appeared here in WI, which is a bit early for it to reach the interior states (it usually shows up in October on the coasts and hits here by December). That could mean this is going to be a particularly bad year for the flu.

I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't get a shot and then my baby died. Never.

EDIT: I got the vaccine without the Mercury preservative, per my doc. I'm sure there are worse chemicals in the food I eat.

Steffie17 · October 2011

I got mine and I get one every year. I have a suppressed immune system anyway from medications I take and with being pregnant will make it worse. Yes, there are chemicals in it, but the benefits outweigh the risks in my opinion. I got the shot at my OB's office. I will continue to get one every year here on out too. So will DH.

biblionerd · October 2011

sweet melissa photography:
I didn't get it with my first (pregnant through the winter) and won't again. I have done my research. If most people really knew what was in the shot, they wouldn't get it. Thimerosal (a mercury derivative), Ethylene glycol (antifreeze), Phenol (a disinfectant dye), Aluminum, Benzethonium chloride (a disinfectant), Formaldehyde (a preservative and disinfectant), Chick embryos.

... and where does your "research" of these ingredients come from?

sweet melissa photography · October 2011

My mom is a naturopathic nurse who specializes in holistic health. She never gets the flu shot and has not gotten sick in years. I try to live as healthy as her, because I can see through her that if you treat yourself well, your body has a tremendous immune system. I was not trying to start a debate by any means. To each his own. Also, you can find tons of information online.

biblionerd · October 2011

sweet melissa photography:
My mom is a naturopathic nurse who specializes in holistic health. She never gets the flu shot and has not gotten sick in years. I try to live as healthy as her, because I can see through her that if you treat yourself well, your body has a tremendous immune system. I was not trying to start a debate by any means. To each his own. Also, you can find tons of information online.

Exactly. I'm not starting a debate, but doing your own research is not solely asking other people for advice. If you go to the flu manufacturer websites you can find lists of ingredients. All of your ingredients are not in flu shot. For one, many flu shots are available without mercury/thimerosol. Formaldehyde is in SOME, not all. And anti-freeze? Give me a break. There's a difference between providing information and fear mongering. You are fear mongering. Providing correct information and saying you don't want to get the flu shot is one thing. To each their own. But to make others afraid is wrong.

jkfranklin · October 2011

Moneypenny424:
i will get the shot for sure. i have the stomach flu right now (which i've never had) and it is horrible. I'm attributing this to my suppressed pregnant immune system--I'm not taking any chances getting another illness like this one!

There is no such thing as the "stomach flu" and the vaccine doesn't protect against any illness with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

sweet melissa photography · October 2011

Disgusting ingredients and chemicals are in EVERYTHING from foods, to toothpastes, health and beauty products. All you need to do is look at the list of ingredients on any product, then google one of those ingredients. You'd be shocked to find out what some of those things actually are! My mom looked at the toothpaste I was giving my son, and it had all sorts of things in it, (including antifreeze..... yes antifreeze, just google it, the info is out there). I immediately stopped using it and since have slowly started switching to more natural products. In general, the public is clueless about most things like this because the FDA is a huge money making industry and all they care about is making money. Remember that commercial that claimed that high fructose corn syrup was ok for you? Yeah, what a joke!

MotherMonster · October 2011

I'm allergic to Neomycin, so I don't risk it.

You can't get the flu from the flu shot as long as it's an inactive flu shot, however there are flu vaccines that are live such as the flu mist. While flu mist isn't given to pregnant women, people who get flu mist are contagious for 3 weeks. That means they're spreading the virus they're being vaccinated against.

And hand sanitizer with alcohol does kill the flu viruses as long as it has 70% alcohol in it. I took microbiology and we tested it. I also know a pharmacist that makes the cleaning staff use rubbing alcohol to clean the counters and floors of her pharmacy to reduce the spread of germs and viruses.

biblionerd · October 2011

sweet melissa photography:
Disgusting ingredients and chemicals are in EVERYTHING from foods, to toothpastes, health and beauty products. All you need to do is look at the list of ingredients on any product, then google one of those ingredients. You'd be shocked to find out what some of those things actually are! My mom looked at the toothpaste I was giving my son, and it had all sorts of things in it, (including antifreeze..... yes antifreeze, just google it, the info is out there). I immediately stopped using it and since have slowly started switching to more natural products. In general, the public is clueless about most things like this because the FDA is a huge money making industry and all they care about is making money. Remember that commercial that claimed that high fructose corn syrup was ok for you? Yeah, what a joke!

Where did I say that disgusting ingredients weren't in anything? I completely agree many things are disgusting. Like I said... show me ONE legitimate source where anti-freeze is in the flu vaccine? You can't. I looked. I found not one flu vaccine with it. Show me and I'll realize I'm wrong, but you can't.

Moneypenny424 · October 2011

jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
i will get the shot for sure. i have the stomach flu right now (which i've never had) and it is horrible. I'm attributing this to my suppressed pregnant immune system--I'm not taking any chances getting another illness like this one!
There is no such thing as the "stomach flu" and the vaccine doesn't protect against any illness with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

Are you suggesting I'm making up vomiting for three days? I know it is gastroenteritis, but people commonly refer to it as "stomach flu"--I think it is more helpful to speak in words that people generally use than using terms they may be unfamiliar with. I didn't say a vaccine would've prevented it, I said I didn't want to get another illness like this, meaning, I didn't want to get this sick again. Can I get gastroenteritis again? Yes, but being this sick makes me realize I'm not taking a chance getting ANY illness right now. Thanks, but I work in flu clinics and am well-versed in what I mean.

MotherMonster · October 2011

Umm there is such thing as the stomach flu because that's what health care professionals refer to it as when you're just strictly throwing up and are nauseated. It's not truly the flu, but that's just what it is called. It's most likely a GI bug. Also the flu does can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea of course with other symptoms on top of that.

sweet melissa photography · October 2011

Quite snarky, aren't we? Since you couldn't find them yourself, here ya go:

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/26/flu-vaccine-exposed.aspx

https://www.rocklintoday.com/news/templates/alternative_medicine.asp?articleid=8213&zoneid=55

https://www.flu-treatments.com/flu-shot-ingredients.html

https://www.newswithviews.com/Ciola/greg7.htm

https://lewrockwell.com/miller/miller27.html

This debate could go on forever, so I am done. Its the same thing as whether or not to vaccinate your baby due to autism risks (which I DID vacciante my son, just on my own schedule rather than the pedi's). Everyone has to do their own research and make desicions based on what they believe.

kissyfitt · October 2011

I, by NO means, want to involve myself in a conversation that reminds me of The View, but I found this:

"Some vaccines do contain the additive 2-phenoxyethanol, which is an organic chemical compound, but it is not the same as antifreeze (ethylene glycol and propylene glycol). 2-Phenoxyethanol is also a glycol ether and doesn't sound much better than antifreeze, so why is it in vaccines? It is a preservative that can help prevent bacterial and fungal contamination of the vaccine."

from: https://pediatrics.about.com/od/immunizations/a/0608_vac_aditvs.htm

I think the decision to get a flu shot or not is a personal one. Getting it or not getting it is no reflection on how much you love your baby. Not that anyone is saying that. I'm just saying I recognize and appreciate both points of view.

Tambcat · October 2011

sweet melissa photography:
I didn't get it with my first (pregnant through the winter) and won't again. I have done my research. If most people really knew what was in the shot, they wouldn't get it. Thimerosal (a mercury derivative), Ethylene glycol (antifreeze), Phenol (a disinfectant dye), Aluminum, Benzethonium chloride (a disinfectant), Formaldehyde (a preservative and disinfectant), Chick embryos.

LOL

biblionerd · October 2011

sweet melissa photography:
Quite snarky, aren't we? Since you couldn't find them yourself, here ya go:

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/26/flu-vaccine-exposed.aspx

https://www.rocklintoday.com/news/templates/alternative_medicine.asp?articleid=8213&zoneid=55

https://www.flu-treatments.com/flu-shot-ingredients.html

https://www.newswithviews.com/Ciola/greg7.htm

https://lewrockwell.com/miller/miller27.html

This debate could go on forever, so I am done. Its the same thing as whether or not to vaccinate your baby due to autism risks (which I DID vacciante my son, just on my own schedule rather than the pedi's). Everyone has to do their own research and make desicions based on what they believe.

Oh, I'm quite capable of finding sites like yours. I research for a living. I'm talking about real research. Show me manufacturer labels of ingredients, medical journals, or something not from some "natural health" or religious website. You are not finding research, you're finding websites that any Joe Schmo could write. A website with an agenda is obviously biased. Base your living off of whatever you want to believe. I just think it's sad that adults have no idea how to find unbiased research. I guess that's why people are trained to do real research...

biblionerd · October 2011

Tambcat:
sweet melissa photography:
I didn't get it with my first (pregnant through the winter) and won't again. I have done my research. If most people really knew what was in the shot, they wouldn't get it. Thimerosal (a mercury derivative), Ethylene glycol (antifreeze), Phenol (a disinfectant dye), Aluminum, Benzethonium chloride (a disinfectant), Formaldehyde (a preservative and disinfectant), Chick embryos.
LOL

Psh, chick embryos are scary evil.

reillyroowho · October 2011

biblionerd:
sweet melissa photography:
Quite snarky, aren't we? Since you couldn't find them yourself, here ya go:

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/26/flu-vaccine-exposed.aspx

https://www.rocklintoday.com/news/templates/alternative_medicine.asp?articleid=8213&zoneid=55

https://www.flu-treatments.com/flu-shot-ingredients.html

https://www.newswithviews.com/Ciola/greg7.htm

https://lewrockwell.com/miller/miller27.html

This debate could go on forever, so I am done. Its the same thing as whether or not to vaccinate your baby due to autism risks (which I DID vacciante my son, just on my own schedule rather than the pedi's). Everyone has to do their own research and make desicions based on what they believe.

Oh, I'm quite capable of finding sites like yours. I research for a living. I'm talking about real research. Show me manufacturer labels of ingredients, medical journals, or something not from some "natural health" or religious website. You are not finding research, you're finding websites that any Joe Schmo could write. A website with an agenda is obviously biased. Base your living off of whatever you want to believe. I just think it's sad that adults have no idea how to find unbiased research. I guess that's why people are trained to do real research...

It's all about the pros outweighing the cons for me. I WON'T risk preterm labor with the flu. The flu is a very common and real danger for pregnant women. The ingredients in the flu shot didn't kill my babies but the flu could have. And for the record, I have a friend who is a naturopath that actually recommended that I get the flu shot.

jkfranklin · October 2011

Moneypenny424:
jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
i will get the shot for sure. i have the stomach flu right now (which i've never had) and it is horrible. I'm attributing this to my suppressed pregnant immune system--I'm not taking any chances getting another illness like this one!
There is no such thing as the "stomach flu" and the vaccine doesn't protect against any illness with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Are you suggesting I'm making up vomiting for three days? I know it is gastroenteritis, but people commonly refer to it as "stomach flu"--I think it is more helpful to speak in words that people generally use than using terms they may be unfamiliar with. I didn't say a vaccine would've prevented it, I said I didn't want to get another illness like this, meaning, I didn't want to get this sick again. Can I get gastroenteritis again? Yes, but being this sick makes me realize I'm not taking a chance getting ANY illness right now. Thanks, but I work in flu clinics and am well-versed in what I mean.

You implied that by getting the flu vaccine you would not get this illness you currently have again which is a false statement. I think it's wrong to mislead people in this way because the flu vaccine preventing the stomach flu is a common misconception.

katcarls · October 2011

jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
i will get the shot for sure. i have the stomach flu right now (which i've never had) and it is horrible. I'm attributing this to my suppressed pregnant immune system--I'm not taking any chances getting another illness like this one!
There is no such thing as the "stomach flu" and the vaccine doesn't protect against any illness with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Are you suggesting I'm making up vomiting for three days? I know it is gastroenteritis, but people commonly refer to it as "stomach flu"--I think it is more helpful to speak in words that people generally use than using terms they may be unfamiliar with. I didn't say a vaccine would've prevented it, I said I didn't want to get another illness like this, meaning, I didn't want to get this sick again. Can I get gastroenteritis again? Yes, but being this sick makes me realize I'm not taking a chance getting ANY illness right now. Thanks, but I work in flu clinics and am well-versed in what I mean.
You implied that by getting the flu vaccine you would not get this illness you currently have again which is a false statement. I think it's wrong to mislead people in this way because the flu vaccine preventing the stomach flu is a common misconception.

I don't think that's what she was saying at all, you just misunderstood her. I think she was just using her story in response to someone's comment that they weren't getting the flu shot because they never get sick. She doesn't typically get sick either but she came down with the stomach flu which she attributes to her immune system being supressed due to pregnancy. I think she was also saying that being sick while pregnant is miserable so if she can get a vaccine to prevent an illness, then she would do it.

Moneypenny424 · October 2011

katcarls:
jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
i will get the shot for sure. i have the stomach flu right now (which i've never had) and it is horrible. I'm attributing this to my suppressed pregnant immune system--I'm not taking any chances getting another illness like this one!
There is no such thing as the "stomach flu" and the vaccine doesn't protect against any illness with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Are you suggesting I'm making up vomiting for three days? I know it is gastroenteritis, but people commonly refer to it as "stomach flu"--I think it is more helpful to speak in words that people generally use than using terms they may be unfamiliar with. I didn't say a vaccine would've prevented it, I said I didn't want to get another illness like this, meaning, I didn't want to get this sick again. Can I get gastroenteritis again? Yes, but being this sick makes me realize I'm not taking a chance getting ANY illness ri
ght now. Thanks, but I work in flu clinics and am well-versed in what I mean.
You implied that by getting the flu vaccine you would not get this illness you currently have again which is a false statement. I think it's wrong to mislead people in this way because the flu vaccine preventing the stomach flu is a common misconception.
I don't think that's what she was saying at all, you just misunderstood her. I think she was just using her story in response to someone's comment that they weren't getting the flu shot because they never get sick. She doesn't typically get sick either but she came down with the stomach flu which she attributes to her immune system being supressed due to pregnancy. I think she was also saying that being sick while pregnant is miserable so if she can get a vaccine to prevent an illness, then she would do it.

thank you Katscarl, that was exactly what i'd meant by my post.

jkfranklin · October 2011

Moneypenny424:
katcarls:
jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
i will get the shot for sure. i have the stomach flu right now (which i've never had) and it is horrible. I'm attributing this to my suppressed pregnant immune system--I'm not taking any chances getting another illness like this one!
There is no such thing as the "stomach flu" and the vaccine doesn't protect against any illness with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Are you suggesting I'm making up vomiting for three days? I know it is gastroenteritis, but people commonly refer to it as "stomach flu"--I think it is more helpful to speak in words that people generally use than using terms they may be unfamiliar with. I didn't say a vaccine would've prevented it, I said I didn't want to get another illness like this, meaning, I didn't want to get this sick again. Can I get gastroenteritis again? Yes, but being this sick makes me realize I'm not taking a chance getting ANY illness ri
ght now. Thanks, but I work in flu clinics and am well-versed in what I mean.
You implied that by getting the flu vaccine you would not get this illness you currently have again which is a false statement. I think it's wrong to mislead people in this way because the flu vaccine preventing the stomach flu is a common misconception.
I don't think that's what she was saying at all, you just misunderstood her. I think she was just using her story in response to someone's comment that they weren't getting the flu shot because they never get sick. She doesn't typically get sick either but she came down with the stomach flu which she attributes to her immune system being supressed due to pregnancy. I think she was also saying that being sick while pregnant is miserable so if she can get a vaccine to prevent an illness, then she would do it.
thank you Katscarl, that was exactly what i'd meant by my post.

Then I apologize for misunderstanding.

sunnyfalls · October 2011

Geez, the attacks on this!! There are facts for and against, and risks either way. It's your choice, just like anything else you can and can't do when you're pregnant.

But since you're asking for people's opinions, I got the flu shot this year, even though I'm allergic to egg, and I had no symptoms. I rarely get the flu and am not very strict about getting one every year. However, when I did get the flu, it was always when I didn't have the vaccine and the symptoms were bad enough for me not to risk it when I was pregnant.

If you don't want to get it, do your own research, but know your risks either way.

Mjmksb04 · October 2011

To whoever said that the flu mist can cause you to be contagious for the flu for up to three weeks, that is absolutely incorrect. Directly from the flumist website:

Will I get sick from FluMist? If I sneeze, will I give the flu to someone else?

No. The viruses contained in FluMist are engineered not to cause the flu.

Moneypenny424 · October 2011

jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
katcarls:
jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
jkfranklin:
Moneypenny424:
i will get the shot for sure. i have the stomach flu right now (which i've never had) and it is horrible. I'm attributing this to my suppressed pregnant immune system--I'm not taking any chances getting another illness like this one!
There is no such thing as the "stomach flu" and the vaccine doesn't protect against any illness with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Are you suggesting I'm making up vomiting for three days? I know it is gastroenteritis, but people commonly refer to it as "stomach flu"--I think it is more helpful to speak in words that people generally use than using terms they may be unfamiliar with. I didn't say a vaccine would've prevented it, I said I didn't want to get another illness like this, meaning, I didn't want to get this sick again. Can I get gastroenteritis again? Yes, but being this sick makes me realize I'm not taking a chance getting ANY illness ri
ght now. Thanks, but I work in flu clinics and am well-versed in what I mean.
You implied that by getting the flu vaccine you would not get this illness you currently have again which is a false statement. I think it's wrong to mislead people in this way because the flu vaccine preventing the stomach flu is a common misconception.
I don't think that's what she was saying at all, you just misunderstood her. I think she was just using her story in response to someone's comment that they weren't getting the flu shot because they never get sick. She doesn't typically get sick either but she came down with the stomach flu which she attributes to her immune system being supressed due to pregnancy. I think she was also saying that being sick while pregnant is miserable so if she can get a vaccine to prevent an illness, then she would do it.
thank you Katscarl, that was exactly what i'd meant by my post.
Then I apologize for misunderstanding.

No worries, it's cool Smile

BuffyJMB · October 2011

WOW! Alot of info to consider! Just like one person said, there's alot of info for it and against it. I still don't know what I'm going to do. I'd still like to know why everyone I know gets so sick after they get the flu shot tho! Isn't that all a weird coincidence? My poor mom and grandpa were so sick after they got their shots every year! I remember my mom being so mad because she knew every year, she'd get it and she'd have to call off of work right after! Thanks for the info and opinions!

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