My boys have gotten the flue shot in the past because they were high risk. The 3 of them had a lot of respritory problems as babies and toddlers, but theya are now 9,8 and almost 7. I did not get them a flu shot this year since they have not had asthma/respritory problems in a long time and to be honest, we were moving and I was too busy to get them in. Also, they hate shots and I did not feel up to fighting with them. Now, 3 kids have died in MN from the flu. None were vaccinated. They are saying that it is not too late to vaccinate. I don't know if it is worth it or not??? Also, should I get my 13 yr old done too? She has never had respritory problems. I just hate fighting with them about it, but I would feel horrible if they got sick because they haven't had a vaccine So confused!!!!!

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~Happiness is a large family~

I would call your doctor and get his opinion and go from there.

Were the children that died high risk? That is so very sad.

I didnt get my kids the shot this year either my reasoning is that I did last year and they got so sick it was the worst winter for us. I know there are many strains and I swear they got them all.

Don't give them the choice. yeah, I know.

Mine were mad at me. I told them that's okay because you guys drive me nuts sometimes and I still love you. they then gave me the look.
here's local story about flu deaths
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_arti...storyid=243119

allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

My youngest ds was in the age that it is recommended for him to get it, so we did. I didn't do my oldest because he is not high risk or anything. And then sure enough, he got the flu. He will be getting them every year now.

I would also discuss the issue with my doctor and go with what they suggest. Nobody in our house gets the flu shot. None of us are in the recommended 'high risk' categories. My sister however gets a flu shot for herself, her DH and all her kids due to one of her kids being high risk. The way I understand it from her is that not only does the child that is 'high risk' need the shot but everybody living with that child. But I could have that totally wrong.

HTH

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high risk persons. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.

People who should get vaccinated each year are:

1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:

Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
Pregnant women,
People 50 years of age and older,
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and
People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Health care workers.

3. Anyone who wants to decrease their risk of influenza.

My ds's are 5 and 18mo when they both got the flu shot in Dec. Although that is last one for my youngest since he does have a positive egg allergy! My dh and I did not get one. I will continue to get one for my oldest, especially since he'll be starting school this fall.

My whole family gets them. So I don't have any advice. One of my daughters and I have asthma. So we have to get it. They came up with a nasel meds that your kids may be able to get if you are passing it up just because it is a shot.

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Casey loving wife to Steven mom to 4 bratty girls Amanda, Rebecca, Jessica and Makayla
Where did my baby go

I am a huge believer in vaccinations in general and there is one major reason that has not been discussed here so far: to stop the spread of the virus to others. I believe that the benefit to society as a whole outweighs individual discomfort.

For example, cjemommy posted that her youngest couldn't get the shot vaccine because of an egg allergy. If it were me, I would then vaccinate everyone else in the family to "protect" the youngest.

For the flu vaccine, it may not be quite so important because deaths due to flu in the normal, healthy population is quite rare. However, for more serious diseases, it might be essential. One demonstration of this was a report I read recently that half of all deaths last year for measles were traced back to one, unvaccinated teen-ager who traveled abroad, returned and then infected a group of unvaccinated friends. You may think that you don't need to vaccinate because your family won't be in situations that expose them, but the fact is that it only takes one contagious (not necessarily sick) person - you wouldn't even have to know them if they used a water fountain, or sneezed on a door handle of a public restroom, or a thousand other scenarios. If the girl traveling abroad had been vaccinated, it could have stopped the progression of transmission in its tracks!

Ok, now I'll get down off my soap box!! n my soapbox:

And, for those of you who are adamantly against vaccinations for your own children, I do know that vaccines are far from perfect and there certainly are risks that each family must evaluate for themselves. I am thankful to live in a society where we can discuss and debate these issues and have the luxury to have choices.