flu shots for our children

Hi Jodi,

My husband developed GBS/CIDP from the Flu vaccine, and I try to give any information pertaining to the flu shot to anyone who will listen.

Yes, you can get GBS from the flu shot just as you can from any other vaccines that are given to children. The decision always lies with you, only you can make that decision for your child.

Most of the time the flu vaccine that is given does not protect you from the flu that might be around for that year. It’s a crap shoot on the pharma companies when developing the vaccine. No one knows which flu strain will hit for any given year.

So just remember it is your decision alone to vaccinate or not.:)

Hi Jodi,

My brother asked his doctor if his flu shot had anything to do with his getting GBS. The doctor told him that it’s the “event” that happened two weeks prior to coming down with GBS that they consider the ‘trigger’. My brother had the flu shot about 5-6 weeks prior. The two week prior event was the bronchitis / upper respiratory infection. — dunno — ?? That’s what his doctor said… but there are probably going to be lots of opinions on this. Even my brother was still dubious.

I’ve decided that I’m NOT going to get the flu shot anymore. Instead, I’m going to watch my vitamin D level and take the D3 supplements. I’m asking my sons to consider giving cod liver oil or some other D3 supplement to my granddaughters instead of getting the flu shot.

I heard about the problem you folks in Minnesota are having with the flu this year. And as a Mom, I know it’s really hard to figure out what to do for your kids. Obviously, talk to your doctors about your concerns and do your own research too.

I wish you the best… and hope you figure out a plan.

Jann

I read a website today that explains just how easy it is to get a reaction from flu vaccine and what they’re made from that is so risky.
You can cut and paste this to your browser and read it. See what you think.
[url]www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7390/620/b[/url]

Natesmom,

Thank you for posting the link about GBS and flu shots. It is interesting and alarming.

I wonder if children of GBS patients are more likely to get GBS from the flu shot than other individuals. While there is no direct genetic link to GBS, it is known that some familys have a predisposition to getting auto-immune disorders.

My daughter will soon be deciding about getting flu shots for my grandson. I wonder if the fact that I have GBS and hypothyroid (another auto-immune problem), and my daughter also has hypothyroid, might make my grandson more at risk for getting GBS.

Maybe I’m over-reacting…. :confused:

Suzanne

I only have a quick minute to respond here but I wanted to add that my daughter’s home care nurse does NOT get a flu shot because she’s seen way too many patients that have developed autoimmune diseases from then.

I will never have one again & neither will my husband. I don’t feel that they are necessary. The Polio vaccine is necessary not a flu shot.

Kelly

I think its important to get all the info we can about what may have caused us and our family members to become so sick that they nearly died.
There are autoimmune related illnesses in my family too, besides Nate.
I have RA and my sister had Ulcerative Colitis until they removed her colon.
I know I will not ever and neither will Nate get a flu shot again.
Nate’s flu shot in November 05, then his gallbladder shutting down just weeks later, then paralysis the same day of surgery, then diagnosis of GBS within 1 week of that is just too suspect to me to be ruled as just coincidental.
I can no longer just accept what other people tell me to do without checking it out for myself.
Too many things happen that you don’t expect.

Hi Jann,

The window of opportunity of developing GBS is around 6-8 or 8-10 weeks from the flu vaccine or any vaccine, I keep forgetting the correct week span. This would put your brother at the timing for GBS to develope, but the span is quite alot of time.

Take care

I read that it was from 6 to 8 weeks but I can’t remember where.
That would put Nate right in the ball park.

Hi Jodi, my son (8 yrs) got the flu vacc and came down with the flu anyway. i also came down with it and it wasn’t pretty. my hubby got the vacc and came down with a very mild case of it at the same time. my daughter (13 yrs) didn’t get the vacc and didn’t get the flu. i have concluded that it is not worth the money and worry so i will not vacc my kid(s) anymore against the flu. i hope your mom and your family are doing ok this winter. take care.

Jodi,

I feel that my children are quiet healthy and have decided not to let them get the flu shot. Hopefully if they are strong enough to fight off the flu if they do get it, and getting the shot does not guarantee them from not getting the flu in any case. I have elected also not to have my 14 year old daughter get vaccinated against meningitis, it is an optional shot they are wanting to give highschoolers now.