Swine Flu Vaccination

[Cla]

Hi all!

I'm sure some of you will have discussed this subject on your threads but I obviously don't read them all so thought I'd start a fresh thread just on this subject!
I've had the invite to have my little one vaccinated and I have to say am in two minds about it. One part of me says it's important to protect him from such things but the other part says do I really want to pump him with a relatively unknown vaccine.
Just thought I'd get others thoughts about the subject - whichever way you feel!!!!!!

Many thanks!

Cla
xx

[Warren Dew]

We did it with our 18 month old daughter, though we are skipping the booster. A 3 year old's immune system should be mature enough that a vaccine would not be a problem, I think.

[Dagny]

I'm wondering the same. I really don't know what to do about it. I want Chloe protected but don't want all those chemicals in her either. Chloe will be 3 in a few weeks and am just waiting for that letter from the doctors...

I'll wait to see what other responses are on here I think.

D xxx

[CarolineP]

I have also been sent a letter from my GP asking me to make an appointment for my DD to have the Swine Flu jab.

Like you all, I am in two minds about this and feel this is a huge decision to make. My DH is very pro protecting her wherever possible, but I feel that she is a strong healthy girl and could use her own immune system to fight off the virus if she came down with it.

I have polled a few friends and they have all declared that they will not have the jab for their little ones.

I am left in a dilemma, what if we do not vacinate and she gets swine flu and the unimaginable happens OR we vacinate, pump her full of a relatively new drug and do more harm than good with possible horrible side effects.

I am open to all opinions on this subject and all your thoughts will be greatly appreciated - the responsibility of this decision weighs very heavy on my shoulders.

CarolineP
PS. DH will discuss at length and come up with a decision that we are both happy with but in the meantime I WILL worry.

[CT_Michele]

My daughter is now almost 17 months and I tortured myself over this decision back in October. I ended up getting it for her, as well as the seasonal flu shot. It really came down to the fact that I could not forgive myself if she ended up getting really sick and there was something I could have done to prevent it but did not.

I know vaccines are scary, especially when you read what is out there on the internet. It really is a personal decision and a very hard one to make. I am happy to report that my daughter had no side effects at all, and has not been sick, not more than a slight sniffle, in her 17 months of life.

I also considered that next year the swine flu vaccine (h1n1 strand) will likely be included in the regular flu shot, so if you normally get them a flu shot. I think I will likely get Ella the flu shot each year considering I work in a school and am exposed to lots of germies.

Good luck with your decision.

[ayannelli]

We have a son who is 8 years old who received his first regular flu shot at 6 months of age and we have continued to give him the vaccine every year. Last year he took the flu mist for the first time and again this year. He received the H1N1 mist and did just fine; no side effects, no illness. I could not forgive myself if he contracted the illness at school or in the community and I had not done anything to help protect him or, at a minimum, help lessen the severity of the illness.
At 6 months of age (last month), we gave our daughter her first flu and H1N1 vaccines; no problems to report.

I guess my only advise is to discuss your concerns with your pediatrician. Message boards and personal posts can provide excellent feedback and advice; however, I do not make medical decisions for my children based on postings.

If it helps, my children see a pediatrician group from Children Hospital of Philadelphia; CHOP highly recommends discussing vaccine concerns with your doctors.

I also receive the flu vaccine every year. My older child so enjoys knowing mommy has to get a shot when he gets the same thing in a mist

[Cla]

Thanks for sharing guys! Have to say I'm still sitting on the fence with this one. Am meeting a friend tomorrow who was adamant she wasn't going to give her little one it but has texted me to say she has had a complete change of mind and is vaccinating on Thu. I'll be interested to hear why!

Thanks again!

Cla
xx

[CarolineP]

Hi Cla

I have received the letter from my Doctor Surgery and I am delaying making the appointment.

Did your friend have any pearls of wisdom which helped you change your mind either way?

I am at information overload level and nowhere near making a decision, your feedback would be appreciated.

CarolineP

[michelle_in_scotland]

Hiya, we took Kady to get the swine flu jag last week, she cried getting it done but she has done with every other vaccination she's had. She's been absolutely fine since getting it, no side effects or symptoms.
I, on the other hand had a horrible reaction to it. I got mine done before christmas, i've never had a single flu shot in my life until this one but with being pregnant i was advised to have it. The following day the area where the shot was swelled up and went really sore and bright red. That lasted about a week but apart from that i had no other side effects. In fact, out of everyone i know that has had it, i'm the only one that this happened to, lucky me eh, lol.