I’d also noticed some mentions of results in Japan from immunizing children.
As I understand it the current stain of influenza found in the USA was not specifically present in this year’s vaccine, but the thinking is that one of the strains used in the vaccine is close enough to give some level of protection.
So, a few of questions:
If you have young children, do you get them vaccinated against flu? Are you considering it this year?
Would you recommend that we get our children vaccinated? (For reference they are 5 and 7 years old, respectively. We also mostly enjoy their company. ) Medical opinions preferred, but all input welcome.
If the net effect of vaccinating children is an overall decrease in the mortality level, then why is this not considered for an overall program of health here?
I had my 6 year old immunized. He has a medical history and usually gets admitted once per flu season with respiratory problems (although he was sick last year, he was not admitted last year- yea!). I’ve already checked my supply of ventolin and OTC meds for him.
I did not have my 6 year old immunized because her Doc told her she didn’t have to have another shot until she was 14. I would like to have her done, but she is freaked out about it. I do plan to call to see if the 6 year old can have the mist as opposed to the jab.
I had myself immunized because I work in a field that will likely have me exposed to infected folks this season. I hoping that even if the shot doesn’t cover the major strain out this year, if I am infected, it will be less severe.
I was already sick with flu-like symptoms for about 10 days this fall. I hope I’ve already taken my turn.
So, I think immunization is a generally good idea. Of course, you should call the Doc’s office, ask your pedi’s recommendation, and make your own decision.
Also, the first time immunization for children is 2 shots one month apart.
The flu outbreak is also hitting New Mexico hard. Three children died in Albuquerque this week of what is suspected to be flu. Because of this, I called our pediatrician today to ask about child immunizations. The nurse told me they’re not recommending them for healthy school-aged kids. This may, of course, have more to do with the fact that I was probably one of ten thousand parents calling pediatricians in a panic today than it does with the efficacy of the vaccine itself.
Because my children are ten and fourteen and are in good physical condition, and because we don’t have anyone in the household who is at increased risk from the flu, I’m not pressing the issue just now.
I live in Japan with a seven year old and a three year old, the seven year old has severe allergies and asthma. You can bet your life they got vaccinated! It is not covered by health insurance here so to get them done and me too cost close to 150 dollars. Money well spent if it keeps them out of hospital. I got me done because I am a kindergarten teacher and come into contact with a LOT of snot! Also my husband is away for his work more than he is here. If I get sick there is no-one to care for the kids. (Two years ago the baby had to be admitted to hospital with a “cold” so he could stay with his brother who had pneumonia. And last year I had to wait two days for an appendectomy so that my husband could get back to take over the kids. Uck.)
My seven year old had flu when he was 15 months old. He was so sick. He had been fever free for ten days but was still weak when he got tonsillitis. After another week he descended into pneumonia and an emergency admission to hospital. It was the most traumatic week of my life. And ever since then he has had severe asthma. No-one will make the connection officially as we are an itchy family anyway, but several doctors have said that the pneumonia can’t have helped things. He’s been in hospital every autumn/winter since then until, as CA3799 said about her kid, he passed his sixth birthday and seems to be getting a bit stronger.
Get the jab! Your kids will cry a lot more if they get sick, and your pocket will be hit harder too. And the emotional impact is horrible too, even if the kid recovers.
One thing I forgot to put in the OP was that, at least according to the Mrs., our doctor won’t vaccinate children unless they have asthma or some other sort of respiratory ailment that puts them at higher risk for flu complications. So to do this we’ll either need to find some place to get them the shots or switch doctors. We use a family practionner, not a pediatrician.
Our former pediatrician, who has since retired, never recommended flu shot for healthy kids. Our present pediatrician does. This was the first year I ever got a flu shot for my younger son, who is now 14. (Older son is out of the house and out of the loop.)
On Thanksgiving Day, the kid woke up sick, had been up all night with flu symptoms. But he was feeling good and eating turkey by evening.
Even though this year’s worst strain is not in the shots, the symptoms, if you get them, can be lessened.
As I understand it, two of the children who died from the flu already had underlying medical conditions. But this was not the case with the other children. This year’s flu is vicious.
Includes an overview of who “should” get the vaccine (while not excluding other groups) The AAP is suggesting that infants from 6-23 months should now get the vaccine, for example.
I got both my kids shots (4 & almost 2), mostly because of the problems associated with very sick children. Adults may be able to “buck up and take it like a man” but kids just can’t. Add to that the fact that my 20 month old doesn’t talk and can’t tell me what’s hurting and you’ve got quite an exciting week on your hands if one or both of them get the flu. Besides, my preschooler will probably bring it home (along with ebola and plague, I swear to God).
I am probably getting a shot today, now that I am over the hella-cold I’ve had for a month.
The risk is minimal, the benefit can be enormous. I went for it, and will probably do it every year from now on. Aren’t we really overdue for a flu pandemic anyway?
) Medical opinions preferred, but all input welcome.