H1N1 vaccine - has your child gotten it yet?

[Stasieki]

My DH and DD (3 years old) got the vaccine yesterday - I am pregnant and waiting for the shot version. We vaccinate for everything else so decided to do this one, too. I decided to take the chance on the vaccine rather than H1N1 if any of us should get it. Our 3 year old has to get another mist in 30 days. I know that in most cases, people recover, but we have had two deaths in our town (children with no prior health conditions). Obviously, it is a personal choice for each family.

 

[Stasieki]

Thanks for the laugh!
My family already got the seasonal flu shot/mist & will be getting the H1N1 too.

Not sure if you knew, but if you got the seasonal flu mist, you have to wait at least 4 weeks before getting the H1N1 mist (doesn't apply to the regular shot). We got our DD3's H1N1 yesterday and they asked. Thank goodness we were 4 weeks to the day of when she got her seasonal mist.

 

[kilee]

I read the whole thread....and I wanted to make the comment that the last poster above me did. If you are getting your child immunized through school....where they don't have their medical charts makes me a little nervous.

However, just be sure of if they're giving the mist of the shot. If it's the mist there has to be 28 days between the H1N1 mist and the seasonal flu mist. Also, the mist is not recommended for children w/ asthma. In our office we're not giving the mist to anyone w/ cold or sinus symptoms either.

I intend to immunize my 16 yr old son when he can. We got 500 H1N1 immunization doses in last week at work (all mist). However, my son got the seasonal flu mist 13 days ago so he's not eligible yet.

I work in healthcare and per NY State mandated to get it. However, I cannot get the mist, so until we get the shot I will not be getting it.

 

[Geoff_M]

Update on my son's hockey team... They had to cancel tonight's practice as 8 of the 17 are sick. And we have the results of the first test on one of them... It's N1H1!!!

Last year it was Whooping Cough on the team...this year the flu!

 

[Pennykay]

"4) Contains unsafe levels of mercury - Not true. Kids vac. contain no mercury now. (Scare tactic)"

There is mercury in the seasonal flu shot (unless you specifically request a thimerosal free one). As far as the H1N1 vaccine, there are three versions. the mist and the single dose vials do not contain mercury, the regular version does. There are also kids vaccines that still have trace amounts of mercury.

 

[2bearsmom]

I am wondering why they are saying all pregnant women should be first priority to receive the H1N1 vaccine and even the seasonal flu vaccine. The package inserts state that it is unkown whether the vaccine can cause fetal harm and it's unknown for nursing mothers if it crosses into breast milk. Both versions of the vaccine, the multi-dose vials, contain Thimerosal and the one-dose syringes contain Thimerosal during manufacturing but it is taken out through purification and then contains only trace amounts.

 

[AndyLL]

"4) Contains unsafe levels of mercury - Not true. Kids vac. contain no mercury now. (Scare tactic)"

There is mercury in the seasonal flu shot (unless you specifically request a thimerosal free one). As far as the H1N1 vaccine, there are three versions. the mist and the single dose vials do not contain mercury, the regular version does. There are also kids vaccines that still have trace amounts of mercury.

While kids are allowed timerosal vaccines they now make sure there is enough timerosal free and perservative free (trace) doses to cover the recommended pediatric groups.

Single dose vaccines do not contain it at all so the H1N1 is timerosal free and any vaccine can be requested either timerosal free or requested as a non multidose shots.

Those that are for some reason concerned about timerosal vaccines can easily get non-timerosal shots so using the fact that some vaccine doses have it is a scare tatic.

 

[DVCLiz]

I am wondering why they are saying all pregnant women should be first priority to receive the H1N1 vaccine and even the seasonal flu vaccine. The package inserts state that it is unkown whether the vaccine can cause fetal harm and it's unknown for nursing mothers if it crosses into breast milk. Both versions of the vaccine, the multi-dose vials, contain Thimerosal and the one-dose syringes contain Thimerosal during manufacturing but it is taken out through purification and then contains only trace amounts.

Because so many pregnant women are dying from this flu. I can't remember the numbers but the percentage is much much higher than the usual seasonal flu.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm on the fence. I'm not getting it, nor is DH. We're considering getting it for the kids (exposure rate probably higher). I just don't know at this point.

 

[Stitchnut]

My daughter was diagnosed last night with having H1N1 which I'm sure she picked up at school. She has asthma and can not have the nasal mist form of the vaccine. The injection isn't out yet in our area and now that she has it, the debate doesn't matter. Arguing over whether or not to give your family the vaccine should be discussed with your doctor, do your own research and pray about it.

 

[disney1990]

I am wondering why they are saying all pregnant women should be first priority to receive the H1N1 vaccine and even the seasonal flu vaccine. The package inserts state that it is unkown whether the vaccine can cause fetal harm and it's unknown for nursing mothers if it crosses into breast milk. Both versions of the vaccine, the multi-dose vials, contain Thimerosal and the one-dose syringes contain Thimerosal during manufacturing but it is taken out through purification and then contains only trace amounts.

Why are they recommending it for Pregnant women? Because they have a much higher risk of dying. Pregnant women have been getting seasonal flu shots for years. They can get the single one dose version that does not contain a preservative.

 

[TiggerStac]

My DS 2.5 got it when he got his flu shot last week. My DS 8 will get it next week. My pedi's office has nasal spray only at this point, so my 6 month old can't get it. He needs to shot.

I am waiting for the shot at my work. I work in healthcare all of my kids are in school/daycare. We get flu shots yearly, and I went with what others have posted...cdc saying it's the same base as flu shot just the different strain, like it is for us yearly.

My 2 year old has had no side effects whatsoever!

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Update on my son's hockey team... They had to cancel tonight's practice as 8 of the 17 are sick. And we have the results of the first test on one of them... It's N1H1!!!

Last year it was Whooping Cough on the team...this year the flu!

Oh no! Do you mind me asking what part of Michigan you are in? I'm just wondering how close it is to home.

 

[mickeyboat]

I am planning to have DDs vaccinated at the school district clinic on the 22nd - assuming they have the vaccine by then. I pre-registered them this morning.

We are also planning to get the seasonal flu vaccine on Sunday, assuming there is enough to go around.

 

[Geoff_M]

Oh no! Do you mind me asking what part of Michigan you are in? I'm just wondering how close it is to home.

Southwest part of the state. We're supposed to have a game at Kentwood tomorrow, but it'll depend on if we can muster enough healthy players.

 

[Inigo]

My kids got the regular flu mist. Their doctor said that he didn't have any of the H1N1 shots yet and that my boys wouldn't be able to get it anyway. It is only for the sick, old and very young. I don't know how kids are getting it at school when I can't even get it at the doctor's office.

I hope you kept them away from the immuno-suppressed, sick, and elderly afterwards. The mist has live virus in it.

 

[Pennykay]

While kids are allowed timerosal vaccines they now make sure there is enough timerosal free and perservative free (trace) doses to cover the recommended pediatric groups.

Single dose vaccines do not contain it at all so the H1N1 is timerosal free and any vaccine can be requested either timerosal free or requested as a non multidose shots.

Those that are for some reason concerned about timerosal vaccines can easily get non-timerosal shots so using the fact that some vaccine doses have it is a scare tatic.

Not all H1N1 vaccines will be single dose vials. Some will have thimerasol. It is not a scare tactic. It will be up to the individual to make sure they are getting a thimerosal free version.

"Thimerosal will be found in most vials of the swine flu vaccine. However, it may be possible to find doses that are thimerosal-free if you ask for single-dose shots. According to the CDC, "Single-dose syringes will be thimerosal-free, which will address concerns about this additive, especially regarding pediatric and pregnant vaccine recipients (inhaler sprayer vaccine products will also be thimerosal-free)."

 

[Pennykay]

I hope you kept them away from the immuno-suppressed, sick, and elderly afterwards. The mist has live virus in it.

Actually, I have been thinking about this. I have never given my children the mist, so I don't know much about it, but I have heard that you should stay away from the elderly, sick and immune compromised after receiving it. I am just wondering how it will effect this group when there is a mass immunization using the mist in schools like I am hearing?? Won't this actually put certain people at more risk?

 

[C.Ann]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091016/ap_on_he_me/us_med_swine_flu

More heartbreaking news..

I really wish this vaccine had become available sooner.. Even though the mist seems to be trickling in, there are many of us who have to wait for the shot - for various reasons..

 

[Geoff_M]

This news is also pretty disturbing...

Study: H1N1 Flu Causes 'Unusual' Damage to Lungs

Friday, October 16, 2009

The new pandemic H1N1 flu may cause blood clots and other unusual damage in the lungs and doctors need to be on the lookout, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.