Flu Shot - Staten Island,NY

Everyone in my family (except my bug baby husband) gets the flu shot every year. I had the flu once in my life 4 years ago and that's when we all started getting the shot because I NEVER want to be that sick or let my kis get that sick again.

We are also getting te H1N1 shot. I researched it and spoke to my doctor and it is prepared the same exact way as the regulat flu shot. You can go to the CDC website for more information on that vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/general.htm

My 22 month old has always gotten the flu shot and never has had a reaction. Also, at least with the seasonal flu shot, you should be able to get it without the preservative. Not so with the H1N1 shot but we got it too anyway. I have always gotten the shot because I am asthmatic and, aside from a sore arm, have never ever had any problems.

interesting i never gave my kids 14 and 17 the flu shot this year was going to get them the regular one not the H1 and they took a fit so so far they have not gotten it.

one time when they were 3 and 6 they got the flu back to back it was realy bad. So I would say get it.

My son, 28 months, just got the flu shot 2 weeks ago and had no issues. I feel better vaccinating my family the best way that I can, I don't want to be left saying "If only I'd vaccinated my kids...." while sitting in a hospital somewhere.
Good luck in your decision,
Lynsey

The flu shot has never had any major side effects for my family. Keep in mind that the flu can be dangerous for youngh children or kids with respiratory illness. But, the shot only defends against 1 strain of illness... it will protect against that years predicted strain of influenza... it does not protect against any other typical virus', colds or stomach bugs... also, you need to get a separate shot for the H1N1 and it is not available now in most places. I would go for the shot... I have never heard of a person having a bad reaction to the shot, but know people who have had bad cases of the real flu.

I just read an entry by another mom who is claiming that the Flu Shot drastically increases the risk of Autism. Please do not believe this. I have worked with Autistic children for many years and can tell you with confidence, Vaccinations are not the cause Autism!!! Yes, there used to be a preservative in some vaccinations that some people reacted to... this was a rare, severe reaction... not true autism. Also, since the 90's, the vaccination has changed drastically and the safety of these vaccines is monitored very closely. If they were proven to cause Autism, they wouldn't be given to the general population!! I will not try to claim to know what causes Autism, as there is obviously a lot of factors that come into play, but unless you have facts, don't freak people out about!!

Don't make a decision based on this group. Make an INFORMED decision. Here's a few places to start online and I would suggest buying Neil Miller's book on the subject (search Amazon for it).
Gary Null Speaking Out at the NYS Assembly Hearing | 10-13-2009

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3XlJB7J5-o&NR=1
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch5OuzB9L48&feature=re...
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAgWO2yq1k8&feature=re...

2.5 hour documentary using research from the actual pharma companies that you can watch online:http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6351515212287981735#

You can also check out Dr. Sherry Tenpenny, Dr. Mercola, Dr. Blaylock, www.naturalnews.com, Dr. Mayer Eistenstein to name a few.

A shot is irreversible so make sure you make a decision you and your children will be comfortable with for the rest of your lives. There's enough aluminum in the flu shots to pretty much guarantee the onset of Alzheimers in the later years if you give it yearly for ten years. Then there's the other ingredients which if you're a Christian are unacceptable. Some of the viruses are grown on aborted fetal tissue, etc.

Personally I would never vaccinate since it's one of the most bogus things so called "science" has ever brought us and I don't say that lightly but have been researching this for years and have come across way too many damaged children, including my own who only had one year of vaccines but had the side effects for 12 years thereafter. What if your child is the one out of a million to become paralyzed or otherwise damaged? It's happening. Many of these cases are not publicized or they are not connected to the vaccines. Healthy people who have ruined lives. Vaccine manufacturers are not financially responsible and cannot be sued. You will need to be able to live with the consequences.

Just do the research and don't let me or anyone else sway your decision.

My two girls (11 & 5) have had the flu shot since it has been available to them. Lastyear there were 2 or 3 cases of swine in my daughter's school, but we were lucky enough to steer clear of it. I think that the worst we had were the injection sites & our arms were very sore for a few days. No other reactions. Good luck.

never did, not starting now

Hi L. here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mScGC7nFDxM

Hi L.,
My daughter is 5 and I got her the Flu Mist. It's not the shot, it's the Mist that they squirt up each nostril. I did this b/c of the preservatives in the shot. The Mist has no preservatives, it's the live virus. They told us b/c it's the live virus she may get flu symptoms but not the full flu. We did this over a month ago and she was fine, no symptoms at all. I chose the seasonal flu to protect against, but we are NOT getting one for the swine flu. I give my daughter high grade quality vitamins, antioxidants and supplements that I think we should be fine. Good luck with your decision.

My daughter got the regular shot (or should I say shots), with no side effects at all. I'm honestly more curious as to weather there have been reactions to the swine flu shot.

I have a lot of anxiety lately over the flu shot and vaccines in general. I have been getting a flu shot almost every year since I've been working with small children. My daughter has gotten a flu shot 3 times. Neither one of us have gotten the flu, but you never know from year to year. I am definitly not getting the H1N1 flu shot unless it becomes absolutely necessary (a real threat to us and widespread,etc). I would base your decisions on real scientific facts based on peer reviews before I would make any decisions. Weigh both sides of the argument and follow your own gut instinct. Being educated will give you a piece of mind. Good luck!

I do get my kids the flu shot. my 6 year old has Asthma and I still get it for my 4 year old just incase. We have not had any reactions or side effects for the past 3 years. ALSO, I get my kids the Thermisol Free shot. Some pediatricans get those kind and some only get the regular one with the preservative. The place I went to this year is called Passport Health. They have a few sites in NJ and the do have the preservative free one. you have to make an appointment. I know they have 2 locations one in East Brunwick and the other one is in Shrewsbury. I cannot recall the other locations off the top of my head. I hate giving shots and I am selective about which ones I give, but the flu makes me nervous when i have a child with Asthma. Good luck with whichever decision you make.

Hi L.,
One of my kids gets it, one does not. My son is 10 and he is asthmatic, not severe but still, asthma does put him at higher risk if he should get influenza. I started getting him the flu shot when he was in first grade. My daughter is 14 and she has never had a flu shot. She has not made a sick visit to the doctor except for poison ivy and one case of pinkeye since before kindergarten, she made it through 4 years of middle school without missing a single day due to illness and in her case, knowing that she's exposed to all of these things in public school and doesn't catch them, I see no need to put viruses, chemicals, preservatives, etc into her body to "protect" her - not everyone gets the flu at all, and the shot reduces your risk by only 70%.

of course you have to make your own decision and I would advise talking to your doctor and reading the facts for yourself on the CDC website BUT..both my kids (9 and 5) have received the seasonal flu shots(the inactive version). They did not get it last year but have gotten it for them this year and prior years with no noticable side effects..still unsure about whether or not they will get the H1N1 but my daughter can't get the live version "the mist" beause she has been on breathing treatments and bc she has had the respiratory problems our pedistrician did not recommend giving the mist to my son either, advised to wait for the inactive H1N1shot...good luck!

Read the many many earlier posts on this subject--- you will find lots of advice. Good luck!

This is quite the debate.
you asked for opinions, so here's mine:

If your children are in the high risk category, the risk of severe illnessh from the flu is much higher than the risk of an adverse reaction from the shot itself.
I'd do the shots in that case.
But for the average family, I think getting sick, and getting better are a part of building up a strong immune system.... Something like saying "learning to fight makes you a better fighter."
So protecting my kids from getting sick makes me think I'm just going to cause them more sickness later in life, when its harder to deal with sickness.

I made the personal choice for no flu shot for my kids. They are healthy kids with no underlying health issues so I do not think that they need to be injuected with the flu- I much rather just them get a case of it on their own. The flu shot still contains thermisol (mercury) and it's not a risk I want to take. However, this is very personal which needs to be on a case-to-case basis- don't let others including doctors sway you in a different direction from your gut instinct.

After not listening to my doctor the first year and not getting the shot, I cannot count how often my daughter was sick, even hospitalized. I have her get the flu mist. It is a semi-live virus. She has never had a reaction from it. She was barely sick the second year. Never ran a fever for longer than a day. Getting the flu itself can be more harmful and fatal(for some). Why chance it if you don't have to? It amazes me that parents will take their children to the doctor to get antibiotics, which prevents the children from building their own antibodies to fight infections, but will not take their children to get an immunization, which protects them, in the first place. Anitbiotics weakens the immune system, immunizations strenghthens it. It is your judgement call.

We moved to long island last year and i decided to give my kids, who were 4 at the time, the flu shot. new environment and all that i thought just to be safe
we all got the flu despite the fact that we all got the flu shot.
the flu lasted for about a week. yes, temperatures and all that but it wasn't that bad. and we all recovered.
this year? no. no to all the shots. no to regular flu shot, no to swine flu shot. when i asked our ped. last year how come we still got the flu he said well the virus mutates so the vaccine becomes ineffective. so why the heck get it then?
as for the swine flu shot. the thing is, it's too new. its production was rushed, we don't know its long term effects, and we also know this flu will mutate. so if it will mutate what will the vaccine do
to me, with economy collapsed, i look at it as a way for manufacturers to make money. why now? this flu has been known of for decades so why did it all of a sudden become so dangerous?
so to answer your question again, no flu shots for us. they can make their money elsewhere but i am not putting my kids in danger.
as for the link between autism and vaccinations. medical field says no connection and parents of autistic kids say there is connection. i always say parents know best. if we were to admit to the connection between vaccinations and autism that would mean we have putting our kids in danger for decades. it's not the vaccines, its the poison these vaccines contain. i mean it is mercury. a dangerous component. not a component. it is poison. i don't have autistic kids, but i do believe there is a connection. it's as simple as that.

Just found these tips for all on Preventing Swine Flu and posted them on my blog.

http://nosickvisits.blogspot.com/2009/10/prevent-swine-fl...

To Your Health,
L.

It is a very personal choice ...... I personally have not given it to my children and my husband I have not had it either. Do not do what your doctor tells you to do .... do what you feel is right for your family in your gut because you are the mommy and NO ONE knows better then you!!!!

Hi L.,

Whatever you do ...DO NOT GIVE YOUR CHILD THE FLU SHOT!! It increases their chance of autisium! Check out http://www.GaryNull.com!!! He has done studies on why this illness is so prevalent! DO not chance it.

I can provide anyone with the most healthy immune builder that will help "prevent flues" and a Natural supplement that will get rid of a flu and prevent if you take it daily!
I can be reached at ###-###-#### Your family's lives are at stake here and the children are the wealth of the Nation!! We need to really protect them now.

The link here is interesting too. I have another link about a woman who got "brain dead" from the shot and Goodness knows what they put in them today! You also must realize that the regular flu shot only covers certain flues anyway..and you can get a different flu so what the heck???

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My company makes a 5ppm solution that is mild and works..Get that for $39.00 and save your Dr. Bills- You will save money in the long run-this is for sure. http://www.mariji.ShopVitamark.com

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I now am a Life Style Consultant as well as Network Marketer for only the Best Nutritional supplies from many companies.
I hope this helps and you heed what I say here. Check it out for yourself! Always..
Love & Light,
M. G

Read this article and forward it to anyone who thinks they'll get some sort of protection from "flu shots." This information will rock their world with irrefutable facts that few people ever knew about flu vaccines:

http://www.naturalnews.com/027239_vaccines_flu_vaccine_.html

Both my six year old and six month old sons had the regular flu shot without any reaction what so ever. My six yr old also had the H1N1 vaccine in the nasal form on the same day with no problems. I am so happy I had it done because the H1N1 is going around his school right now. I am just hoping the shot form of the H1N1 comes in before my little one gets sick.

I also debated about both of them but with a lot of research and the advice of my Dr. who I trust very much we decided to go for it. I have to say I am glad that we did. Good luck with your decision.

I think its a good idea I have three kids and every year we all get it. So far we have all been in good health (thank the Lord).

Hi L.,

I make sure my three girls get their shot every year. They have never had a reaction to it, just a little soreness where the shot went in, but only for a few hours afterward.

My oldest daughter got the flu a few years ago and it knocked her out for quite a few days. After that I decided to make sure they get the vaccine every year.

I am of the belief that medication is not always the answer for every little sniffle or cough and that the
body should be given the chance to heal itself. But with something that can be very dangerous to little people, why take the chance.

Also, the daycare my little ones go to require that they have one every year, so there is no major outbreak in the daycare. If your children go to a daycare or preschool, you may want to check their policies to see if it is required.

Hi L.,

A lot of people get a bad cold, or a stomach virus, etc., and say they have "the flu." If you or your child actually had the flu, I'm pretty sure you would vow to get the shot every year from then on. Even without complications it will knock you out for at least a week. It's true, though, that a fairly small percentage of people get actual influenza each year, so you will of course always have people who say, "I never get the shot and I've never gotten the flu."

B.

Thank you to Rachel who pointed out people are quick to get antibiotics but will shun the flu shot, when it should be the other way around. Both my kids (ages 7 & 5) have gotten theirs for the year, and I'm on a search for one myself. I understand the feeling that "a mother knows best for her kids", but in my case I feel that since I've never had any medical training in my life I'd rather not take such an emotional stance with my kids' well-being.

We had one year where the shot was missed and both kids got the flu. Never again.

This is a hard choice for our family, too. With everything I have read, we are opting not to get the shots, though. My oldest had the regular flu shot once.
The H1N1 hasn't had any long term testing - they rushed it to market. My sister in laws doctor even told them to wait 4 weeks after the first round of kids get their shots to see if their is any negative reactions. What kind of advice is that!?
Have you looked into what they put into the vaccine? Some of them contain Thimerisol (sp? mercury) at a level much greater than would be considered safe in fish. Even if you get one without it, they contain other dangerous chemicals like formalehyde.
I don't presume to think I know what is best for everybody and I know some people absolutely should get the vaccinations because of other health issues, but we aren't going to do it. I pray that is the right choice.

No children's immunizations currently contain Thimeresol. They used to but they do not anymore. Yes, the adult ones do still have the preservative. I think people need to be better informed before they dole out advice beyond sharing their personal experieinces. This is the second year I have given my son his flu shot and there have been no reactions. Our doctor says to wait and see regarding the H1N1.

Research Barbara Loe Fisher and National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) to educate and empower yourself to make the right decision for you and your family.