Flu Shots for Babiesby Kimmama | More from this Blogger 07 Oct 2009 08:24 AM I took my six-month-old to his pediatrician this morning for his checkup. As soon as all the vitals were checked we got onto the topic of vaccines. More specifically, the pediatrician wanted to debunk some common misconceptions about the flu vaccine, especially the H1N1. If you've watched the news lately, you know there is a lot of controversy surrounding the H1N1 vaccine. Many people are concerned that they will get sick from the vaccine. Others are concerned that it is "too new." My pediatrician told me why both of these claims are false. Flu vaccinations only contain a "dead" form of the virus. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. Reasons people believe you can contract the flu from the vaccine include the fact that flu shots are most often given during flu season and only contain certain strains of the flu. It is quite possible to contract a different strain of the flu and assume it was a result of the vaccine. Another common issue is to experience cold-like symptoms after receiving the flu vaccine, but this is not in fact the flu. My pediatrician said that the H1N1 is not "new" as the media portrays. It is the exact same type of vaccine as the normal flu shot. Every year, flu shots are developed for the particular strains of flu that experts expect to go around. The H1N1 is another such strain, the only difference being that most people don't already have immunity for it. The flu can cause deadly complications for the elderly, infants, and people with other health concerns. Don't be afraid of the flu shot, especially the H1N1 vaccine. The ramifications of getting the H1N1 virus for your baby are likely much worse than any risks associated with the vaccine. I put my son on the waiting list for the H1N1 vaccine this morning. If you have a baby aged 6 months or older, talk to your pediatrician about the H1N1 vaccination. Learn more about Kimmama  Kim is a freelance writer and stay at home mom to her newborn, Micah. She has been married to her husband, Eric, since 2006. Relevantbaby tags User Comments Nadia_Medt (30) 08 Oct 2009 12:03 PMAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year from complications due to the flu. And about 36,000 die from flu related causes. The best way to prevent flu is with seasonal flu vaccinations, according to the CDC. www.medtipster.com is a search engine that helps you find information and locations on where to get your flu shots. You can also find discount generic alternative prescriptions for a fraction of the cost of brand name drugs. Simply type in the name of the drug, the dosage, and your zipcode to find a generic alternative for as little as $4 and right in your own neighborhood! SarahPirolli (181) 08 Oct 2009 06:04 PMThanks for posting this. I have been debating whether or not to get the flu shot for my daughter. This insight has helped. Thank you! Discuss this article
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