My husband, myself, my two kids. None of us are getting either the regular flu vaccine or the H1N1 vaccine. This probably actually surprises a few people who know me really well. I’ve always been kind of a freak about germs.
So, you are probably waiting for some long, big, important, well thought out, clearly argued speech about why we are not getting the vaccines. Unless you live on Mars, you can pretty much get them on any street corner and we have good insurance that probably covers them, so I certainly can’t use that as an excuse. I don’t have a religious objection either.
So why NOT get them?
Don’t I want my kids to be protected?
Of course I do, but I also think there is a valid argument to letting our bodies learn to fight the bad things. With all our medical advancements, I think people put too much reliance on artificial prevention. I’m not one of those people who doesn’t use medications or doesn’t go to the doctor. You should see the shelf in our hall closet devoted to medicine!
I am the type of person, however, who believes that too much prevention and too much sanitation is not actually a good thing. If our bodies are never exposed to the things of this world, and not allowed to develop natural immunities and germ fighters, there will one day be something so brutal that we won’t stand a chance because we have lived too sterile for too long.
I realize that some things reach a point where contagion is an important consideration. My kids are up to date on traditional vaccinations, although my daughter did have a severe reaction to her first set and was on a delayed vaccination schedule. At almost two years old, she is currently up-to-date on the traditional vaccines. One day, my opinion about the flu vaccines may change, but for right now I am simply not confident that it is the best thing for me or my kids.
How about you? Did you or your kids get the flu and/or H1N1 vaccines? Why or why not? If you did get the vaccines are you bothered by the fact that some people don’t?
About Kim
We got both this year after a close friend nearly died from the H1N1 virus…
I agree, although I did get the flu shot because I wanted to do everything I could to make sure I stay healthy so I can take care of the rest of the sickos! I did opt not to do H1N1 for anyone though, because I don’t know that I trust it yet! Which my husband being mil had to get it, so I guess we’ll see how he does!
I had a dr once tell us that we shouldn’t use hand sani on the kids because it kills too many germs their bodies need to build immunity!
I do not believe in the flu shots.(or any for that matter) There are way too many types of the flu that there is no one shot to cover them all. All vaccines are made from materials that are not meant to be present in our bodies, such as aluminum, formaldehyde, MSG, thimerosal (a mercury containing preservative) just to name a few. Our peditricans do not tell us those facts in the office. I believe in a natural way of building up the body to fight the cold and flu season such as important antioxidents, vitamins such as C and D, and eating healthy.
i did not have any regular flu vaccine too
but i did not have that kind of disease either
but im healthy
No we won’t be getting the flu shot, as for the H1N1 it just got here and they are waiting for the FDA is approve it. We won’t be getting those either . Personal choice . Hope you have a great day KIm
Thanks Lisa and thanks for calling in last night!
I agree with a lot of what Nina has to say. While I totally agree with you about the overuse of antibacterial things such as soaps, to the detriment of our immune system, I think things such as flu shots are different. The Hubs and I both get the seasonal flu shot each year and I will be getting the H1N1 shot as soon as our doctor has it available.
I think that, and again, this is my opinion, people who do not get the shot, and are in a position to give the flu to others who are at a higher risk – such as children, really are helping to spread the epidemic.
I so agree, I have never had the flu or flu shots, though last year I did let my boys get the flu shots I think this year we will be skipping all the hype.
I was able to get one because I have Lupus but I know a-lot of people who aren’t.
Nope. Never had one. Probably won’t ever.
My youngest gets the seasonal flu shot every year because he is at risk. My oldest asked me for it this year so we got him one. I work in the medical field and got the flu shot at work.
We are not getting H1N1.
I believe people do have the right to make a choice but also believe that choice should not endanger others. Unfortunately people do not always use good judgment when it comes to good personal hygiene and learning to stay away from others when they’re not feeling well.
I don’t care if you don’t get it but if you or your children get the flu and expose my child by poor practices of not keeping yourself away, that will bother me. i”m in utah so I think you’re safe ;) I have gotten a flu shot for years and never had an adverse reaction. I have gotten my son his immunizations and flu shots and h1n1 (last week) with no adverse reaction. I work with high risk kids everyday in foster care. we have people bring them around us when they shouldn’t i.e., they are sick, and come to court, as adults, when they are sick. my son was a preemie and recently developed asthma. I think good food, exercise and some supplements are beneficial but i”m not going to unnecesarily expose my son to illnesses to build up his immune system.
I have had family die from the flu and be blinded from chicken pox so, to me, I see the benefit of immunization outweighing the risk. my mother also took a drug when pregnant with me to avoid miscarriage that causes cancer in the children exposed to it.
its a weighing measure – death or side effects. I kinda like life. so I prefer the side effects.
as far as I’m aware dr. oz said his wife made the decision for their kids, he got it as he is a health care worker. and yes, even if you get the shot you can get it. I have a friend whose daughter had swine flu (positive test) in the spring and again last week (positive test). there are NO guarantees but again, its a weighing of risks makes getting the shot worth it for me.
I don’t think anyone purposefully or unnecessarily exposes their children to anything. And if your child has been vaccinated, he shouldn’t get the flu anyway.
But we all know the reality is that its not stopping the regular flu or the H1N1. Smallpox was eradicated because they spent YEARS perfecting the vaccine. The flu shot and H1N1 haven’t been tested enough.
And trust me I am a fully vaxxing mom here. My older 2 have everything except the flu shots and my daughter won’t be getting Gardisil when she is older. My kids pick up colds from school but have never had the flu. I’ve had infections that knocked me off my feet but I have never had the flu. Its a matter of how your immune system is. I don’t even break out when poison ivy touches me. I don’t take anything but vitamins daily. I believe if people keep buying into the hype of a pandemic then they are setting up the world for a super bug to invade everyone. That’s what happens when people rely too much on medicine and not enough on the body.
Wanted to reiterate, I am not a anti vax mom at all, my older two have all their shots. My baby is on a delayed schedule.
well then you clearly haven’t heard of the chicken pox parties. there are lots of parents who are deliberately exposing their children to things – chicken pox, measles, colds, etc- there are swine flu parties too. I also had my son at a child care provider who told me that one mother had brought her son there sick and when the caregiver called her to say your son is still sick the mother said “I know I just dont’ have any more time off of work.” so, to me, that is deliberately exposing your child and others to illness. so whether you think it or not, it happens.
and no, immunizations and vaccines are not a guarantee you won’t get sick. it would be good to research further if you think that. flu shots only cover a few strains and h1n1 is mutating as we speak so even if my son got the shot, he can still get it. the flu shot has been used and tested for over 30 years…the h1n1 is the exact same thing with a different virus in it.
my sisters kids all got chicken pox this summer though they were vaccinated. my secretary’s daughter has gotten swine flu twice now (two positive tests) – different strains.
most of what is being said by people against the shots is from those who rely too much on the media and don’t educate themselves from the studies that are out there. I do read the actual medical studies. and I make informed educated decisions that way not based on what the media is saying. we have had plagues in the past and they had nothing to do with people over-using medicine. that is merely media hype.