H1N1: to stick or not to stick?

Anyone who wants to feel better about their day should check out my post last week about the joys of getting flu shots with all three kids.  Unless, of course, you are scheduled to get flu shots with your Bunch today, then you should probably skip it.

With all the controversy about vaccinations in general and even more controversy because of the unknowns associated with H1N1, we're curious as to where y'all fall in the in the flu shot or no flu shot debate.  Linda and I frequently find ourselves in opposite camps on the vaccination issue, but this season's virus is throwing a wrench in the works that no one (including the CDC and AAP) knows what to do with.  The deal's sealed for me, but Linda's still on the fence, so tell us, dear Bunchers, what does the survey say on H1N1?

Comments

[Motherhood Uncensored]

Cara - Where in ATL did you go? They don't have the vaccines here yet in Douglas/Cobb and with my youngest being 1, I don't want the flu mist for the other two.

I'm still on the fence about this. My own ped is not offering the H1N1 and with most of the flu (if not all) this year being of the H1N1 variety, I'm not going to get the other one.

I did read Dr. Sears' take on it www.thevaccinebook.com - which he wrote early last month - and since I respect his view on vaccines, I found it pretty interesting. In fact, it's made me less worried about the vax itself. He's got info on which are thimerisol free so I can ask about brand names.

If I can find it here, I'll probably take the two oldest to get it. I don't think I'll do Margot yet.

[Lora]

My two got both shots. I have gotten both as well. I'm more concerned about the complications that can be caused by the flu than the very minimal risks from getting a flu shot.

[Amy]

I never got them b4 babies but now I feel like I would rather do the vacc than deal with a sick kiddo. This year I am pregnant and, after freaking out about the H1N1 vacc, I decided to do it. I had read an article about it that pointed out that the only reason H1N1 wasn't in the seasonal was b/c it came out too late. Every year new strains are added to the seasonal and this year, it was too late so H1N1 had to go it's own way...and being pregnant put me in a high risk group, not to mention that I can't afford to be sick for a week when I have a 15mo old to take care of...so there you have it, my reasons, rational or not... : )

[JessPond]

We all got/will get (I am the lone unvaccinated one because I was gearing up for a --failed-- embryo transfer at the time, so we didn't want to vaccinate me) the seasonal flu shot. I want us all to have the h1n1 shot, but Ohio has yet to offer them. Boo. :(

I could give you 600 reasons why you SHOULD get the vaccine. The risks are low low LOW, and if you get your child the seasonal flu vaccine, it's really the same deal with a different virus. Further, if they've had the seasonal vaccine in the past and been fine, it's all but certain that they'll be fine with this. The risks are far smaller than the benefit in this case. I consulted my OBGYN, our ped, our regular dr, the dr who's head of the health dept here, and our reproductive endocrinologist and EVERYONE says that without a DOUBT it's a good move. And the RE is, you know, in the BUSINESS of keeping developing fetuses safe....if he thinks it's safe for early pg and beyond, I'm aboard for almost anyone! I can not, however, find you much info on what the real RISKS people are so afraid of are. Even GBS is a lot higher if you GET THE FLU than if you get the vaccine!

Furthermore, some people in society can't get vaccinated. My grandpa has GBS and can't BE vaccinated. People undergoing cancer treatments, children with egg allergies, etc etc etc....and us being vaccinated (and this goes for a lot of vaccinations) will help keep those people safe.

[kelly]

We have never gotten the flu shot for ourselves or our kids before. I don't typically think it's necessary, but all of this paranoia over the H1N1 is making me crazy! I guess I need to do a little more research on it. I doubt we will though. (I stay home w/ my 27 month old and my 5 month old)

[Cara Fox]

Kristen - we have Kaiser Permanente and they have H1N1 for members only (typically they offer flu shots to anyone - you just have to pay a fee if you're not a Kaiser member). I only have one other friend in the ATL area that has been able to score them that I know of. I think Cobb County Health Dept had a walk-in flu shot clinic at the fairgrounds this past weekend, but I never followed up with my friend who was planning to attend to see if she was able to get H1N1. I just learned today (because my doctor's office FAILED to mention it and I had to do a bunch of detective work to confirm) that you have to go in 30 days after the first shot to get a second one. There was no way I could face group shots again so I scheduled individual appointments for all three kids. What a nightmare either way. Ugh. Good luck!

[Brenda]

just thought I'd share...

Four swine flu vaccines have been licensed by the FDA and are currently being administered throughout the United States. They are manufactured by 1) CSL Limited, 2) Novartis, 3) Sanofi Pasteur, and 4) MedImmune. Here is a summary of the age groups they are recommend for, the ingredients they contain, and other pertinent information:

CSL, Limited: For people 18 years of age and older. Multidose vials contain 24.5mcg of mercury per dose. Also contains the weakened swine flu virus (influenza A/California/7/2009--H1N1), sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, taurodeoxycholate, egg proteins, neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B (antibiotics) and beta-propiolactone.

Novartis: For people 4 years of age and older. Multidose vials contain 25mcg of mercury per dose. Also contains the weakened swine flu virus, sodium phosphate, egg proteins, neomycin, polymyxin B, betapropiolactone, and nonylphenol ethoxylate.

Sanofi Pasteur: For people 6 months of age and older. Multidose vials contain 25mcg of mercury per dose. Also contains the weakened swine flu virus "propagated in "embryonated chicken eggs," polyethylene glycol p-isooctyphenyl ether (Triton X-100), sucrose, gelatin, and formaldehyde.

MedImmune: For people 2 years through 49 years of age. (This vaccine is squirted up the nose.) Each dose contains the live "pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus," MSG, pig gelatin, egg proteins, arginine, sucrose, potassium phosphate, and gentamicin sulfate (an antibiotic).

Notes of Interest:
All four of these swine flu vaccines were made by mimicking earlier seasonal flu vaccines (and by adding the new swine flu virus). However, the manufacturers admit in their product inserts that these new swine flu vaccines were NOT tested for safety or efficacy. The FDA allowed them to be rushed to market assuming that they will be similar in safety and efficacy to previous flu vaccines.

All four of the swine flu manufacturers acknowledge in their product inserts that several debilitating ailments could occur in people following their flu vaccines. These include: blood and lymphatic disorders (lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia), nervous system disorders (convulsions, Guillain-Barre syndrome, or GBS, Bell's palsy, and various neuropathies), respiratory ailments, immune system disorders, digestive disorders, and cardiovascular disorders.

Although swine flu vaccines (and seasonal flu vaccines) are recommended for pregnant women, the vaccine product inserts clearly admit that flu vaccines have never been tested on pregnant or nursing women to determine if they will harm fetuses or babies.

For more information, visit the Thinktwice Global Vaccine Institute: http://www.thinktwice.com

[Michelle]

We will not be getting either the flu vax or H1N1. The husband will be getting both as military requires it. My 26 month old will not be getting the vaxes due to his severely delayed language and the possibility of an autism specrtum disorder. My 7 month old will not be getting it as he has severe reflux and we aren't sure of his food allergies and I feel really uncomfortable ingecting him with egg. I considered getting the vax, but just last week had Type A flu and since 98% of Type A flu in our area is swine flu view the vax as largely useless now.