Would you give your DC a swine flu shot now?

[wencit]

DS2 is now 6 months and has an appointment with the ped tomorrow to get his swine flu shot, but now I'm hesitating. With flu season on the downhill slide, I'm wondering if it would be better to just wait until the fall (assuming we can find it then :rolleyes: ). I know the flu shot is made in chicken eggs, and since we haven't started him on any solids at all, I worry a bit about the whole allergy exposure issue. It also turned out that this season's swine flu was on the relatively mild side, thank goodness. On the other hand, I'm thinking if we get the swine flu shot now, DS2 will probably have a bit of immunity in case the virus does mutate to something more lethal later on, when shortages of the vaccine will also be likely.

FWIW, we did vaccinate both ourselves and DS1 earlier this fall because DS2 was such a little baby at the time, and we wanted to protect him. Normally we don't do flu shots at all, and DS2 is also on a delayed vax schedule.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Reyadawnbringer]

I was under the impression that the flu season lasts until may? I don't have any particular advice on this situation, except that I did read recently that people should not be deceived by the lull in the flu season, it is still very much flu season and there is still some concern about another outbreak... Can't remember where I read that, but it makes sense to me.

[sadie427]

It's still flu season, if I remember correctly the most severe cases of H1n1 were last spring. I'd do it.

[AnnieW625]

No I wouldn't. I didn't even get DD the second part of the booster that she could've gotten in December. I am not big on flu shots and this was the first year I had ever gotten them myself, and only because I am pregnant. Normally I don't get them. DH doesn't get them at all.

[sariana]

I would. As PPs have said, flu season is far from over.

You can discuss your concerns with your ped. The allergy concern is valid; do you have a family history?

Your ped is used to questions and should be happy to address your concerns.

[JBaxter]

No. but we dont do flu shots anyway. The H1N1 was not nearly as horrible as people were first led to believe. How may other shots is your little one getting at the appointment?

[wencit]

You can discuss your concerns with your ped. The allergy concern is valid; do you have a family history? No family history of allergies, and DS1 has no known allergies, either. Still, I admit I am the overly cautious type.

[hanaum02]

I probably would. My daughter still needs her 2nd booster shot and we plan on getting it in another week or two. If your child can get two this year (now that availability is easy), that means only needing a single dose next year (when it could be tougher to find again).

Michelle
DS 9/04
DD 10/07

[wencit]

How may other shots is your little one getting at the appointment? No other shots at the H1N1 appointment.

[pinkmomagain]

I would. DD3 got the 2nd one last week. The ped said that he has a 4 yo patient on a ventilator in the hospital right now due to H1N1 and there is a local 7 yo patient who is awaiting a heart transplant due to complications from H1N1.

I just came back from getting my H1N1 and the PA there said that the CDC is anticipating another wave of cases.

But definitely discuss with your ped about what's right for your dc.

[maestramommy]

I declined the flu shot for Laurel at her 6 mo WC last month. There is a reason the rest of us got vaxed! I never give my babies any flu shot the first year of life. They have enough vaxes to get without adding to the list.

[Clarity]

I was speaking to our allergist this past week and she said that there is no indication that H1N1 is a "seasonal" flu. I myself have never had a flu shot before this year but dh, dd1 and I all got the H1N1 shot this year. Before talking to our allergist last week, I had asked a local pediatrician (not ours) if the medical establishment was expecting a second surge of H1N1 cases and she indicated that they were. She then proceeded to tell the story of a little boy (8) who got H1N1 and had to be lifeflighted to our children's hospital from the pediatrician's office. He pulled through but he will now wear a pacemaker for the rest of his life. And, I personally know of two other very severe cases of H1N1 ( including a 50 something year old former teacher of mine who died from complications from H1N1) and I wasn't willing to risk it this time around. For me, the risk seemed to high. That was our decision. Everyone has to make the best one for their families.

[poppy]

If you are a SAHM, I would say no to H1N1. (my pedi's recommendation--generally not necessary for young infants/children).

I might consider it if my DC went to daycare though.

[ThreeofUs]

My ped is pretty against it at this point. He talked me out of flu vax for DS2 - said there's no sign of flu.

[Melaine]

No. but we dont do flu shots anyway. The H1N1 was not nearly as horrible as people were first led to believe. How may other shots is your little one getting at the appointment?

:yeahthat:

[Indianamom2]

You know, this is a tough call for me too, but here's what I'm currently thinking (will talk with my pedi before deciding).

Ds #2 is about 6.5 mo. The doctor/nurses at the hospital mentioned that they are expecting a second wave of H1N1 to hit soon. The rest of the family have had the H1N1 shot, plus the regular flu shot. I was on the fence about giving Ds#2 the H1N1 vaccine, but he was just in the hospital for breathing issues due to bronchiolitis, it made me realize just how scary something like the flu could be for him at his age. With my DD#1 in preschool (we call her the "carrier monkey") we can't shield him from germs and I think the risks of the flu outweigh the risks of the vaccine.

Thanks for posting this, because I need to remember to talk to the pedi about this myself.

[brandonsmom]

no, I wouldn't.

[Snow mom]

If your DC is in daycare or otherwise exposed to lots of germy people (such as if they have an older sibling, if you do any classes with them, if you do lots of playdates, etc...) I absolutely would. Typically pandemic flu has two waves. They are expecting a second bad wave of H1N1 in March. I would skip the seasonal flu shot, if you are going to skip something. I'm still wrestling over whether to get DD the second H1N1. She had both seasonal shots before H1N1 was available, and I'm confused whether or not she really needs the second H1N1 to be protected. I didn't hesitate at all to do the first.

[wellyes]

Yes, I would. There is a thimerosal-free type for infants under 2 & I'd make sure that is the one they're planning on giving.

[Corie]

Yes, I would.

[sste]

If you are going to give your DC the h1n1 shot anyway next fall, I don't see any added benefit of waiting. You are losing out on protection for the spring and you plan to eventually get the shot anyway. I really like to get the most bang for my vaccine buck and our family was practically waiting at the docks when the first h1n1 shipment hit our city!