Flu shot- yes or no?

aperfectloss06 · February 2013

Did you get your baby the flu shot? Why did you or why didn't you? Talking to other adults that have gotten the flu shot just tell me that it made them sicker and get more colds. I'd never had the flu shot, and growing up we didn't have it and we are fine. Just seems to me that the side effects are bad. But pretty sure baby got the flu.. so now I'm second guessing my decision.

Thanks!

salt78 · February 2013

YES. She's in daycare so we got her the shot. And then I personally did NOT get the flu shot because I waited too long and couldn't find anywhere that had it and then I got the flu. It was horrible and I felt like I was going to die. I'm so thankful she had her shot though because she didn't get it from me.

It is a myth that the flu shot gives you the flu. Most of the time when you contract the flu after the shot, it is because you are exposed before the vaccine has a chance to work (according to the CDC there is a 2 week window). I have had the flu twice in my life and both times I did not get the flu vax. I will get it every year from now on. When I was super sick, I was kicking myself for waiting too long.

kalette · February 2013

We all got the shot and none of us had the flu. We attend baby classes and my DH works at a college, so I was pretty sure it was coming for us, nothing yet though.

Amanda2011 · February 2013

Everyone in my house got the shot. I feel very strongly that everyone should. Some people may feel ill after getting the shot but that is the body reacting and forming antibodies not getting sick from the shot. You can still get the flu after getting the shot but it won't be as severe. Even if you get the flu and are ok you could pass it along to someone who was not well enough to get the shot and they could be very ill. I had a friend die from complications from the flu so I guess I might have a stronger opinion that most. It's your child so it's for you to choose what you feel is right for them. Next year talk with your pedi about your reasons for not doing it this years and they can address your concers and help you make the right choice for your family. Hope your lo feels better soon. I'm not sure at what age they give tamaflu but it would be worth a call to the pedi.

BaileyMom39 · February 2013

My daughter got the flu shot -- no second thoughts about it. There are more risk with not getting than getting it.

MrsJetSet · February 2013

Yes, we all did. Dd goes to daycare so I didn't want to chance it.

hopefulmom81 · February 2013

Yes, we absolutely got it.

It is anecdotal that adults that got it got sicker, there is no evidence or research to back this up, to my knowledge. If they got sicker and more colds it had nothing to do with the flu shot.

I would rather have my child get vaccinated and have an issue with a side effect than get the flu and die or be in the hospital and know I could have prevented it.

oliversmommy32912 · February 2013

We got the shot. Everyone in my family did except my dad and he got the flu. In fact it turned into pneumonia and he was hospitalized. He missed three weeks of work. We were all exposed to it when he was sick because we were at their house the night he started feeling funny and we didn't catch it so I really do believe the shot saved us from getting something terrible.

I have had the flu shot every year for the last six years I worked in a medical office and it was manditory and have not once had the flu since then. In fact I have only had maybe one cold a year since then either. I did get the flu the year before I got the shot and it was terrible. I have also had the norovirus once since then which many people mistake for the flu buy it is not. In our family the benefits FAR outweigh the risks. I don't really care what anyone does in their family, but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD stay home if you don't feel well and stop passing this stuff around!

KatFCo · February 2013

Absolutely. We have asthmatics in our family, so it could be really bad if one of us got it.

And by the way, cold=/=flu

stomach flu=/=flu

The flu is influenza. It's a really bad illness that isn't the same as a cold. And for most people, there aren't any side effects. I never got the flu growing up either, but considering how many people have died from it, there's no good reason not to get it. No one ever plans to get the flu.

JENandJEH · February 2013

We all got the flu shot. DS1 is in preschool and I didn't want to take the chance that he would bring something home for DS2 to catch. No side effects and so far, none of us have had the flu.

leah2b · February 2013

Yes. daughter is in daycare so it is required for all babies over 6 months. My daughter loves daycare immensely but I really hate how the babies constantly pass their illnesses around.

The flu can be so dangerous for babies we wanted to do everything possible to reduce the risk. Even though you can still get sick with the flu even after getting the shot, the vaccine will reduce the length and severity of the illness.

lsmith100 · February 2013

Yes, we all got a flu shot. Why? Because we want to do everything we can to prevent the flu. Neither myself, husband, or DS had any adverse side effects.

KDR1979 · February 2013

Yes!

We were nervous about giving it (DD is small and they were late pre term babies), because they were 6 months old in October, but since they were 36 weekers, they shouldn't have been 6 mos until November. Our pedi said they should get it at 6 mos chronological age. They got their 1st flu shot in Oct and the 2nd in November.

Since then, I am soooo glad we did it. The babies have their 2nd colds right now and it is miserable. We're giving them saline nasal drops, tylenol/motrin when you can tell they don't feel well, and high Vitamin C foods...but we're on day 5 of them feeling bad. I can't imagine having babies that are so sick they could need hospitalization. I want to do anything to prevent that.

The flu shot is a dead virus...you can't get sick from it. Older kids can get a fluMist which is a live virus and may cause some mild flu symptoms ( but I believe it is supposed to create better immunity to the flu).

My mom, dad, sister (and sister's kids) don't get the flu shot b/c they don't "believe" in it. They were all sick for 2 weeks in January...like majorly sick. My mom couldn't babysit (or do anything) for 2 full weeks and my sister missed a whole week of work. My nephew has missed a crazy amount of 4th grade!

We delay some vaccinations and I have read Dr Bob's vaccine book,but I definitely believe in modern medicine!!

jennyelf · February 2013

Every in the family got it. DC requires it, work gives it out for free, and DH works in education and public transit. LO still got the flu (diagnosed via nasal swab), one of the ones that wasn't in the shot. Still glad he got the shot and somehow the rest of us didn't get it from LO.

blushingbride_08 · February 2013

My LO did not get the flu shot and neither does DH or I. My LO is not in daycare otherwise I may consider it.

aldavis78 · February 2013

MrsJetSet:
Yes, we all did. Dd goes to daycare so I didn't want to chance it.

this.

LadySnowblood · February 2013

Yes, DS and I got the flu shot. DH has been meaning to, but keeps forgetting.

huskymomma94 · February 2013

Yes

Zimger · February 2013

Yes, Absolutely.

He goes to daycare and DH and I work with people all day.

Our DS did have a bit of a fever and felt out of sorts the day he recieved the first shot. I simply kept him home with me. One day of feeling crappy is far better than catching the Flu.

jcsntms06 · February 2013

Both my girls got the flu shot and I'm required to get a flu shot as well (work in the healthcare setting). I've been receiving the flu shot for the past 6 years, and I still haven't gotten sick. Now this year, from what I heard the flu going around is much different then the strains that are given in the shot. So far, we all have been flu free. I'll keep getting the shot for my girls mainly because they are in daycare and well we all know daycare is full of germs.

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