Flu vaccinations

[mommyofocean]

Hey everyone I was just wondering about the flu vaccination. Do you get your child vaccinated. We chose not to last year it was her first winter being a diabetic and she ended up with a small flu it wasn't too bad. Ocean starts kindergarten this year and I am just wondering if anyone has had experience with the flu vaccine and without to compare to.

Carolyn

[Animan]

Carolyn:

I don't know how they are up there in "Canadia" (sorry, my George Bushism is spilling over), but its hard to avoid getting the flu shot here if you see any health care provider. They press it REAL hard for kids with diabetes.

Adam had his shot the last 2 years. The only difference we saw was this year he had strep throat 5 times and had to have his toncils out. This has nothing to do with the flu, though. The number of colds and severity was no different than without the shot.

I think most will tell you its better safe than sorry; to go ahead and get it.

[EmmasMom]

Emma got it last year, and to my surprise it was no problem. We had a rough time with immunizations, so I was scared, but I saw no difference in her numbers and she did not get the flu. I'm sure we'll do it again this year. Illness is so hard on her that I don't want to risk it.
Our pedi wanted our entire family to be vaccinated to decrease her risk of exposure. It worked well for all of us.

[allisa]

I would recommend getting it....I know that is the common wisdom given out by the doctors....

Ty has gotten one every year since his diagnosis and knock on wood....never had a problem iwth the shot and never been real sick.

This spring he did get a 24 hour stomach bug wich turned QUICKLY into DKA.....so I am all for ANYTHING that may prevent illness !

[hold48398]

Mia actually got her flu shot the year before diagnoses and both years since her diagnosis. The first year was optional but we were about to go on an overseas flight for two weeks in the middle of flu season (Mia was 2 1/2 and Ciana was 10 months old), so I asked the Pediatrician if I could get them vaccinated. For the kids, the first year of the flu shot involved a main shot and a booster, I think they had to be 1 month apart. The years following we didn't need the booster anymore :-).

We too didn't see any difference in her numbers. Let me just tell you I was sooooo glad that the kids got the shot because hubby got the FLU last year, and it wasn't pretty... The kids ended up with a very VERY weakened version of it, and I dreaded the thought of Mia having what Erich had. How I didn't end up with any of it is a miracle...I think I will get it for myself again this year, too.

Definitely will go for it again this year for the kids!!

[sheila]

Arrianna rec'd the shot last year and we had no trouble. She had a 2 day stomache bug, but that was it.

[Tamara Gamble]

Ty got a flu shot. They also recommended a shot for pneumonia. We didn't get that one. Tami

[momof2]

Thanks guys.

I hadn't even thought about getting Ben a flu jab. He's never had one before so it hadn't even entered my head.

(That's why these forums are so good!!!)

I will definately get Ben vaccinated, I would hate for him to get flu and be poorly.

What time of year do they recommend getting the jab?

Cheers
:D

[wendyc]

We did the flu shot with no ill effects. The doctor also had the entire family get it also.

[Laura]

My son can't get the flu shot because he has an egg allergy. Every year I worry about flu season and if he could get it he would.

[pookas]

Our doc definately recommends it for both kids since Hunter's dx. We got it last year and will continue every year. Hunter has a tendency to pick up any virus in the school.

[selketine]

We've gotten William a flu shot every year and not had problems with the shot or the flu.

He also has an egg allergy and he cannot eat eggs straight out but the shot is not an issue for him. You might ask the dr. about getting the shot - we were told that the amount of egg in it isn't much - so perhaps a possibility unless your child is extremely egg allergic.

[Laura]

We've gotten William a flu shot every year and not had problems with the shot or the flu.

He also has an egg allergy and he cannot eat eggs straight out but the shot is not an issue for him. You might ask the dr. about getting the shot - we were told that the amount of egg in it isn't much - so perhaps a possibility unless your child is extremely egg allergic.


When his results from the egg allergy came back they said it was too severe to let him get it and not worth the risk. I may have him retested since it's been a few years.

[Pammers]

We all got the flu shot last year and will every year now to ward off any serious flu symptoms. I would worry more about getting the ACTUAL flu, since vomiting can be a disaster for a diabetic.

BTW, my dad has had a flu shot every year since he got COPD 20 years ago. After about the 4th or 5th year, he stopped having serious winter bugs. Could be a coincidence, but I figure since they vary the strain every year, it really helps once you've had the vaccinations for several different strains.

[bkfkmc]

My whole family got the flu shot and my son with D got the pneumonia as well. No problems whatsoever.

[monkey97]

Phillips had it ever since dxd. His numbers go up slightly (no more than 220) for about 2 days. I'm glad I did it this year cos I got a very bad flu that had me sick for nearly two months. Phillip got a slight cold that lasted less than 24 hours. In NZ its free for diabetics. I should get it for Shanaiah with her sleep disorder but its not free for her, and i can't afford it. i really recommend getting it.