So, we are beginning flu season and I am debating whether to get flu shots or not. I don't think I know enough fact about them to make an informed decision either way. I know as a parent, it is my job to research it, but I just don't feel like there are any sources that will tell me the whole truth. I am not sure I can even believe the CDC or other government sites. Since I don't know the whole truth, I can just speak about what I am doing for my own family and I am sure whatever your decision is, is based on whatever you feel is right for your family. I completely believe in vaccines. There are many terrible diseases that have been virtually eliminated by vaccines. My children will have their vaccines (except two, unless I gain more information that leads me to believe they need those two). But....I can't forget about those mothers who insist something happened to their child because of vaccines. I believe them. I also believe vaccines are important to have. Can't really win, can I? Either way, my decision is made about vaccines, but every year I have to make the decision about flu shots. I go back and forth and back and forth and then we don't end up getting them. I would feel terrible though if my child gets so sick they need to be hospitalized, or worse and I could have prevented it. And we all know they "say" this year will be terrible with the flu, particularly H1N1. I also know (reminder: don't know if I can trust my sources, even my pediatrician) that the H1N1 vaccine contains squalene, one of the ingredients in the vaccine that caused Gulf War Syndrome. Squalene hasn't been approved for use in vaccines since then, until now and obviously they haven't done extensive long term testing on the H1N1 vaccine.
So, unless I find out something else, I think we will be steering clear of H1N1 vaccine. Not sure about the regular flu shot. If any of you have any info. or personal experience, I would love to hear it. I want to be informed, I just don't think any of the professionals have pure motives in telling me how safe they are. In fact, the night before Liam got his two month shots, I was so nervous. I felt like there was one vaccine that I should not give him. I did research on it and still felt the same. When I got to the doctor's office, I told the nurse how I felt and and she told me that she absolutely would not give it to her child and felt that it was totally unnecessary. There was a little boy in their office who had a serious complication because of this vaccine. The nurse told me, "I never talked to you about this. I could get fired if anyone knew I told you not to get it." She left and I talked to my doctor and she acted like it was totally safe and they wouldn't be giving it to people if it weren't safe. Ha, not true. My point is, even those who know, I can't believe. But, I suppose I will be led to know the truth through the spirit like I did the night before Liam's vaccines, if it is something important enough for me to know in order to protect my kids.
