Flu/Swine Flu Vaccine

Hi, J.. My husband and I got our flu shots; my 3-year-old is getting his flu shot in a week. If your daughter was in daycare, where exposure to flu is higher than at home, I would opt to get her a flu shot. My husband and I work with the public, so a flu shot is a preventative measure. The one year I didn't get a flu shot, I had a miserable winter being sick. Personally, I'm holding off on the swine flu shot for all of us. It is more of a gut feeling than anything based on fact, to be honest. It is so new and feels experimental to me still-- and that makes me hesitant to have it injected into my son. You should consult with your pediatrician and trust your mommy instincts on this one. Take care!

I will be getting the regular flu shot for my boys and myself. I will NOT be getting the "Swine Flu" shot for myself or my children.
I called my doctor today and was told that there are still testings being done on the Swine vaccine and they will not be available until the end of the month. That makes me nervous! I don't want something that is JUST being released from testing to be injected into my children.
Also, I am not worried about it. Both my mother and my brother got swine flu when it was a huge worry here and they are both fine. It was an ugly flu, but nothing that sent either one to the hospital.
Just my opinion, take it as that!! I could be totally wrong and spending some time at the doctors this flu season, but I don't think so!!
L.

The regular seasonal flu vaccine has been fairly well tested and should be trusted - esp since you can get mercury-free versions in most clinics. For H1N1 I would be cautious about getting the vaccine, esp. for children, at least until there are better tested, mercury-free supplies widely available. I would also get enough sleep and take vitamins - but please, don't OD on vitamins either - they can be toxic at higher levels too. If you or your child do get the Swine Flu I would plan to take Tamiflu to reduce the severity of symptoms (note it won't work well if you wait >24 hrs to start the drug).

FluMist is only available to kids over 2yrs old and is not advised for pregnant or nursing mothers.

And please, if you or your kids are sick, then STAY AT HOME. And if you're around people you think are sick with the flu, then wash your hands often and routinely disinfect frequently handled surfaces like door knobs, faucet handles, telephone receivers, computer keyboards/mice, etc.

Ask your dr. about the vaccine. Mine has already said my son will need the one without the mercury, which is the recommened one for children.

I will probably get both flu shots for my daughter but I haven't yet spoken to my Nurse Practitioner about it. The risk for complications from the flu is much higher for young children than to adults. I'm not taking the chance. My daughter is breastfed, stays home, but since we go out to do different things in the public and with other kids, she still got sick last week with a nasty virus.

There has been NO evidence that thimerisol causes autism. I'm following the CDC recommendations.

Here's a good article from NY Times posted a couple days ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/health/10primer.html?_r=1

I'd opt for a seasonal flu vaccine (if it's her first, she might need two doses, spaced two weeks apart). Since you stay at home with her, I'd probably hold off on the H1N1 vaccine, due to the fact that it is so new. An adult body might be able to deal with potential complications better than a baby-- but why risk it? I'd give it some time to see if any complications become known.