Flu Shot Question

Sorry but the only people I know who have gotten the flu shot got sick or died, as my grandma did. Especially the newer flu shots with h1n1, no way and no how will I or my kids ever get one. I'd call the doctor, treat what she has, and report the reaction to VAERS. But reconsider getting them. We don't get them and have only ever had mild flus.

The injection site sounds like it could be cellulitis. If it is, she may need an antibotic and some cold compresses. It is easy enough to treat but can get quite nasty if not treated. Not sure what to think about the blemishes...but, did you know that the flu shot now contains the H1N1 vaccine as well? Previously the two were separate but they are combined so it is not the same shot that your daughter has received every other year.

**since I wasn't specific enough for some people, I would like to add that I am perfectly aware that the H1N1 is a type influenza. I was simply stating that in the past it was a separate vaccine (and yes it has been around more than since 2009) but is currently combined with the regular flu shot (unlike in the past). Each year the vaccine is different and as stated it isn't necessarily the "same" as what her daughter had in the past!

Local redness, tenderness and even warmth in the injection area is a pretty typical and harmless side effect. If those things are still present today (Monday night) I'd check with the dr. about whether they usually stick around that long.

I would bet that the "blemishes" on her side are totally unrelated -- If she were going to have a rash or other skin reaction, why would it be confined to one particular area, nowhere near the injection site? Ask the pediatrician. If she otherwise is fine, just focus on what the bruises are.

Good for you for getting your child a flu shot every year. This year the flu season is running late so there is still plenty of chance of getting flu this spring.

The "flu shot" is slightly different each year because the strains of influenza expected to come around are different. So, there are no "extra vaccines" in there, just those to combat the specific strains of flu expected. It's common to have some soreness at the site of the injection, and I agree with the others that I doubt the other blemishes are related.

I have a just turned 10 year-old daughter and she has bruises all the time that she doesn't know the cause and they don't hurt her. If they change or don't go away like a normal bruise, then I might ask your Dr. For now, I'd wait and see.

As Sue said, there are no "extra" vaccines in the flu shot. Just like every year, the shot your daughter got is a trivalent vaccine, meaning that it contains three strains of the influenza virus. Those are the strains thought to be most common for this year. The 2011 shot contains the following strains:
an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus;
an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus; and
a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.

In 2009, for example, the flu shot didn't contain any H1N1 virus and after the shot was produced, there was concern that there would be an outbreak of that particular strain, so a second shot was developed to protect against it. H1N1 is just another strain of the flu, and the shot to protect against it is no different than any other flu shot. This year it is one of the three strains expected to be common, so its in the vaccine. It is not anything to worry about.
Sorry, but all the nonsense surrounding the H1N1 vaccine drives me crazy. People have no idea what they are worked up about, but they get worked up anyway, and for no reason.

Like some other posters have mentioned, the spots on her hip are probably unrelated to the vaccine, and the soreness at the injection site sounds pretty normal, but call the doctor in the morning to discuss it.

My daughter can be pretty sensitive to shots. Her flue vaccination site stayed warm, red and sore for several days. I'm not positive, but it might have been a hard lump for a bit, also. She was fine .

Flu season is over...why is she getting the shot now? I will be a different strain by next year.

THE H1NI vaccine is not something "extra," it is an influenza virus, and one of the many types that are listed as particularly dangerous, and thus end up on the list of viruses evaluated for inclusion for the coming winter.

There are many strains of virus, and they mutate and change a bit every time they reproduce, so susceptible people do well to get the updated vaccine, which includes ONLY the 3 virus strains expected to cause the most serious illness in the coming year. Then those viruses are incubated long in advance so they'll be ready to deliver for the next flu season.

The H1N1 wasn't previously included in the previous vaccine not because it was something "new" and untested, but because it was such a new and infectious strain of an old virus that it suddenly began infecting people as well as animals. This happened AFTER the 3-strain vaccine for the year had been started. So a separate, supplemental vaccine was quickly incubated and made available to the most at-risk patients and medical personnel.

It's pretty normal for the injection site to get red, hot, sore and even swollen for a few days after the shot. This is generally a good sign that the body is mounting a quick attack on what it believes to be an invading infection.

People are highly individual, so there will always be unusual reactions in a very small percentage of patients to any and every treatment. So it is possible the bruise-like marks are related, but it seems far more likely that they're just bruises. I've had plenty of mysterious bruises that may not be sore at all, and so has just about every kid I've ever spent any length of time with.

But we can't see what you are seeing, and I'm really curious about what you find out. I hope you'll tell us "So What Happened." I'm always hoping to learn from real life.

http://www.thinktwice.com/flu.htm

When you give them permission for her to have the shot they give you a copy which lists exactly what they gave her. Have you looked at it to see if any of these symptoms she is having are listed? The shot site being tender sounds fairly normal, but I haven't encountered the redness and warmth or the bruise-like blemishes. You should also be able to call a 24/7 nurse advice line to ask as well, hospitals have them (at least here in SoCal.)

You can call the doctor and see if he/she will report the reactions to VAERS but most likely they will not and once it is in the blood stream there is nothing they can do except wait it out. ALL vaccines have reactions including death (you can check the CDC website there is a full page of reactions for each vaccine). The paper you sign when you receive a vaccine is not a list of possible reactions or side effects it is a wavier that states you CAN NOT SUE the doctor or manufacturer for ANY reaction no matter how minor or severe.

Try a cold compress on the injection site and see if that will give some relief. I hope your daughter is feeling better soon.

I dont do flu shots for my kids. Since they are basically guessing what kind of flu may show up it does not really do much IMO, and it is just extra chemicals I don't want put into my kids. They do get most of their other vaccines.

Please don't let this stop you from getting the flu shot in the future. The explanations about H1N1 have been accurate, and there really is nothing to fear.

My husband and I get the flu shot every year (though, I was bad and never got around to getting it for our sons this year). Last week we got the flu. It sucked! All four of us down for the count all week. Our doctor told us that a strand of the flu that was not in the flu shot this year has been going around, and we were one of the lucky families.

I know some peole would say that we got the shots and got the flu anyway so why bother. But I have to say, if getting a flu shot lowers my chances of ever going through a week like that again, sign me up!!!

You should have gotten, an Info. sheet, about the Flu shot. On it will be all the FAQ's and the side effects if any, and what to look out for.
Did you get this????
If not go to the Flu website.
I think it was www.flu.gov

As with any shot, there can be tenderness at the site of the injection. Or slight bruising. Because the shot is intramuscular, I believe. Not just in the skin.

The 3 bruise like blemishes, are not something I am familiar with, per getting the Flu Shot.
I and my kids, get the Flu shot or nasal spray. We have never had that happen.

Just CALL your Pediatrician. Even if it is off hours.
That is what they are there for.