Many American families and their doctors disagree about the wisdom  of getting a flu shot. This difference of opinion  breaks out every spring and fall when inoculations are due. The questions are: What is a flu shot?; who, if anyone, is recommended to get one?; are there harmful side effects?;  do they do more harm than good?; and  should they be given to toddlers?"

Types of Flu Vaccine

A flu shot is a vaccine that contains three inactive (dead) influenza viruses. They are identified as the strains recommended for that year. The viruses are grown in eggs, and their vaccine is  usually placed in a needle and injected into the arm.

Antiviral medications include Amantadine, Rimantadine, and Oseltamivir. FluMist, a nasal spray, is another option. However, FluMist can be given to only healthy individuals between the ages of 5 to 49 years and is more expensive than shots. Children and teens who often take aspirin and pregnant women should not take FluMist. It might harm a fetus or pass into breast milk and infect a nursing baby. For those under 18, combining aspirin with vaccine increases the risk of Reyes Syndrome, an often-fatal disease.

The difference between the shot and the nasal vaccine is that the nasal vaccine contains live viruses. Individuals with hereditary immune disorders, HIV/AIDS, some cancers and those receiving radiation or cancer chemotherapy are subject to infection when using FluMist. Any one who shares living quarters with these individuals should not get the nasal form unless they can avoid close contact for 21 days.

Children and Flu shots

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), a toddler should get a flu shot because complications associated with the flu (like pneumonia) place them in a high- risk category. According to current research, the shot prevents them from developing those complications. Children with suppressed immune system, sickle-cell anemia, heart, kidney, or lung disease, diabetes or who are on aspirin therapy would benefit from the flu shot. However, those that have a severe allergy to eggs or Guillian Barre Syndrome should not take the flu vaccine.

In contrast, Dr. Tom Jefferson, lead author of studies conducted by Duke University Medical Center and the University of Washington found no evidence that the vaccine worked in children under the age of two years but explained that his statement did not mean that the vaccine did not work. He felt that the data was insufficient and that more research was needed.