H1N1 Poll. Will your child get the flu shot?

[mickeyboat]

Canada has two versions of H1N1 vaccine: an adjuvanted vaccine that has the brand name Arepanrix and a vaccine without adjuvants.

So, there are adjuvants in some of the batches. Don't know if the USA will see them, but for our friends in other countries, choose wisely

I read that the US did not order any batches with adjuvants.

 

[Pennykay]

I read that the US did not order any batches with adjuvants.

None of the current vaccines in the US have adjuvants added. The US did buy adjuvants and there are currently vaccine trials going on which include vaccines with adjuvants in the US. So, depending on what happens we could see vaccines in the US containing advuvants in the future.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

My teens got it this morning. We all got the seasonal vaccine shot about 3 weeks ago.

No adjuvants in the US at this point. Same exact vaccine as seasonal except for the H1N1 strain in it.

Lot of Dr's seem to be misinformed it seems.

Innoculation misinformation:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/218513

 

[sersee05]

I was just speaking to a very knowledgeable person in our counties health department. I will be taking my DS5 who is asthmatic to another county tomorrow to get the swine flu vaccine. When he gets a normal cold, it goes straight to his lungs and we have issues. I can't imagine what would happen with the flu or swine flu..

It was explained to me that the flu vaccine contains 3 different strains ..one of the being H1N1(not the 2009 H1N1). He explained to me that it began circulating after they chose the seasonal strains to be included in the vaccine. Like others have said, if it was a little earlier..it would be in the flu shot... He told me that the H1N1 and the "flu" are the same species and these vaccinations are made in the exact same way. It is just a new strain...

I was mentioning the vaccine from the 70's that people are worried about. He explained to me that they were not positive GBS was caused by the vaccination..it could have been caused by the virus and most studies have not found an association between the two.

There were two studies that suggested that one person out of a million vaccinated(seasonal flu vaccine) might be at risk for GBS related conditions. But, about one in 8,000 people die from the seasonal flu... He also explained to me that right now in the US ..the vaccine does NOT contain adjuvants.

IT was very interesting to talk to him..He kind of told me that many people die of pneumonia and the flu every year and they just don't report it. I kind of got the feeling that he was saying H1N1 was no different..but because it is all that is being talked about..that it's scaring people. This doesn't hurt our nation since more people are now staying home and covering their mouths...

It was an interesting conversation. Children's Hospital of Pa also has the same info up that this guy was telling me..

I have been waffling back and forth about the vaccination...so I feel better about my decision to get it for my son.

 

[pianogirl73]

I was undecided until today when I took my son for a strep test. My doctor told me that she gave the shot to her kids and that sold me right away. She recommended it for my husband and me as well since we work with kids.

 

[castleview]

DS4 had it yesterday. The older kids won't be eligible for a few weeks. I was conflicted about it also. But the practice we go to is conservative on flu shots and they're strongly encouraging H1N1 - that said enough for me.

A previous poster is correct that there is a lot of misinformation on the vaccine (i.e. it's brand new and rushed, there are adjuvants in them, etc.). I'm a huge Bill Maher fan but he's been blowing me away with his ignorance on vaccines.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

The Dr told me anyone born in the 70's has most likely exposed to the swine flu. That is why only kids are dying.

Disclaimer: I was very sick when he was telling me this.

Myth!

In Florida, the latest:

Additional laboratory confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu deaths have been verified in the following: a 41-year-old female in Alachua County, a 46-year-old female in Broward County, a 25-year-old male in Duval County, a 55-year-old female in Duval County, a 56-year-old female in Duval County, a 39-year-old male in Hillsborough County, a 47-year-old female in Hillsborough County, a 13-year-old female in Levy County, a 27-year-old female in Manatee County, a 39-year-old male in Pinellas County, and a 52-year-old male in Santa Rosa County. While most cases of H1N1 Swine Flu are mild, there are exceptions. Pre-existing health conditions often play a role in how individuals react to the flu. To-date, there have been 102 laboratory confirmed H1N1 Swine Flu deaths in Florida.

And most cases of H1N1 are not being reported as such as they can't be unless they are specifically tested for the H1N1 strain. And the quick swab tests have high false negative rates.

 

[pooh4evr]

We are this week- Dh is a Dr so his offie always gets seasonal flu and this yr H1N1 flu shots for their staff and family. DH also has MS so I guess he is in a higher risk category ? - last week we were at peds office with DD#1 (strep) but she was tested for flu 1st and they said if she was positive she could get Tamiflu because of Dh's MS- I also just kow one or all of us would get it the day before we leave for WDW in Dec.!

 

[DreaminDisney]

WOW a lot of votes so far!

Anyone else???

 

[tinkerbell615]

My DD will be getting the shot at her high school when it becomes available. It is not yet available at the pediatricians office, but they are recommending the kids get them at school if offered.

My DS is a new teacher so I am hoping he will be offered the vaccine at school as well.

They will not be getting the mist though. My brother can not be around anyone who has gotten the mist, so we are being cautious and staying away from that.

 

[Christine]

A previous poster is correct that there is a lot of misinformation on the vaccine (i.e. it's brand new and rushed, there are adjuvants in them, etc.). I'm a huge Bill Maher fan but he's been blowing me away with his ignorance on vaccines.

I am a big fan too and I will say that if you read some opposing views on flu shots, there are many studies out there that indicate that flu shots really don't offer any protection than not getting a flu shot. There is a theory out there that they are just money makers for the drug companies. Bill Frist (who was on Maher's show) agreed that they were HUGE money makers but still believed in the vaccine as a physician.

I'm not sure what I believe as I have read some of the studies that indicate there is no substantial data showing that the vaccines even protect you 70% of the time.

But since the data is just all over the place, I'm into the whole risk/benefit ratio. Maybe they don't help, but if they don't *hurt* that much, I'm going to take a chance with it.

 

[DreaminDisney]

My DD will be getting the shot at her high school when it becomes available. It is not yet available at the pediatricians office, but they are recommending the kids get them at school if offered.

My DS is a new teacher so I am hoping he will be offered the vaccine at school as well.

They will not be getting the mist though. My brother can not be around anyone who has gotten the mist, so we are being cautious and staying away from that.

What is it about the mist that so many people have to stay away from those who have had it and How is it possible to know if the people around you have had it or not?

 

[Christine]

What is it about the mist that so many people have to stay away from those who have had it and How is it possible to know if the people around you have had it or not?

The mist uses an attenuated live form of the virus. The shot uses a dead form. The live virus from the mist sits active in your nose for a couple of weeks. Most healthy people will not be affected by it if they come into contact with someone who has had the mist. Unhealthy people might actually *catch* the flu from the mist.

 

[lovemygoofy]

What is it about the mist that so many people have to stay away from those who have had it and How is it possible to know if the people around you have had it or not?

When someone receives the nasal mist, they are receiving live flu cultures through their nose. Live cultures can make someone cantagious to those with compromised immune systems or respiratory issues.

I've been to shot clinics in the past, think regular flu, and at specific times it was for the mist and specific times for the shot.

My husband received the flu mist this year and he was instructed that we not be close together for 24 hours and he sanitize anything that we both would use because he could be contagious.

 

[DreaminDisney]

The mist uses an attenuated live form of the virus. The shot uses a dead form. The live virus from the mist sits active in your nose for a couple of weeks. Most healthy people will not be affected by it if they come into contact with someone who has had the mist. Unhealthy people might actually *catch* the flu from the mist.

Thanks for info Christine!

 

[DreaminDisney]

When someone receives the nasal mist, they are receiving live flu cultures through their nose. Live cultures can make someone cantagious to those with compromised immune systems or respiratory issues.

I've been to shot clinics in the past, think regular flu, and at specific times it was for the mist and specific times for the shot.

My husband received the flu mist this year and he was instructed that we not be close together for 24 hours and he sanitize anything that we both would use because he could be contagious.

Thank you too Tina!

 

[minkydog]

Christian got his today. He had to go in to have ingrown toenail looked at, so we just got the shot while we were there. We've all had the seasonal flu shot. DD16 has her appt for the H1N1 next Tues, and DH & I are calling our docs weekly to check on the shot. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks we'll all be shot up.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm not sure what I believe as I have read some of the studies that indicate there is no substantial data showing that the vaccines even protect you 70% of the time..

Aside from the fact that it would be life-threatening for me to get the flu, even if the odds of protection were less, I would get the vaccine anyhow..

I hate being sick.. I hate wasting money being sick.. I hate wasting my time being sick.. Oh - and did I mention I "hate" being sick? LOL

On a side note, I'm about ready to start looking for a "black market" source for the H1N1 vaccine - in the "shot form".. Anyone wanna send me 3 of them??

 

[HLAuburn]

I just made an appointment for my daughter (5) to get the mist on Thursday. All they have available is the mist, no shots. When I asked about my younger daughter (10 months), the girl who answered the phone said that they don't vaccinate until they're 2 because they have the antibodies from when they were born - huh?!

Anyway, I assume a 9 month old has to get the shot, so I guess we'll have to wait on that one. I plan to get older DD the mist on Thursday. She had the seasonal Flumist a couple of weeks ago with no side effects, so I'm hoping this is the same.

 

[laurie31]

I just made an appointment for my daughter (5) to get the mist on Thursday. All they have available is the mist, no shots. When I asked about my younger daughter (10 months), the girl who answered the phone said that they don't vaccinate until they're 2 because they have the antibodies from when they were born - huh?!

Anyway, I assume a 9 month old has to get the shot, so I guess we'll have to wait on that one. I plan to get older DD the mist on Thursday. She had the seasonal Flumist a couple of weeks ago with no side effects, so I'm hoping this is the same.

You have to wait 28 days between FluMist doses. If it won't have been that long since her seasonal FluMist by Thursday, she can't get the H1N1 FluMist yet.