Flu Shots - Elm Creek,NE

There is a ton of mis-information on immunizations out in the public. Most people worry about immunization due to their concern that it may cause Autism. There was some concern that a preservative called Thimerisol that was in multi-dose immunizations caused Autism because it is an organic compound like Mercury but is not pure Mercury. That has never been proven. (www.autismcoach.com)

However the preservative Thimerisol was taken out of immunizations per a government reccomendation, and was only in multi dos vials in the first place. Most pediatricians, if you ask them, don't even use the multi dose vials of immunizations.

A good thing to note is that the flu shot is always the strongest strain from the previous year. It is recommended for small children and the elderly to prevent serious illnesses that put these age groups at risk if the flu gets too progressed it can cause a greater risk for pneumonia in the elderly and RSV in small children, both of which can result in hospitalization and sometimes death.

Anyway, flu shots can help your child and no they absolutely do not give you or your child the flu, that is mis-information also. People who get sick after getting the flu shot get sick because they were around others who had the flu or at the doctors office where others had been sick with the flu already. A good thing to do is get to the doctors office on time but wait in the car until right before your appointment, let your child watch a movie or play with them in the car.

Don't let them play with books, toys or other kids at the doctors office waiting room or climb in and out of the chairs or benches. Sounds like common sense but lots of adults and kids get sick from doing what I just stated above then blame it on the flu shot.

A lot of reactions to the flu shot come from the allergy to eggs.

This is because the chicken pox immunization and flu shot are created through viruses that are incubated by injecting them into chicken eggs, then the virus is extracted and killed and given in the form of a shot or immunization.

The chicken egg link is also the reason the flu shot is not recommended for infants, because eggs cannot be given before a certain age or it can instigate a sensitivity or allergy.

Also the flu shot is not a "live virus" as another poster here has indicated. The flu shot contains inactive or killed forms of the virus. Please don't spread fear and mis-information-- see the CDC website for the most accurate and updated information.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

In the end you have to decide what is best for you, good luck.

Immunization shots have either dead or weakened cells of the virus/disease in them. Yes, it is possible to get sick FROM the vaccine because they are injecting the virus into you. Your immune system works by sending white blood cells and antibodies to fight off cells that don't belong in your body. That's why you get fevers and all that stuff when you're sick... It's your body fighting off the infection. The whole point of a vaccination is to give you a small dose of the virus in a dead or weakened state, so that it can't harm you, but your body still fights it off and therefore learns how to fight it in the future. Since the virus can't fight back, most people have no physical reaction to the vaccination, other than maybe being tired for a couple days afterwards. Sometimes, there are more adverse reactions, like developing a fever, etc. It depends on the person.

There is always a risk of having a reaction whenever you get an vaccine, but it's small. Ultimately, you have to ask yourself whether you would rather have your child possibly get the flu (which they could possibly die from, depending on how young they are), or have a small chance of reacting to the flu shot.

Last December my son had his routine vaccine shot (not flu shot). Within two weeks my son started having flu like symptoms. Since he was only two it was hard to know that more was wrong until he began deteriorating quickly. He lost all ability to walk and talk. He was unable to hold his head up or chew and swallow food. Suddenly my 2 1/2 year old potty trained son was functioning as a 4 month old. It turns out he had an adverse reaction to the vaccine and the virus was attacking the lining of his brain. As the lining of his brain deteriorated his brain became inflamed and he slowly lost all of his abilities. It was the scariest time of my life. Luckily it was treated in time that he has recovered, but there is scaring on his brain and it will be years before we know the long term impact. He is not due for shots again for another year or so, but I know that my husband and I are worried. Riley hospital was wonderful and did say how rare this type of reaction was so I don't think it will stop us, but beware it does happen and the recovery varies.

Hi A.,

You're venturing into very controversial waters :) I can tell you that we all had flu shots last year (my son had only the first dose becuase he just turned 6 months before they were done giving them) and we were all fine. The flu shot that you get does NOT cover the stomach flu, be forewarned. You can ask your doctor to give your child the vaccine without preservative if you're worried about that. My Ped's office uses only preservative and mercury free vaccines.

Hi A.,

Listen to Renee because she's absolutely right. The flu kills many otherwise healthy babies every year and I'm not taking any risks with my precious son. My son got vaccinated yesterday and I asked about the risks and side effects. There are none. Not a single one. It's a killed virus and it's mercury free. My husband and I are getting ours next week and all the grandparents are getting them too.

E.

I MYSELF CHOOSE TO GET THE FLU SHOT FOR MYSELF AND KIDS. MY HUBBY STILL WON'T. ANYWAY, I FEEL IF IT DOES PREVENT THEM FROM GETTING IT, HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BE AS BAD. THE FLU CAN KILL SOME KIDS AND PEOPLE FOR THAT MATTER. WE ALSO HAVE ASTHMA IN OUR HOUSEHOLD SO ANYTHING THAT MAY HELP IS WELCOMED. I HAVE GIVEN IT TO ALL MY CHILDERN SINCE THEY WERE OLD ENOUGH TO GET ONE. AGES NOW ARE ALMOST 11,8,6, AND 1. SO FAR NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. TO ME THE BENEFITS OUT WIEGH THE POSSIBLE " SIDE EFFECTS". BUT IT SOLELY UP TO YOU. I ALSO SAYTO EACH ITS OWN. SO IF YOU AREN'T COMFORTABLE DON'T BUT IF YOU ARE IFFY, TALK TO THE PED AND GET MORE INFO. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DECISION. MY KIDS GET THIERS IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

ask your doc. all drugs can have serious side effects. a majority of the time though, the benefits far out way the risks. I'd much rather take a the chance of a small risk of side efeects than take a chance at a much larger risk of my kid getting the flu.

We have never had flu shoots in my family. I have always stuck to the thought that are body is capable of taking care of itself and when you use synthetic drugs it limits the bodies ability to react to foreign objects. I am an aromatherapist and during the winter months I constantly diffuse eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils. This has kept my family flu and cold free for 3 years. Let me know if you'd be interested in more info ~ I have a website www.everythingbath.com and I specialize in wellness blends for the winter months ie. cold & cough, ear/nose/throat for children. Amazing stuff.

If they weren't safe, there would be a whole lot more facts to back up the reasoning. I believe that if the doctors/pediatricians say their safe, they are. You just have to trust in their word, however, I understand your concern!