When it comes to medical issues, I am generally pro-medicine. I get my child vaccinated, I give her medicine if she is sick, and I like to listen to my pediatrician. I do research about important medical issues and Mr. and I make decisions based on our opinions as well as the opinion of her pediatrician.
When we were at the pediatrician for Baby M’s 6 month check up I brought up some questions regarding the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. I wanted to know her opinion on the issue. She said she had not seen enough information regarding the vaccine and did not want to make a recommendation yet. The government was having a hard time getting enough people to participate in trials, therefore the trial information was lacking.
I have some major questions regarding this vaccine and I am not sure if I want to get Baby M vaccinated for this virus. I know you can get the preservative free vaccine, but that does not calm all of my fears. I want to know long term effects. I want to know the short term effects. I want to know how this vaccine was generated so quickly. Do the benefits out weigh the risk?
Since I have a lot of mom friends in blogland, I want to know what you are doing. Even if you have not made up your mind, I want to know.
**She has already received the first dose of her seasonal flu shot, and Mr. and I also get the flu shot.**
When we were at the pediatrician for Baby M’s 6 month check up I brought up some questions regarding the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. I wanted to know her opinion on the issue. She said she had not seen enough information regarding the vaccine and did not want to make a recommendation yet. The government was having a hard time getting enough people to participate in trials, therefore the trial information was lacking.
I have some major questions regarding this vaccine and I am not sure if I want to get Baby M vaccinated for this virus. I know you can get the preservative free vaccine, but that does not calm all of my fears. I want to know long term effects. I want to know the short term effects. I want to know how this vaccine was generated so quickly. Do the benefits out weigh the risk?
Since I have a lot of mom friends in blogland, I want to know what you are doing. Even if you have not made up your mind, I want to know.
**She has already received the first dose of her seasonal flu shot, and Mr. and I also get the flu shot.**
17 Additional Thoughts:
If you look at the statistics, the deaths related to the swine flu are because of complications on people whose health was not 100% to begin with. In my research about this, I read that every year there are 36,000 deaths related to the flu- that to me is huge- and so far we are not even close with this strain...i've gotten the flu only on the years that i've gotten vaccinated for it so my answer to you is : there will not be a flu vaccine for me or my kiddo.
The last time I was vaccinated for the flu (about 8 years ago) I had the worst flu in my history- I was bedridden for 1 entire month...and being a new mom and all it was extremely tough on me.
I haven't had the flu since- knock on wood.
I feel like you. Maddy and Libby have their 15 month appt next week and we plan to do the regular flu shot for them. Hubby and I will also get the flu shot. Our Pediatrician doesn't push things when they aren't necessary, so I'm waiting to hear what she has to say, but I'm not really planning towards having them get the H1N1 vacc.
I'm not a mom, but my sister and her 3-month-old both had swine flu (little Liam was hospitalized) two weeks ago. The doctors did not give Liam tamiflu and they told my sister they wouldn't recommend the vaccine, either.
Meanwhile two towns over, a friend of mine from high school, her newborn, her five-year-old, and her husband all contracted swine flu a week later, and they were treated completely differently at another hospital: all given Tamiflu - even the newborn - and their docs were all pushing the vaccine.
In both cases, everyone's fine now.
Here's what I think: there are so many competing opinions out there that if you feel strongly about taking the vaccine or not taking the vaccine, follow your gut. Otherwise, just wait for more information and consensus on the best way to prevent/treat H1N1.
Based on thoughts from my pediatrician and my mommy instinct, we will not be getting the vaccination. And, believe me, I am pro-medicine all the way! I am studying pharmacy right now!
hey girl! for caden we are doing the normal flu shot, but not the swine flu. Chris's sister is a nurse and she says there isn't enough research that has been done regarding side effects on that vaccination. She says it isn't worth finding out, we are going to just disinfect a lot if your child has been around other children.
got the flu shot, not getting NIH1 and I'm pro medicine as well.
I have to get the vaccine as I work at a Children's hospital and it is required for all staff. From what I have read, it is not that different from the seasonal flu vaccine (which changes from year to year without ever being put through nearly the testing that H1N1 is getting). While I can understand your concern, I really don't think it's as scary as some people are making it out to be. I do think if you have any of the risk factors in your family, I would not get it (not worth it) (ie- history of myasthenia gravis - sp?).
The children that have been admitted to our hospital with this strain of the flu have all been compromised in some other health matter and it has caused them to become quite ill (ie- some have even been ventilated for long periods of time). HOWEVER, they were all "sick" kids prior to catching the flu. The kids who are normal and healthy are still getting H1N1 but it's just another version of the flu and they are not hospitalized. In fact, many offices and ERs are not even testing for that specific strain (due to the time constraints and the cost). They're just running the rapid flu test and letting you know you have some version of Influenza A.
I don't know what I would do if I had a baby this fall. It's a difficult call for many of my friends. Some feel that it's completely unnecessary, some feel it's too "new", some are concerned about side effects, and some are absolutely immunizing their children. If A has had ANY problems with asthma or has needed a nebulizer in her little life so far, I would strongly encourage it. Please feel free to shoot me an email if you have any other questions about it, and I'll help you where I can!!
Just saw your post! We are not giving Gray the flu or the H1N1 shot. Our pediatrician is ok with this since he stays home with a nanny during the day.
I just don't think there is enough research (esp. on the H1N1). And you don't want to find out 20 years from now that there is some neurological defect associated with the vaccine.
I have dr and nurse friends who agree.
Oh, and I actually will be in Dallas this month, but only for the day. The next trip I make, we'll have to meet for coffee!
I'm not a mom, and am allergic to egg yolks (used to make the regular flu shot, not sure about the H1N1 shot), so I'm probably not in any position to offer advice here.... except maybe just check in with your Dr. regularly about her opinion - and just moniter your sweet little one's health closely (as I know you will, of course :)
I am having my girls get the flu shot, my 12 month old just got her first shot of the two last friday. As for the H1N1 I am probably going to let it slide as far as the kids go...I sorta think the whole scare is blown way out of porportion... I work in health care and when we get the H1N1 they want all of the staff to get it, so I might have to cave for myself.
I am going on being 3 months pregnant (and I have a 16 month old)...I'm not getting the H1N1 shot. I've already discussed this w/ my OB and from the impression I got from her, she wasn't completely sold on the idea of the shot either. I had my son get the regular flu shot, but I'm not doing the H1N1. I have the same concerns as you.
I had posted about getting my little ones the flu shot and it brought up a lot of issues for some people. I am very much like you. I have always vaccinated my oldest (almost 4). The baby is only 4 months so we have 2 months to go and I will vaccinate him with the seasonal, but I am really thinking that I will not vaccinate either of them with the H1N1, there is not enough info for me and my pediatrician did not even recommend it. I will see her next week and see what she has to say. Please keep me posted if you have any news.
from what they've told us, the swine flu is still relatively mild. Also, most of the cases of the flu that are currently going around Dallas are the swine flu. In fact, I'm pretty sure I have it right now, and all I've had is a few hours of fever, muscle aches, and headaches... but it's day #2 and I'm already feeling better. I know a lot of physicians who are hesitant to give the H1N1 vaccine because of an increased risk of Guillan-Barre syndrome, a neuropathy that can sometimes occur after someone has had the actual flu. That being said, unlike the regular flu, someone who has had H1N1 is still contagious even after their fever has broken, for 7-10 days after symptoms begin (unlike the traditional flu) so some physicians are recommending that people stay home from school/work longer in order to prevent spread of infection.
We were at the pediatrician yesterday getting swabbed for the flu -- which came back negative but they say that they only catch 60-70% with that nasal swab so we may be going back for another swab this afternoon... I didn't ask about the vaccination since we were assuming she actually had it and they sent us home.
All this to say: I will defer to the pediatrician for her, and to my OB for myself since I'm pregnant this flu season. And we will definitely be getting regular flu shots. As many strains as there are floating around this year, we will want protection from what we can get!
Thanks for this post. I've been on the fence and appreciate all the feedback. I haven't talked to benjamin's doctor yet but I'm thinking no. I don't even think his office will administer the shot unless there is an underlying health issue. Those patients get the shot first.
Madigan has her appointment in early November. She was diagnosed with asthma so she is in a higher risk category. I will defer to the pediatrician. If he feels strongly that she should get it, then she will. My husband (an ob/gyn) strongly recommends that everyone get both flu shots. I personally won't get either.
It's a harder decision for you because your daughter is still so little.
I would talk to your pediatrician again now that we know the vaccine will be out next week. My understanding is that it's basically made the same way as the regular flu shot, and that the risks aren't any greater than with the regular flu shot.
Remember that the flu shots we all get every year are to fight new strains of the flu as well. In a sense, we never know what the long-term effects will be. One of the reasons we have to get this extra one this year is that they didn't predict H1N1.
I have been getting flu shots for 18 years since I have a compromised immune system and have never had a problem. To me, it's just never worth the risk.
Post a Comment