Flu Vaccines

[christiangirl]

Well, I'll throw this in about flu vaccines. My mom has gotten the flu shot every year since I can remember and every single year, she catches the flu--not just a little discomfort either, she would be out of work for a full week or more. She's a really healthy person otherwise, nothing comprising her immune system or anything. However, my parents never gave me the flu vaccine when I was little for whatever reason and I've gotten the flu three times that I can remember (ages 9, 15, and 21). So, for obvious reasons, I never saw the point of having it. I got it this year because I intern at a hospital and they run around like everyone who doesn't get it is bound to die a painful, miserable death. It was just for this year and, as I had a reaction to the shot, I don't plan on doing it again, unless I once again find myself working in a hospital or some other place with immonosuppressed people. And even then, it'd be for them and not me.

That being said, if a baby falls into that high-risk group, then the pros may outweigh the cons. You're her mom, so you get to make that call. As she gets older, it may not be so important, but right now she's your baby and you're protecting her the best you can. You're right not to let threats of antifreeze scare you.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Well, I'll throw this in about flu vaccines. My mom has gotten the flu shot every year since I can remember and every single year, she catches the flu--not just a little discomfort either, she would be out of work for a full week or more. She's a really healthy person otherwise, nothing comprising her immune system or anything. However, my parents never gave me the flu vaccine when I was little for whatever reason and I've gotten the flu three times that I can remember (ages 9, 15, and 21). So, for obvious reasons, I never saw the point of having it. I got it this year because I intern at a hospital and they run around like everyone who doesn't get it is bound to die a painful, miserable death. It was just for this year and, as I had a reaction to the shot, I don't plan on doing it again, unless I once again find myself working in a hospital or some other place with immonosuppressed people. And even then, it'd be for them and not me.

That's probably because your mom came in contact with the flu before getting the vaccine or before the vaccine was in full effect.

There's a window of time that your vaccinator (is that a word? like, terminator) will tell you about when you get the vaccine. My vaccinator told me about the window of time years ago when I told her "flu vaccines don't work or they must give you the flu sometimes...because so-and-so still got the flu."

As for your reaction to the shot, the form that most of us sign at flu clinics (or your doctor can tell you) explains the risks for people with certain allergies and conditions. I always sign the waiver because the flu is worse than MY allergic reactions.

[littleowl33]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Well, I'll throw this in about flu vaccines. My mom has gotten the flu shot every year since I can remember and every single year, she catches the flu--not just a little discomfort either, she would be out of work for a full week or more. She's a really healthy person otherwise, nothing comprising her immune system or anything. However, my parents never gave me the flu vaccine when I was little for whatever reason and I've gotten the flu three times that I can remember (ages 9, 15, and 21). So, for obvious reasons, I never saw the point of having it. I got it this year because I intern at a hospital and they run around like everyone who doesn't get it is bound to die a painful, miserable death. It was just for this year and, as I had a reaction to the shot, I don't plan on doing it again, unless I once again find myself working in a hospital or some other place with immonosuppressed people. And even then, it'd be for them and not me.

That being said, if a baby falls into that high-risk group, then the pros may outweigh the cons. You're her mom, so you get to make that call. As she gets older, it may not be so important, but right now she's your baby and you're protecting her the best you can. You're right not to let threats of antifreeze scare you.

Don't take this the wrong way, but a sample size of two people (you and your mom) is not convincing at all. Anecdotal evidence about how well the flu shot worked for a few people you know does not outweigh the evidence that the flu shot is extremely beneficial for the majority of people. It's a pet peeve of mine when people try to discount well-documented scientific phenomena or studies with, "Well, but, my friend/mom/sister/cousin..." stories. Different people are different in how their immune system reacts, and there are lots of other variables in play - I'm sure you know that from interning at a hospital.

/rant

I agree with the rest of your post, as well as the posters who say that people who don't get their children vaccinated are being selfish. Yes, it's their choice, but the rest of us don't have the choice of whether or not to live with the little infectious hosts. Maybe those kids should have to wear some sort of scarlet letter so we can see them coming...