Who’s getting themselves/their kids the flu shot this year? Why or why not?
My mum had been telling me to get the kids the shot but I’ve always been a bit on the natural side and thought I’d rather not pump their bodies with different things (but yes I do get them vaccinated) but rather let their bodies build their own immunity. Now my little ones are getting sick and I’m feeling like maybe I should/‘ve got them the shot.
13 Replies
There are so many misconceptions about the flu shot and the flu in general, so I do suggest you take the anecdotal advice you're going to get on this subject with a grain of salt.
I also recommend talking with your gp about it, discuss the pros and cons, the risks and the benefits, whether it would be a good decision for your children based on their medical history and lifestyle.
I don't get the flu shot, neither do my kids but I am considering it this year as my son is asthmatic, we live in Tassie (its literally 11 degrees right now lol) and many parents at my kids school don't seem to have any common sense when it comes to contagious illnesses and school attendance.
My hubby gets it though as he works in the hospitality industry and he's often in close contact with lots of people, many of whom come from countries where hygiene isn't practiced as thoroughly as Australia. He also had swine flu in 09 so he never wants to go through that again.
That said, the flu shot won't protect them from common colds, viruses, croup, pneumonia or bacterial infections. The flu shot protects against a specific strain of influenza, the one that is the most contagious and dangerous.
Good luck with your choice!
Different poster here:
Just wanted to add to the great advice above that everyone reacts differently, and my local Dr. has said the virus has usually mutated before the flu season begins, so unless you get the jab around summer time its usually useless... but ask your dr as your in a different area to me, and may have different immune issues.
Good luck!
Discuss it with your GP. They have the facts.
But yes everyone in this house has had the flu shot this year.
Having a flu shot doesn’t stop your kids from building there own immunity.
Never had the flu shot and neither have my kids 19,18,16 and 14. We rarely get sick, definitely not every year anyway. Obviously we have no underlying conditions that could be worsened by the flu or I probably would. We are all healthy people I see no need to fight something that I'm not likely to get anyway, and even if I do a few days at home never killed anybody.
The flu isn’t a few days off of work, thats a cold. Flu is at least 7days but can be 6 weeks.
Influenza can and does kill people, particularly those in the high risk category (babies, the elderly, immunocompromised and even sometimes the completely healthy). A viral infection, commonly referred to as "the flu", probably won't but will definitely leave you feeling shitty for a few days.
Here in lies the problem, many people can't differentiate between the two.
Ps. Not having a go, just trying to educate 😀
I have had the flu a couple of times, I know the difference between a cold and a flu. I have never been off work more than a few days with it, terrible I know but I work by myself so no problems. Everyone reacts differently to illness. If we had a reason to avoid the flu we would.
A previously healthy young girl aged 8 died from influenza last year, that's an example of why I feel it's important to at least seriously consider it. Flu can not only result in extended time off work and school, there can be complications in even healthy people. The flu vaccination may not result in 100% protection from the flu, since there are many variations of the virus. But it may reduce the time it takes for your body to kick the virus, and the severity of the symptoms.
Think carefully also about who you and your kids are in contact with. Vulnerable people, especially. I had the flu 8 years ago at 5 weeks pregnant. I was so unwell, with high temps, coughing, aches and pains. It's so different from a cold, and I was petrified I would lose my baby or that she would be harmed by the high temperatures I was experiencing.
Talk to your GP. It's not too late
At least get some info.
Over the past week and a half i have administered over 80 influenza vaccinations. Children aged 6 months to 5 years are government funded as well as over 65 year olds. Any person with a chronic condition is government funded also. With last years epidemic on the recorded cases of influenza, there is much more emphasis on having the vaccination. Right now is also the perfect time to get it done. It was in mid August of last year we saw a spike in the number of recored cases.
Have a chat to your gp for correct information.
Nope not getting it this year, I’ve previously gotten it for the last 5-6 years but last year I got the absolutely worst flu I was so sick for ages!!! (Positive nasal swab for influenza A). Ironically my non-flu immunised children (6 to be fair) didn’t so much as catch a cold OR my flu!
A friend of mine died last year due to the flu.
Also, I was vaccinated last year but workmates weren't, and we all got the flu. I was out of action for a week, they were out for over 3 weeks.
My son also got the flu (he actually had it first and shared it with me). It was horrible to watch my little man go through that. I'm so grateful that we both came through unscathed (even with my heart condition).
The flu is particularly dangerous for little ones.
Please vaccinate against the flu.
I'm booked in for when my 4yr old gets his second dose.
Ask the doctor for a full fact sheet of risks and side affects. Ask if it’s been tested on children. I thought it wasn’t safe for kids or pregnant women, or anyone who is unwell 🤧
GPs are not trained in vaccines and immunology, they only say what they’re told to say from the pharmaceutical companies
We are not vaccinated and never get the flu.
Herd immunity is not an actual thing, it came about from communities gaining natural immunity from catching diseases, not from vaccines
I get myself and my two boys (13 and 11) done every year. My youngest has bronchiectasis (chronic lung disease) and his respiratory specialist recommends getting all the family done to reduce the risk of my son needing to be admitted to hospital. When he does need admission due to his lungs getting worse, he has IV antibiotics for up to three weeks. We are lucky that after the first few days we can usually continue treatment at home, but it is preferable to keep him as healthy as possible and avoid admission if we can.
How old are your kids? Have they recently started school or day care? They usually say the first 6-12 months at a new school or day care is the worst for illness. After that immunity is improved for the bugs being shared in that environment.