Question 1

read terrible possible deadly reactions from flu shots in children, is it worth taking the risk? how effective are the flu shots?

Accepted Answer

Flu shot: The riskiest part of getting a flu vaccine or giving one to your child is driving to the office to get it. The flu shot this year has about a 60% effectiveness. Children under the age of 5 are more likely to get serious complication from the flu itself.

Question 2

first timer children are supposed to get another  flu shot after 28 days. is it ok if it is delayed by a week or so and not taken exactly after 28 days?

Accepted Answer

IT'S OKAY: The 28 day interval is considered the point in time when the benefit of the 2nd dose to firmly establish the immunity will begin. A week or so later is okay. Delay of too long lets the immunity start to decline.

Question 3

should i give my children the flu shot?

Accepted Answer

Yes: During the season the flu affects a large volume of the population & causes upwards of 30 + deaths/yr in the us alone. The vaccine must change on a regular basis to keep up with mutations/variations in the flu strains that prevent prior illness from making you immune. The vaccine is effective in preventing the strains in the vaccine but may not cover every strain around.

Question 4

aren't doctors supposed to give children flu shots?

Accepted Answer

Yes: We give flu vaccines to all our children, whose parents want them, beginning at 6 months of age.

Question 5

do doctors get the flu shot for themselves and their children?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The cdc recommends health care providers be vaccinated against influenza.

Question 6

what long term ( as in more than a few years) effects are there for a flu shot? what will 20 years of flu shots do to their bodies? or their children?

Accepted Answer

Zero/zero: The flu vaccine is just a fancy way to avoid illness that you might otherwise get. It challenges your immune system when you take it, just like the colds & flu you have normally.Your body builds a immune memory & gradually has less symptomatic illness as you age. Infants gain a passive benefit from mom's immunity that protects them for many months.

Question 7

i've heard of horrible reactions from flu shot, even death..why should i expose my children to this? is it really worth the risk?

Accepted Answer

Flushot concerns: I am a Pediatrician. I follow the CDC and AAP guidelines on Flushot administration and  I have not had any severe reactions. We need to screen for possibility of reactions before we give ANY shot : not just the Flushot. We cannot give the Flushot if there is history of reactions to components of the vaccine in the past.The vaccine has protected so many patients from the "FLU" for so many years.

Question 8

do i need to get flu shots for my children again this year? last year i got the flu shot for my 3 children. they did not ever get the flu. do i have to get them the shot again this year?

Accepted Answer

Sounds : Sounds like the flu shot worked for you children.  Flu shots are recommended each year, unless there are medical contraindications, because the strain of viruses that cause the flu differ each year.  Based on previous years outbreaks, an analysis is done to identify potential virus threats for the coming year so that the drug companies can manufacture a vaccine specific to the threat.

Question 9

are flu shots safe and nontoxic for children? can you get the flu from the shot, and they had the actual flu last year are they now immune to that str

Accepted Answer

Yes!!!!: The risks from infection with influenza are much greater than the risks from vaccination.  It is recommended that children begin influenza vaccination at 6 months of age.

Question 10

does getting the flu shot increase herd immunity? should young, healthy people get it? i thought it was supposed to be for young children, pregnant women, and elderly people...? the "at-risk" population?

Accepted Answer

Flu shot: Everyone should get an annual flu shot. Herd immunity increases the more people are vaccinated. This prevents diseases from spreading. While pregnant women, infants and the elderly are at higher risk of death from flu no one can be certain they won’t be a victim. Protect your self and others by getting vaccinated.

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Doctor answers about:

Flu shots in children

A member asked:

Read terrible possible deadly reactions from flu shots in children, is it worth taking the risk? how effective are the flu shots?

A member asked:

First timer children are supposed to get another flu shot after 28 days. is it ok if it is delayed by a week or so and not taken exactly after 28 days?

A member asked:

Should i give my children the flu shot?

A member asked:

Aren't doctors supposed to give children flu shots?

A member asked:

Do doctors get the flu shot for themselves and their children?

A member asked:

What long term ( as in more than a few years) effects are there for a flu shot? what will 20 years of flu shots do to their bodies? or their children?

A member asked:

I've heard of horrible reactions from flu shot, even death..why should i expose my children to this? is it really worth the risk?

A member asked:

Do i need to get flu shots for my children again this year? last year i got the flu shot for my 3 children. they did not ever get the flu. do i have to get them the shot again this year?

A member asked:

Are flu shots safe and nontoxic for children? can you get the flu from the shot, and they had the actual flu last year are they now immune to that str

A member asked:

Does getting the flu shot increase herd immunity? should young, healthy people get it? i thought it was supposed to be for young children, pregnant women, and elderly people...? the "at-risk" population?

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