Suburban Turmoil - Latest Comments in To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

ksmalls — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:19:14 -0000

I totally agree....everything we do or don't do carries a long-term risk/effect. But my response was in regard to stating this vax was "untested".

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Amber Ciofalo — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:06:04 -0000

Testing something over a less than 1 year period doesn't prove anything. Even if there are no obvious short-term effects, doesn't mean that there wouldn't be long-term effects.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Doctor (of Philosophy) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:06:33 -0000

As someone with a PhD in genetics and working as a professional medical researcher (though by no means a flu or immunology expert), here was my opinion written for my wife's "Mom's Club" when the topic came up (and like other posters, I too know "Doctors" who aren't getting their families vaccinated, but in my experience having an MD does not make you an infallible expert in all things health-related):

"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...

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/vacc..."

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Barbara — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:51:48 -0000

We all had the H1N1 virus starting 3 weeks ago. It made its rounds through our family down to our little 10 month old. I was going to vaccinate only our baby since he's less than 1 and in a high-risk category for RSV and pneumonia. He wrestled through it okay, but it sucked. I am still hacking and he still has a touch of laryngitis.

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!

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Jennifer — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:25:01 -0000

One of my daughters and I are both high risk. My entier family has been vaccinated for the seasonal flu (as they are every year) and will be vaccinated for H1N1 as soon as we can.

-- 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.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

RachelW — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:48:51 -0000

Note that it also goes on to say that people who will be in contact with those with "lesser degrees of immunosuppression (for example, people with diabetes, people with asthma taking corticosteroids, or people infected with HIV)" *can* get the live attenuated vaccine.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

RachelW — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:47:31 -0000

I have the information sheet in front of me and it does not give a 21-day warning. The CDC's information only recommends that healthcare workers avoid severely immunocompromised patients for 7 days following the receipt of the live, attenuated spray version. Also that "People who are in contact with others with severely weakened immune systems when they are being cared for in a protective environment (for example, people with hematopoietic stem cell transplants), should not get the nasal spray vaccine, including the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine if they will come into contact with the severely immunocompromised person within 7 days of vaccination."

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/...
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines...

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Nicole — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:34:17 -0000

I have a 5 month old. I will be getting the H1N1 vaccine with the hopes that any antibodies I create from that will be passed on to her. I'm not entirely sure about the seasonal flu one. Darren will not be getting either; he never gets a flu shot, and we're pretty sure he's had H1N1 when he was young and had croup, so he probably has partial immunity.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Katie — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:21:47 -0000

I am pregnant, and got the vaccine this morning. H1N1 has landed many, many, pregnant women in the hospital. Complications from H1N1 have caused early labor in multiple cases. The H1N1 vaccine is made in the same way as the seasonal flu shot. The occurance rate of Guillian Barre in a seasonal flu shot? Literally, 1 in one million. So, while there are risks in either case, I thought vaccination seemed like the less risky route.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Irrevelant — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:23:57 -0000

The H1N1 arrived here weeks ago. The vaccine, not quite yet.

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...

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Karen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:20:51 -0000

Like you, I staggered my sons vaccinations but he is fully vaccinated. We all receive our flu shots every year but we will not be getting the H1N1 vaccine.

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.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Stephanie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:04:59 -0000

I'm so conflicted.... I keep thinking I need to and then I don't want to because it's so new. I have an 11 month old and 3.5 year old and really don't want them to get sick. They both have had their flu shot (baby still needs her second one) but I still don't know what to do about the H1N1. I spread out the normal vaccinations for my baby and my 3.5 year old has had all her shots. I am really on the fence about it... I hear not to get the shot get the mist then I hear not to get the mist because you are contagious to others around you.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

brandi — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:04:49 -0000

I did not realize that...thanks for sharing. We will not be getting the vaccine...my 20 month old is allergic to eggs, which made my decision for me. I was pregnant until last week (unfortunately had a miscarriage at 11 weeks), but after much thought and research, decided against getting it for myself as well.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Bridget — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:37:54 -0000

**To be more specific, I should have said: "get all **FLU**vaccinations for themselves and their children(the ones who have kids)."

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Bridget — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:35:28 -0000

My husband is a pediatrician and he is all for the H1N1 vaccine. My 3 and 4 year olds have already gotten it. My husband has gotten it. And once it's available for me and our 10month old, we'll be getting it too.

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).

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Helen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:28:25 -0000

My big concern is that people are not properly informed about the risk they pose to high risk groups if they DO get the vaccine. Right now just the live virus nasal mist is available (at least in the Chicago area). The package insert clearly states that you should avoid all susceptible people for TWENTY-ONE days after getting it. So, if your husband or children get the nasal mist vaccine then they are contagious to you and your baby for the next three weeks. obviously the solution for your family would be to wait for the inactivated vaccine (the injectible version of the vaccine). But there are tons of people walking around oblivious to the fact that they are quite contagious despite being vaccinated

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

ksmalls — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:24:53 -0000

kgirl---these vaccinations have been tested!!.....since late winter 2009. All kinds of clinical trials from babies, pregnant women, healthy adults, and 65 and older...each are independent clinical trials. please be informed!
I appreciate your decision and respect it, but base it on facts not fear.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Shannon Truss — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:45:38 -0000

We decided that our youngest daughter will get the H1N1 vaccine, but not the rest of us. Our reasoning for this is that she has the weakest immune system of the five of us, so she might need a bit more protection than the rest of us. My eldest daughters never seem to get sick, so I figure their bodies can probably fight off almost anything they come into contact with.

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.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

lucyricardo — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:09:33 -0000

My husband and I will probably get the vaccine, but I doubt our 4 month old will. It's just too new for my comfort. And he's just too little for that kind of risk. I feel like if my husband and I are protected from swine flu then the baby is protected. In the winter he won't be out and about much (we live in freezing cold Chicago) so if we don't bring it home to him hopefully he won't catch it anywhere else either.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

cattywampus_steph — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:19:13 -0000

I wish so much that we'd have done the joint and each separate accounts thing. It would reduce so much stress and I actually think I'd budget my money and be less spendy if it was divided off and came out of my pot, versus the big joint account.

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...

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

amberjean — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:09:44 -0000

We will not be getting the vaccination. We have never gotten the basic flu shot. I do feel this vaccine came out too quickly and I just don't trust it.
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

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Kendell Michel — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:20:05 -0000

My best friend texted me today to tell me that she, her husband, their 3 year-old son and 9-month-old daughter all tested positive for H1N1 today. We will definitely get the vaccine.

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.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

stef — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:23:04 -0000

I too am 35 weeks pregnant. My husband and daughter got the flu about a week before the H1N1 scare hit the press so i don't know if we were already exposed to it. I got the regular flu shot without thinking about it, but I am nervous about thimerosal. (My sister's 2 year old was recently diagnosed with a serious neurological disorder) My decision will probably depend on if the vaccine is available without the additive.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Tiffany — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:57:02 -0000

My baby is too little to get it, but I'm going to get it. I don't want to get swine flu, and this is also the best I can do to protect her from it.

Re: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

BlondeMomBlog — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:12:39 -0000

Miss C is getting it through school. I did ask her pediatrician about it Monday and he said definitely do it (he has three kids and they are getting it.) I am not, however, going to let her get the mist version. She had the regular flu vaccine in mist form a few weeks ago and came down with a low-grade fever 24 hours later and missed a day of school. Honestly I had no idea until this year (first time we've done the mist) that it is the "live" vaccine.

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.