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I will give my daughter the seasonal flu shot though...if the doctor's office ever gets them in!
-They will have vaccines available free of thimerosal.
-This vaccine is produced the exact same way as the seasonal flu vaccine, so it is 'new' only in the way that the seasonal flu is 'new' each year.
-Pregnancy=High Risk
-I work in a bank, and everyone comes to the bank, sick or healthy.
-The populations more likely to be affected by the H1N1 are children and young adults. I don't see either of these populations being at the height of stellar personal hygiene, thus increasing potential exposure to germs anywhere I go.
-I have a friend whose a nurse. Their ICU is full of H1N1 patients. They are thinking about opening an H1N1 ward to handle the influx.
Not getting vaccinated isn't just about your individual health. It's about your pregnant neighbor, your nephew with asthma, your college aged sister prone to bronchitis, your child's favorite preschool teacher.
I at least ask everyone to PLEASE do their research before deciding yes or no, and not just going off what the media portrays, regardless of what channel you watch.
I had horrible reactions to my childhood vaxes, especially the one that had the tetanus portion included. I still react to that one. But I am glad my parents kept me up to date because I was sickly as is and now in an office of 80 people I am getting bronchitis every year, something that hasn't happened since I was little.
I think we still have the H1N1 available here and I might go ahead and get it. I just got the regular one this morning.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/nasalspr...
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/...
But I totally respect whatever choice any parent makes. The point is to make an informed decision, and whatever that decision is will be right for that family.
I appreciate your decision and respect it, but base it on facts not fear.
We will not be getting the flu or H1N1 shot. We haven't had the flu and I haven't encountered anyone that has had H1N1. I am less worried about my kids, even my 2.5 mos old, getting sick than how quickly they put this vax on the market. I am going purely on gut for this one and my gut says, no.
And yes, I am getting it too.
Maybe we can start a Three Extra Finger Moms Club!!! :)
If not? Well, I guess it wouldn't be so bad to lose 5 pounds in 2 days! ;-)
But I'm not worried about it. I don't give them the regular seasonal flu vaccine, so I'm not going to run out and get the H1N1 vax. My husband got the flu vax last year and was sick for 2 weeks. We're not having that again!
I do get the regular flu shot though. And since they are manufactured/designed the same way, I don't really understand the difference.
A different variety of season flu vaccine is made every year, to account for whatever flu strains are prevalent that year. Many, many people get this shot every year with no adverse effects. Contrary to popular belief, it cannot cause the flu. It does take a few weeks to take full effect, so if you get the flu after getting the flu shot it's likely you were just exposed to the flu and were going to get it regardless.
My understanding is that the H1NI vaccine is simply the seasonal flu shot made for the H1N1 strain. From the CDC (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccinat...
This vaccine will be made using the same processes and facilities that are used to make the currently licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.
In short, my son has underlying medical issues and any flu could be fatal for him. For us, it's worth risking the vaccine -- but I honestly don't feel that the vaccine is risky.
IF my son were older and had no underlying medical conditions, I would skip the vaccine or at least wait a few months to see if any issues surfaced. I do understand people's concern; it's just a risk analysis for my family.
I have no idea if I'll wait or not. 25% of Meredith's class was absent yesterday, and a nearby school has closed down for the week.
He got his regular flu shot, as did I. If I can figure out how to get the H1N1 vaccine I will. My husband has yet to get his flu shot which I find irritating.
Our decision was based on the fact that we're getting out and about more, and don't need to have more flu than necessary. My son's pediatrician is at one of the top ten hospitals in the country, and I have found them to be rational, calm my nerves and worries on more than one occasion, and they are very down to earth. They are scientists that don't buy into the hype. I have come to trust them and they provide more than ample amounts of reading materials, websites and links, for both sides of the issue, but all scientifically founded. I trust them, is what it comes down to. He was sleepy for a few days, but is fine now.
Plus, every single year the media swears this is the year that the flu is the worst ever. And it never is. Classic 'boy who cried wolf' scenario being set up. But what do you believe anymore?
I'm all about vaccinations and can't imagine now having the standard ones, but I really don't feel the same way about the flu shot.
My daughter tested positive for the flu yesterday and I am unsure as to whether or not we will get the vaccine.
However having said all that I have a 3 year old child with asthma and it scares the crap out of me thinking he could get it. It's a horrible catch22. But so far so good and he's been exposed to it twice now. I am doing whatever praying and dancing I need to do to keep the flu away from the rest of us, however mild it may have been. It's scary business all the way around.
And I just did a bit more research and according to the CDC website there will be batches that DO contain thimersol. So those worried about would want to double check which one they are being given. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_...
Like you said, the flu is not something to mess around with.
However, every year I get a persistent cough of bronchitis like symtoms (nothing else, no fever, no runny nose, just cough, cough cough)
I addressed this with my ob. He said he understood my reservations. Even though he recommends the shot, he thinks my concerns are valid. However, if I have even one day of fever, I am supposed to call immediately and start on Tamiflu to reduce the symptoms.
I was losing sleep over this decision, but I feel a lot better now.
However, I also know that as of 3 days ago there were 7 previously healthy children at our local children's hospital on ventilators from the swine flu.
Previously healthy, normal children without a care in the world - ON VENITLATORS.
So, yes........we will be getting the swine flu vaccine.
I don't have kids, but we are getting the H1N1 shot as soon as it's available to us. The dh and I both get a seasonal flu shot every year-- every year before we started getting it one of us would get bad case of flu that kept us in bed for days and days. I think the risks of 1) one of us getting really sick 2)making another person with compromised health really sick or even killing them because we exposed them or 3) this becoming a major health crisis that shuts down already-hurting businesses during hard times are much greater than the risks posed by the vaccine.
I didn't want him to bring anything home to our house and especially not his mom's. Not to mention the possibility of complications with the flu, passing a sick child back and forth between two houses IS NOT FUN. She always thinks he is doing better and sends him off to school for a day, and he's right back on the couch the following days and missing school. Yes, I'm probably overly paranoid about sickness, and I worry less about side effects. You take your chances either way.
Even if I do get the flu I have hopes that having had the vax, it will reduce the severity and duration of the illness.
This vaccine is as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine and much more needed for people under 65. Typically the seasonal flu kills the very old and the ill, but H1N1 attacks the young and strong. Being healthy is not what will save you, not getting the virus will.
If you get the virus its a very slight chance you or your children will be among the ones who have critical reactions to the virus but if you don't get the virus theres a 100% chance that you won't. More than worth it to me.
I trust our pediatrician and she recommended they get both the regular and the H1N1 vaccine. Also, the flu is rampant in the schools here, and you know that some of the kids are being sent to school sick. A child in a nearby city died from the swine flu a couple weeks ago. I know that is happening all over, but he literally became sick and died within four days!
Did I answer the question, lol.
My Gut tells me to have the kids vaccinated and not me/the unborn babe, but I'm still so unsure. Thanks for the timely post. I'm almost relieved that the vaccination isn't available yet so I don't have to make the decision yet. That is so NOT my personality...but this is a hard one.
I'm not a fan of the FDA; I think they are more concerned about protecting business than they are protecting citizens. That said, flu vaccines have been around for a LONG time. I really don't get what the fear is about this year.
However, I have decided not to get the H1N1 vaccine for myself or for my children (boy nearly 4YO and girl well over 2YO). We are not in a high-risk category and I do feel the vaccines should be saved for those at high risk. However, the primary reason we are not getting this particular vaccine is that I am simply not comfortable with the rush to market to which this vaccine has been subjected.
The H1N1 is effecting each child differently. My girls all ran 100 degree temp the 1st day, began Tamiflu and never had another symptom. I know of children of all ages who had an 104 degree fever for days. My unprofessional opinion is that the vaccine could effect children differently.
However, several women, including one at 38 weeks pregnant, miscarried their babies after getting it. Some very young children (under 2) died although I'm not sure if they had pre-existing conditions. Many people with chronic illness died.
I guess what I'm trying to say is don't panic!! Don't let your GP pressure you into getting the vaccine if you aren't sure. But if you are at risk, then definitely do anything you can to protect yourself, particularly if you are likely to lose power, or get snowed in.
I need to schedule an appointment for Miss A.
I am not going to get it but I had a rare neuromuscular thing when I was 11 and it's one of the warning conditions that cautions you against it (I know...weird.) I never get the regular flu vaccine either.
My husband was nervous about it, but I reminded him that the seasonal flu vaccine is re-created every year based on the strains that are predicted to be a problem. I don't really see how turning out an H1N1 vaccine is any different than that.
I am not anti-vaccine, my daughters have been vaccinated. Except for the chicken pox, thankfully they both got the chicken pox at 3 and 1 right before the vaccine became mandatory in our school system years ago.
~Amber
Now, onto H1N1, unless my son's allergists insists, we are probably not getting it. I had thought we might, but then an RN friend of mine told me she is not and most who work in the medical community are not getting it because they don't feel like it has been tested, it's been rushed onto the market, etc. It really got me to thinking. But, my son does have allergy induced asthma and so he's the exception--I don't want to risk him having an attack or something scary. I probably should get one too as I have Type II diabetes, but I'll risk it this year. Maybe next year I'll consider getting us all H1N1 shots...
We all get the seasonal flu shot because the youngest got the flu a few years ago and had a fever for 10 straight days. That was hard on the entire family and with all three girls now in school, I don't want anyone missing 2 weeks of class. But some friends have already had H1N1 and it was short-lived. Their daughter only had a fever for 2 days. That's not as bad as some colds and I'm not convinced that the H1N1 vaccine has been as thoroughly tested as I'd like.
I don't think there's any one right or wrong answer to this question. My husband and I talked and talked about it before sending the vaccine consent forms back to school. Now we'll just pray that everyone stays healthy and be extra-careful if flu-like symptoms appear.
Out of all the pediatrician friends we have(a lot of them), ALL of them are suggesting H1N1 and regular flu vaccinations to their patients. ALL of them have(or will, upon availability) get all vaccinations for themselves and their children(the ones who have kids).
I did not make my decision until a after a good amount of research and speaking to my pediatrician. Long story short, my pediatrician said he'd be happy to give it to us but when I asked if he would be giving it to his daughters, he said no. A few days later, I had my annual OB appt. and asked my doctor her thoughts and she said, there was no way she was giving the vaccine to her children. Then THEN I asked my freaking dentist and the same response.
They all said the same thing. There is just not enough information and the CDC is not meeting physicians need in having questions answered. That makes me uncomfortable.
That said, I think it's a personal decision and would never roll my eyes at another families decision to go with the shot.
A week ago, I got the regular "seasonal" flu shot. I reckon that's good enough, since I'm not trusting mixing the two shots together, regardless of what that simpering idiot from DC, Sebelius, says.
Every parent will simply have to make their own best decision. If they or their kids have any underlying health issues, it might be better to get the shot. If they and their kids are healthy...H1N1 isn't any worse than the seasonal flu (I now know two people who've had confirmed H1N1, and it was like having the regular flu).
My pet rock wants the flu shot, and I told him no; "no needle going through that thick skull". Now he's pouting. Someone turn me into the Pet Rock Parent Police...
-- The vaccine is made the same way, in the same production time line that they have been doing the seasonal flu for the last 20 plus years.
--If this would have been identified sooner it would be in the regular seasonal flu vaccine, and we'd all have nothing to be upset about.
--We will definately be getting the injected/non-live virus. Being high risk, we can't get the Flu Mist anyway.
-- My whole family will be vaccinated, not just those who are high risk, to better protect those who are.
--Flu is no joke. People die, they have permanat lung damage, they are hosbitalized, they make other people sick who die . . .
-- It is only due to our excellent vaccination system in this county that some people have the ablity to choose not to be vaccinated, and people with bad reactions can safely not be vaccinated. There are still countries out their that have polio epedemics or all things due to lack of vaccinations.
Our 4 yo did the best with it, and I know exactly why. The minute she felt bad she went to bed and stayed there for 3 days. The rest of us were up and down depending on the motrin. Rest and hydration are the best meds for sure!
"You can send this link to any of your friends wondering about whether or not to get the H1N1 flu vaccine:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/opinion/12off...
It is an op-ed piece by Paul Offit, who is the head of infectious diseases at Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia and a highly respected expert on immunity and disease.
Plus my 2 cents:
So far in the US this year (since April), 1,000,000 people have contracted H1N1: 1 in 100 infected individuals have been hospitalized, and 1 in 1,000 have died. And the numbers are only going to increase as we get further into the colder, drier "flu season" where the virus spreads more easily.
There has been no indication of serious adverse reactions to the vaccine in the 1,000s of people who have received the vaccine in clinical trials.
And for anyone concerned about Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS): Where it has been linked to receiving the flu vaccine in the past, the risk is 1 in 1 million (and most studies have shown no link between flu vaccines and GBS at all)! What this means is that, for every 1 person who develops GBS as a result of the vaccine, 1,000(!) people who contract H1N1 will die from not being immunized. And the fewer people who are immunized, the greater the risk because the virus will spread more easily when more people are susceptible to it.
A lot of people have raised fears of GBS in relation to the vaccine because of the so-called "outbreak" of GBS in 1976: This "outbreak" has been grossly exaggerated. The incidence of GBS in people receiving the vaccine in 1976 was 2-3 cases per 100,000 people, while the incidence in non-immunized people is 1-2 per 100,000. So there was an extra 1 case per 100,000 people receiving the vaccine. Again, that would mean 1 extra case of GBS for every 100(!) H1N1-related deaths in non-immunized people. And that's if the vaccine causes GBS, which is questionable.
Also, no credible link (with emphasis on "credible", meaning research based, empirical evidence of a link) has ever been found between thimerosal in vaccines and development of autism.
If you are comfortable with your child receiving other vaccines (e.g. MMR, Varicella, annual seasonal flu etc...) then there is no reason why they shouldn't get this vaccination.
What I would ask myself is: "How much sleep am I going to lose worrying about them having a reaction to the vaccine once they've gotten the shot?" versus "How much stress am I going to have if one of my children catches the H1N1 flu (and the subsequent worry about it spreading to our other children and ourselves)?" And, God forbid, what if one of us ends up in the hospital or worse?
To me, it's a no brainer. And I'm not saying that I'm not at all nervous about the getting the vaccine, because it does make me a little nervous. But I think it's an irrational fear that has seeped in from hearing other irrational people talk about the "dangers". The fact is, if people don't get immunized, lots of people are going to catch this, 1% of them are going to end up in the hospital, and 0.1% are going to die. These aren't imaginary numbers, and they aren't small numbers when you're talking about the # of infections we may see in the US alone in the absence of widespread immunization.
For further information, also check out the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's comprehensive information on H1N1, the disease and the vaccine:
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/"