your opinion re: flu shot

[shay]

I would like to hear your opinions. I am debating whether or not to accept the flu shot for my infant son. He is 9 months old, caucasian. Was born full term, no complications, is still breastfeeding, has never been ill (knock on wood), is not in daycare (I'm a SAHM).

I had originally decided against the flu shot because 1) I think the flu shot is bogus and doesn't work 2) it contains thimerisol (yeah, I know, it's been deactivated or whatever, I read the CDC's info, but I don't care, thimerisol is thimerisol is thimerisol....) and 3) there's a shortage and he is not an "at risk" infant.

However, now I am reconsidering. He IS a white male, and RSV season is coming, and I have an inherent fear of RSV as it is, especially in a white male child.

What do you all think? Why?

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Getting the flu shot won't protect your little guy from RSV, so if that's your reasoning for having it done, you shouldn't bother. (However, if he'd had asthma, bronchiolitis etc. I definitely would have him vaccinated.) Sounds to me like he's a very healthy baby, but he WILL get respiratory infections regardless of whether or not he gets the flu shot.......and there are too many high-risk kids out there who need it worse.

Hope this helps.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

If you're a SAHM, I wouldn't worry about it unless you have other kids in grade school who bring home illnesses. The flu shot won't prevent RSV and he's not qualified to recieve Synagis, so the best you can do is just keep up with the handwashing and be careful where you go or who comes into the house.

[shay]

If you're a SAHM, I wouldn't worry about it unless you have other kids in grade school who bring home illnesses. The flu shot won't prevent RSV and he's not qualified to recieve Synagis, so the best you can do is just keep up with the handwashing and be careful where you go or who comes into the house.

Thanks!

I thought about my post about an hour after I posted it, and realized I was sort of implying RSV protection from the flu shot....ooops...I plead mommy brain. :chuckle I know the flu shot won't protect from RSV, I guess I just associate the two as they are both respiratory viruses...etc.. And I'm about as paranoid about RSV as I am the flu.

Anyway, I had been getting a little squirrelly when two of my friends with infants close in age to my son elected to get the flu shot for their children, neither of which are in daycare or were preemies or any of that stuff, and are both healthy babies. I was starting to think maybe I SHOULD get it for him, even though he is not in an at-risk category, save the fact that he is an infant, which in my mind doesn't warrant "risk" enough to get a flu shot in such a shortage.

Well thanks, I do appreciate the input, it makes me feel better. Now any thoughts on how I can get him to stop being a total crank today? :rotfl:

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Sure......take him out for a ride in the car! Worked for all 4 of mine when they were little.......in fact, it STILL works, especially for the 13-year-old! :rotfl: