To flu shot or not to flu shot

I've got 2 little ones, a 22 month old and a 4 month old. Should I get the 22 month old a flu shot this year? Here's my hesitation.

1) The Mayo Clinic reports that children who are receiving their first flu shot must get 2 doses, each a month apart. I got the flu shot yesterday and my arm is still sore. Is this what I want to do to my child?

2) I read a news article where a 4 year old died from the flu. However, it wasn't the flu that she died from. She had a fever and began vomiting. Her parents thought that she was still taking in fluids, but her complexion had gone gray. The article suggests that she died from dehydration.

3) My son, like anyone else, dislikes needles. All of his shots have been terrible. Do I really want to put him through it? He's not in daycare, so I could theoretically limit his exposure to other children. Those of you with 22 month olds at home would understand that keeping an active indoors 24 hours a day would drive both parent and child batty.

4) Thiomersal. A product that's used as a preservative. It was removed from childhood vaccinations in 1999 as a precaution, but continues to be in flu shots. There's controversy over whether this mercury-based product caused autism in children. Autism is also more common to boys than girls.

I've gotten the flu shot. My husband will be getting the flu shot next week. Is this enough?