Let's talk Flu Shots...

Since a few of you mentioned getting your babes flu shots when I asked about 9 mo appt, I'm sitting here wondering if we should get them. The only time I've ever gotten a flu shot is when I was preggers. Neither my DH nor me has ever had the flu.

I think the worst thing that can happen for an adult getting the flu shot is to get a mild form of the flu, right? Would this be the same for a baby?

TIA,

Jennifer

 

Our ped recommended that our girls get them, so they will at their 9 month appointment. Dh and I will get them as well.

 

I've wondered that as well but haven't seen any info on it. My girls had their flu shot a couple days ago at the recommendation of their doctor. The next day I could tell they were feeling a little bit lousy & one had a runny nose. Today they seem fine.

 

I asked about this a couple of weeks ago as the boys are set to get one at their 9 month appointment. The ped said they can get mild flu-like symptoms from the vaccine just like an adult but that the benefits outweight the side effects. That's what she said, and I'm still getting their flu shots then, and mine will be about a week before theirs.

 

Jennifer,
My ped recommended the shot for the twins. He gives it in 2 doses, they got the first shot a couple weeks ago, and will get the next one at their 9 month appointment.
I think the shots are for anyone who is at greater risk of complications with the flu, older people, babies, pregnant women, etc. I don't think people really get any form of the flu from the vaccination, since it is a dead virus, so I think the babies should be fine. Mine had no problems with the 1st shot.
Helen

 

My twins have never gotten a flu shot (or the flu) and neither have dh or I for personal reasons. You need to research the flu shot, the effects, the adverse reactions, the ingrediants and what they are/do that are in them, etc before making a final decision.

 

All of us got a flu shot last year. My oldest DD has gotten one every year. We will all get flu shots again this year. I am getting the kids thimerasol free flu shots. I don't want to risk anyone getting the flu.

 

MIne aren't getting them. Like Angie, I've got some issues w/ shots in general. DH is required to get one, and I SAH w/ the boys, so I feel "safe" skipping it. But to ditto Angie- make sure you read up on the flu shot, like any vaccine before making a decision. :hug99:

 

I have gotten them for years (including while pregnant) and my boys have too. my 10yr old has been hospitalized with the flu several times and ever since we have gotten the shots - he has been much better off. coincidence? I don't know. I am very leary of any shots with the girls since they are infants - I'm afraid to and I'm afraid not to!? :unknw:

my boys were older when we first started getting the flu shots and they have never had any trouble.

 

I'm with Angie and Marissa on this one. PLEASE do some research before you make a final decision. There really are a lot of aspects to consider.

 

Both myself, my DH, my mom (who is a cardiac nurse) and all my boys have gotten flue shots every year. We have never had the flu. My Dh and I specifically started getting them when our first was a baby to decrease his contact with a potentially deadly virus in infants. Now, with the twins we will all be vaccinated again. I work at a school also so my PCP already set up a shot for me. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

I've never gotten the flu shot for myself or my children. Every time I go to get one the doctor is out of them, it never fails.

 

My twins just got the first installment of the flu shots yesterday. If there's any way to avoid having sick babies on my hands, I'll take it. As pps said, you cannot get the flu from the flu shot, since it's a dead virus, though you might feel a little under the weather. DD has done fine with it, DS was feeling a bit crappy around 3 am, but nothing Tylenol couldn't take care of.

 

Liam got his last week, he'll need a second one in a month. They didn't have them in for the twins yet, they are only doing children under 2.

I have never gotten one myself.

 

We all just got ours last weekend. If Katie were 6 months old, she would have gotten one as well. The flu is so rough, and I would never want my children to get sick with it. So I take the precautionary measures to protect them. I got one for myself since I do have a newborn in the home and don't want her to get sick.

 

Not sure if the twins will get it or not i am asking about it. My older school aged kids both had one, there mom got one too. I never had one till this year and i got it in hopes to not get sick so the babies could be protected. My mom, DH and step-dad all got one too... We all really did it for the little ones to be honest. Mine are also getting the RSV shot...

 

DS is the only one in our family who gets it and that's because he has asthma and is considered high risk.

 

After reading the info sheet on the shot and looking at where we live geographically, I'm thinking that only DH will get the shot this year as I stay home with the kids (our only ones) and we live in a small town on an island. If anything starts 'going around' we just hunker down and don't go outside, but DH has to work so he gets the shot. We have our 9 month appt coming up next week. We also breastfeed so I feel like that gives us a little extra boost of immunity in the 'sick times'.