Flu shot....

Dh and I have never gotten it but now people are suggesting we have the babies get one. I am curious to hear what other preemie moms think. I plan to talk to the doctor about it but they are not always that helpful with preemie issues.

 

I'll definitely get flu shots for my kids this fall!

 

My babies aren't preemies - they were born at 36.5 weeks gestation. But I doubt I'll get flu shots for them. I'll probably just continue to make sure I don't expose them to too many people, especially strangers who may be sick or poor hand washers.

 

No preemies here, but definitely getting the shot. My oldest is in school and she'll also be getting it. I don't want to sit in the house with 3 sick kids (I understand there is no guarantee).

 

We will all be getting flu shots this fall. The girls, me and DH

 

My preemies got them last year when they were 6-7 months old, and DH, the nanny, and I got them as well.

This year, we will again all be getting flu shots.

 

my doc doesn't recommend them for children until there is a risk factor - ie they have no older siblings in school and don't go to daycare....he says that if there are no risk factors then introducing a virus just to introduce it isn't wise...

also mine were born at 36 w exactly

 

Our doctor told us at our appointment yesterday that the girls should definitely get them next month. Ours aren't as preemie as yours, but I think its a good thing. I got one for the first time last year because my peri made me! I'll probably get one again this year. -Leighann

 

Last year all 5 of us got the flu shot. DH never gets it and I haven't gotten it since I stopped teaching, but I have always had my oldest DD get one since she has asthma, but I made DH get one last year and myself since Emilie and Trevor were preemies. Emilie and Trevor got one as well. We will all get one this year too. I'm not taking any chances with the flu.

 

I've never gotten the flu shot and the girls probably won't have one until they are in school, especially since they are not in daycare.

 

My girls were preemies but have never gotten the flu shot, nor the flu.

 

My girls had the flu shot when they were 6 months old. We had it again last year and since they are now in school I will taking them next month for this year. I haven't had a flu shot in a few years but I think the Pedi now offers it to the parents too so I will be getting one also along with DH too.

 

Mine were 30 wks and 2 days and were younger than yours when they received their first flu shot in 2005. It is way necessary. I don't care if they don't have siblings or go to daycare, yada yada.....they are more susceptible to catching EVERYTHING right now. It only takes one little germ. You and dh or even other family members or friends that might come around could easily pass on a flu germ or any other germ for that matter before even realizing that you're sick or coming down with anything. Let's put it this way, even now (granted this could happen to any child) Emily had this lite congested cough for the past month and I noticed it was getting worse and much more frequent and really effected her when she played or got upset. Whether there is a correlation or not, I don't know, but she was on a respirator when she was born and she is also the one that always seems to have colds go to her chest, well, we had been treating this with otc syrups and she had NO other symptoms, finally my gut told me that something was really not right, so I took her into one of the after hours clinics a couple weeks ago after I got off work. Turns out she had walking pneumonia. It was in the early stages which is why she wasn't laid up yet, but 2 weeks before that, I had taken her to the pedi and he said to just give her some night time triaminic cough. The doc at the clinic took xrays and took blood and said that she was coming down with pneumonia. That's why you just can't take a chance. I felt so guilty that I hadn't take her in sooner. She could have ended up the hospital (or heaven forbid....worse). Pneumonia especially to a little kid can be deadly. I'm so thankful to that doc. He put her on 6 day Zithromax and with that along with the children's mucniex that I had been giving her, I saw a difference in less than 24 hours after the first dose. Now, nothing. No cough at all. I'm going to take her back to that doc though for a follow up. Anyway, off my soap box. I'm just saying that if you have that available to you, get them the vaccination. Why take the chance with their health especially with them being more susceptible to this stuff right now than the average baby.

 

My girls were 6 months when they got the flu shot. They were 34w6d at birth. Unless no one leaves the house and no one comes to visit - they are at risk.

Preemies who get sick can get much sicker than a full term baby but both should be protected.

The flu shot is a killed virus so you can't get the flu from it.

We'll all be getting out flu shots this fall as well.

 

My grandsons were 32 weekers. They have surpassed our expectations at catching up and height and weight for their age. It would be hard to believe they were ever so tiny and in the special care nursery, but their pedi recommends the flu shot for preemies. Because it is recommended they will both receive the flu shots. They are doing so well and we don't want to take any chances with their health.

 

As for any vaccine, you should research the vaccine itself, ingrediants, the reactions, complications and deaths at the VAERS website. The flu shot is full of mercury, even the children's vaccine...You need to weigh the risks of your child getting the flu and being sick for a few days or a potentially harmful reaction to the shot that could be permanant....Check out the VAERS website and then make your decision...

*VAERS is a gov't documentation on the reaction, complications and deaths related to all the vaccines on the market today for children and adults.

 

If you make sure that they get the single dose vial there is no mercury (preservative). Only needed in multidose vials. Make sure this is what you get for them if at all possible. I had to go to the public health dept to get it for our son a preemie - not on your life was he getting a dose from a multi dose tank. DUH vaccine companies and pediatrcians why would this ever be an option!???

Good luck with your decision.
Mj

 

My preemies Dr suggested they get the shot and we did our first round this month. I also plan to get my DH and myself shots when theyre available.

 

My girls were born at 36w, 2d. I'm getting them a flu shot. Of course everyone in my family is......

 

Ok after alot of back and forth, speaking with our pedi and other friends that had preemie twins, we have decided to get it for them. They have an appointment next week. They did reassure me that there was no mercury in it, I am still nervous though. I guess that is something that comes with being a parent, being nervous about decisions and I suppose it will be like that for the rest of my life. LOL Anyway, thanks for the advice and support.

 

Our ped mentioned at their 6 month appointments that they would need one this year. So I am clueless - where do I go to get them and when?

 

I've done it since mine were 6 months old, and will continue to do so. They have never gotten sick besides their little runny nose and an occassional ear infection. IMO it has helped them so much.

When Katie is old enough, she will begin to get hers as well.