Flu Shots for infants?

Hi, Sorry if this is posted somewhere else, i tried to do a search on it to no avail...I was wondering, anyone considering the Flu shot this year for their infants? My boys are 10.5 mos old right now, born 7 wks early, so they were preemies, but our doctor mentioned giving them the flu shot. I was just wondering how many other mom's will be having their infants OR will not be having their infants get the flu shot this year...

Thanks for you all your input!!

 

There is a lot of info out there for and against the flu shot and other immunizations. I personally am not going to immunize my twins for the flu this year. I have done a lot of research before making this decision. My boys have both had some neurological issues and I have decided that I do not want to introduce any more chemicals to their systems at this time. I would encourage you to seek out information for and againt it and make your own informed decision. I am a nurse and this was a big decision for me because this is not what medical professionals would encourage me to do but right now I have to think of my kids. a few months ago I would have told you you would be crazy not to but after doing my research I feel a lot more empowered to make better decisions. Everyones reasons for or against it may be different. Best of luck

 

We are currently scheduled to bring our DD's in for their regular flu shot next week. I'm still kind of on the fence about it though. I'm curious what other families have to say.

My DH and I both agree we are not going to get them the H1N1 vaccine though even when it's available.

 

I personally don't get the shot and subsequently neither do any of my children (oldest ds was 4 wks early and has asthma/allergies, twins born 4 wks early as well). My reasoning is, the flu itself isn't life threatening. I don't believe a vaccine is necessary for essentially "a really bad cold/stomach virus". First signs of flu we go to the dr and get tamiflu to help, and it's helped both my ds and I the one time we caught the flu.

I'm just very watchful during flu season of unusual symptoms in my children especially a high sudden fever, which is what caught my attention the last time we had the flu. The tamiflu helped us within a day or two of starting the meds.

So for us I chose not to get the shots, but that's just my opinion and you have to do what you feel is right for you and your family

 

We just got the flu shots for our boys today---we got the preservative free one. Our boys are 7 months (only 4 months adjusted) very premature. We debated for a while, but felt I didn't want them getting the flu this season--with being so premature and all. Trust me...i've had my ups and downs about all vaccines. I definitely wont get the h1n1, but decided to do the flu shot--it is in two doses--for the babies, so it's a very small dose.

 

I got my girls the flu shot last year, but I think it was at their 1 year pedi appointment so they were a little older than yours are now. Actually the entire family got the shot at the girls' appointment. They had no side effects from the shot and no one in my house got the flu last year. I'm not very good when it comes to me or the girls being sick and we all do pretty well with shots.

Good luck with your decision!

Oh you might want to know that here at least, infants can't get only 1 flu shot. I had to bring them back a 2nd time a few weeks later for the 2nd half of the shot, so it's actually 2 shots. I only had to pay my copay with the first visit.

 

I didn't get flu shots for my two until they were 1, but I know they will give them at 6 months. We have gotten them every year since then with no problems.

 

My twins got the flu shot last year as well and had no complications from it. Good luck with your decision!

 

I've gotten the girls their flu shot each year they've been able to. As a nurse I work with the (sick) public a lot, so didn't want to bring anything home to them if at all possible. Or myself, I do usually get my shot.

And I don't mean to be argumentative but...

The flu can be and is life threatening. 36,000 people die from the flu each year. 200,000 are hospitalized due to complications. The true influenza (vs. "stomach flu") can be far worse than just a bad cold. I try not to be alarmist, but I do think underestimating what the flu can be isn't good either.

 

Our were 32 weekers and they have had the flu shot twice (once at 11 months, at 2 years) and will get it this year at 3. I will vaccinate them for the flu probably until they are at least 5 and then re-evaluate if I want to give that vaccine as they get older. FWIW, my DH and I have had flu shots for the past 5 years with small babies around the house.