For those who are Pro Flu Shot...

[carriede]

Is it too late/not so important to get the flu vaccine for my kids and I?

 

We usually get vaccinated every fall, but I'm just now getting around to having the kids' well-child visits done - which is when we usually have them vaccinated. Also, I did not get mine done with DH when he got his at work since I'm pregnant, but kept forgetting to ask my OB for their shot.

 

So yeah. Everything I read online says "better late than never". I'm not so sure for myself since I'm 34 weeks pregnant... would that matter?

 

Thanks for any advice!

[regentrude]

Not too late. Flu season lasts well into spring.

The one year I got the flu (which was the one year I did not get the shot) I got sick in March.

[Joker]

I wouldn't consider it too late since the first time I ever had the flu was in April four years ago.

 

I don't know about pregnancy and the shot, though.

[Cindy in FL.]

I agree with regentrude. We got the flu in late March one year.

Edited January 19, 2016 by Cindy in FL.

[Lady Florida.]

Not too late. I usually get mine in the fall too but kept putting it off. I just got it a little over a week ago. 

[Junie]

I'm not sure what the current recommendation is for third trimester.

 

I would definitely have the kids get it.  If the flu strikes your area late, you really don't want pukey kids when you have a newborn...

[Julie Smith]

I just got mine less than one hour ago.

 

I also got the whopping cough vac.

[wendyroo]

I got mine at 36 weeks pregnant because I wanted to build up full immunity to pass onto baby before birth.

 

ETA I would have got it earlier but it wasn't yet available.

 

Wendy

Edited January 19, 2016 by wendyroo

[regentrude]

 

I would definitely have the kids get it.  If the flu strikes your area late, you really don't want pukey kids when you have a newborn...

 

???

Influenza does not usually make patients puke.

And the flu vaccine does not prevent what is commonly known as "stomach flu" which is not, in fact, flu.

 

[Joker]

???

Influenza does not usually make patients puke.

And the flu vaccine does not prevent what is commonly known as "stomach flu" which is not, in fact, flu.

 

I've known lots of children who did get pukey with the flu (not stomach flu). It's not uncommon.

[sassenach]

I've known lots of children who did get pukey with the flu (not stomach flu). It's not uncommon.

I mean, maybe in the coughed so hard he puked way, but not as an actual symptom of influenza. And certainly not the primary danger to a newborn.

[Joker]

I mean, maybe in the coughed so hard he puked way, but not as an actual symptom of influenza. And certainly not the primary danger to a newborn.

It's really not that big of a deal but vomiting and diahrrea are listed as symptoms among children. My neice has lots of gastrointestinal issues with influenza (positive test and most other normally associated issues).

[Ali in OR]

I would go ahead and get the shots. You'll have immunity by February which is when flu peaks on the west coast at least. It's particularly recommended for pregnant women in their third trimester--flu can bring on early labor which has risks for the baby.

[Tap]

Flu season goes until May, so yes, still get it.

[carriede]

Okay, thanks everyone. :)

[Spryte]

Not too late.

 

And - last year DS and DD had flu A and B simultaneously, and that particular strain involved lots of vomit. I ended up hospitalized from the same strain, and everyone in the hospital said it was common that year. So, while its not the usual, you can certainly have vomiting as a symptom.

[Classic Mom]

Yes, not too late.  Flu cases are just starting to get reported in most areas of the county.  In 2 weeks, you will have antibodies.  

 

Also, flu shots are fine in pregnancy.

 

And, of course, some people do vomit with influenza (particularly those who live in my house :laugh:).

[Carrie12345]

I don't know if it's common, but vomiting is often reported in children with the flu. Adults, not so much. We've only had the flu once, as a family. Kids puked for 2 or 3 days. I've also heard diarrhea can occur in kids.

 

Our only bout with the flu (knock on wood and all that jazz) involved 4 or 5 of the 6 of us puking regularly.  (The youngest wasn't born yet.)  2 kids and 1 adult were tested, so we're confident it was the real flu (H1N1, actually) in all of us!  It wasn't the longest or most prominent symptom, but it sure was miserable!

[carriede]

Got DD4 and DS2 vaccinated today. DS6 has an appointment next week (oh why can't they do 3 well-child checks at a time?!), and hopefully I'll finally remembered to ask my OB at my appointment tomorrow.