Thursday, 04 September 2008

  • Morning Chat: Are Flu Shots Safe...and Effective?

    by Mama Koala

    vaccineNow that it's September, the dreaded flu season is on people's minds, and hospitals and clinics have probably started stocking up on flu vaccines. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, but usually peak around January. Anyone can get a flu shot as long as there isn't a shortage, but the vaccine is highly recommended for certain people, including pregnant women, seniors, and children 6 months and up.

    Baby Koala had her first opportunity to get a flu shot about a year ago at her 9-month check-up. I didn't realize that flu vaccinations had started already, and wasn't prepared to give an answer... and since she was already getting a handful of vaccinations that day, I said no and went home to do some research. I hate needles, and haven't gotten a flu shot since I was old enough to make that decision for myself.  I've had the flu several times, and believe me, if there was a shot that guaranteed "no flu" I'd be the first to sign up! But when it comes to Baby Koala, I've heard too many reports about vaccines (including certain types of flu vaccines that contain mercury) being linked to autism to not be cautious.

    So I went home and went online to read up on flu vaccines. I learned that in previous winters, people who received flu shots were only like 20-40% less likely to get the flu than people who didn't get flu shots. Hmm, only 20-40% less likely? I kept that in mind, and continued my research. I read about different "types" of flu shots - some contained mercury, and others didn't. This seemed promising to me, so I called the pediatrician's office to ask about the type of flu shot they had in stock. The nurse on the phone told me that their vaccine contained a trace of mercury, but that it was a harmless amount. I decided then to take a risk (I guess there was a risk either way) and not give Baby Koala a flu shot for the winter, regardless of what the recommendation was.

    Neither Baby Koala nor I got a "normal" flu last winter, but we did get terribly sick with some kind of stomach virus in February. She got sick first, and then eventually got me sick too! I don't think the flu shot would've protected us from that virus, but who knows? I'm no medical expert.

    This fall, I'm faced with the decision again... flu shot or no shot? I haven't made a firm decision yet, but I'm leaning towards repeating last year's choice, especially after *just* reading these two articles (from months ago, but still reliable information):

    I'm not against vaccinations. In fact, Baby Koala has gotten all of her vaccinations from birth until now. Measles, Mumps, Hepatitis...these things scare me, and I like to think that vaccinating Baby Koala will protect her from them. I follow the doctor's schedule, but whenever I'm given the option of giving her an additional shot or delaying it until the next visit, I always choose the latter. And I guess when it comes to the flu shot, I just don't even put it in the same category, especially since they haven't even been proven to be all that effective in recent years. If anyone has had positive experiences with flu shots, I'd love to hear about them. Perhaps I'll even change my mind!

    Will you and your family be getting flu shots to prepare for the winter flu season? Have you gotten them in the past, and were they effective?

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Comments (33)

  • der_lila_Stern@xanga

    I think flu shots are definitely a good idea for some people.  But for the average person, I think a healthy diet and enough SLEEP are often over looked.  I have always been a healthy person, so I have always opted to skip the flu shot.  I have never gotten the flu.  I have decided that until I do get the flu, I will pass on the shot! (Sorry, not the encouraging answer you were looking for.)
  • Mamatomybabies@xanga

    I have never had a flu shot, even though I was pregnant over the "flu" season. I have never given my kids flu shots, either. I have known one too many people who are faithful vaccinators and still get sick anyway. My kids have their other shots, but I am not a believer in the flu shot.

  • Kristenmomof3@xanga

    no flu shots in this house.

    I do get a shot every 5 years to protect me from pneumonia (I get that pretty easy) but no flu shots for anyone in this house no way
  • LilMama1204@xanga

    I've gotten a flu shot every year since about age 9 and have never had the flu.  I did have the flu when I was about 5 years old.  I typically do not get sick during the winter anymore.  I've gotten my children flu shots every year too.  Most if not all of my family gets a flu shot and none of us ever get sick.  The only people who do get sick are the ones that do not get the shot.  I don't know if it's just luck or what, but for 15 years I've never had the flu and I've received a vaccination every year for 15 years.  
  • reasmom@xanga

    Both my daughter and I will be getting flu shots this year.  I don't normally get one as I am a healthy adult, but I will be pregnant this flu season, so I am sure I will get one.  My daughter has gotten one every year (I think).  She is young and has fall/winter allergies that cause her respiratory problems - so she is a high risk.

    I think there is a lot of uneducated people passing around false information about the flu and the flu shot.  People need to understand that there are several different strains of the flu.  The flu shot isn't designed to protect everyone against every strain of the flu.  And that the number of people who have an adverse reaction to the shot is small and those people are NOT getting the flu from the shot - they are having a reaction.The flu kills tens of thousands of people every year - these people don't die because they have flu like symptoms (aches and pains or throwing up)- they die because the have respiratory problems caused by the flu, dehydration caused by the flu symptoms or from the flu elevating other chronic problems.Point being - the point of the shot is to prevent you from catching the respiratory flu - not the "cold flu" or the "stomach flu" so don't expect it to be a cure all that will prevent you from catching colds with flu like symptoms.
  • glorious_and_free@xanga

    I heard on the news the other day that in the US the rate of people getting the flu shot has gone from 25% to 65% in recent years, but there has been no decrease in the amount of people getting the flu and flu-related deaths.  I wish I could have written down the reference but I was driving.  It seems kind of pointless to me to get one, it seems like there's lots of risk for basically no benefit.  I also know that the flu shot will only supposedly protect you from about 4 strains of the flu, and there are many others out there as well you could catch while having been vaccinated...so you're not really totally protected from getting the flu.
  • mamakoala

    @LilMama1204@xanga - Wow, the flu shot has definitely worked for your family!

    @reasmom@xanga - Ah thanks, I've been wanting to look into what "types" of flu the vaccine is good for, and you just answered that one for me. I also remember reading that the flu shot cannot give you the flu, since they don't use a live virus. Most people don't get "sick" after getting the shot, but I have friends who have gotten bad cold-like symptoms as side effects, and they weren't too happy about that!
  • Amyld@xanga

    We will not be getting the flu shots (no one in my family has ever had the flu... and no one has had a flu shot).

  • Cackle_Loud@xanga

    My children and husband get the flu shot, but I cannot (egg allergy). The one year my husband did not get the shot, he was out of commission for 2+ weeks with the flu. Not good. Also, from what I understand, if you do get the shot and go on to get the flu, it will be more mild than if you did not get the shot.


    The link you post re: the Federal government stating that a vaccine aggravated autism is somewhat specious, unless you read all the way through. In that case, and in that case ONLY, the Federal government recognized that in a situation where the child had a pre-existing mitochondrial condition that may have led her to develop symptoms on the autism spectrum, that yes, the vaccination aggravated that. I don't believe that it speaks to the large majority of parents concerned about vaccinations.
  • LilMama1204@xanga

    @mamakoala - I was reading your reply to reasmom and most people nowadays do not get flu symptoms anymore.  There used to be a shot that had a live virus in it that would give you flu like symptoms, but they've changed it.  I had a friend last year who claimed that because I made her get a flu shot that she got sick...lol.  She wasn't sick with the flu or anything like the flu, she just got unlucky and got sick.  They don't put a live virus into your body anymore.  The one flu vaccine to avoid is the one that they put up your nose because it is live and you can spread it to others...especially babies.  When my daughter was in the NICU there was a sign on the door that read, "Do not enter for two weeks if you've had the flu vaccine that you inhale."  Hope you figure out what is best for your family.  No choice is the wrong one.
  • wewong@xanga

    since i work at a hospital, i've heard both sides.  on the one hand, they said if your child have been taking all these shots, as soon as they stop, they'll get sick really bad.  on the other hand, some say that these shots help "introduce" the virus to your body so you are better equipped when you actually encounter it.  i stop my flu shots a few years back and i still get sick once a year, no better no worst.
  • firetyger@xanga

    My parents gave me flu shots for years and then decided that they didn't matter.  Once I was old enough to decide for myself, I got the shot.  But every winter I STILL get a nasty respiratory flu.  For me, it doesn't make a difference if I have the shot or not.  I'm just that susceptible.  It's the same kind of flu...same intensity, regardless of a vaccine or not.  My husband never gets the flu and he didn't start taking the shot until he joined the military because it's a requirement.

    Last year, I did give my daughter the flu shot and she reacted badly to it.  This year I'm debating if I want to give it to her again or not.  I am concerned about the possible connection between the mercury in the vaccine and autism...  I'm just not sure the vaccine is worth it. 

  • mamajoyjoy

    I normally don't get sick (evidenced by perfect attendance awards from middle school, all through high school, and I don't think I missed classes in college either...or work, except twice? haha), so I didn't even get a flu shot when I was pregnant (and I worked in a childcare center). Like you, I don't think I've gotten one since it became by decision. And almost all the people I know that get the shot (our work paid for our shots since we work with kids and are susceptible to the flu) have always gotten the flu. I think the vaccination is for last year's flu virus?? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what someone told me. We did get the shot for M last year, but we'll have to think about it for this year...she hasn't gotten sick so far for the past 19 months. Fever from other shots, and 2 runny noses was about it, thank goodness.
  • averyswife@xanga

    @mamakoala - You can't get the flu from the flu shot, technically.  But the shot CAN lower your immune system enough to make you susceptible to another flu strain.  So indirectly, you can get the flu from the vaccination.
  • TakingxOverxMe@xanga

    I've never gotten a flu shot and have only had the flu once. 
    I never plan on having a flu shot because I've known they weren't so effective and can possibly cause problems.  Plus I'm terrified of needles.
  • christygraves@xanga

    I loved reading this post and everyone's responses.  I got the flu shot for the first time last winter since my daughter was born in October and our pediatrician recommended we get it.  I'm having another baby this November, so I will probably get a flu shot again.  Mostly because a newborn isn't old enough to deal with the flu, and any percent less likely is worth it for me.  If I didn't have a small baby at home, I probably wouldn't get a flu shot.
  • RoAngie467

    After a terrible case of the flu rampaged our family a few years back, my mother insisted us kids get the flu shot the following winter. We did and we didn't get sick with the flu. So we kept it up for a couple of years. Then the one year I didn't get the flu shot (I had moved out of the house), I got the flu! I was so miserable the whole time, so I decided getting the flu vaccine was worth it. Last winter, I got the shot and just in time too, because I became pregnant soon after.
  • LadyLibellule@xanga

    I've never gotten a flu shot, and I don't think I've had the flu when it was going around.  Maybe I did as a kid, but I obviously survived.

    There are supposed to be mercury-free flu shots available for pregnant women, babies, and children.  I think you have to ask for them, though.  That said, I don't think they're that effective.  And I've heard of quite a few people who got the flu shot and then got the flu.  So what was the point of all those toxins?
  • LadyLibellule@xanga

    @wewong@xanga - "on the one hand, they said if your child have been taking all these shots, as soon as they stop, they'll get sick really bad."

    Doesn't that suggest that vaccines actually damage the body's natural defenses?  Our species has survived for thousands of years with just our immune systems.  It's kind of sad that we've gone and messed ourselves up so much that we can't even survive without injecting something.
  • SummerThinx@xanga

    There are millions and billions of different strands of the flu. You could get a flu shot with a different strand of the flu everyday of your life and you still wouldnt be close to being protected from all the flu. So even though you get a shot, you can still get the flu.

  • SummerThinx@xanga

    Ohh. And once you get a shot for a certain strand of the flu, you will always be amuned to that strand. Doesnt mean you still cant get another strand of the flu.
  • zx6karen@xanga

    After baby was born last year, doc told me and daddy to get a shot.  We didnt.  We were fine and so was baby.


    All these responses arent helping me with my decision.  Baby is due for her next check up in 2 months and doc told me that we can give her a flu shot if we want to.  What to do?  What to do?
  • loveable_lush@xanga

    take it from a daughter and mom with some personal expierence in the area.. the flu shot didn't work for us, and we're never getting it again. i'm 18 and my mom's 48, my mom decided that we should get the shot after a few years of not having it and getting sick every once and a while. three weeks after we got the shot we were both sick, first me and then my mom a few days later, and it was the worst flu we'd expierenced yet. we asked our doctors how this happened because we didn't believe we'd get the flu after getting the vaccine, and they said sometimes the shot itself causes the flu, you just take your chances hoping it helps. so.. this year, we're toughing it out without the shot in hopes that that will make us not get sick like we did last year.
  • filtered_sunlight
    I pass. Even this year when I'll be pregnant on into November.I'm pretty moderate when it comes to getting sick...I don't catch everything, but I do get sick with random viruses through out the year and I have had a few major illnesses...enough so that I know what to look for and say, "You know what? It's time to go to the doctor or walk-in clinic and get checked out..." if things get too bad. It's scary to hear about the "super bugs" that we're creating by over-medicating ourselves and over-sanitizing everything.
  • wewong@xanga

    @LadyLibellule@xanga - it certainly does, sorta like keeping the immune system "sheltered".  i've heard some of my coworkers who are nurses mentioned that when the children are young, especially when they're babies, try not to isolate them at home during flu season because the sooner they come in contact with the virus, the sooner their immune system will figure out a way to defend themselves.  of course don't put them in front of a guy while he's coughing as well.

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