Do you insist on thimerisol-free shots for your child?

[Anonymous]

I'm having a terrible time finding a place near us in NOVA that has mercury-free flu shots for toddlers who have never had the shot (aka, she needs two 1/2 doses.)

Is it more important to get the shot ASAP or wait for Thimerisol-free?

[Anonymous]

You can ask your doctor what they think or reference the CDC website for information.

[Anonymous]

According to the Center for Disease Control, the enormous majority of flu cases now are from the H1N1 virus, not the seasonal flu. The seasonal flu season actually starts in December, so don't panic.

So I would really push to get the mercury-free H1N1 shot as soon as humanly possible, and ask around for the mercury-free seasonal.

[Anonymous]

The mist is thimerosal free, as far as I know. That is what they are giving most kids for H1N1 (and regular flu shot as well). I am pregnant and just got the injection H1N1 and it was NOT thimerosal free. Nobody knows when the thimerosal free injections will be available.

[Anonymous]

No, I don't. I'm comfortable with the research that there is no autism link, and my kids aren't allergic to thimerosol, so I see no point.

[Anonymous]

No. Autism link has been disproven over and over again (and was a fraud in the first place).

[Anonymous]

I do. I got the thimerisol free flu shot for my 13 month old (both doses of them). In terms of the H1N1, they don't seem to be available yet (at least in this area). They are hoping to get them in a couple weeks. I am going to wait until then (DS is too young to get the mist).

[Anonymous]

I insisted on thimerosal free under age 2. After that, I didn't care. I would weigh all factors, like whether your child has a condition like asthma, is in day care, or has other risk factors, against a problem with thimerosal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I don't. I'm comfortable with the research that there is no autism link, and my kids aren't allergic to thimerosol, so I see no point.

This.

[Anonymous]

If you need a thimerosal-free seasonal flu shot, you can go to spring family medical center in silver spring...301-562-7764. they don't have swine flu vaccine yet.

[Anonymous]

I am not worrying about it for the H1N1. I did get thimerosal-free for the seasonal influenza, but it was readily available at the time because we got it so early.

Thimerosal has been demonized but the autism link has been disproved over and over again. And yes, it is mercury, but it is not a lot. We absorb plenty more through daily life without harm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you need a thimerosal-free seasonal flu shot, you can go to spring family medical center in silver spring...301-562-7764. they don't have swine flu vaccine yet.

OP here. This place sounds great, but we live in Loudoun, so its way too far. I guess I'll give my ped another week or so to get in more vaxs. Right now they are out of both types of seasonal shots, but when they come in they should have regular and mercury free. DD is only 18 months, so I guess I'll still try for mercury free this year. I'm glad she can actually get the mist next year.

What is the downside to the mist - why don't more adults get it?

[Anonymous]

I got Thimerosal-free flu shot for my son, but if the pediatrician didn't have it, I would have had him get the shot with the Thimerosal anyway.

[Anonymous]

flumist costs more, I think.

[Anonymous]

Never worried about it. There's no science backing the autism connection.