Does anyone know whether the Health Partners clinics use the thermisol/mercury free option for vaccinations? Does anyone have any experience with the Riverside Health Partners in particular?
Also, the flu shot, is it worth it? I know there will be varying opinions on this but am torn whether to do the flu shot this year and would like to know what you're all doing.
Thank you to all who have responded, this helped a lot!
As I see it, the flu bug is horrid and life threatening. The flu shot is thought to be harmful to us by a small few who have no proof. I've been getting them since 1991 with no problem at all at this point. I would rather take the risk of the shot than risk my son getting the flu. He is almost 27 months and this will be the third time he has had the shots. He had no trouble with the firt two years.
Last year my then 5 year old had a fever of 103 something and was lethargic. She is tiny anyways and this just made her frail and it scared us half to death. She had a fever for a almost a week and was sick for a while after that! The doc said she had "the influenza" the bad one that was killing people. As soon as her fever broke I was to get her a flu shot immediately. And we did.
So this year we already got ours at the minute clinic.
My clinic only uses thermisol/mercury free vaccinations. I go to the Fairview/Hiawatha clinic. My only suggestion with any clinic you go to is to call the day of the appointment to make sure they haven't run out of those. I was frustrated last year when my son got the first round (little ones get 2 half doses) and then when it was time for the second shot the clinic was out of the mercury free ones. In other words, if you're going to get the vaccine, do it early. I beat around the bush and put it off because I wasn't sure.
This year we will probably not get our son the vaccine, but I'm not sure. He is 17 months old now. I have never received a flu shot in my life and have never gotten the flu. I know that it can happen though. I struggle with whether to get my son the shot, and know that I will not get it for myself but might for him. Good luck.
Kids die from the flu. Get it, get it, get it. And thanks for reminding me that I need to schedule an appointment for ours. By the way, last year at HealthPartners West clinic, they only had thimerisol-free flu shots for kids under a certain age--might have been 18 mos. Seems like it's different every year, though.
I go to Woodwinds which I think is a Healthpartners and they told me their vaccinations are thermisol free. I would just ask when you go. That's what I did and I just took their word for it. In order for my kids to attend daycare they have to get the shot thermisol free or not. As far as the flu I got it and vaccinated my kids when they were able. I'd rather not risk them getting severly sick and dieing.
We skipped the flu shot the one year my son was outside of the recommended age (I think that year they said that over 2 didn't need them, or weren't as high a priority). That year, he got the flu (actually was tested for influenza). It was HORRIBLE! Very frightening. Our whole family has gotten them ever since. As for the thimerisol-free vaccine, our pediatrician doesn't have them. The doc said the amount of mercury in thimerisol is equal to a can of tune. But, I do know that last year the Minute Clinics had thimerisol-free shots because their doses were individual as opposed to the large containers that docs use (and therefore need a preservative). It might be worth checking with them again this year.
We go to the Como HP clinic and when I asked about it, they said they use mercury free vaccinations. I'd still ask your pediatrician though, as it might vary clinic to clinic. I would think they would do all their buying in bulk though and have the same stuff.
I'm not getting a flu shot. Again, I've heard that there is still mercury in the flu shot and I'm breast feeding.
That's my 2 cents.
S.
My sons go to Healthpartners on Como, and I just called to make the appointment. The receptionist said I could request for a Thermisol free shot, which I did.
I had the flu when I was in my early 20's... I think I was like 24 or 25... I literally thought I was going to die... I had a fever of 104.5 and was fainting and I would NEVER wish that on a adult let alone a child.
I would ask some questions, see if you can get the thermisol free shot and not take the risk of your boy ending up in the hospital.
Good luck!
J.
SAHM to 2 year old Charlie and 10 month old Joe
My doctor is not a big fan of the flu shot. I am torn about it to. Let me know what you find out!
I'm not sure about Health Partners or Riverside, but I do know Stillwater Medical Group ###-###-####) offers preservative-free flu shots and vaccinations, so no mercury, thermisol, etc. If your insurance doesn't cover it, I think it is only about $20. I would definitely recommend preservative-free if you are considering any shots. As for the flu shot, I figure even if our kids are only 50% less likely to get the flu with the shot, it's worth it if you can be sure the shot itself is safe. Good luck!
I think they just use whatever vaccine they can get and it depends on the vendor weather it has that in it or not. Sometimes my doc only has the vaccine with that in it and he tells us to come back in a month or so when they have a different brand that doesn't have it. You'll just have to ask before right before the shot is given, or call the nurses line to see if they can find out for you before hand.
I would get your little one the shot just because they are young. I have a 16 month old and I had them give him the shot.
Sorry can't help you with the other question.
Missy
I have used Health Partners for both my kids and they do have the mercury free option, this was in Woodbury though. The one year I didn't get the flu shot I didn't think I would need it because I wasn't working and I got hit so hard with it and it was terrible. We (my fiance and me) had to send my daughter away to grandma and grandpa's for the weekend because we couldn't even get up to take care of ourselves. I now get the flu shot every single year.
I've got a 20 month old daughter and am due with a second at the beginning of December. My husband, daughter and I went in last weekend for our flu shots. I've never bothered to get one before, but felt it was best for my two babies, and will continue to get them from here on out. I know of no documented serious side effects from getting the shot, but I do know that children have died from not getting them. Really, if we've the science and technology readily available to us, shouldn't we use it? You should ask your doctor directly about the thermisol/mercury free immunizations to get the most accurate information.
