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Friday, August, 29, 2008

Flu shots

by  Sloane Miller
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Sloane Miller
Sloane Miller
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author & psychotherapist

Sloane Miller, a Pushcart Prize nominated author, was awarded ...

Sloane Miller

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A few months back, I had put a reminder in my calendar to give my doctor a call about the flu shots' availability just about now.

 

Would you be surprised to learn that when I called my doctor's office and the physican's assistant said, "Yes," my heart sa...

  1. Thanks for the reminder
    Chupieandjsmama
    Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 10:22 AM
    Thanks for reminding me!  My older son got his in Septemer, but my husband and I still need ours.  The Little Man can't get one due to his egg allergy, so we make sure to get ours as our best defense for keeping the flu out of our house and away from him.
    reply
    re: Thanks for the reminder
    Sloane Miller
    Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 10:43 AM

    hey janeen,

    go get yours!

     

    question: might the little man get the flu mist? or is he asthmatic as well?

     

    best

    sloane

     


    reply
    re: re: Thanks for the reminder
    Chupieandjsmama
    Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 10:51 AM
    He has asthma too (illness induced asthama).  I'm taking him to the pediactrician again today.  So I'll ask her about it. 
    reply
    re: re: re: Thanks for the reminder
    Sloane Miller
    Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 10:58 AM
    pls let us know what your ped says, im curious...
    reply
  2. NYT op ed piece
    Sloane Miller
    Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 08:39 AM
  3. Flu Shots
    Robbi
    Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 10:57 PM

    I just did some research about flu shots because my father suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome back in 1965--he's not able to get the shot. He is asthmatic and has emphysema as well.

     

    I have suffered from severe allergies & asthma since 1974, and have taken a flu shot every year since it's been available. Recently it came to light that the flu shots contain a mercury preservative called thimerosal which has been taken out of all childhood immunizations due to the large outcry from folks thinking it may cause autism (although this is not proven). This information is readily available on the cdc.gov website under vaccine safety-mercury and vaccines.

     

    My point is, I also suffer from several other medical problems as well as asthma, and I will refuse a flu shot this year if I can't get one without the mercury preservative. This is a hard choice because I too have gotten the flu and have barely squeaked by without hospitalization. If everyone starts asking about this additive and making a fuss, we won't have to worry about it any more!

     

    Curiously, I have had some reaction to the flu shot in the past, sometimes getting sick for a few days. Who knows--maybe have just been exposed to bugs before I got the shot.

     

    Just thought I'd throw that out for comment. Thanks.

     


    reply
    re: Flu Shots
    Sloane Miller
    Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 10:06 AM

    thanks for bring this up robbi.

     

    mercury (Thimerosal) in the flu shot is a very hot button issue and thus the flu shot and taking it is a personal choice. 

     

    i urge everyone to talk with their doctor and do some research on what is best for them and their family.

     

    my choice is to get the shot but i'm aware it's not everyone's.

     

    best

    sloane

     


    reply
    re: re: Flu Shots
    Anonymous
    Friday, October 26, 2007 at 01:27 PM

    Sloane,
    We haven't made it back to the pediatrician for me to discuss this with her yet, but I found this on the web today:

     

    "People who are allergic to eggs and egg derivatives, and other substances in FluMist, should also not be given the vaccine".

     

    That will rule out my son.   


    reply
    re: re: re: Flu Shots
    Chupieandjsmama
    Friday, October 26, 2007 at 01:29 PM
    And that was me above.  I'm not anonymous, I'm Janeen Big Smile
    reply
    re: re: re: Flu Shots
    Sloane Miller
    Friday, October 26, 2007 at 02:35 PM

    hey janeen

     

    i show up on a RAST as having an egg allergy, but it's not something that i notice on a daily basis and i take the shot and am fine.

     

    so im curious what she says.

     

    does he usually get a flu vaccination?


    reply
    re: re: re: re: Flu Shots
    Chupieandjsmama
    Friday, October 26, 2007 at 05:09 PM
    No he doesn't get the flu shot.  We did a challenge on him for egg last year (the allergist thought false positive) and his reaction was so severe that we used the EPI and ended up in the ER.  If there is any chance of a reaction from the Flu Mist, I'd have to pass for him.
    Janeen
    reply
    re: re: re: re: re: Flu Shots
    Sloane Miller
    Friday, October 26, 2007 at 05:13 PM
    sigh. that's unpsetting. i see why you seriously stay away. well it's very smart of you to get yourself vaccinated to create a ring of safety for him!
    reply

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