In general I’m pro-vaccine, but with caution. Perhaps that’s why I’ve never gotten a flu vaccine or had any of my kids get one. This article on kids with the flu shot being 3 times more likely to be hospitalized with the flu really got my attention.
That’s a pretty amazing difference.
This is not a huge study or anything. 263 children with confirmed cases of influenza from 1996-2006. In other words, it’s not conclusive. But it is something to consider when you’re thinking about getting a flu shot for your kids next year.
I wrote about this for Eco Child’s Play, and was criticized for encouraging parents to avoid the shot. I actually was pointing out not only this study, but how ineffective the flu vax has been the last few years.
http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/22/the-flu-shot-kids-who-get-it-are-more-likely-to-be-hospitalized/
It’s a guessing game. And they’re not doing all that great a job on it. Why get the flu vax, which almost always contains mercury, if it doesn’t even help…and may even exacerbate certain conditions? No thanks!
http://blog.thenatureschild.com/2008/09/flu-shots-for-all-kids-dont-mind.html
Thanks for posting this!
Thanks for the extra links. I was amazed when I stumbled upon the story.