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Community Corner

Moms Talk: To Get the Flu Shot or Not?

We polled a few dozen moms this week to find if they get the flu shot for their families or not. Here's what a few of them had to say. Are you rolling up your sleeves this year, or will you avoid it like the plague?

It’s that time of year again … and no, I’m not talking about the return of the Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks. Drive by any local pharmacy and you’ll see the sign in big, bold letters: “Flu Shots Now Available.” With winter viruses on the rampage, some folks flock to get their families flu shots, lining up like they’re teenagers at the premiere of a Twilight movie. Others avoid it like the plague. With past media hype on the H1N1 virus and other so-called pandemics, some would have thought World War III was imminent. So what is your family doing this year when it comes to the flu shots? Do you avoid them like the plague, or do you roll up your sleeves and fork out your 30 bucks for a “shot” at not getting this year’s flu? Here’s what a few moms I polled had to say about the flu shot for their family:

Blythe H: “I avoid those shots like the plague.”

Alisa M: “The shot’s side effects are far worse than the actual flu for the average healthy person. It’s the one shot we don’t get.”

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Amy N: “I stay far away from it!”

Audrey S: “I feel it’s very important with my kids and their different health issues. With no side effects and no flu, it’s a win/win for us to get the shot.”

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Karen A:  “I want my kids to build up their own immunities. We pump so much into our kids as it is with all the vaccines. I didn’t feel they needed one more!”

Kimberly G: “I have never had the flu shot and I’m just fine.”

Dayna B: “I’ve heard more negative than positive about it. To me, it’s just not worth it.”

Angie H: “My son was so sick one year and missed Christmas and lost over ten pounds. So yes, we get the flu shot.”

Toni S: “Me and my 6-year-old have been getting the flu shot for the past few years and have had no side effects.”

Candy H: “They cannot vaccinate for every strain so why bother taking a chance on getting sick from the shot?”

Lisa A: “I am a no. I would rather have a few days of flu than side effects that could last a lifetime.”

Beckey C: “We never questioned these types of things a year ago and I don’t know why there’s such a hub-bub about them now. It’s just a flu shot.”

As for me, I won’t be getting our family the flu shot this year for a variety of reasons. Namely, I’m too cheap to spend the 150 bucks it will cost my whole family to get it, and secondly, because I hate needles, and I’m not keen on volunteering myself for unnecessary discomfort. I’m also not thrilled with some of the side effects I’ve read about, but that’s just me.

So is it riskier to get the shot or to not get it? What do you think? We want to hear from you!

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