My son is 11 months old and his doctor wants me to schedule an appointment to get a flu shot. Just wondering if this is something everyone does? Is it safe? Has anyone had a baby who had a negative reaction to the flu shot? And should me and my husband get one too? Any advice would be helpful, I'm a nervous 1st time mommy.
2006-10-26 17:03:50 · 17 answers · asked by luvbabysky 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
There are two types of vaccines:
The "flu shot"—an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine—a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
When to Get Vaccinated
October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.
Who Should Get Vaccinated
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by ACIP that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.
People who should get vaccinated each year are:
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, and
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
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)
Healthcare workers.
Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine
It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy persons aged 5-49 years who are not pregnant.
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated
There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include
People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age.
People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
Vaccine Effectiveness
The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective at preventing the flu.
Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)
Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV.
The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are
Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
Fever (low grade)
Aches
If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. As of July 1, 2005, people who think that they have been injured by the flu shot can file a claim for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).
LAIV: The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)
In children, side effects from LAIV can include
runny nose
headache
vomiting
muscle aches
fever
In adults, side effects from LAIV can include
runny nose
headache
sore throat
cough
2006-10-26 17:39:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The main problem with the flu shots is that they (the manufacturers) are guessing which strain will be next for flu season. Since there are so many hundreds of strains and there is no real way to predict which one is next, it's really just a gamble, a hope that it is the right one. So you might get the shot and gain (supposedly) immunity to that particular strain but that isn't the strain that goes around. And of course, they have to use their best educated guess which strain to prepare for the next season because it takes months to prepare the immunizations, it's not something that can be prepared (especially on such a large scale) at last minute. If you want to go ahead with the flu shot (and it is thimerasol free) just give your kids a dose of tylenol a 1/2 hour beforehand. They might not even run a fever or have any symptoms at all. Personally, I don't waste time with flu shots. There is no guarantee that it will keep the flu away, anyway.
2016-05-21 23:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All's I can tell you is that both the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest getting all children under the age of 2 the flu shot. I have gotten my daughter the shot twice, once when she was 6 months, and again this year at 16 months, and she had no reaction. Of course there are always risks with any injection your child may have, but there are a lot of infants that die from the flu every year. If you are a stay at home mom so that your child is not exposed to other children, then it may not be as important for a child who attends daycare or is around a lot of children. Just do what you feel is best.
2006-10-26 17:18:21 · answer #3 · answered by Melissa 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's okay and I think that a first time flu shot for a child is 2 shots, one one month and one the next. Yes it is a good idea for you and your husband to get a flu shot too. I have three grandbabies and they had flu shots last year and will be getting them again this year. If your nervous speak to yout baby's doctor about it, don't be afraid to ask questions, it's your baby and you have the right to know. Good Luck 1st time mommy..................
2006-10-26 18:41:47 · answer #4 · answered by lisa b 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They recommend a flu shot because the flu can be so nasty for babies, easily resulting in dehydration and hospital time, which is never good. I haven't heard of negative reactions, but I'm sure some people have them, just like any shots.
My pediatrician told me my baby didn't need a flu shot since I'm a stay at home mom and we aren't exposed to lots of other kids, like at daycare where the flu is often spread.
As for you and your husband, you should decide for yourselves whether shots are worse than throwing up. I, personally, get the shot, but for my husband needles are worse than death so he takes his risk without getting the flu shot.
2006-10-26 17:09:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
According to the "media", flu shots are safe for babies. Well, I am not a doctor, but I am in intelligent woman, and I would NOT be putting virus into my newborn. Which is what the shot is.
A better bet would be to just keep your child away from situations where people might have the flu, wash your hands frequently, and exercise precaution.
2006-10-26 17:16:56 · answer #6 · answered by huckleberry 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I actually just took my daughter for her 9 month check up today and her doctor also mentioned my daughter getting a flu shot.
I have to set up an appointment...as far as reactions to the shot I would guess they would be the same as any other shot babies get. Ask your doctor for more information. Good Luck.
2006-10-26 19:28:03 · answer #7 · answered by Kelly 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know nothing about the flu shot in regards to babies, but generally I think they're crud. A lot of older people have said the flu shot actually gives them the flu (understandable because they are injecting the actual flu bug into someone). If it gives it to you, what's the point of getting the shot? Isn't that what it's supposed to prevent? Just my thoughts on the matter.
2006-10-26 17:14:33 · answer #8 · answered by IAskUAnswer 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Flu shots aren't very effective vaccines at all. They don't prevent any flu related deaths and are only marginally effective at preventing the disease: one study recently done showed that comparing a similar group of people vaccinated against the flu against a group of people who weren't, 39% of vaccinated people got the flu compared to 41% of unvaccinated people. Not much of a difference. Not an effective vaccine. The cost/benefit ratio, for me, was that the tiny bit of protection that it offers is not worth the trade off of a cranky baby and possible allergic reaction (my husband had a bad allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, worse then the actual flu itself).
2006-10-26 18:15:00 · answer #9 · answered by I ♥ EC 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Gohead and get him his shot. I got my daughter who is 10.5 months old her flu shot and she did just fine with it.(But then again she don't have problems with any of her shots.) If you decide to get your son the flu shot he will have to have 2 of them a month apart due to the fact that this is his first time getting the flu shot. I would say for you and your husband to gohead and also get the flu shot just to be on the safe side.
2006-10-27 02:30:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have bounced around this question on many many of occasions. My daughter is almost two and we had her get one last year and she got really sick for one reason or another. I don't think its a bad idea but for some kids they just don't react to it as they should and you won't know until you have it done. If your child has a history of getting really sick after shots then it may not be a good idea but again every child is different and you won't know until you do it. As far as your self and husband its not mandatory but you can if you choose to!!
2006-10-27 03:36:42 · answer #11 · answered by MLP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋