Anybody else having a hard time deciding on what to do about the Flu and Swine Flu vaccines? The more I'm hearing about them the more I'm leaning toward not doing them but I think the media has me so worried I might cave and do it. I know there are some very passionate pro and con people about these and I feel like the info out there is now so skewed toward one group's opinions that it's now hard to tell what is true and what is out there just to panic people. My son was born 3 months premature 2 years ago so I'm worried about his lungs if he were to catch something but I'm also worried about the side effects of a vaccine that hasn't really been tested long enough to know long term issues.
I'm with Jenny. I definetely wouldn't get the swine flu it hasn't been tested on children or pregnant women... that's enough to say no to that.
I won't be getting the flu shot either. I feel like boosting my immune system is the most important thing to do.
We have decided against both flu and swine flu shots. I am pregnant and I have 2 more kids 4 and under. I am a stay at home mom so I figure washing hands lots, eating lots of garlic and oranges and staying home should help.
When I worked at a day care I did get the flu shot and did get sick. Since I haven't gotten the shot I have had colds but not the flu.
The catch is.... the shot they give you is only one strain of the flu. No one knows which strains will actually be passed this year. It is all a gamble. It certainly give the medical field more jobs!
I think it is all over rated.
I decided to do the flu shot and not the H1N1. The reason is...my kids are in daycare and can be exposed to a lot. They have had flu shots in the past with no problems. There is so thought that the flu shot will protect against H1N1...but I'm too nervous in giving them a new shot. Plus, my pediatrician advised that for normally healthy kids (like mine) the swine flu should not pose a greater risk...it is generally more mild than influenza.
Talk to you dr. I felt better after I did.
Good luck (if you are like me...you feel that no matter what you may be making the wrong decision!)
Hi D.,
I have three boys that are on the autism spectrum and none of it is from vaccines despite what some think. I wouldn't worry about autism when considering vaccinations. I will get myself and my boys the regular flu shot but not the H1N1. There simply hasn't been enough research done on it, the vaccine is way too new for my liking and my older two were already exposed to the H1N1 at school last year and they didn't get it. You need to weigh the pros and cons and make the decision yourself because there are just too many variables from case to case. I feel you are more likely to get the H1N1 from sore shopping carts than for a kid to bring it home from school. Remember, too, a mothers instict is normally correct the first time around. Trust your instincts.
Good luck - S.
Hi D.,
I also have a son who was premature, 10 wks. He is now 21 months. He received a flu shot last year and will get one again this year due to his issues with asthma and bronchiolitis. As far as the H1N1, I'm not too sure. I wish there was more research associated with it. I've heard experts say it is like the "regular" flu shot, just a different strain.
Has your son had any issues associated with his prematurity? Consider that in your decision.
This is such an important issue for parents... and quite a struggle considering the unknowns... and no one likes "unknowns" when it comes to our children. I personally do not give my kids the flu vaccines because of the additives that are included in them including a high amount of thermisol. However, my children do not have any underlined health conditions like asthma, audio immune disorders.. etc either. This decision should be based on what is best for your children based on their current health condition. I would suggest looking at Dr. Sear's website. He is not partial either way and only lists the facts concerning the testing, the possible outcomes either way and his personal opinion. I find his information very helpful in making the decision. Good luck to you this flu season! :) PS. there is a great conference tonight at the Troy community Center regarding the flu and other vaccines. I am attending with my sister and I would suggest any parent with questions concerning these vaccines attend. It is our responsibility to gain all the information we can regarding each side of this issue. That way no matter what our decision is, it is based on facts and not the scare tactics of the media! the following link will have a list of these conferences.. there are 4 in Michigan in the next week. http://www.mcpakids.org/index.php?file=seminar_registrati...
It's a tough and very personal decision. One of my children regressed into autism-very likely vaccine related. Please spend some time educating yourself on the risks and make an educated decision.
Find a doctor who is willing to discuss the pros and cons with you, not one who is one sided and but one who believes there's a reason not to vaccinate SOME individuals to help you assess this decision for your sweet child.
We decided to NOT get the flu vaccines. We would rather deal with the disease itself than all the unknown variables in the vaccine. We figure doctors have much more experience treating the disease than they do all the potentially harmful side effects of such a very new vaccine. Have you heard of squalene? It is an adjuvant in the H1N1 vaccine and has been proven it is NOT safe for injections. Anyway, it's scary to make these kinds of decisions because it seems like there is not a good choice either way.
Best of luck with your decision.
Hello D. - I know you'll get lots of responses but here's mine. I'm also cautious about vaccines - my younger two children got the MMR vaccine split up into it's components because I was so worried about them having it in one go. However I believe that the swine flu vaccine is like any other flu vaccine - flu vaccine's have been around for 60 years and there have been no major side-effects with them in most cases. I think the risk of your little one getting flu might be worse. My middle son (12) has asthma so I always worry too. I am going to get all my children immunized because I think the risks of not getting them protected are likely worse. I was listening to a radio show yesterday and something like 70 kids in the US have already died from the flu this year - normally it would be 70 in a whole season, so swine flu does seem to be more dangerous to some. Good luck with your precious little guy - Alison
I will definitely NOT be getting either flu shot, nor giving either to my 14 month old son. Just focusing on staying healthy by eating well and boosting my natural immune system. Go with your gut and steer clear.
I feel the exact same way. I waver between getting it for my 3 year old and not. I've been giving him Little Critters immune boost vitamins daily (it says for age 4 & up, but my boy is 42lbs and tall - size 4/5 clothes, so I figure he's ok). He has had a reaction to all vaccines in the past including the flu shot. My gut tells me not to do it, but like you the media makes me wonder. I think I'll leave it for this year since it's too new and see what happens. I didn't get him a flu shot last year and he was fine - a few colds and a stomach bug, but no flu. I'd say just go with your gut instinct. It's usually right.
