I’ve never had a flu shot. Tyler has never had a flu shot. I understand that many doctors recommend flu shots to certain individuals including kids and I think as a parent if you want your child to have a flu shot that’s your choice. I’m not opposed to flu shots I simply hate needles.
If I lived in New Jersey and had a preschooler, I wouldn’t have a choice. Monday, New Jersey became the first state to require flu shots for all preschoolers. The Public Health Council now requires all children who attend a licensed day care or preschool to get an annual flu shot. Three additional vaccines will also be required beginning in 2008. All four vaccines are recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics and various other medical groups.
That’s all fine and dandy but a recommendation is not the same as a mandate. I would have a problem being told that my child has to get a flu shot. For the short time that Tyler was in a day care setting he came home weekly during the flu season with some sort of bug. I hated it. During the times when he was not in day care he was fine. In fact, he didn’t have his first ear infection until he was two.
In my experience people are either diehard flu fanatics are totally against them. I guess when I figure my parental rights are being violated well I just don’t want to cooperate. I don’t want someone telling me what to do with my kid. I think the required vaccines for childhood illnesses are a different story. I believe they are necessary to not only your child’s health but those around him. But I know there are parents who oppose any type of vaccination.
I think if we practice some basic sanitary procedures we’ll make out fine during cold and flu season.
See also:
Flu Shots Made Easy for Frequent Flyers