Do you allow your child to receive a Flu shot?

[MDTerps]

After reading in a parenting mag the other day that flu shots contained mercury, I wanted to research it a little more. I found this site that helped answer some questions I had. If interested heres more on the flu shot.

CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Q & A: Thimerosal-Containing Influenza Vaccine

 

[surfer1]

Parents, do you allow your child to receive a flu shot each year? I'm skeptical this year to allow my son to receive a flu shot. He received his first shot at the age of 4. It seemed like once he got the shot, he was sick the entire Winter. Has anyone experienced this as well? I know I should protect him as much as I can from sickness but it seems to me the flu shot this past year made him more sick. It was a roller coaster ride, he ended up in the doctor's office every other week with colds, high fevers, and even the stomach flu which they state the shot will not help with the stomach flu. I want to know your opinions. I'm still undecided and skeptical. The doctor states it could have been worse if he had not received the shot but I think the shot allowed him to catch everything that was out there.

I am not a big fan of putting anything else in my child's body that is needed. Mine never got the shot and luckily never got the flu. That's not to say they didn't get other viruses along the way as the shot does not protect you from that. If your child DOES NOT have a risk factor such as asthma I would pass. If you do go that route a word of caution some vaccines have thermerosol(mercury) in them-request thermerosol free. The docs may tell you it's only a small amt but To me a little is too much! Good luck with your decision!