is the flu shot necessary?

My daughters pedi tried to give her the flu shot today and I declined.
I just wonder is it REALLY necessary?
She's got a cold and an ear infection right now so I am worried she may get the flu since she got sick so Early this year.

Her pedi said that the flu is the number 1 reason for death in children under one.

Just wanted to know, TIA!

Not necessary.

When I was pregnant with DD, I was due in March.. my OB tried pushing me to get the flu shot since I was due in flu season. Never got it and never got it this past flu season when she was an infant.

We never get them and have never had any issues. I personally don't think they're a good idea, but I know some people prefer to get them as a precaution. *shrugs*

I have never gotten it and I don't have my son get it. Knock on wood, we have been flu free. We just wash our hands often.

research the risks and benefits. Look on the VAERS website for reactions, and remember that only an estimated 10% are reported   I personally would not give the flu shot to my child.

Meh not too sure but i did the flu shot when i was pregnant and then my son got one when he was 1 1/2 and my daughter just got one a few days ago. Never had any reactions..shrug

m watching this. I have been debating on if I was to get DS the flu shot when it comes time. Not too sure.

I think if DD's pedi has the preservative free vaccine I'll.get it but if it contains thimerasol, I won't.

I won't be getting the flu shot period until my kids are at least maybe 5 but that's just because one of my close friend's daughter died the night she got it and when they did the optopsy on her, they found out it was because of the flu shot. they never found out if it was because they gave her to much or what, but to be on the safe side, my kids wont be getting it

Quoting Ole' No Name:" I think if DD's pedi has the preservative free vaccine I'll.get it but if it contains thimerasol, I won't."

All children under the age of 3 are required to get the preservative free. The only vaccine with thimerisol in it is the nulti-dose adult flu.

It's really up to you, I always get my kids a flu shot because I don't feel like dealing with the flu symptoms due to my busy schedule. I'm not trying to sound heartless towards my kids, but I work my ass off to take care of them and having to stay home with them is not really an option when I am trying to make the money to clothe them and feed them. If it's something that is meant to be preventative then I am all for it after doing some research and talking to the doctor more thoroughly.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Rhiannon Deason:</b>" All children under the age of 3 are required to get the preservative free. The only vaccine with thimerisol in it is the nulti-dose adult flu."</blockquote>




I heard of a woman whose 6 month old was given the regular flu shot and he developed brain damage from the thimerasol.

I doubt it was from that. There really isn't any harm in thimerisol at all. And there have been times where if our office was out of the PF we would let the parents know and they had the option of getting from the multi-dose vial if they so wanted, or wait until we got more PF.

Something else about flu shots. I have read that they contain egg protein because they are made from an egg embryo. My 9 month old has had mild reactions to egg products and because of this I can't imagine injecting him with egg protein at such a young age. So he won't be getting a flu shot, at least not yet.