H1N1 vaccine - has your child gotten it yet?

[Pigeon]

I'm glad you research. However, most people don't. Most people wouldn't even know where to look to find scientific medical, peer reviewed articles. They read websites that are nothing but opinion and look no further. I also never said parents who don't vaccinate don't love their child. I said they're playing with their child's health, and it's true. The general public buys into the scare tactic misinformation that is out there and they never bother to look further. When making a decision that impacts a child's health and possibly their life, I would encourage everyone to become an expert.

I work in education, I've heard first hand the reasons people give for not vaccinating, and most of them are complete and utter nonsense. I've also seen first hand a child who medically could not be vaccinated die because of parents who refused to vaccinate their children. Children who can not tolerate vaccines depend on herd immunity, which is compromised when others decide not to get vaccinated.

And my point is still valid, the risks of putting a child in a car are far, far greater than that of ANY vaccine out there. Encouraging people to seek information - actual information, not hearsay and personal opinions - should not be disapproved of.



Again, I never said this. What I said is that people are making choices based on little or no factual information and I don't understand that. Acting in ignorance is not the same as acting with malicious intent. People are trying to do what it right, but making choices without doing research really bothers me. However, I never equated this with not caring about or not loving your child.

I also work in education and peer reviewed research, locating it, helping others find it and interpret it are my living.

I think your characterizations are dead wrong. Most of the non-vaxers that I know are far more likely to research the issues than those who vax. The vaxers are much less likely to ask questions of anyone, including their doctors, the pharmaceutical industry or government agencies.

And scare tactics? Please, the CDC has scare tactics down to an art form.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I wonder why some places are getting the vaccine and other areas aren't. We don't have any in our area yet. Where did you physically go to get it? The health department, your doctor?

We got ours at the Health Dept (Tennessee), and it was free. All the hospitals had already gotten the FluMist, so there was about 2800 doses available first come, first serve to the general public.

Also, the mist and the shot are being given free (well, not exactly free...our tax dollars at work) to the medical communities. So technically they should not be charging for the vaccines.

 

[phragmipedium]

I'm 7 weeks pregnant, and I will be receiving the vaccine (hopefully at my dr's visit on Oct 27th). I received the regular flu shot two weeks ago at my first appointment, with no complications. It's only the second time I've ever had a flu shot.

I work in a state office building dealing with public assistance and child support. There are lots of people and children that I come into contact with on a daily basis, and not everyone covers their cough/sneeze or washes their hands before they touch pens, door handles, etc. My husband teaches sixth grade and is in a similar, vector-filled environment. The last time I had the regular flu three years ago, I ended up with pneumonia. I've had terrible morning sickness and I can tell that my body is weakened right now, and probably my immune system as well. All of this added with the fact that pregnant women and fetuses have a very difficult time with H1N1, and I feel I would be taking a very serious risk to *not* get the vaccine (shot with deadened virus and no preservative, not mist with weakened). My insurance will cover it, but I'd pay for it if I had to - I wish I could get it sooner.

 

[mrssmee]

A few weeks ago, we had pretty much decided we were NOT going to vaccinate our children for H1N1 (however, we do give them the seasonal flu shot every year).

Then H1N1 hit our community HARD. Very widespread. We kept up with the information coming in from our local children's hospital, our pediatrician's office, as well as other sources NOT including any type of media. Based off of the severity of the illness and how quickly it was spreading, we were starting to lean towards getting them vaccinated.

Then, my 8 year old came down with H1N1. We were very fortunate that he did not have to be hospitalized, but it was a nightmare. It was the sickest he has ever been in his entire life. I did not sleep for a couple of days while he was at his worst. By the grace of God, his little sister did not come down with it. We isolated him as soon as he showed symptoms in our master bedroom and kept him isolated in there for an entire week and my DH and I took turns sleeping (or at least trying to sleep) in the room with him (that may sound cruel, but we spoiled him so much he was actually upset when he had to move back to his room!).

After going through that with our son, and after doing extensive research, we decided we would be giving our four year old the vaccine as soon as we can, especially since children under 5 are at a higher risk for complications. The day we made our decision that we would indeed vaccinate her, a completely healthy, strong, little girl in our community died from H1N1. That pretty much convinced me we were making the right choice for our family.

 

[teacups]

Most dont research?
Oh come on.
Do you think you are the only person with any sense locked here with a bunch of bozo's?

 

[LisaR]

Well, truth be told, comments like yours really irritate me. So we're even. You made assumptions and then ran with them. You deliberately misunderstood me because you disagree with my position and then you constructed a straw-man argument.

I'm glad you research. However, most people don't. Most people wouldn't even know where to look to find scientific medical, peer reviewed articles. They read websites that are nothing but opinion and look no further. I also never said parents who don't vaccinate don't love their child. I said they're playing with their child's health, and it's true. The general public buys into the scare tactic misinformation that is out there and they never bother to look further. When making a decision that impacts a child's health and possibly their life, I would encourage everyone to become an expert.

I work in education, I've heard first hand the reasons people give for not vaccinating, and most of them are complete and utter nonsense. I've also seen first hand a child who medically could not be vaccinated die because of parents who refused to vaccinate their children. Children who can not tolerate vaccines depend on herd immunity, which is compromised when others decide not to get vaccinated.

And my point is still valid, the risks of putting a child in a car are far, far greater than that of ANY vaccine out there. Encouraging people to seek information - actual information, not hearsay and personal opinions - should not be disapproved of.



Again, I never said this. What I said is that people are making choices based on little or no factual information and I don't understand that. Acting in ignorance is not the same as acting with malicious intent. People are trying to do what it right, but making choices without doing research really bothers me. However, I never equated this with not caring about or not loving your child.

How is the view on top of that mighty high horse? Apparently your research skills and comprehension skills are far superior than the rest of the population. Amazing fact that you not only know MOST people but you also know their researching ability. Fascinating.

 

[Ember]

How is the view on top of that mighty high horse? Apparently your research skills and comprehension skills are far superior than the rest of the population. Amazing fact that you not only know MOST people but you also know their researching ability. Fascinating.

I see we've moved from the attack of my opinions to the personal attacks of my character.

Formal debate would have this to say:

Description of Personal Attack

A personal attack is committed when a person substitutes abusive remarks for evidence when attacking another person's claim or claims. This line of "reasoning" is fallacious because the attack is directed at the person making the claim and not the claim itself. The truth value of a claim is independent of the person making the claim. After all, no matter how repugnant an individual might be, he or she can still make true claims.​

I would question anyone's ability to weigh both sides of a debate when they can't see past personal opinions and feel the need to resort to such tactics. But, as you said, you're satisfied with your conclusions. I truly hope your family isn't touched with a preventable disease (And I'm not being sarcastic, I really do). As I said, I've seen how heartbreaking it is.

I am finished here. Personal attacks end all rational discussion.

 

[LisaR]

I see we've moved from the attack of my opinions to the personal attacks of my character.

Amazing that you don't see your remarks as personal attacks. Letting everyone know that MOST people don't know how to research like you and are basically idiots would constitute a personal attack.

 

[golfgal]

We got an automated call from the school district last night that 5% or more of the kids at the high school are absent with "flu-like" symptoms. The department of health is asking schools to notify families when this happens. If that number hits 30% (I think) they are supposed to close school. We have a 4 day weekend this week (state teacher conventions) so hopefully that will slow the spread. I know of several kids in the marching band that are sick and they are all very upset as this weekend is our HUGE competition-the one they work for all season. DS14 started coughing last night-I hope it is just the cold I had a couple weeks ago--no other symptoms yet.

 

[mickeyplanner08]

Just to answer a few people's questions about the money for the vaccine. The US government is purchasing (OK, so you and I will be paying for it one way or another) the vaccine doses. Providers are able to charge and administration fee of around $20 or so for doses given. Some insurance companies are paying that fee, some are not. Some entities (health departments) may not be charging that fee at all. This has been the most interesting thing to watch develop since I started working in public health 10 years ago.

And to answer the OP's question-my kids have not been vaccinated yet. My county is offering the bulk of the vaccines through the MD's offices, but my kids go to a MD in another county that is doing it differently. I do plan on getting it for them, eventually. Another 3-4 weeks will make a huge difference in where/how the vaccine is available, I think.

 

[golfgal]

Well it looks like our decision was made for us, DS14 most likely has it now-his symptoms are identical to what DD14 had last week and me the week before so I am pretty sure we had it already. We are just waiting for the phone call from the dr with the swab results.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

We just got the consent forms from the kids school for the shot. I consented to all 4 of my kids getting it.I just wish they were getting it sooner then Nov.4th.

They were suppose to get their regular flu shot today, but I got a call yesterday saying they were out of the childrens flu shot. I didn't know they had a childs version of the flu shot.

 

[Trish Bessette]

My DD's shots aren't availabe until Nov. 10th & Nov. 16th. Scares me to wait that long but there is nothing else I can do. A lot can happen between now and then! I pray they stay healthy.

 

[newddmommie]

I just called my dd's dr to see if they were getting any in.. and they're not. No clinics are planned in our county either so i guess the power's that be made that decision for us. Hopefully her regular flu shot will do us some good. Arrgg.

 

[AndyLL]

Most dont research?
Oh come on.
Do you think you are the only person with any sense locked here with a bunch of bozo's?

Based on some of the comments here it is obvious many do not properly research.

If anyone beleives this vaccine is any more/less dangerous then the normal flu vaccine then they did a lousy job researching it.

I've seen plenty of people attack Ember but none attack her statements on the vaccine.

 

[jme829]

I just rec'd an email from my kids school that the district will be offering a FREE h1ni1 vacc. clinic.

DD16 just went to the dr. today after being sick for a week, but doesn't have H1N1,, just a run of the mill virus that's going around...


I think I will probably have all 3 of my kids vaccinated..rather be safe than sorry.

I work at the HS and we have had 150-200 kids out everyday this week with various viruses...Half of dd16 volleyball team is down and they have a big conference tourney this weekend, so I sympathize with those of you who are going through this!

 

[teacups]

Based on some of the comments here it is obvious many do not properly research.

If anyone beleives this vaccine is any more/less dangerous then the normal flu vaccine then they did a lousy job researching it.

I've seen plenty of people attack Ember but none attack her statements on the vaccine.

One thread on the Dis is not proof of anything obvious.
I do not think it is accurate to assume that MOST people do not research.

What seems to be going on here to me is that some people are closed minded and only see that their thoughts are right with no possibility that an opposing view could be right in any way shape or form.

What I think is is right for me probably is not what you think is right for you... and I'm ok with that and it would be nice if you could be too. I would never call you (not YOU, anyone) stupid for your feelings of what is best for your family.

Its sad when people come on to try to see what others think on any subject and end up feeling that they are being called stupid.

 

[Geoff_M]

I would never call you (not YOU, anyone) stupid for your feelings of what is best for your family.

Quite frankly, if you were my friend and I expressed the sentiment to you that I felt that it was best for my children that they play in traffic or that they should never wear seat belts... I would hope that you would do the right thing and point out my "stupidity" to me. You might not use that word precisely and be a bit more tactful in doing so, but would hope that you would not just blindly assume that anything that I honestly thought was OK for my kids was automatically beyond reproach.

As for the N1H1 vaccine, yes, the fact that polls have shown that 2/3rds of parents surveyed said that they would hold off giving their kids the "new" vaccine, while most of them have no qualms about giving them the equally "new" annual seasonal flu vaccine DOES clearly demonstrate a lack of knowledge on the subject.

And for the record I certainly acknowledge that there are children and adults that shouldn't get this vaccine, or others. But that's based on medical contraindications and not using Google as your primary research tool.

 

[teacups]

Quite frankly, if you were my friend and I expressed the sentiment to you that I felt that it was best for my children that they play in traffic or that they should never wear seat belts... I would hope that you would do the right thing and point out my "stupidity" to me. You might not use that word precisely and be a bit more tactful in doing so, but would hope that you would not just blindly assume that anything that I honestly thought was OK for my kids was automatically beyond reproach.

.

Ok.

 

[Feralpeg]

My college age DD has not received it yet. I want her to get it as soon as it is available. She is already really run down. She has been working way too hard this semester (senior year) and will be starting her student teaching after the beginning of the year. She has a tendency to get bronchitis. She's had it at least ten times in her 21 years. She's had pneumonia twice. So far, it is not available in her area.

It really scares me now that they are reporting that 50 percent of those that have died of H1N1 had no underlying medical conditions.