Are your kids' school's doing this? (H1N1)

[creddybears]

My kids brought home a paper today saying that next month all the kids will be getting the H1N1 vaccine in school and that we have to sign a paper if we don't want them to get it. They are in middle school. I have never had them even get a flu shot and I am very leery about this new H1Ni vaccine. The school boards must be freaking out if they are going to give vaccines to all the kids at no cost...

 

[cybermom]

I think it's a great idea. I don't think they're freaking out. I think they're being aggressively on the offense. I wonder if they could figure it statistically, but my bet is a good portion of germs/colds etc. come and go from school. And since it's free, and not mandatory I can't see any reason to complain. We usually get our flu shots at the Dr. and it irks me that I get charged for 4 office visits, when really the nurse just comes in and gives us the shots. Free sounds good to me. As long as they're being administered by people who are properly trained etc.

 

[morriefisher]

I wouldn't. It only covers one strain. There are tons of other strains the kids can get. You could also get the regular shot but that too is just a mix of what 3-4 strains they think would be coming out this year.

Get a note from the doc saying your kid doesn't want it.

 

[tigger_too_wooh]

Both of my daughters will get BOTH flu shots this year. The "regular" flu shot and TWO of the H1N1 Flu shots. You need TWO for kids- not just one. I hope your school is aware of that! I know there was research that one course is "enough", but that's for adults... not kids.

We will get our flu shots at our doctors office. It's just easier for me... I get a shot, the 6 year old gets a shot and then the 2 year old. Our youngest is much calmer when we do it this way.

Also... make sure it's the Thimerosal-free version of the H1N1 shot. From what I understand- they had to make a second batch thimerosal-free (mercury-free) and it's not available until the end of October.

 

[creddybears]

My kids just usually get a cold during the winter and that's it. We've never had the flu shot and have survived. The flu shots don't cover all the different types of flu out there anyways.

 

[JerryP]

I wouldn't. It only covers one strain. There are tons of other strains the kids can get. You could also get the regular shot but that too is just a mix of what 3-4 strains they think would be coming out this year.

Get a note from the doc saying your kid doesn't want it.

Maybe it's my poor math skills but if there were 100 strains of flu one COULD get and one can get a vaccine that at the worst might cause a mild allergic reaction for 4 of them, wouldn't you reduce your odds of experiencing a serious bout of the flu by at least 4? And those 4 also are the 4 strains that are expected will come out. This must improve the odds against getting the flu, no?

 

[MadonnaP]

I am a believer of receiving the flu shot as well as the H1N1 vaccine. Children have it tough enough with the heavy amount classroom work they are taught and assigned then add in sports, scouts, etc. If I am able make their lives easier and prevent an illness by these shots ~ I would. Of course I would ask our doctors advice as some children are in the high-risk catagory with asthma etc.

 

[cybermom]

My kids just usually get a cold during the winter and that's it. We've never had the flu shot and have survived. The flu shots don't cover all the different types of flu out there anyways.

Well then if you're comfortable with the gamble, take it. You said it wasn't mandatory. A lot of people feel like you do. People have started to think there's no need for childhood disease vacines too..and so the diseases are starting to reoccur.

Personally I'll take even a 1% chance (which is an extrememly low ball estimate) of keeping my family healthier. I'll take a scientific guestimate over random luck. As for the safety of flu shots in general...I worked in Dr.'s offices for years with patients who recieved, and myself recieving them and haven't ever even once seen any complications.

I suggest if you're leary you look up some real facts and statistics instead of relying on us spoofers opinions.

 

[cybermom]

I am a believer of receiving the flu shot as well as the H1N1 vaccine. Children have it tough enough with the heavy amount classroom work they are taught and assigned then add in sports, scouts, etc. If I am able make their lives easier and prevent an illness by these shots ~ I would. Of course I would ask our doctors advice as some children are in the high-risk catagory with asthma etc.

Actually children with asthma (or any kind of breathing issues) are in the high-risk catagory that are most recommended to recieve a flu-shot as they have the most chance of suffering complications from the flu. Along with their family so that the chance of someone bringing it home to them is reduced.

 

[MadonnaP]

Actually children with asthma (or any kind of breathing issues) are in the high-risk catagory that are most recommended to recieve a flu-shot as they have the most chance of suffering complications from the flu. Along with their family so that the chance of someone bringing it home to them is reduced.

My son had asthma and I had the children get the flu shots when they were younger. That is why I used asthma as my example and suggested to ask their doctor's advice.

Every parent knows their child best as well as the families background. I always preferred talking a doctor rather than friends when making a decision regarding medical issues. I have been working in the medical field for 20+ years with the doctors so my access to advice was always easy.

 

[morriefisher]

get and one can get a vaccine that at the worst might cause a mild allergic reaction for 4 of them, wouldn't you reduce your odds of experiencing a serious bout of the flu by at least 4? And those 4 also are the 4 strains that are expected will come out. This must improve the odds against getting the flu, no?

The shot is a guess of what might come out this year. Sometimes they are off like last year & year before that.

There are other ways to keep from getting these things, washing your hands, etc. Why don't you ask your school to try to clean doorknobs more often or leave doors open so people don't touch them & other preventive things. I haven't got a flu virus in 5 years & not once got a flu shot in that time.

 

[tigger_too_wooh]

Well then if you're comfortable with the gamble, take it. You said it wasn't mandatory. A lot of people feel like you do. People have started to think there's no need for childhood disease vacines too..and so the diseases are starting to reoccur.

I concur completely.

When I was "debating" the whole vaccine issue with my first born, I mentioned to my mom that I was debating on whether the vaccines are necessary. My mom said it was better to have the shot than the disease. My mom was born in 1930 before a lot of the vaccines were developed and she saw a lot of her brothers and sisters and even some of her children have these diseases and some didn't survive. One of her sisters died from measles. My oldest sister was born in 1954 and even then they didn't have the vaccines we have now- my siblings all had measles and mumps, etc. I was born after all the vaccines were developed so I was spared.

Maybe it's my poor math skills but if there were 100 strains of flu one COULD get and one can get a vaccine that at the worst might cause a mild allergic reaction for 4 of them, wouldn't you reduce your odds of experiencing a serious bout of the flu by at least 4? And those 4 also are the 4 strains that are expected will come out. This must improve the odds against getting the flu, no?

From my understanding- how I remember my doctor explaining it to me- they look at the other countries where the flu hits before the U.S. and they make a concoction of the 4 highest occurring flu strains for the vaccine. So... they don't just throw a dart and pick 4 strains. There is some science to their method.

Only 1 year in the past 14 years that I've been getting the flu shot did I get the flu because the strain that came though was not one they predicted so it wasn't in the vaccine that one time. I'll take those odds! I think they are greatly improved!

 

[dixie78]

NOt yet. My kids just got over this except for a left over linguring cough. They were sent back to school last week and then yesterday came down with "stomach problems". I have no idea if it is because of the flu so I'm still worried. My school didn't even tell us it was so bad until 400 kids were out. I get the normal flu shot every year but I don't know about this new one. I have heard a lot of controvery over it. As of now I havn't decided if I want mine to get it or not.

 

[MrsBrady]

I wish! It's running rampant around here. The vaccine isn't available yet here, either. My 4 year old got it first (probably from preschool), and it hit me yesterday. I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy! I am just praying (and doing LOTS of disinfecting) that my other children and dh don't get it!

 

[dixie78]

I wish! It's running rampant around here. The vaccine isn't available yet here, either. My 4 year old got it first (probably from preschool), and it hit me yesterday. I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy! I am just praying (and doing LOTS of disinfecting) that my other children and dh don't get it!

I think it is supposed to be available in limited supplies as early as next week and them more widely available toward the end of the month. Seems a little too late to me??? With the kids being sick I haven't even had time to get the regular flu shot and missed most of the clinics but like I said I still haven't decided against the vaccine for the H1n1. I am always scared to give the kids new vaccines. I have heard some negative things about this one and can't decided if the benefits out weigh the possible side effects. Of course this is true with any vaccine.

 

[DanC]

In the 70s swine flu 'epidemic', I got the shot. First, last and ONLY time I've ever had the flu.
The 70's epidemic was overblown, too. Much ado about NOTHING

 

[gr8nrg]

In the 70s swine flu 'epidemic', I got the shot. First, last and ONLY time I've ever had the flu.
The 70's epidemic was overblown, too. Much ado about NOTHING

wow...you feel so strongly about it that you posted it twice?

 

[creddybears]

Lol...........

 

[tigger_too_wooh]

I wish! It's running rampant around here. The vaccine isn't available yet here, either. My 4 year old got it first (probably from preschool), and it hit me yesterday. I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy! I am just praying (and doing LOTS of disinfecting) that my other children and dh don't get it!

WAIT... are the kids in your area being diagnosed with H1N1? Holy cow. I didn't think it had "hit" yet.

There is a stomach bug going around here. Okay... only one family that I know has it right now. But I thought that the flu didn't have "stomach" symptoms. The flu is all all respiratory...

 

[creddybears]

WAIT... are the kids in your area being diagnosed with H1N1? Holy cow. I didn't think it had "hit" yet.

There is a stomach bug going around here. Okay... only one family that I know has it right now. But I thought that the flu didn't have "stomach" symptoms. The flu is all all respiratory...

I don't think it's the HINI or it would be all over the news... Regular stomach flu and upper resp infections are going around.