Flu shots for your kids??

1. Did you get flu shots for your kids? I got one for myself. My 13 yo daughter hates shots, to the point of almost passing out...my middle daughter doesn't care for them much and they're both telling me they would rather get sick than get the shot! I am the only one in my home that got the shot so far.
   They aren't in a high risk category for needing the shot...so what have you done if you have kids?
   I'm not sure what to do.
2. 

   About MA Nurse

   Joined: Apr '06; Posts: 703; Likes: 298
   RN
   Specialty: NICU, Telephone Triage

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3. 
   Dec 6, '07

   Joined: Dec '02; Posts: 41,761; Likes: 48,082

   I haven't gotten my kids flu shots but not for any special reason.
   
   steph
4. 
   Dec 6, '07

   Occupation: RN Specialty: 8 year(s) of experience in NICU ; From: US ; Joined: Apr '05; Posts: 1,448; Likes: 755

   I do. A few years ago we had several children in our town die of the flu; regular healthy kids. The shots are free and I had to go in myself. I also don't want to take flu germs riding on my uniform to my immuno-compromised patients.
   
   My kids range from screamers (from the car) to hardly noticing. Fortunately the NP that gave us all our shots had worked in a children's hospital so she wasn't fazed by my rather large (and quite vocal) group.
5. 
   Dec 6, '07

   Occupation: Peds ER Joined: Jun '03; Posts: 245; Likes: 40

   My kids got their flu shot. My daughter is a passer outer too and she didn't feel a thing. I think it's definitely worth it.
6. 
   Dec 6, '07

   Specialty: 14 year(s) of experience ; From: US ; Joined: Dec '06; Posts: 4,123; Likes: 8,859

   My oldest son was recently in hospital with aspiration pneumonia. He got his flu shot. The doctor said it would take about 6 months for his lung to fully heal, and recommended the flu shot.
7. 
   Dec 6, '07

   Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 9,619; Likes: 14,058

   My kids got the flu vaccine as well, albeit for rather selfish reasons. Between work, school and travel, it would be very difficult for us to stay home for a long period of time with sick kids.
   
   My youngest is a screamer. She got the mist. My oldest would take either without a problem. I had her get the shot because she was heading out of town on a 2-day field trip and i didn't want her to be shedding the flu virus around her unsuspecting teachers and classmates.
8. 
   Dec 6, '07

   Occupation: returned nurse Joined: Nov '98; Posts: 7,097; Likes: 5,236

   My 4 year old grandchild has had one every year since age 1. She is in daycare and the flu would go through it like a forest fire. I had the Hong Kong flu over 30 years ago, only true influenza I have ever had. There are other viruses that go around that we all call the flu, but let me tell you they don't hold a candle. Thank goodness I was young and strong when I got it. I doubt if I would make it at my current age and state of health. As soon as the flu shots became avaliable I started getting them every year. Took my kids to get them when they were young and nag them now they are grownups till they get them.
9. 
   Dec 6, '07

   Occupation: Nursing Professional Development + Academic Faculty Specialty: 38 year(s) of experience in Nursing Professional Development ; Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 13,579; Likes: 25,569

   Check with their PCP about the FluMist. The risk of shedding the virus is considered much less than it was previously. In fact, at the children's hospital where I work, staff members were allowed to get the mist this year even if they would be working in the days following it administration.
10. 
    Dec 6, '07

    Joined: Nov '06; Posts: 20,715; Likes: 23,951

    I've gotten mine. Haven't gotten my son's yet but plan to.
    DH steadfastly refuses to get his.
11. 
    Dec 6, '07

    Joined: Jan '04; Posts: 9,601; Likes: 3,188

    i had the asian flu, i have never been so sick in my life, was three months gestation, that child has had schizophrenia, one shrink told me that this was not uncommon in children born to women with this particular flu..another shrink said he had never heard of it
    i always got the shot and encouraged others to do so also
12. 
    Dec 6, '07

    Joined: Apr '03; Posts: 7,569; Likes: 2,297

    Monster Child gets one every year because she's in daycare and has compromised lungs.
    
    DD#1 gets one because she knows better than to say No to that in front of me.
    
    DS is too big for me to hold down.........
13. 
    Dec 7, '07

    Joined: Jun '05; Posts: 85; Likes: 13

    I did get the flu shot for my 1 yr old (twice ) and believe it or not, I had to search around because my pediatrician did not offer the preservative free...
    
    Anyway, a coworker of mine (nurse) recently told me that she heard that getting the flu vaccine yearly would help to build up immunity if there were ever a pandemic outbreak of influenza. I didn't ask where she heard this, but I'm wondering if anyone else has heard something similar...
14. 
    Dec 7, '07

    Occupation: School Nurse Specialty: 14 year(s) of experience ; Joined: Nov '07; Posts: 65; Likes: 27

    My kids got Flumist-- it's a vaccine given like nasal spray. And I actually remember reading that it might be more effective then the shot. In the past I have not gotten them vaccinated because of the reasons you stated-- they were terrified.

    Last edit by missfixit on Dec 7, '07

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