Who is Getting the Flu Shot?

[mjaclyn]

After much research and discussion, DH and I decided to have our children get the seasonal flu shot. Our DS is 6 months and DD just turned 3. After their shots they were both cranky and DD had a low fever, but both of them were fine by the next day. Our Pediatrician's office only had (at the time) the Nasal version of H1N1 which DS can't have because of his age, and I'm reluctant to get for DD. We're still deciding whether or not to get the H1N1 shots, but how many of you have gotten it (or have had your children get it)? Have you had any side effects or adverse reactions? I think we most likely will end up getting the H1N1 vaccine as well....I've read alot of information about it and I think it will make sense for us.

[wdw_bound]

Our whole family (me, DH, DD and DS) have had the seasonal flu vaccine. We get it every year. I work in healthcare, and have seen people, from kids to adults to the elderly, get seasonal flu and suffer severe complications, up to and including death. Even people who "didn't think they needed the vaccine." After my first flu season in healthcare, I knew there was no way I could live with the guilt of having been able to protect my family and choosing not to, so we all get vaccinated.

As for the H1N1 vaccine, it is still very hard to find in our area. Our family will probably wait until it is more accessible so that people higher up on the CDC at-risk list can be vaccinated first.

[scootch713]

My kids(age 7 and 10) got the nasal of both... the seasonal and the H1N1. I had been on the fence with it, then they offered it at our school. A month or so had gone by and my brother and MD said there was not complications being reported from the vaccine, and told me if I could get it to do so. So they had the nasal for it. I too felt that if the vaccine was available and I didn't get it... how would I ever live with myself if I didn't get it and something happened to them. I also thought with our upcoming trip(in 3 days ) that they would be exposed to a ton of people. They did fine with both vaccines, no fussiness, no fever, nothing... they did great and I feel much safer jumping on that plane and ship this week knowing they were vaccinated. Hoping I can find the H1N1 for myself, but so far here it is just for high risk groups.

[Madame Leona]

My kids had the seasonal flu vaccine (little one shot and big one nasal) and I would like to get the H1N1. The problem is that it's hard to get in our area. People are spending hours in line at flu shot clinics and many are being turned away because of shortages. I'm afraid of what I would expose my kids to standing in lines that long. Plus, a two and four year old would not do well in that type of line.

[jillluvsdisney]

I had the seasonal one done at work but the
H1N1 seems to be very scarce in my area right now. It more doses become available, I will get it.

[RenDuran]

My kids just got the H1N1 shot on Thursday...and it's only because my son is in the high-risk group because of his asthma. The kids are both in private school and most kids in our area that don't go to public school are having to wait until the shot becomes available. I gave them both Tylenol about an hour before the shot. I've done that whenever they get vaccines, since they were babies.

We've gotten flu shots for as long as I can remember. I started years ago, before becoming a mom. And now that I have a son with breathing problems, I make sure we do what we can to stay as safe as possible.

[Scar]

Since you asked, I will not be getting the flu shot... ever.

[SurferStitch]

I don't get flu shots. Then again, I also don't seem to get the flu. I sometimes (rarely) get a real nasty bug (sore throat, fever, etc.), but the doc always tells me it's not flu.

DH got one last year (first ever) the day he was released from the hospital after being diagnosed with MS. With MS, the flu, or any illness, can trigger a relapse, and we didn't want that. He didn't get one this year, and from what he said, he probably won't. I'd hate to see him get sick and have complications, but then again, I still don't like flu shots, and neither does he.

I just don't like to inject or ingest any drugs into my body that I don't absolutely need. If I was high risk for severe complications from the flu, I might consider it, but until then, no flu shot.

[citizensnoopy]

I got both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccination, but I'm a doctor who spends a lot of time in the ICU. To date, 6 people have died from H1N1 at the hospital where I work --- including 3 children and a previously healthy 28-year-old female. For me, there was never any question about getting both shots.

[DizNee143]

i WANT to get the flu shot..but its sooo hard to find..
im 9 months pregnant and i keep getting told i should get it..but i cant find it anywhere..
supposingly my obgyn got some on friday and are only giving it to there pregnant patients..hopefully there arent to many other pregnant ladies and when i go tomorrow for my visit i can FINALLY get my flu shot!
we'll see what happens..

[DisneyDog]

I got the seasonal flu shot and the mist version of the H1N1. DS7 had the seasonal flu shot and I want to get him the H1N1 vaccine, but can't seem to get one for him. I was outraged to learn that 1,000s of vaccines were sent to Wall Street firms for their staff to get vaccinated, but schools, pediatricians and OB/GYNs can't get them.

I have had no ill effects from either vaccine and I am very glad that I got them. I hope my DS doesn't get sick, but at least I will be able to take care of him in the event that he does.

DH, btw, hasn't had any of the vaccines. He wants to get both but has not been able to get them.

[ElenitaB]

As soon as I can find the shots and match them to my treatment schedule, I'll be getting both seasonal and novel H1N1, as will my son (nothing says love like the bugs your kids bring home from school to you).

[mjaclyn]

Question - If I get the H1N1 vaccine before my kids do (they have to wait a month in between the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot), and have flu-like symptoms (like the ones listed on the flu & CDC websites as side effects), can my kids catch H1N1 from me since they haven't had the shot yet? I expect because of the shortage of vaccines, the only version that will probably be available to DH and I is the Nasal Mist. I know it contains a weakend virus as opposed to a killed virus, so how does that work? Am I contagious to others for a certain amount of time after I get the vaccine?

[MNNHFLTX]

Question - If I get the H1N1 vaccine before my kids do (they have to wait a month in between the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot), and have flu-like symptoms (like the ones listed on the flu & CDC websites as side effects), can my kids catch H1N1 from me since they haven't had the shot yet? I expect because of the shortage of vaccines, the only version that will probably be available to DH and I is the Nasal Mist. I know it contains a weakend virus as opposed to a killed virus, so how does that work? Am I contagious to others for a certain amount of time after I get the vaccine?

From what I have read, there is a small risk of transmission of the virus (from someone who received the nasal mist) to immunocompromised individuals they may have close contact with. The manufacturer's website states that nasal mist recipients should avoid contact with these persons for 21 days. If your children are over age two, are healthy and have no chronic conditions that might compromise their immune system, it sounds like they would be okay.

[Madame Leona]

I'm taking my boys Monday to get the vaccine. Our county finally got some and they are prescreening over the phone and making appointments based on the number of vaccines they received. I'm really happy my boys don't have to stand in a crazy long line.

[Disney Doll]

I've had both, I'm pregnant so even though H1N1 isn't readily available in our area I did get one because pregnant women have been a priority. DS age 2 just got the seasonal flu vaccine. He doesn't go to daycare or anything so I figure his risk for H1N1 is lower and we'll wait until it's easier to find. DH never gets flu vaccines of any kind. He never gets sick so he just doesn't worry about it as much. He has been using lots of hand sanitizer though so he must be more concerned than he lets on.

[DonLefNY]

My whole family gets the seasonal shot every year (kids are now 17 & 18). I'd like for my kids to get the Swine shot, but it's not avail in our area.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

My DD finally got her shot yesterday. We've had, like so many others, problems with supply, but they finally had some, and we were shocked that there was NO LINE!!! Granted, she had a PD Day at school, so we went at 11am, but still, it was nice not to wait.

She's high-risk due to her asthma, so although it won't give her any protection for a while yet, I'm very relieved that she's had it!

[mjaclyn]

Where is everyone going that there are long lines? Can't you only get the flu shot from your doctor? I've heard of people getting them at places like Sam's Club but is that really safe? How clean could a Sam's Club be?

[Kathy Jetson]

We all got our regular flu shots. Ds6 just got his h1n1 on Friday. I can't find the H1N1 for adults yet or we would have gotten that too.