[Anitha]

I am still debating, the answers to these would help me with my decision to give the H1N1 shot or not. Any input appreciated

1) How soon does the immunity begin - I am reading different versions...some say 10 days after the first shot, some say 2 weeks after the second shot....if its two weeks after the second shot, then it may not be worth it as I am travelling to India in 2 months and there the H1N1 wave seems to be fading.

2) Did your LO get a fever or any other symptoms after the shot?

3) Whats the diff between the flumist and the shot? Is one more effective than the other?

Thanks!

[Banned-4Poshtots]

they say 2 weeks, but for the little ones you need 2 shots, and with 21-28 days between the 1st and 2nd shot, so technically you are looking at 6 weeks for immunity for those 9 years and under.

My daughters had the flumist and did feel a slight side effect for the first 24 hours with stuffy noses and scratchy throats. My dh & I also rec'd this and felt the same way. This is normal for the flumist!
My 13 yr old and Liam both had the shot and wednesday and had absolutely NO side effects what so ever. No fever, Nothing! The shot is a dead virus vs the flumist is a live virus so that is the reason for some side effects with one and not the other.

Flumist is only for those over 2 years and i have read that for children they find the flumist to actually be more effective, but not as effective on adults. We have had both in the previous years for seasonal flu for about the last 5 years and have never had the flu.
Hope this helps, katrina can give you lots more information, she is really well versed in this!

[tela]

1) How soon does the immunity begin - I am reading different versions...some say 10 days after the first shot, some say 2 weeks after the second shot....if its two weeks after the second shot, then it may not be worth it as I am travelling to India in 2 months and there the H1N1 wave seems to be fading.

the body starts to produce antibodies in 10 days, so protection will begin ~10 days after the 1st dose. obviously there is not much published info on the H1N1 vaccine, but for the seasonal flu vaccine, the 2nd dose in babies provides double the protection of the 1st dose. the numbers for H1N1 protection will be much higher since it is a very specific vaccine and the H1N1 strain has not mutated since its emergence.

2) Did your LO get a fever or any other symptoms after the shot?

none at all. he's never had any side effects from vaccines. has she had the seasonal flu vaccine? it's produced exactly the same way as the H1N1 vaccine, so if she didn't have any reaction to that, she will be fine.

3) Whats the diff between the flumist and the shot? Is one more effective than the other?

the flumist is a live attenuated virus. it is a nasal vaccine and is not given to babies under 2. it is actually much more effective than the shot, but it has the possible side effect of causing a VERY mild case of flu.

[Emm17]

What "version" of the shot did you all give your babies? I have heard there are a few, mercury free and with mercury?

[tela]

Originally Posted by Emm17

What "version" of the shot did you all give your babies? I have heard there are a few, mercury free and with mercury?

There is only 1 version of the H1N1 shot available, and it does contain thimerisol. A "green" version of the shot will be made eventually, but I felt 100% comfortable getting the same H1N1 shot for both Jacob and myself.

[Sassymom-to-2 boys]

I was advised that the vaccine takes 14 days to take effect and that from the time they get the shot until it takes effect the child or person who got the shot can still catch the swine flu. No fever but my older son had a sore arm for a couple days.

As for whether it was the one that contained mercury or not I have no idea, there was no option given. But there is a new version of the vaccine that is for pregnant women but I know pregnant women have the option of taking the new vaccine or taking the one the rest of us are going to get....if we don't run out of vaccines.

[Emm17]

Originally Posted by tela

There is only 1 version of the H1N1 shot available, and it does contain thimerisol. A "green" version of the shot will be made eventually, but I felt 100% comfortable getting the same H1N1 shot for both Jacob and myself.

Can I ask why you are 100% comfortable with the shot for both Jacob and yourself? Im not being snarky whatsoever.....it's just that I originally didn't want to get the shot for Avery, but now I think I might be changing my mind. I'm struggling with it, and trying to weight the pros and cons.

[CalFan]

Both Douglas and I received the H1N1 shot this week. I have asthma and am 31 years old. No side effects for him, no fever, and I only had a sore arm for a few hours. We both had shots - the thimerosal version. There is a great deal of information on flu.gov, CDC, and AAP website re the use of thimerosal in vaccines, and I spoke with his pedi about it as well. I am confident and comfortable with the scientific research re the safety of vaccines as well as those with thimerosal. And actually, thimerosal has been greatly reduced and/or eliminated in childhood vaccines since 2001. The flu vaccine is not considered a routine childhood vaccine, so most versions contain thimerosal. Because of the changes since 2001, the vaccines that I received as a child had far more thimerosal than Douglas will receive in his childhood, and that's including annual flu shots. All of this information comes from one of the three sites above. I chose to vaccinate because the risks of either of us contracting swine flu and having difficulty recovering is higher than the risks of the vaccine. Everyone has to weigh the risks and benefits for themselves. HTH.

[tela]

Originally Posted by Emm17

Can I ask why you are 100% comfortable with the shot for both Jacob and yourself? Im not being snarky whatsoever.....it's just that I originally didn't want to get the shot for Avery, but now I think I might be changing my mind. I'm struggling with it, and trying to weight the pros and cons.

i don't want to start a debate b/c i know everyone has opinions on this topic. you asked for MY opinion, so here it is ... i do not believe there is a link between thimerisol and autism. that is the common concern you will hear from people who do not want to get the flu vaccine for their children. since i do not believe there is a link, i am 100% comfortable getting the thimerisol-containing seasonal and H1N1 vaccine for both jacob and myself.

[Banned-4Poshtots]

Originally Posted by calfan

both douglas and i received the h1n1 shot this week. I have asthma and am 31 years old. No side effects for him, no fever, and i only had a sore arm for a few hours. We both had shots - the thimerosal version. There is a great deal of information on flu.gov, cdc, and aap website re the use of thimerosal in vaccines, and i spoke with his pedi about it as well. I am confident and comfortable with the scientific research re the safety of vaccines as well as those with thimerosal. And actually, thimerosal has been greatly reduced and/or eliminated in childhood vaccines since 2001. The flu vaccine is not considered a routine childhood vaccine, so most versions contain thimerosal. Because of the changes since 2001, the vaccines that i received as a child had far more thimerosal than douglas will receive in his childhood, and that's including annual flu shots. All of this information comes from one of the three sites above. I chose to vaccinate because the risks of either of us contracting swine flu and having difficulty recovering is higher than the risks of the vaccine. Everyone has to weigh the risks and benefits for themselves. Hth.

ditto!!

[Emm17]

Ok, thanks. I dont know why I am so concerned about this vaccine, as Avery is fully vaccinated in everything else.

[tela]

Originally Posted by Emm17

Ok, thanks. I dont know why I am so concerned about this vaccine, as Avery is fully vaccinated in everything else.

it's totally understandable as the media has all our heads spinning about swine flu and the vaccine! it's tough to sift through all the info. this vaccine is produced exactly like the seasonal flu vaccine, so if you're comfortable with the seasonal flu vaccine, then this should be no different. GL with your decision!

[Banned-4Poshtots]

Originally Posted by tela

i don't want to start a debate b/c i know everyone has opinions on this topic. you asked for MY opinion, so here it is ... i do not believe there is a link between thimerisol and autism. that is the common concern you will hear from people who do not want to get the flu vaccine for their children. since i do not believe there is a link, i am 100% comfortable getting the thimerisol-containing seasonal and H1N1 vaccine for both jacob and myself.

DITTO AGAIN! 100% comfortable. Its a personal and private choice!

[Anitha]

Wow , great info thanks ladies, especially Katrina...I am now leaning towards getting the shot, especially since they seem to gain some immunity by 10 - 14 days.

[CalFan]

Anitha, one more thing: if you are still breastfeeding and YOU get the shot for yourself, you will actually begin to produce the antibodies and pass those on to Lekha through your milk too.

[clm817]

Both kids got it today, they did great only an initial cry but nothing a pick up from mom and dad didn't immediately stop. I'll let you know if they show any side effects.

[Anitha]

Originally Posted by CalFan

Anitha, one more thing: if you are still breastfeeding and YOU get the shot for yourself, you will actually begin to produce the antibodies and pass those on to Lekha through your milk too.

Great point. I am still BFing her at night. If we get it all of us will try to get it (DH, myself and Lekha)