[ShannonMVT]

Will you be getting it this year?

I'm debating it. I work in a hospital 2 days a week. I don't work with patients but of course I'm around co-workers and the common areas of the hospital.

My OB says I should get it. I REALLY REALLY want to get a thimerosal free version (no mercury) if I have to get it. Supposedly they have them for pregnant women but they don't give them at work and my OB doesn't know anywhere that gives them. My OB said the dosage of mercury in the regular ones is safe but I don't think so. I already had to get a rubella vaccine the month before I got pregnant.

Also, I think I read somewhere that you should wait until after 14 weeks to get it? Is that true?

[Oriyan]

I never get the flu shot because i never get the flu. DF used to get the flu shot because he was in the army and was required to and got the flu anyway. Last year he didnt get the flu shot and didnt get the flu lol.

[SandKmommy]

I've never had the flu shot and never had the flu either. I know they suggest it for pregnant women but I dont think I will get it. I've herd too many people that get it then get a nasty flu after words. Plus theres always a shortage here so I think the children and elderly should get it more (and of course hospital workers like my mom who have to get it)

[lauren in hi]

I've always gotten it even when not pregnant, except last year. Last year I got it free through work & because I didn't put a preference, they gave me the mist. I had some side effects w/ that which I have never had w/ the flu shot. I used to get the flu every year, and once I started getting the shot it was so much milder when I got it. I haven't had the flu in probably 5 years, but I will be getting the shot in November, I believe. (Maybe around 19-20 weeks) I work around kids (and even if they are older they still get sick a lot) plus Abby's in preschool (germ central) so I do not want to risk getting sick.

[~Jess~]

I think it really depends on your immune system. I tend to have a very strong immune system, literally hadn't been sick other than minor colds in about 10 years, but I got it when Zack was a baby and got so so sick afterwards, literally sicker than I had been in over a decade. Now, I don't know that the shot itself caused it, but I think it lowered my immune system and made me more susceptible to getting sick. I haven't gotten the flu shot since (swore I never would again, lol) and haven't been that sick since! Coincidence? I don't think so. My mom, on the other hand, has a weak immune system and got super sick every single winter, until she started getting the flu shot. So, I think it's great for ppl with weak immune systems, but has the opposite affect on someone with a strong immune system, kwim?

Just MHO of course. Oh, and I got the thimerisol-free one because I was breastfeeding. I definitely would NOT get the regular flu shot during pregnancy.

[Frozendesire]

No flu shot here.

[soImarriedAnerd]

Hospital only recommend flu shots for employees (that I know of), not require them. I would NOT get a mercury flu shot while pregnant-EVER.
And I haven't heard of a new non-mercury flu shot--let me know if you find it what its called!

Flu shots normally....... Depends on the person. I don't think healthy kids/adults need flu shots. If you have condition that getting the flu could make dangerous then yes I think you need a flu shot. Troy has FSGS (kidney issues) so he does get one each year. I don't get them. I got them two years while in nursing school. One year I got the flu. I got the flu once (and every year since 20 I have been around the flu with friends/family/patients). It was 1999 Christmas eve...I know the date because I got rushed to the ER that night because I was having a hard time breathing. Then they told me I could not be in public for 1 week (I had tickets to Prince's milinium party in Minneapolis-and was Pissed I couldn't go). And My mom put me back in the bedroom then had the whole family over! Its was horrible smelling all the Christmas food and not being able to go out and eat a bunch of it. (they did bring me a plate once they were all done eating)

Actually RIGHT NOW 2 of our crew members just were in the clinic in the last week with the flu (we had to rule out Dengue Fever first). Type A i believe. Since Flu shots are just coming out no one on the crew had gotten them yet. Troy avoided the sick two until he gets his shot later this month. I still will not get mine because I don't want a mercury shot in me in case I do become preggers.

The flu shot has (i think) 3-5 types of flu vaccine in it. There are thousands of strands. And every year the shot is different! Its bases on what the CDC (or "they") think is going to be the flu issues of the year.... I HAVE NO IDEA how they pick though. lol

[ANGWife]

I havn't had a flu shot in years. I work around germy kids all the time, and it's really helped my immune system. Yeah I get colds and stuff but nothing major. Most of my kids get the shot anyways. So if they don't get it, I usually don't!

I've only ever had flu shot twice... in 2000 and 2001 due to me being so ill, my doc recommended I got it....

I've only ever had flu twice... right after those shots!! I vowed never to get it again lol!

[Mars]

I've never had one.

[alicenwonderland]

I work in a hospital, and I got the flu last year. I was sick for 2 weeks straight and couldn't move, couldn't eat, was in extreme pain. I don't know if how a baby would fair through that, so I am definatley planning on getting my flu shot.

I get the flu shot every year. My lungs are often craptastic and my pulmonologists office calls me until I schedule an appt.

[ShannonMVT]

Here's a short article that mentions the mercury free ones: http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/ABOUT/QA/thimerosal.htm

Normally my immune system is pretty kick A. It used to not be but I think working at hospitals has boosted it and I literally haven't gotten a cold in a couple years, much less the flu. But I think pregnancy has lowered my immune system. This is gross, but I used to have warts on my hands and now they are back. It makes sense though that in pregnancy your immune system can't be too great because it has to allow a little intruder to grow in your body. (I mean that in the nicest way possible. )

So I dunno...I may try calling around and see if I can find one mercury free. It's just so irritating that they make it hard to find and obtain.

[soImarriedAnerd]

dang only 50 million shots made for the whole world for this season are mercury free. Yeah that's going to be hard to find.
If you can't find it, I just want to let you know the flu virus itself is not dangerous to fetus--its the dehydration and nutrition loss and possible fever over 102 that's bad. So if you did end up with it, as long as you are able to drink and eat (and if you not getting meds or if needed IV fluids) and take Tylenol to keep your temp down blobby should be just fine

[LisanAndy]

No I'm not getting it, I've never had it actually