MOMania

By Judy

October 20, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this

After a horrible bout with the flu 8 years ago, we have been good about getting the shots. My kids bounced back quickly, it was my husband and I who were sick for 2 weeks.

I think they should be mandatory for health care workers and teachers. There was an article in the AJC or Foxnews this last week about the percentage of health care workers who don’t get the flu shot and how they instead spread the flu virus.

Of course, I also think you should wash your hands after going to the bathroom and yesterday I was shocked again to watch a mom and her 5 yo son (who had just used the bathroom) walk out without washing. Maybe we should start with the small stuff. :)

By deidre_NC

October 20, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this

the last time i had the flu i thought i would never get over it. i kept feeling like i was improving only to get blasted again. this went on for 3 months. i wasnt working at the time, but if that happened now i would be living in a tent soon. i get the flu shot every year-my youngest daughter does, she seems to develope asthma when she gets any type of respiratory illness. my other kids are on their own. they get it sometimes and not sometimes. my kids have also all been vaccinated. i have a friend whose son is autistic and she blames it on vaccinations so her younger kids do not get vaccinated. i have mixed emotions abouut it all. thank god my kids have never had anything bad happen from vaccinations and we get them and will keep getting them.

By DB

October 20, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

Anyone who has had a real case of the ‘flu (and not just a bad cold and called it the ‘flu) usually is first in line when the flu shots come out! I know I am. I lost almost a month out of my life 12 years ago — two weeks with the flu that turned into pneumonia, and I was another two or three weeks getting back to feeling reasonably normal. Who needs that!?

By deidre_NC

October 20, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this

ps—there is a confirmed case of whooping cough here in the county i liv ein. i would be so rorried if my kids hadnt had the vaccination for that. we will get a booster and my daughter really was going to get one soon anyway because she will be going to college next fall. my friend is worried about her son who hasnt had the vaccination (see above)

By deidre_NC

October 20, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this

sorry for the typos-ti never even answered the question-i have mixed feelings about things that are made mandatory by the government. especially for children. i think health care workers and teachers should get the flu shot-mandatory? i am just not sure-i really hate so much government control…that said sometimes people just dont do the smart thing-but then again who is to decide what is smart for everyone? i feel that if i take care of my family thats the best i can do. and some people cant afford to get teh flu shot-it is 30-50$ here in my area..my daighters insurance covered hers-i have always made sure we get it but now it is gonna take a needed chunck for me to get mine as i have no insurance now. if its mandatory it surely should be free?????

By Sugar

October 20, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

NO they should NOT be mandatory. I have not had a flu shot since 1994, and I have not had the flu since the 80’s.

We practice good hygiene and wash our hands constantly. The kids wash their hands the minute they walk in the door from school. And we wash when we get home from running errands.

I keep that instant santizer in my purse and in the car.

By Sugar

October 20, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

I would also like to add the following.

Saturday I woke up feeling like I had a head cold. Sneezing, sniffling (went through about 1/2 a box of kleenex), coughing, just miserable. I took 2,000mg of Vitamin C and my normal multi-vitamin, and woke up Sunday a.m. with absolutely NO signs of a head cold. And I am fine today.

By jan

October 20, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

No, it should not be mandatory. 1) the CDC gambles on which strain of flu to vaccinate for. They do get it wrong. 2) if your kid is vaccinated, he is “safe”. What do you care if my kid has the flu or not

By Theresa

October 20, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

hey Deidre — My son had whooping cough this summer and he had all the vaccinations for it as a baby — the doctor said the CDC says there is a resrugence of the whooping cough. He coughed for more than a month before we figured out it wasn’t just allergies — he’s got terrible allergies and is usually draining— but the frequency and longevity, the doctor decided it was whooping cough

By me

October 20, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

“she seems to develop asthma when she gets any type of respiratory illness”

not hardly…I have asthma…you don’t just develop it when you get a chest cold!

the gov’t has no right to mandate that you give your children shots for anything…there are waiver that can be obtained to avoid getting any of the required shots.

By concernmom

October 20, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

Hi everyone

iam not really sure if my 6 mos daughter get the flu shot? i want to know how you all feel about that?

thank you

By Jim

October 20, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

One of my friend’s daughters received a shot when she was 5 and 72 hours later developed autism. When my son received his last shot for MMR, it changed him dramatically within 24 hours. My kids stopped receiving any vaccinations after that. So to have flu shots or any shot mandatory - absolutely not.

By HS Teacher

October 20, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

I get one every year and as long as parents send sick children to school, I feel it is needed.

Now, if only the medical field would do the same.

By Kathy

October 20, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Sugar….was it the ragweed that bothered you? The same thing happened to me and it is definitely ragweed that bothers me.

concernmom….YES! Your 6 mo. old should get a flu shot.

I get Little E one every year.I have never had one, but I think this year I will. Little E started preschool this year and has already brought home a cold. She will get the nasal flu vaccine this year since she is 3. Theresa, do you know if there is Thimerasol in the mist?

As far as making it mandatory, I think it would be a good idea to be required for public school attendance. The chicken pox vaccine is mandatory, so why not add the flu vaccine as well. It might help with illness and school attendance.

By susan

October 20, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

I have been working in health care for 30 years and have never had the flu, because i wash my hands. I’ve never had a flu shot and never will. The CDC’s own Mortality and Morbidity report for the 2008 season showed that the flu shot was only 44% effective. Why would I want to put chemicals in my body that are at best ineffective, and at worst harmful?

By momof4

October 20, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

No way should the flu shot be mandatory. In most cases the flu is miserable but not life threatening. Those in high risk categories know who they are and should get the vaccine. Like a PP said, if you’re kid has the vaccine, what do you care if mine has it or not. And why is it pushed onto PG women. Have a look at this pdf of an actual insert of a flu vaccine: http://www.vaccineshoppe.com/image.cfm?docid=10203&imagetype=product_pdf

By momof4

October 20, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

http://www.vaccineshoppe.com/image.cfm?docid=10203&imagetype=product_pdf

By momof4

October 20, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Here’s the CDC’s list of additives in case you’d like to find a mercury-free flu shot. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm This page is actually pretty hard to find on their website.

By Grace

October 20, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

No way it should be mandatory! I am pregnant and neither my regular doctor nor my OB recommended it. In fact, my regular doctor reccommended against it. She said it’s a crapshoot if they even pick the right strains of flu for any given year, so it may not be effective anyway. Why expose your self and your kids to potentially harmful checmicals when it might not even work. The risk of being sick for a week or two does not out weigh the risk of more serious illness that could come from the preservatives in the flu shot.

By hegelian71

October 20, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Buying/Taking Flu shots are like buying raffle tickets for Gullion Barre Syndrome…Any takers? I didn’t think so… I will take my chances (and my kids) with the flu—

By Becky

October 20, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Theresa, I’m confused that you let your son cough for a month before taking him to the Dr. WHY?

As for making flu shouts mandatory, no way..No one in my family has ever had one & probably never will have one…We do like Sugar said, orange juice & go on with our day…

Jim, you said that it changed your son, I hope that he’s ok..Sorry to hear about your friends child also…

By Jesse's Girl

October 20, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

No…we do not get flu shots. And yes..we’ve all had it at one time or another. I HATE medication. I think it is over prescribed and entirely over-used. We practice very good hygeine and eat well. My kids prefer water to almost anything else and never eat or drink after anyone….but me. And I certainly don’t share with others:) All of the children have had their immunizations…but thats as far as it goes. We don’t do antibiotics and we rarely use Tylenol or the like. If the kids get a bad headache or fever….they know they can ask for something, or I’ll offer it. But they usually just tough it out. Our bodies are miraculous things. Too many of you refuse to let your body do what its meant to do!

By Stan

October 20, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

No! There is way too much government regulation these days. I have never had the flu shot and am unlikly to start anytime soon. My wife has had them every for the last 5 years, since she had her kidney removed, and she still get the flu most years anyway. With her reduced imune system it may be worth it to at least reduce the chance of it though. She just got it again Saturday and was sick with low fever and aches Sat night and yesterday.

As for kids…not sure how I feel about on a personal level right now, but it should NOT BE MANDATORY.

By Mil mom

October 20, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

This is a conflicting issue for me because I do believe vaccincations like Hep A and B, MMR, polio, etc etc should be mandatory. The risk of getting them far outweigh the possible complications. Several of these diseases have nearly been eraticated in the past and a few are now back on the rise because parents aren’t getting their children vaccinated because they “don’t see a need.”

However, with the flu, it varies greatly year to year, and in most cases it is not life threatening. On the other, experts say it can at the least help one from getting a more severe case. I’d say in that case I would probly get it for me a my child, because paying $20 is a lot less expensive than missing several days of work having to stay home with sick people. (I’m in the military so I have to get regardless) There are several places you can recieve the shot cheaply or even free, there is no reason to pay $50, thats outrageous, there should be a way to complain about price gouging(sp) for the flu shot/mist. Try your local Health Department, you may have to wait a little while, but you not pay any where near $50 (come to think of, there should not be a single recommened vaccination that cost that much, and if there is, you may need to consider changing docs) BTW- autism does not magically develop over three days, that child was probly born with it, and after getting vaccinated the parents became paranoid after the shots, and THEN had their child tested, and then found out the diagnosis. There is not a single conclusive study that links autism and vaccinations.

By katz

October 20, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

The choices are, improved public health or zero individual risk. So are you gonna skip the shots and screw the rest of us?

By Theresa

October 20, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Becky — he has terrible allergies like I do — it was in the grass/tree season so my feeling was the cough was allergy related. I talked to the pediatrician about it and he agreed. We treated it as an allergy. When it didn’t improve as the allergy season progressed the doctor decided otherwise. It was a reasonable assumption until we had evidence otherwise.

By hegelian71

October 20, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Mmmm… does this sound tasty??? Partial list of ingredients:

—-Formaldehyde (cancer causing) —-Aluminum (neurotoxin) —-Triton X-100 (detergent) —-Polysorbate 80 (surfacant) —-ethlyene glycol (Antifreeze)

I think I will take my chances (and my kids!!)with some temporary aches and pains…because I DO NOT think the Autism, Guillon Barre, Dementia lottery is fun to play… Folks, we weren’t created with a shortage of any of the above ingredients—- we need tofocus on nutrition and fortifying the immune system rather than bombarding it with toxins—-especially after pummeling our infants/toddlers immune systems with 30+ vaccines of all sorts…Do you think the above ingredients multiplied by 30 or 40 (school “required” vaccine regimen) helps or hurts a tiny (15 to 40 pound), budding immune system??? Parents do your research and government—don’t make mandatory something that has a questionable/debatable positive benefit that isn’t even life threatening.

By I'm not supernom

October 20, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Me, I’m not discounting that you have asthma, but yes it is possible for children just to have asthma symptoms when they have a chest cold. It’s called reactive airway disease and is a catch-all for those under 6 that cannot yet be diagnosed with asthma. And Jan, to your question “what do you care if my child has the shot or not?” this is typical of those who are opposed to vaccines. You and your children ride on the “herd immunity” of the rest of us who vaccinate and therefore dont have to vaccinate your kids. Maybe a better question would be “what would happen to your kids or mine if everyone stopped vaccinating?”

By Jeff

October 20, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

1) Ummm…. this Libertarian is for LESS government in ALL areas.

Do you honestly think I would support MORE government meddling in private citizens’ lives??

As has been said: If YOU want YOUR kid to get it, by all means, feel free to do so.

Just don’t tell ME that MY kid has to get it because YOU think it best.

2) For those saying similar things to me and who have not voted yet:

www.lp.org

You may be surprised at what you find…

By Dunwoody Mom

October 20, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!!!!

I also use Lysol in our office, and spray every common surface. NO ONE in my office has ever had the flu, and I’ve been here over 10 years.

By Noelle

October 20, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

I’m a big proponent of most vaccinations, especially for kids — but no, I don’t think flu vaccine should be mandatory for children. I think flu vaccine should be strongly recommended and even offered for free; I get one every year myself, after having an awful bout of flu a few years ago. I also think it should be required for most health care workers, and that anyone with an underlying health condition that puts them at high risk of flu complications should have it.

As for the whole controversy over vaccines, I don’t believe that vaccines cause any problems on their own, mainly because there’s absolutely no scientific proof of any links. I think they can trigger underlying conditions in some cases, though, such as the girl here in Georgia who had an undiagnosed mitochondrial disorder that manifested after a vaccination. (That is, the vaccine didn’t cause injury; it caused a reaction because she wasn’t healthy.)

I also don’t think anyone should get more than 3 vaccines at once (like MMR). Giving anyone 4 or 5 vaccines at a time, which the current vaccination schedule requires, is much more likely to overload the immune system and cause complications.

By court_fanatic

October 20, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

It’s really no different than requiring vaccinations for measles, polio or mumps.

By Perkle

October 20, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

I have received a flu shot for the last 10 yrs at work and have not gotten the flu once. So yes, I will continue to get the shot. Unfortunately by the time you realize you’re sick you have already contaminated those around you. I wish they would make everyone I work with get one.

By itsme

October 20, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

People die from influenza. Flu vaccines should be mandatory.

By Mel

October 20, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

I don’t like the idea of a mandatory flu shot. But I don’t like the chicken pox vax or gardisil either.

The worst bout of flu I ever got was after getting a flu shot- while my body was fighting that strand off, the “other one” got me. I’ll take my chances with hand washing and lots of fresh air and vitamin c.

By hegelian71

October 20, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

katz—sounds like a communist… Look, take care of your own health— supplements, organic food, reduced environmental toxins, etc…—- but you cannot FORCE me and MY KIDS to inject toxins—for YOUR SUPPOSED Safety…

By Jim @ 8:37 wrote

October 20, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

“When my son received his last shot for MMR, it changed him dramatically within 24 hours. My kids stopped receiving any vaccinations after that.”

How did your kids get into elementary school without proper vaccinations? IF you say they are home schooled, how do you think they will get into college?

By Sugar

October 20, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

I think the elderly and those with major sicknesses SHOULD get flu shots. But I don’t feel is should be Mandatory.

By FCM

October 20, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

NO the shot should not be mandatory. However, the sheep will keep vote for Socialism under a candy coating—so it’s likely to be mandatory. When the state is in the delivery room with you, so they can take the baby at birth to raise it ‘right’ MAYBE the people will wake up—but it will to late….actually there was a movie about 20 years ago about this very thing.

I do not get the flu shot for myself, nor do I get it for the kiddos.

By amy

October 20, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Mandatory? NO!!! If you want to live in a communist country go live in China. And all you people who want to have a socialist country by voting for Barrack, THEN Go live in Europe. You are brainwashed if you think it should be mandatory. I got the flu shot in 2000 and was sick for 7 days with the flu, right after recieving the shot. It was the worst experience ever.

By John

October 20, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Those without vaccinations become Public Health Hazards and endanger the well being of all of society. We work so hard to eradicate disease and then some parents get taken with pseudoscience and screw up everything. There is no credible scientific evidence that vaccinations cause Autism, Guillain-Barre, ect. I’m all for free choice, but when your choices start to have negative effects on myself and all of society that’s when government needs to step in and regulate them.

By CD

October 20, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

What if the politicians told us we had to take Prozac because some of us might get depression without it and might commit suicide? For some reason, kids don’t have rights to refuse drugs, but adults are able to use informed consent.

By FCM

October 20, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

@Jeff.

I am Libertarian too. However, there is no way I am voting for Bob Barr. There isn’t a snowball chance in Hades that he would get close….and therefore I will cast my vote AGAINST the party I don’t want in office.

By David

October 20, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

No. A person’s body does not belong to the government.

By David

October 20, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

No. A person’s body does not belong to the government.

By Jeff

October 20, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

FCM:

I did that in 2004 and we had 4 more years of King George IX.

I refuse to do that EVER again. My vote goes for who I WANT in the Oval Office - or any other - and not just the ‘lesser of two evils’.

As I’ve said before, whether the poison tastes like Bleach or Creme Brulee, it is still poison.

By CD

October 20, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

America, land of the free, home of the brave. I mean, land of the obedient, home of the slaves. Slaves don’t have a right to say what they can do with their bodies.

By DB

October 20, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Jesse’s Girl, I am sure you didn’t mean to slam those of us who get ‘flu shots when you said “we practice very good hygiene” … as if those of us who have gotten the ‘flu don’t! :-)

I’m the same way on most meds - I never bother with aspirin or cold medicine or any of that stuff. But no matter how many times you wash your hands, all you need is ONE infected person to sneeze on you, or for your kids to bring it home from school, or just shaking hands with a client. I think people with jobs that require a lot of interaction with the public might want to seriously consider a ‘flu shot, only because it takes such a chunk out of your life, and would easily exceed most people’s allowed sick days.

I remember a friend who adamantly refused vaccinations, and said to me, “After all, have you ever known anyone who actually HAD whooping cough?” I replied, “Yes — ME.” I had the full, pre-vaccination spectrum of childhood diseases — whooping cough, German and red measles, chickenpox, mumps — you name it, I had it. And my family did NOT live in a dirt-floored hovel, by any means! That’s just the way it was. I was out of school with a particularly virulent case of the red measles for almost three weeks. And I wasn’t sitting in front of the TV eating cereal in my PJ’s, either — I was SICK. My mother lost a week of work, and then my dad lost a week or work — by the point, it was safe for the babysitter to come in again and care for me for the remainder of the time. And also, twenty years ago, when we lived in South Florida, a lot of these childhood diseases were making a comeback because of the large number of unvaccinated immigrants from Caribbean and Hispanic countries.

Given all this, I’m still not convinced flu shots should be manadatory — I still remember the swine flu virus debacle years back. But I, personally, will always get one.

By Numbers Guy

October 20, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

I’ll probably get one this year, and the boy definitely will. I think folks in high-risk groups/professions (teachers, health workers, elderly and kids) should probably get one.

However, the government has zero business mandating a shot that’s not fully effective to fight a disease that usually isn’t fatal. I have a hard enough time with the mandatory vaccinations that already exist without adding this one. I think you’re an idiot to forego vaccines for major diseases, and you are living off the intelligence of the people around you who aren’t carrying the disease because they were smart enough to get their shots, but last time I checked, you had the right to be an idiot in this country.

By Amy

October 20, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

NO NO NO… nobody should be made to do anything. I thought we lived in a free country. HA HA. I have never had the flu and have never had a flu shot. My 10-month-old daughter will not be getting a flu shot. People, use common sense. Proper hygiene, eating well, taking the proper vitamins and supplements, and enough exercise should be very helpful in warding off the flu and other bugs. Those flu shots don’t protect you from all strains of the flu. Not worth the side effects. Oh, and to the person who was wondering how a home-schooled child gets into college… well they do… do your research… or are you waiting for the government to tell you how?

By Joe

October 20, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

You are crazy if you think that flu shots should be mandatory. It is simply another way for the drug companies to scare and rip off the American public.

DO NOT GIVE YOUR KIDS shots unless they are highly susceptible and have asthma or some other condition.

All you are doing is creating a super flu that will be more resistant of future vaccinations.

The disease will always win. Do not help it out.

By RA

October 20, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Who’s Leading who?

The EPA and FDA advise pregnant women or women who may become pregnant to limit fish consumption. Why? Because just about every fish has mercury contamination in it. According to the U.S government, mercury in small amounts is toxic everywhere on earth.

The flu shot has 25mcg of mercury in it. Yeh, there are some manufacturers who make mercury free shots but chances are you will not get those unless you specifically ask for it. And your doctor won’t be very concerned because he/she has been assured that small amounts are ok for babies and developing neural tissue. You would have to eat a barrel of fish to equal this amount.

But the shot is worth the risk of the side effects? Really? The side effects of the vaccines are always stonewalled.

Where is the evidence that the flu shot saves lives? Because we wouldn’t tolerate the side effects and damage if it didn’t save lives right?

Who dies? According to this article 36,000 americans. According to the CDC hardly anyone dies from influenze. They are lumped in with pneumonia deaths for some strange reason. If you look at the CDC statistical charts though, 90% of these deaths are 65 and older and most of those being 85 +. There aren’t many deaths at all until you start approaching the 55 and older group. My guess would be that these are not generally healthy people. In the 65 and older group, pneumonia makes up only a small part of the overall deaths.

The Lancet (aug.2,2008) concluded that the flu shot did not reduce the risk of pnuemonia in the elderly. If my math is correct, that’s 32,000 lives not saved by the shot. (Scientific studies show a 30% efficacy rate in this group and a 70-90% rate in the 5-55 group. The least likely to die).

The British Medical Journal (October 28, 2006) showed that for people under 65 the flu shot”did not affect hospital stay, time off work or death from influenza and it’s complications”

The Cochrane collaboration published a review concluding that children younger than 2, flu shots are no better than placebo, and safety has not been established.

The flu shot only contains 3 strains. If the experts miss on the ‘guess” then you subjected yourself to the risk with no benefit. Plus there are more than 3 strains in the environment. Some experts say that you can confer some immunity, maybe… if its close enough. “So… get your shot anyway. We have a stock pile. Or there isnt’ enough.”

Here’s one more question to ponder. If someone doesn’t get the flu shot for 20 years and doesn’t get the flu, then how did they not get it? Obviously they came in contact with the virus over 20 years multiple times. We have the ability to live with viruses and germs. We do it every day.

If someone gets the flu shot for 20 years and does not get the flu, how did they not get it? FHow did they know that it wasn’t they’re bodies own ability to deal with infections. If they get the shot and still get the flu, then the experts in question tell them it wasn’t the flu. It was influenza like illness. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, I don’t care what you call it.

Educate before you vaccinate.

By Kathy

October 20, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

@Jesse’s girl….normally I am right with you about every post you make but the post you made earlier today has me scratching my head. You don’t do anitbiotics…..does that mean your family has to “tough it out” through things like strep and ear infections?!?!?!? Those infections don’t just disappear on their own! We are also big hand washers and we are very health conscious also, but as someone said earlier, it only takes one sneeze from another person. Please tell me how you treat infections that normally require antibiotics (strep, ear infections, sinus infections, UTIs, etc). I would love to know.

By Becky

October 20, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

Thanks Theresa..I too suffer from allergies/sinus problems..I don’t have the coughing though..Thank goodness..

By hegelian71

October 20, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

Jim, there are many types of waivers in virtualy every state. Just complete the waiver and present it to the adminstrator upon registration. However, upon an “outbreak”, you must remove your child from the school until it clears up… Of course, how could an outbreak happen (when that ol’ “Herd Immunity” should kick in) amongst of vaccinated population is beyond me??<—sarcasm. In reality, the concept of “herd immunity” is

By hegelian71

October 20, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Jim, there are many types of waivers in virtualy every state. Just complete the waiver and present it to the adminstrator upon registration. However, upon an “outbreak”, you must remove your child from the school until it clears up… Of course, how could an outbreak happen (when that ol’ “Herd Immunity” should kick in) amongst of vaccinated population is beyond me??<—sarcasm. In reality, the concept of “herd immunity” is a farce

By Stephanie

October 20, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

It is a hard sell to get health care workers to take the vaccine because they are INFORMED. Here is the info from the packaging insert of a PEDIATRIC flu shot: Each 0.5 mL dose may contain residual amounts of formaldehyde (not more than 100 μg), polyethylene glycol p-isooctylphenyl ether (not more than 0.02%), and sucrose (not more than 2.0%).

It further states that autism & guilliane barre syndrome have occurred after being vaccinated.

Vaccinate at your own risk!

By Smell the baloney

October 20, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

I’ve had the flu twice in the past 20 years. Both of those years where the only years I took the flu shot. Never again.

I do take the pneumonia shots, though.

By RA

October 20, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

Ear infections, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections are most commonly caused by viruses, not bacteria, therefore taking an antibiotic just in case can give rise to superbugs. Taking multiple courses of antibiotics also weakens the immune system. It “weakens” the body. It doesn’t “boost” it.

Amazingly the majority of infections will go away on their own.If they are life threatening then certainly medical treatment is needed.

Unfortunately most parents have been duped,(though probably not the fault of parents) into “shoot first and ask questions later” when it comes to their children’s health.

One only has to look no further than the cold medicine recall. The pink and purple stuff never had any scientific evidence that it worked. But thousands of children went to the emergency room because of the medicine. The kids simply got better in spite of their paren’ts best intentions.

By momof1

October 20, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

My son has had either the flu shot or mist for the past 12 years now. He also has all his immunizations up to date. He also has Aspergers and I don’t blame it on the immunizations. I don’t think they should be mandatory but if parents do not want to get their kids immunized then they they need to quit gripping when they have to miss work to stay home with a sick child. Please keep them out of school and daycare if they are sick. Sending them just henders the ones that aren’t ill.

When I was in the military it was mandatory unless you had a egg allergy, so I have been getting vaccinated since 1987. I have never gotten sick after the injection other they a slight headache (I had needles). My son didn’t feel well last year for about a day but it was also the first year he had the mist. The side effect is a runny nose.

Of course if it is made manditory (which it shouldn’t), then you can send all the kids (that have a waiver to get exempt from all vaccines) to one school and let them spread the illness among themselves.

By Katie

October 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Do you know why the health care workers are not recieving the shots? For the exact same reasons the other educated people are not- THEY ARE DANGEROUS. Duh.

Poor hand hygenie is all that it boils down to. Wash your hands after using the restroom, before eating a meal, and use hand sanitizer after contact with other people, picking up a pen that doesn’t belong to you, etc. Use common sense, and there is no need to inject yourself with an artificial substance and more importantly not into your poor child. I think that any parent who is stupid enough to give their children a shot that they KNOW contains thermisol, really, shouldn’t complain about the possible repercussions and certianly shouldn’t expect sympathy.

Yes, the flu can be deadly, but the chances of the vaccination causing PERMANENT damge to your little one is FAR higher than dying from the flu.

By aaascr

October 20, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

Simple question… Do you force someone to have a flu shot when they are allergic to both the “regular” flu shot and the one formulated as hypoallergenic?

By Homeschool Mom

October 20, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

” IF you say they are home schooled, how do you think they will get into college?”

Actually it is quite easy if you’re doing a good job at it!

Don’t follow blindly…ask questions!

By lakerat

October 20, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

It’s too bad they don’t have a cure for stupid…..but then again if they did this blog would not exist would it?

I am soo much better than all of you…

By not me

October 20, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

From 1923 to 1953, before the Polio Salk killed-virus vaccine was introduced, the polio death rate in the United States and England had already declined on its own by 47 percent and 55 percent, repsectively. Yet, somehow vaccines take all the credit when in reality it was just our natural immune system building up a resistance to it. Look at the AIDS epedemic. We throw millions/billions of dollars at it yet no cure. There will not be a cure until our body has enough time to learn the disease and build up an immunity to it. The sad thing is that when this finally happens all the credit will go to whatever medication is released at that time and not to God’s incredible creation in the human body.

By ignorant people

October 20, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Common ingredients other than monkey kidney cells: Thimerosal (a mercury derivative) Ethylene glycol (antifreeze) Phenol (a disinfectant dye) and aluminum

Benzethonium chloride (a disinfectant) Formaldehyde (a preservative and disinfectant)

By ignorant people

October 20, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

aluminum hydroxide aluminum phosphate ammonium sulfate amphotericin B animal tissues: pig blood, horse blood, rabbit brain, dog kidney, monkey kidney, chick embryo, chicken egg, duck egg calf (bovine) serum betapropiolactone fetal bovine serum formaldehyde formalin gelatin glycerol human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue) hydrolized gelatin monosodium glutamate (MSG) neomycin neomycin sulfate phenol red indicator phenoxyethanol (antifreeze) potassium diphosphate potassium monophosphate polymyxin B polysorbate 20 polysorbate 80 porcine (pig) pancreatic hydrolysate of casein residual MRC5 proteins sorbitol sucrose thimerosal (mercury) tri(n)butylphosphate, VERO cells, a continuous line of monkey kidney cells washed sheep red blood cells

By ignorant people

October 20, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

In addition to the viral and bacterial RNA or DNA that is part of the vaccines, here are the fillers:

aluminum hydroxide aluminum phosphate ammonium sulfate amphotericin B animal tissues: pig blood, horse blood, rabbit brain, dog kidney, monkey kidney, chick embryo, chicken egg, duck egg calf (bovine) serum betapropiolactone fetal bovine serum formaldehyde formalin gelatin glycerol human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue) hydrolized gelatin monosodium glutamate (MSG) neomycin neomycin sulfate phenol red indicator phenoxyethanol (antifreeze) potassium diphosphate potassium monophosphate polymyxin B polysorbate 20 polysorbate 80 porcine (pig) pancreatic hydrolysate of casein residual MRC5 proteins sorbitol sucrose thimerosal (mercury) tri(n)butylphosphate, VERO cells, a continuous line of monkey kidney cells washed sheep red blood cells

By CP

October 20, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

I’ve never had a flu shot & neither have any of my four children. I make sure the rest of the immunizations are UTD but I don’t think the flu shot is worth it. It changes every year based on a guess. An educated guess, but a guess nonetheless. Now if it had a good track record and you didn’t have to keep getting it year after year, I might reconsider.

I agree with other posters that the best way to combat the flu is to be vigilant on hygiene - washing hands being the top defense.

My children know to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze and to use a tissue whenever it’s needed. I know that tissues were an item on the school supply list & I made sure their class were loaded up. Hand sanitizer was sent too. They get vitamins every morning too.

The government should not have the authority to make the flu shot manditory and I would fight it if GA started to go down that road. If my kids do get the flu (which they’ve never had) then I’ll stay at home with them.

Parents that choose to vaccinate their kids against the flu have that right but it doesn’t guarantee that their kids won’t get it. Those that don’t get vaccinated aren’t guaranteed to avoid the flu with good hygiene either. It’s a crap shoot.

By Homeschool Mom...

October 20, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

…I believe the question was “how do they get into college without proper vaccinations”, not how do they get into college being home schooled.

Your inability to comprehend the question at hand leaves considerable questions regarding your ability to teach at home.

By smh728

October 20, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

My spouse works in healthcare so he is expososed to all sorts of stuff which he then brings home to us. No matter how diligent we are at handwashing etc here, nothing protects us from public places. Therefore my kids and I will get the flu shot this year as in years past. I am sensitive to thimerosal which also used to be found in contact lens solution. I ask for a thimerosal free vaccine, and have yet to have an issue. My spouse has already gotten his shot as well.

By KJC

October 20, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

No, it shouldn’t be mandatory. I think getting a little bit sick is just part of life. The flu shots remind me of how most people would rather swim around in a swimming pool (full of caustic, toxic chemicals that give off noxious fumes) than swim in a lake (ew, yucky mud). I’m all for getting vaccinated for the really dangerous diseases, but as long as I’m young and healthy, I’m not going to get a flu shot.

I’ve never had a flu shot, and I had the flu for the first time in 13 years just last year. Yeah, I was miserable, but they gave me that new drug that helps you get over it faster (Tamiflu, I think) and I was back at work the next week.

By Penguinmom

October 20, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

I don’t think a flu shot should be mandatory. It’s a ‘luck of the draw’ shot anyway. Maybe this year they get the mixture right, maybe they don’t. Perhaps in NJ they have more rampant severe cases of flu than we do here in the sunny South.

I like the fact that some places are offering wipes for their shopping carts. The main time my kids got sick when they were younger was around the holidays when we had been shopping a lot.

By Fluzy

October 20, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

I work in public health and I understand the “herd immunity” reasoning behind mandatory vaccinations. I’ve had a flu shot for 23 consecutive years.

Should they be mandatory? Hell no! I’m with my fellow Libertarians on this one. While I’m a great proponent of vaccinations, I’ll fight tooth and nail against anyone who wants to require them.

By Dixie

October 20, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

No one in my family has ever had a flu shot - or the flu. We come from genetically strong lines in the health arena. For us to get the shots would have been a waste and made that many fewer available for the people who know they need them. Over immunizing will lead to weakened immune systems. Then we’ll all get wiped out by something silly. In all fairness I should say my children never attended daycare or pre-k. We went rounds with the runny noses when the children entered kindergarten. I think medicine should be saved for those who really need it. Maybe then it wouldn’t cost so much and the state could dole it out more easily.

By Germ-o-phobe

October 20, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

OK, Here is how we stay healthy in my house. We all take multivitamins, get plenty of exercise, and this time of year, we dose up on Vitamin C. Usually about 1,000mg/day. We eat tons of fresh fruits and veggies.

When using public facilities, we wash our hands afterwards, with soap. If there are paper towels for your hands, we use them, then use a clean on to grab and open the door to get out. There are SO many germs on that door handle…….

The shopping carts at the stores. Glad they have the wipes now. All I think about when I’m pushing that cart, is “who’s mouth or dirty nasty hands were on this cart before me?” Especially the carts at Walmart, Ugh!!!

I think all the people trying to enter this country should be vaccined. Lord only knows what they brought over here from wherever they came, especially the hispanics, not very clean people.

Also, plenty of exercise. No, the kids aren’t in numerous sports, but we do have dogs that require walks, etc. We walk on a daily basis, at least 2 miles, with the kids and the dogs. High doses of fresh air and sunshine.

Lastly, respect those around you. If you have to sneeze or cough, do it into your sleeve, not your hand.

And get plenty of rest and drink alot of fluids. We don’t drink sodas, so lots of water and milk.

By Get a Grip

October 20, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

While I believe that the more more “exposure” you have to the flu, the greater your chances to catch it, I am firmly against the government dictating flu shots. This is just one more opportunity for “control”. I had the flu when I was 18. While it was quite awful, I made it through it. Neither of my grown children got it and neither has my husband. So, it is a roll of the dice. Hygiene is definitely important. But Government intervention is a no-no. Besides…..haven’t they done enough already??????

By KJC

October 20, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

@Germ-o-phobe:

Um, I’m sure you didn’t MEAN to sound like a bigot. I put my hands all over those gross disgusting Walmart carts that all those unclean immigrants push around, and I don’t get sick either.

You’re wasting your money on vitamin C tablets. Your full daily recommended dose of vitamin C is incredibly easy to get in common, healthy food.

By Germ-o-phobe

October 20, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

KJC SOrry, didn’t mean to come off like a bigot. But some people are alot “cleaner” than others.

And no we are not wasting out time with the extra Vitamin C. Yes there is plenty in the food we eat. However, EVERY time I feel a cold coming on, I up the dosage to about 2,000mg day. I’ve not had a head cold in years, nor have the kids or hubby. My elderly mother has done this for years, and it works!!! She’s not had ANY sickness in over 20 years. I’ll stick with it thank you.

By Stephanie

October 20, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

cdc mandatory vaccine schedule:

1983 ten vaccines vs. 2007 thirty six!

when you get involved at the political level & realize how many of your politicians, doctors & government officials are receiving kickbacks from the immunizations (pharm companies) it will disgust you… their pockets depend on your over-immunizing.

look into it.

By MomsRule

October 20, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

KJC, I respectfully disagree that vitamin C tablets are a waste of money. I personally think they are work every penny.

Several years ago I traveled for business on a regular basis.

(Airplanes are horrible places for getting germ exposure!)

I got sick after every flight. Once I realized the pattern, I started taking a heavy dose of vitamin C the day before every flight and never got sick while traveling again.

That’s not wasted money in my book.

Re today’s topic. No, I do not believe flu vaccines should be required. They are a personal choice. Just like taking vitamins and eating healthy.

By Jesse's Girl

October 20, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

No…I did not mean to “offend” anyone with my handwashing comment. Truthfully…I wasn’t looking that deeply into it. My comment was meant to simply denote that we are, in general, a very healthy bunch. We have 3 children and the youngest…The Boy…is the only one to ever be on prescription antibiotics. He had a series of horrid ear infections at 2 years old. When the herbal antibiotics that we normally use didn’t cut it…we went prescription. But 99% of the time…its herbal all the way for us. I am pretty sure we’ve all had the flu at one point. But it has never kept us down for more than 3 days or so. I have nasty allergies….but don’t use formal meds to soothe them. The children very rarely get colds even. I firmly and faithfully advocate the use of herbs and teas to ward off seasonal ills. It has done wonders for us. And on the occassion that we do find ourselves coming down with something….we drink copious amounts of water and herbal teas. Works wonders.

By Jesse's Girl

October 20, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

We are also avid drinkers of Monavie. I love this stuff! As for UTI’s….grandmas everywhere have been right all along. Vast amounts of good, high quality cranberry juice usually does the trick. Bubble baths…or soaking too long in a non-bubble bath….is a usual suspect there. Baths in general are bad news in my opinion.

By bufordmom

October 20, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

My twin sons have autism, received the flu shots, but neither one of them have mercury in their bodies. I think it’s good to be safe and make wise choices. We don’t do flu shots anymore to reduce mercury exposure because that’s not a good thing, and because I believe they just overall do a number on your immune system. Our bodies need to learn to fight off bugs themselves. That’s what they’re designed to do.

By lovin life

October 21, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

JG and RA I agree totally and loved reading your thoughts!