Are you requiring family members to get a flu shot if they want to be around baby right after birth? Z

Question

My sister will have a 2 year old when our second baby is born in late January- flu season! I didn’t think she would be opposed but when I mentioned having gotten mine and causally asked when she planned on doing theirs she was offended? We have a five year old who we have given the flu shot to every year, being that my sister uses the same pediatrician I thought for sure she was doing the same with her daughter. She recently put her daughter in daycare and she is CONSTANTLY sick (normal I know) but sometimes I know she brings the sickness to my own house/daughter who is in kindergarten. I’m already nervous of both my daughter and niece bringing all the little bugs around our new baby. But I don’t feel like it’s unreasonable to *try* and prevent the flu from potentially being given to the new baby by getting the flu shot. I wouldn’t mind if she just stayed away until his immune system is stronger but we are a very close family and I know that won’t happen. Just feel like she thinks I am being very rude 😐

Answer

I am pro vaccines but I am anti flu vaccine. 
I do not get it nor did I ask anybody in my family to get it.

Answer

If you feel strongly about your baby only being around people who have had the flu shot then you should just stay home. You can’t ever prevent anyone getting sick- you can try to decrease the risk but there will always be risk as it’s spread through the air and plus the shot doesn’t cover all strains of flu, just the one that is most common at the time it’s made. 
I understand you’re nervous about your kiddies getting sick and that’s fine, but you can’t really ask people to get vaccinated before visiting you unfortunately.

Answer

I have asked all of our close family and friends that plan to visit to have the flu shot. If they do not, I respect their decision not to have it but they have to respect my decision to not let them visit until we are out of flu season. 🤷‍♀️ I work in healthcare, I have seen what the flu can do to HEALTHY people...not risking someone bring it to my newborn especially since he will be arriving mid flu season.

Answer

It’s totally fair to require close family who wants to be near the baby in the first few months to be vaccinated against the flu and whooping cough. If they don’t mind waiting to see the baby, they’re free to do what they want. If you’re sister is offended, that’s on her, not on you.

Answer

Probably. My second will be born in the summer so won’t be old enough to get the flu shot their first flu season. All the grandparents understand that their arm hurting for a couple days is better than giving the potentially fatal flu to their grandchild

Answer

I’m assuming the baby can’t get a flu shot yet. If that’s the case, and you feel strongly enough about it, then no, it’s not wrong to keep your child away. IT’S YOUR CHILD. Your first priority as a parent is ALWAYS their safety.

Answer

I vaccinate but the flu shot is the one vaccine I will not get !!! Nothing worse than the flu vaccine I feel maybe she feels the same?

Answer

I'm super on the fence too :( I dont know how to ask....but I have a sign up at work lol with some hand sanitizer so people have been telling me thier flu stories and it's awful. My coworker was in the hospital with her 2 week old for several days after a friend visited with a sick toddler. Makes me so nervous. My doctor suggested that every caregiver be up to date on the whooping cough vaccination and a few others...

Answer

For grown ups I am open to them not getting the flu shot if they have reasons. They have to make sure that they are healthy when they come. 
But a daycare-kid? No way. It is super normal that families need to adjust if a kid is in daycare. Then they can't come. This is a serious thing, not about anyone being offended. 
By the way: My friends with toddlers say this themselves.

Answer

Lol no. No one recently vaccinated is welcome around my baby. Everyone else is fine.

Are you requiring family members to get a flu shot if they want to be around baby right after birth? Z

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