Flu Shots - Deltona, FL

My 9 month old had a flu shot about a month ago. I was afraid she was going to have side effects but she didn't. They give an initial vaccine and then 4 wks later you have to take them back for a 2nd one which combined with the first one is what gives them the vaccine. The 1st one alone will not work.

i have never given my kids or myself the flu shot. Never even was an issue, I still cant decide if I ever will. Dont really see the need, as we only get a small flu every year, and move on. ?

I heard that every child after 6 mths old should get a flu shot. If they get the flu that young they can die from it. Both if my girls got the flue shot at 6 mths and neither of them got seriously sick or the flu. I feel safer knowing I protected them. Good luck!

Please keep in mind that unlike the routine baby shots, the flu shot contains mercury.

Hi T.! My son had a flu shot at 9 months last year and again at 10 months. my pediatrician recommends that all children 6 months and over recieve a flu shot. It would be worse for your child to get the flu than it would be to get the shot. At least that is what our Dr. has told us. My son didn't have any side effect from the shot and he did get another one this year too. Good luck. :)

I would definately check with your pediatrician before getting one. He could have a bad reaction to the shot. I do believe that is why they wait until the baby is at least 1.

T., I have a 7 month old as well (she was born on 4/9) and she got her flu shot at her 6 month appt. They only give them a half-dose the first time and you are supposed to go back after 30 days to get the other 1/2 dose, but from previous experience and from our Ped says the 1/2 dose is usually enough to help prevent the flu. Hope this helps!

My daughter has received the flu shot the past two years...she is 2.5, they give it to her in two doses over the course of a month. I stay at home with her, but we meet up with other kids often for play-times and she interacts with kids in her church class. I also get the flu shot as well b/c I volunteer w/ the kids...it is an attenuated (fully-killed) virus (unless you have an unusual circumstance) and is very safe. I never get sick and my daugther has never had the flu. If you are concerned about your child's age I would speak to your Dr. about it so you guys can make the best decision together.
Best wishes

Our pediatrician recommended that my daughter have one last year (at age 9-10 months) and we did... no problems and yes, she still got sick now and then (from daycare) but who knows how bad it may have been without the flu shot? We both just got them again last month!

K.

Flu shots are unnecessary unless your child has a very weak immune system/has been sick a lot since birth. Flu shots don't protect anyone from all strains of the flu. Do more research and not on government sponsored websites. Flu shots and vaccinations are big business for the pharmaceutical industry and our government is heavily influenced by this industry. Your 7 month olds best defense against the flu is optimal nutrition and adequate rest. If you are still breastfeeding him, make sure you are eating 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables daily so he gets the antioxidants through your breastmilk. If he is eating solids, give him whole foods instead of foods from a box. Foods like cooked rolled oats, avocado, banana, cooked carrots, etc. A lot of the prepackaged foods contain unhealthy oils like partially hydrogenated oils, which actually weaken the immune system. Processed food also sits in a jar or box for extended periods of time and looses much of the nutrition sitting in boxes and on the shelf at the store.

G. G.,
Certified Health Educator
Great American Health Improvement Project

Neither of my children has ever had the flu and they've never been vaccinated. I personally would not give it to a child so young, it also is formulated the protect against only one type of flu strain, and there are many that your baby could still catch. The National Vaccine Info Center has good stuff to read about it, I found this article very interesting. Good luck to you! http://www.nvic.org/PressReleases/pr1031flu.htm

I gave my daughter, Cate, (now 20 months) her first flu shot at 7 months (and then her follow-up at 8 months). The CDC recommends that children over the age of 6 months get the vaccine: (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm). When Cate was vaccinated, I confirmed with her pediatrician that the vaccine she received was thimerosal-free (thirmersol is a preservative used in some flu vaccines.) She received the thimerosal-free flu vaccine again this year and I am thrilled that she did. My husband got the flu last year and I got it this year. Cate, thank goodness, did not!!!

First of all, I would speak to your child's doctor. They should have mentioned it at the 6 month check up. I want to say that the baby needs to be 6 months and older to receive them. But I can't remember. My son is now 2 years and 2 months. Definitely consult your doctor before you do anything.

I just received the new issue of parents magazine with an article about giving the flu shot to your baby/child. I have not read it all but you may want to pick up a copy. I have given the flu shot to both of my girls. Both of my girls got their first shot at 8 months and did fine.

It is not really up to you. If you call the doctor he will tell you if it is safe and or necessary. My children were ten before I ever even thought about a flu shot.
Talk to your doctor.
K. Willard

They recommed that infants as young as 6months to have a flu shot. My daughter got hers at her 6month check up and another was due 1 month later. The Dr did let me delay the 2nd shot until her 9 month checkup because I don't have her in day care, but he did tell me if she started anytime before her 9month checkup that I should bring her back in for the 2nd shot then.

My 11 month old just got a flu shot a couple of weeks ago. We didn't do it with my daughter (now 4 years old) but my son had a rought start to life including viral pneumonia at 3 months and seems to catch anything that blows in the wind therefore our pediatrician thought it was best. I verified with my pediatrician regarding the thimerisol (everytime my kids get a shot i ask - she's probably tired of hearing it, LOL) and any symptoms he may show because of the shot. There was no thimerisol in the vaccine and as she promised he showed no symptoms because, as stated below, it is not a live vaccine. I would suggest a lengthy conversation with your pediatrician and also research it, I am a HUGE fan of webmd.com!! Best wishes!

PS - PLEASE DO NOT TAKE YOUR CHILD TO A CHIROPRACTOR AS HAS BEEN SUGGESTED, ALLOW A REAL DOCTOR TO TREAT HIM!!!

both of my sons get it. My Oldest didnt get his until he was about 15 months, because he was under 6 months old during the period they like to give the shot. my youngest will be 2 in Jan and he has gotten in 2x...when he was about 10 months old and again this year...

I am a healthcare worker and recommend the shots

Also, about the mercury response, they haven't actually used mercury/thermosil in shots in years....any vaccine you give you child has chemicals in it. but not mercury or thermosil.."Thimerosal has been largely removed from pediatric vaccines in recent years in what health officials have described as a precautionary measure. (This has been accomplished as drug makers have voluntarily switched from multi-dose vials of vaccine, which require a chemical preservative like thimerosal, to single-dose containers.)" that is from an article dated early in 2005

The vaccines are made from the previous years strain of the virus, they are never 100% effective over this years strain because the virus mutates. But it helps decrease your chances of getting it, or if you do get it you are MUCH more likely to get more of a cold like feeling than the full blown flu.

Good luck and I would ask you pedi any questions or concerns you have!

Yep, my son got his at 6 months in two doses and had no effects at all. I have never meet anyone who got an effects from the shot and if they do, it is mostly coincedence because a dead virus can't do that to you. It is really up to you but I have gotten one for my son every year and never regretted it!

Hi T.,

The CDC has even said that this year's shots are ineffective against this year's strain. Flu shots, for the record, contain a lot of dangerous chemicals that can do long term damage. Mercury, otherwise know as thimerosal, is a part of the vaccine and can cause autism. Go to http://www.advancedhealthplan.com/flushots.html. This website has a lot of good information that agrees with quite a few others I trust.

Good luck in your research!

M.

All the doctors I talked to about it recommend that infants over the age of 6 months get the shot. They're considered high risk along with the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. Some people freak out over every tiny thing and try to scare people into not getting the care that they need. Don't listen to them.
Would you rather your son get the shot and feel a little icky for a couple days or would you rather him get the flu and feel incredibly icky for a lot longer which could lead to a hospital stay?
All my children have always gotten them and none have gotten the flu so far.

My son received his first set (2 shots-1 month apart from each other) at around 10 months old. If the doctor doesn't see any harm in it, then its in your child's best interest to get one. The Flu season is coming soon and you don't want him catching it!!

Not all of the vaccines have Thimerisol in them, Just make sure yours doesn't contain that.

Yes, I have been gving my daughter a flu shot since she was 6 months old and nothing has happened to her. Every year she gets one.

K.

T.,

I just had my 9 month old vaccinated for the flu. you want to check with your ped that they are using the single dose vaccine as opposed to a multi vial injection - this has preservatives, including Thimerosol which has been banned from all other childhood vaccines. They give babies 2 doses, 1 month appart.

Good Luck!~

My two boys got their flu shots last year and both got sick immediately afterward. We have decided not to get them this year for that reason. Also, we don't allow anyone who has had a flu shot around our children for about a week afterward. I am a SAHM so we have that luxury. However, even if they were in daycare, I would not let them take the flu shot again. I do get them their regular vaccinations though.

No way! Let the child build and immune system. Try to stay away from them yourself. I don't think Ive ever met anyone, including myself, that ever got a flu shot and didnt get symptoms. Keep the diet healthy. Exercise the child and at that age the money is better spent on chiropractic adjustment. Good luck

Hello T.,

I do not think that they will give him a flu shot at such a young age. You will need to ask you babys Dr. for information.

God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving.

:)