Flu Shot

[lovethesun]

Are you getting one for you LO?

What are your thoughts?

Doctor beat me up today since I told him I didnt want to get my DS one who is only 15 months old. Needless to say the doctors visit was not the greatest and I was in tears.

[mrsjenrn]

Zoe got her first one when she was 8 months and her second one when she was 19 months. It's a personal choice that parents make for their kids, and doctors shouldn't make them feel bad about not getting it, IMO.

[kimandross]

Q has never had one. My pedi doesn't push it and I don't find them necessary. My mother gets all upset about it, but whatevs, she had her kids.

[lovethesun]

Oct 31, 2012 10:10:47 GMT -5 kimandross said:

Q has never had one. My pedi doesn't push it and I don't find them necessary. My mother gets all upset about it, but whatevs, she had her kids.

How old are your kids? Are they in daycare?

[tashaandsage]

Last year when Maisy was getting her regular 6 or 9 months shots, the nurse said "and we'll do her flu shot today," and I just agreed that was fine. When she just recently had her 18 month appointment, they asked if I wanted to include her flu shot, and I said "not today" and they had no issue with my decision. But honestly I'm really not even sure why I declined it. I don't feel like I know much about flu shots. And I think the reason Beckett hasn't ever had one is just because none of his well visits ever happened to fall during flu shot season, and since I don't get them for myself it never occurred for me seek out a flu shot for him.

[alzi]

I got one this year, and I'd get my kid one next year.

[melis74]

I'm struggling with this too. I have never gotten one for myself. Mia is in daycare so I am leaning towards getting it since I am SURE she will get flu cooties...she's gotten everything else! I have until her next appt 11/14 to make up my mind. FWIW - I think your Dr was out of line for making you feel bad.

[amellis2]

We don't get flu shots as a SOP in our house. Luis got one from Rooms To Go last year (they have a Dr. who drives around and gives them for free.) He had a very bad reaction to the thirmesol (sp?) in the vaccine. I would assume the kids would have a reaction, too. Our Pedi asked at the last appt. and I declined. She gave me a funny look, but didn't say anything otherwise.


If I felt like they needed it, I would get it.

[sara76]

I had my first one when I was pregnant. I haven't had one yet this year but I plan to, and Amelia had her first round at 9 months.

[jen812]

I've never had one, but i think I'll have D get one this time at least. I worry about his little immune system.

[mskateb]

Yes, definitely. At best, influenza blows, and at worst, it can become serious. I wouldn't want her to get it if I could've done something to prevent it. I realize that the flu shot is not 100%, but it's the best you can do, on top of basic handwashing, etc. It is especially important to me this year because influenza in pregnancy can be dangerous.

ETA: In defense of doctors, I think they get frustrated because the misinformation about vaccines is rampant; however, s/he shouldn't have been so hard on you. I do agree that the flu shot is a personal choice (I don't think so about other vaccines that rely on herd immunization, but that's a whole different thread), and I would look for a new pedi if I were you.

[mrsjenrn]

I thought that they gave all kids the thermiserol (mercury) free shots, but I may be wrong on that. I know that Zoe got thermiserol free flu vaccine, and at my hospital we only carry the thermiserol free ones.

[surfbetty530]

I got it last month when I was pregnant and L will get it next year. Don't want to take any chances!

[loskadoodle]

My husband and I both got one and D is getting his tomorrow. My pedi recommends it, so we get it. I tend to follow his lead on these things.

[mrsshawanab]

B's 6 month appt is the week after Thanksgiving and he starts daycare in Jan. I'm going to ask the pedi what she recommends and go with it. I have gotten the flu shot on and off for 7 years now. If they offer it free at school I usually get it. One year I got super sick that evening with flu symptoms and it scared me off from getting it the following year, but then I started back again and have never had another reaction like that.
I'm not anti-vaccinations.. I had them when I was little and I rarely got sick so I believe they worked. I plan on getting them for LO since he will be exposed to tons of germs in daycare and as a teacher, I'm exposed to tons of germs and surely bring some of them home unfortunately.

[sara76]

This reminded me, A had her first one at 9 months and her doc said to stop in for the booster after around 28 days, which is like now. This month went crazy fast.

[april17]

Ethan's pedi recommended that H and I get one. So I went today and got one. I am trying to get H to go too. He doesn't like needles so I don't know if he will end up going. I told him that it was important to do so as Ethan is too young to get the flu shot that's why the pedi said we should both get one. Here's to hoping that germs stay out of our house this flu season!

[amellis2]

A flu booster??

[sara76]

Nov 2, 2012 21:25:59 GMT -5 amellis2 said:

A flu booster??

Yep. I was pretty frazzled at her last appointment because she was crying the entire way through, but I'm almost certain he said she needed the second round in around 28 days. It's probably not called a booster, just the part 2. I'll call up on Monday, and I'll check out the handouts they give at each checkup in the meantime. Honestly, at this point if they recommend giving her a vaccine I'm just going to do it. I don't research them enough either way but I trust her Dr a lot more than I trust shit I've read on the Internet when it comes to my girls health.
ETA yep I found it on the interwebz. Because of her age and that its her first one there are 2 doses. The first to prime the immune system and the second to provide the immunity.
www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm

[amellis2]

Yeah, I was talking to my mom about it and she said that they have a booster for LOs (I don't think we ever got flu shots when I was little, either.) I had no idea. Thanks!

[mrschelseap09]

I have never gotten one for L. She is also not in daycare. If she was, I might get her one.