H1N1/swine flu vaccine

NortheastWifey · #1 September 29th, 2009, 08:12 AM

Amelia has a Dr. appt coming up and I'm so torn about getting this vaccine. What do you think about it? We do other vaccinations - which I am also torn about - but I am going on the advice of our doctor. Raising children can be tough enough as it is. I wish we didn't have these worries about the safety of vaccines, too.

Lyz · #2 September 29th, 2009, 08:22 AM

just my opinion:
I am not planning on getting the H1N1 this year and if Bella was Amelia's age, I wouldn't give it to her. I just feel it was pushed through testing too fast and they really don't know the side effects yet. I thought this shot was only available to babies over 6 months though?

If you are worried about the flu season and since she can't get the shot yet (regular flu shot), you could always get it and when you nurse (I think you are still nursing??), she'll get the antibodies from your milk. This is why I got my first ever flu shot this year since Bella will be born right in the thick of flu season.

Boo · #3 September 29th, 2009, 08:33 AM

I agree with Lyz. I'm not comfortable with the H1N1 vaccine either as I also feel they rushed into making it and not enough testing has been done with it. I won't get the H1N1 for myself so I certainly won't allow Christian to get it.

Christian has his 1-year appt this afternoon and I'm a tad nervous about how things are going to go with his vacs. He already has to get a ton today (per the schedule, 1 year appt is a doozy) and I'm not sure if he'll be getting a regular flu shot too. I feel a lot more comfortable w/ the regular flu shot as it has been around for years and they seem to have done a good amount of testing on young children. As long as the shot offered at the hospital on base is mercury-free, he'll probably be getting it.

courtneytcu98 · #4 September 29th, 2009, 08:33 AM

Well, since we've had the flu this week, it would be like closing the barn door after the cows are out. . . but even prior to that I had decided Elliott would not be getting that vaccine. We do vaccinations, but I plan on selectively declining the regular flu vaccine, H1N1 vaccine and the varicella vaccine. My reasons are many, but I htink that some illness is necessary and that vaccinating for these diseases will eventually create a super-bug that will be drug-resistant.

amazing_love · #5 September 29th, 2009, 08:48 AM

I've decided to get the vaccine myself because i work in a child care center and i catch everything! One of the child's parents already has the swine flu and i wouldn't want to risk getting it. I also talked to my doctor about it and she recommended me getting it.

karenwalter · #6 September 29th, 2009, 08:49 AM

It is really a hard decision since the vaccine is so new. At this point, I'm not sure what I would do if it was being offered to my kids.

Lo_and_Behold · #7 September 29th, 2009, 09:17 AM

DH & I are torn too. We both have to get it as we both work in hospitals & they just passed a law in NY that states anyone who has patient contact must get the flu & H1N1 vaccines. I just got my flu shot on Friday & work & that night, I was sick

My dh & Allie were both sick before me & I was trying to hold out but I got it anyway

We're both a bit ticked that we're either forced to get a shot we don't feel comfortable with or lose our jobs

We keep going back & forth on what to do about Allie. She will be getting a flu shot when she goes on the 10th, but we're still undecided about the H1N1...

NortheastWifey · #8 September 29th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyz

just my opinion:
I am not planning on getting the H1N1 this year and if Bella was Amelia's age, I wouldn't give it to her. I just feel it was pushed through testing too fast and they really don't know the side effects yet. I thought this shot was only available to babies over 6 months though?

If you are worried about the flu season and since she can't get the shot yet (regular flu shot), you could always get it and when you nurse (I think you are still nursing??), she'll get the antibodies from your milk. This is why I got my first ever flu shot this year since Bella will be born right in the thick of flu season.

I'm not sure if it's for babies older than 6 months. You may be right. I'll have to check with our pedi. Even if it's not, though, I think I am leaning toward not getting it. I agree with what everyone has said about it being pushed through too fast.

Courtney, I hope you guys are all feeling better!!! I was thinking about you all weekend!

::MummyToTwo:: · #9 September 29th, 2009, 10:22 AM

Summer is going to get the regular flu shot but not the H1N1 its too new for my liking

~Andrea~ · #10 September 29th, 2009, 11:04 AM

Our ped said they have no flu shots, including H1N1 available for babies under 6 months. But, he also told us he wouldn't recommend it. He said it was only tested on 1,000 people and there were no big side effects, but once you start giving it to a million people, things start popping up. So, no flu shots here.

amazing_love · #11 September 29th, 2009, 11:14 AM

Ugh, your comments are making me feel torn in my decision again.

I feel so nervous about doing anything during this pregnancy that could hurt my baby so that's why i was unsure about the H1N1 shot. But i'm also really nervous about getting the swine flu because i've heard it can be really dangerous for pregnant women. I wish i knew for sure what to do.

CandaceDianne · #12 September 29th, 2009, 11:20 AM

Back in the 70s when they had the H1N1 virus breakout, people became paralyzed from the vaccine. Plus, I dont think I trust something that JUST was released....I dunno.....
My SIL had my niece given the H1N1 vaccine a month ago and she is fine. The ped told her it was a dead virus. To each his own, I suppose?

Lyz · #13 September 29th, 2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NortheastWifey

I'm not sure if it's for babies older than 6 months. You may be right. I'll have to check with our pedi. Even if it's not, though, I think I am leaning toward not getting it. I agree with what everyone has said about it being pushed through too fast.!

sorry, I meant the regular flu shot. Working in the healthcare field, I feel that the H1N1 isn't safe for pregnant women and babies but I can't tell you either way. I'd hate to say "No, don't get it" and then that person ends up with the swine flu (I would feel horrible). I truly believe that proper hand washing and germ control will help fight against it.

amazing_love · #14 September 29th, 2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyz

sorry, I meant the regular flu shot. Working in the healthcare field, I feel that the H1N1 isn't safe for pregnant women and babies but I can't tell you either way. I'd hate to say "No, don't get it" and then that person ends up with the swine flu (I would feel horrible). I truly believe that proper hand washing and germ control will help fight against it.

It's funny you say that.. Everyone who knows me thinks it's crazy i get sick so often because i wash my hands more than anyone i've ever met. lol. I'm a germ freak. I wouldn't be concerned at all about getting it if i didn't work with kids. They cough and sneeze and breathe all over me so i can't prevent catching everything they have.

Gray_baby · #15 September 29th, 2009, 03:00 PM

I think this is a tough question, and very personal. I'm planning on getting the regular flu shot but I'm still not sure about the H1N1 - I keep going back and forth after reading a ton about it from various sources. The only advice I can give is to do as much as research as you can using the resources out there, like the CDC website as well as other sites so you can get a complete picture of what's being said about it. Unfortunately, it seems like there's something new to read everyday and that's making me crazy!

I feel like I can't keep up.

lttle_one · #16 September 30th, 2009, 06:10 AM

We won't be getting it. It's too new, and the media is hyping up the dangerousness of the disease, it has proven to be a mild disease. But you have some time to make your decision. It's not available to babies under 6 months, and the initial doses are the nose spray, which is live virus and not available to anyone under 2.

And if there's a shortage, pregnant women and those with health problems get priority.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CandaceDianne

Back in the 70s when they had the H1N1 virus breakout, people became paralyzed from the vaccine. Plus, I dont think I trust something that JUST was released....I dunno.....
My SIL had my niece given the H1N1 vaccine a month ago and she is fine. The ped told her it was a dead virus. To each his own, I suppose?

Wow, your niece was one of the test people?! I would be too scared to allow my baby to do that!

KCMomma · #17 October 1st, 2009, 07:33 AM

I'm torn about this as well, but being the devils advocate here....if the media is hyping up the dangerousness of the disease then couldn't they also being hyping up the "risks" of getting the vaccine???? NOT trying to cause any drama or start a debate, but could this be possible too?

I think DH and I are leaning towards getting both vaccines. DH already got the flu shot and I will be getting mine next week. I was torn about the H1N1 for a while, but I think we will both end up getting it. We work around a lot of dirty people who do not take care of themselves and come into contact with all kinds of people so we don't want to bring home anything to Paige. Since she is so young she will not be getting it. I think if we didn't have her at home to think about we wouldn't be getting the H1N1 but we don't want to risk bringing something home to her. You know...it's a very personal decision.

lttle_one · #18 October 1st, 2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCMomma

I'm torn about this as well, but being the devils advocate here....if the media is hyping up the dangerousness of the disease then couldn't they also being hyping up the "risks" of getting the vaccine???? NOT trying to cause any drama or start a debate, but could this be possible too?

I, too, am not trying to start drama

but to answer, the media here isn't really talking about the risks of the vaccine. All you hear here is how awful H1N1 is (which has proven no worse than the seasonal flu, which is also made to seem worse than it is) and how everyone needs to get the vax as soon as it becomes available. Makes me wonder who's paying them, KWIM? The problems I have are that it was rushed to production with very little testing, and I believe that everyone needs to get sick every once in a while. We need the antibodies. Most doses will also contain mercury, same as the seasonal flu shot.

I've known quite a few people who've contracted H1N1 already, and not 1 person has had anything worse than seasonal flu symptoms and none have been hospitalized. We don't do seasonal flu shots, either, though. That being said, I'm also a SAHM and Cherie isn't in daycare. I believe it's situational as well. If I were pregnant, I would struggle more with the decision, but H1N1 actually does pose a risk to pregnant women. Just my

KCMomma · #19 October 1st, 2009, 08:55 AM

Very good points!! I hate the media and how they blow everything out of proportion!! Anyway, I appreciate your points. It can just be such a touchy subject ya know?!?! UGH, I hate that we all have to deal with this at all!