[Delbert]

My wife and I were discussing this issue just yesterday with some concern. We have a nineteen month old daughter. I have never gotten a flu vaccine in my life, nor has my wife. The thought of injecting "dead antibodies" (is that true?) into me did neverdid sound too appealing. However our daughter, who is a healthy toddler does go to daycare and that in itself concerns me because of more risk of exposure. You folks seem to be experienced or knowledgeable in these matters, may I ask what your opinion is on this? thanks,dale

[FormerLurker]

You folks seem to be experienced or knowledgeable in these matters, may I ask what your opinion is on this?

Due to the unwarranted risks involved with the vaccine, I myself would not want to expose MY young child to it. I can't give medical advice, but you may want to read the material that I posted and decide for yourself whether it's worth the risk.

[twigs]

It's a difficult decision. I had to make it for my then-13 year old because of her asthma. She got sick each time she took it. The first time her fever went up so high that I kept her home for several days (she rarely misses school) and the next year she got terrible abdominal pains. She has never had the flu, but she has had bad colds. After two years she refused to take them--just too painful for her. Since then, any cold she's had (and she's had less), she's been able to recover on her own. I don't think, BTW, that has anything to do with the shot or lack thereof. Our doctor recommended it to youngsters with compromised immune systems.

[hgro]

Obviously you have never had influenza! Its a killer for many including my uncle.

[Theyknow]

Dale, If you have ever sat by the crib of a toddler in intensive care with the flu and secondary bacterial infection you would view the vaccine as a Godsend. That this is some kind of conspiracy is nonsense. There are credible issues which need to be explored, but vaccines save lives, misery and money.

[Stingray51]

I don't know much about the subject. My philosophy is to avoid vaccines except when they prevent something you really, really don't want to get. So that would rule out the flu and chicken pox vaccines. I do believe reading that at least some vaccines were made from the tissue of aborted babies. But I don't remember the particulars.