The Flu Shot: To Get or Not To Get?

Posted on 10.15.07 in Family and there are 14 comments.

This is about the time of year when I start trying to convince my family we need to trek down to the doctor’s office to get our flu shots, but this year I’m wondering if we need to and/or should.

Do you get a yearly flu shot? Why or why not?

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We get flu shots.  I know there is controversy around them, and I always have the debate (flu shot, vacinations, etc) but I had the flu a few years ago & I’d rather get the shot than the flu any day!!  And I HATE shots!  Looking forward to reading answers.  The flu I had was so bad that I have yet to be convinced that it’s bad to get the shot.

I’ve never gotten one (that I can remember), but this year the county will be offering free shots at the middle school I work at, so I’m tempted. I haven’t decided yet.

never have. don’t really like shots...so yeah. nothing special, just plain and simple don’t want to and don’t like to.

So, let me start by saying i HATE shots, and even worse i HATE, HATE, HATE seeing my kids get shots and that horrible look they give you while you are holding their legs down, like “mommy, why are you letting them do this to me?”

that being said i would much rather go through the few seconds of getting a shot, or watching my kids go through those few seconds than risking going through DAYS of being sick, and that’s if you just get the flu once...which never happens in this house, with 3 little boys, we usually pass it around a few times.

I get them every year under doctor’s orders for another condition.  No idea if it’s related, but I almost never get sick, except for sinus infections.

i’ve been getting them for the past few years.  my company sponsors x-amount of shots for those that sign up for it.  i actually like getting shots—it’s rather fascinating!  but that’s not why I get the flu shot

Okay, last year we had the perfect test to see if it’s worth it.  My two year old was the only one able to get the shot.  During Christmas the rest of us got the flu, and it was TERRIBLE!  He was fine. 

We are all getting the shot this year.

something else.... apparently this doesn’t guard against colds, but there is a virus literally called “the flu.” and it lasts for days, and is a heavy hitter.  That is what the vaccination is for.  I just didn’t know that until the doctor informed me.

My daughter’s pediatrician did not advise us to give the flu shot to our 15 month old daughter since she appears to be allergic to eggs.  Something about the stuff being harvested in egg whites?  Anyway, we are planning on just keeping her in our home and away from all people for the next five months. “No, I’m sorry, Grandma.  You can’t hold your granddaughter because she didn’t get the flu shot and you may have come in contact with someone who has the virus.  But you can look at her from across the room.”

That will work, right?

I’ve never gotten a flu shot, and I’ve never had the flu.  Hmmm…

Well you can get the shot and be a little sick for a few days or have a small chance of getting sick. I’ll pass.

last year we did not get shots bc i was prego with #3 and felt like i shouldn’t do it, even though the docs say to do it. my entire house got the flu(except me...)this year we WILL be getting the shot...even #3!

I always get sick after getting the flu shot and in fact the last time I got one (8 years ago) I caught the flu so bad I ended up in the hospital for two days on IVs due to dehydration. The past eight years, no shot, no flu, but this year with a fifteen month old in the house we are going to break down and all three of use get shots. Wish me luck.

Eski,
Yikes! That’s not fun.

We decided to get ours too. I hope all goes well for you and especially your baby this flu season!

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