SHOULD YOUR KIDS GET THE THE H1N1 OR FLU SHOT?

As I'm sure you're aware this debate has been festering for months now on whether or not you should immunize your children against the flu virus and now the H1N1 (swine flu).
The later being potentially dangerous because it attacks the respiratory system (targeting the lungs), causing breathing problems (pneumonia) and potential issues with vital organs.
According to the World Health Organization this is the first time a flu epidemic has been declared in 41 year. The high risk groups include children under 2, people over age 65 and those with predisposed health conditions.
The Swine Flu is spread mainly by sneezing and coughing, touching and infected surface and putting your hands to your nose or mouth.
The flu is usually not a worry among the vast majority of healthy people.
My initial thoughts are that it is very important to let our children build up their own immune systems naturally, so they are able to fight off things like the flu. If we make our children's bodies dependant on protection then they have a greater chance of becoming really sick if they don't get their shot.
I grew up on a farm and we used to literally play around shit...ha...of course we washed up before dinner but not when we were sitting in the shed munching on the stale cereal (froot loops/cheerios) that had been dumped on the dirty floor to add to the livestock menu. Smile. YUMMMY!
The last time I was ever sick in bed was when I was 8 and we think that was food poisoning...and that was almost 19 years ago. My parents belief...let our bodies fight things off themselves...if you don't then you are screwed when you really get sick...your body just can't fight because it doesn't know how. Makes sense to me...
Now we seem to be WAY over doing it. Having our kids wash their hands after picking up a freakin piece of paper?? Easy now...we need to settle down and be 'normal' about this.
It's a personal choice of course and I think there are people that do need the flu shot or H1N1. My daughter does because she has had health complications since birth and anything we can do to lower her risk of getting sick is done without question because her risk is much higher than the average person to get deathly ill. She will get the H1N1 because the Swine Flu is generally more dangerous than the regular flu.
Now I will not get the H1N1 shot because I am not a high risk.
Could I catch it? Of course I could. You could live in a plastic bubble and catch it or you could just be relaxed about everything and stay clear...just don't forget there are exceptions to every rule.
As for getting immunized so you don't pass it along to high risk people...that is a huge generalization. It's a gamble....get the shot and still get sick...skip the shot and skip the flu.
Did little old Mrs. Keely get the Swine Flu from Sally, Joe, Bob or Fred?...or what about that cute little pig she likes to cuddle on Grampa Rick's farm?....smile