<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> This is from a nurse friend of mine. One of her jobs is administering flu shots, so she knows more about them than most. Hope this helps. Anne Washburn [log in to unmask] Co-owner, APH - Association of Personal Historians List ____________________(fwd)______________________________ Flu shots are a matter of each individual's choice. If you are a person who gets very sick during the winter, and also has other physical problems (asthma for one), then the flu shot may be for you. It is usually not given to children under 13 years of age. Many parents want their children to get the flu shots because the parents work and cannot afford to loose time at work to stay home with a sick child. There are many people in fact, most people, who get the flu shot regularly who say that they get through winter and don't get sick at all. And most say that if they do get sick, they don't seem to get AS sick. If you are allergic to eggs and/or Thermisol (contact lense perservative) you cannot get the flu shot. If you have any major illnesses or are taking blood thinners, chemotherapy, etc, you should ask your doc.