H1N1 vaccine - has your child gotten it yet?

[monkeybug]

from the CDC website (bolding THIERS)




The previous quote from the CDC is the paragraph right above this one on the website. Transmission of the vaccine virus (the attenuated virus) happens in only 0.6%-2.4% of cases and of those, the chance of someone developing actual disease is unlikely because "vaccine viruses have not been shown to mutate into typical or naturally occurring influenza viruses."


I think the confusion is in the definition of "immunocompromised." I would normally consider someone with HIV to be immunocompormised, but they specifically mention that it is safe for contacts of people with HIV to get FluMist.

If in doubt, discuss it with your doctor, but I think of someone is able to go to school, then they are already being exposed to lots of sickness (strep, flu, colds, etc.) which are much more contagious than the potential attenuated virus from a FluMist recipient.

ITA!
My daughter is currently experiencing asthma symptoms and I was told by family physician it was fine for my son and I to get the mist.

 

[teacups]

I have been doing some research on the mist. And according to the package insert, anyone who receives the FluMist vaccine can spread the flu for up to 21 days. From the FluMist’s own package insert: "FluMist® recipients should avoid close contact with immunocompromised individuals for at least 21 days."

How do you know who you are standing next to at the library, store... sitting next to at the movies or on a bus?

 

[my3sonsagn]

I'm on the fence about whether to get the vaccine for my kids or not; I was leaning towards not getting it, but with as quickly as H1N1 takes some people down I'm reconsidering. DH is a healthcare worker, and he plans to get it when they offer it. We homeschool, but since that is actually a misnomer (we don't spend a lot of time at home!), we're still at risk even though I'm trying to avoid crowded/touchy places especially where sick people go - like stores with pharmacies - when possible. We got the seasonal shot; what's weird is that my main concern about getting the vaccine is the probability that, due to shortages and enormous demand, the clinics offering the vaccines will likely turn into one of those crowded/touchy places that I'm trying to avoid. Two of my sons have RAD/asthma, so the mist isn't an option.

On a slightly related note, my DH's employer (large hospital) is implementing a new policy: sneezing + fever means staying home for a full 7 days. Not sure how possible that is going to be given how many workers that could take out at one time...

 

[Pin Wizard]

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm186102.htm

Check the links for the package inserts with all the ingredients listed. Frightening. And different ingredients in the vials as opposed to pre-filled syringes. Hmmmmmm...most people wouldn't know to ask about that unless they read this stuff.

 

[taximomfor4]

Thanks so much for this information! Our local health departments site was last updated on Monday. It says something along the lines of the first vaccines will be given to those most at risk. I assumed that meant kids and pregnant women. With this knowledge of blood clots, I hope my DH will qualify. I will definitely be checking with them. It also states that the first vaccines won't be available until the middle of November at the earliest.

Don't count on it. For us, "most at risk" went right to police/fire/ems workers. I THINK some hospitals got it, to give to some employees. But since I am an RN LOOKING for work, I don't count. Have to wait for it to come to general public. EEK.

On an added note, dh had cold symptoms this week, only took 1 day off work (lost his voice -- was too hard to teach). Now he wakes up today, chest is tight. He couldn't cough. Off to urgent care -- may have settled in his chest.

We don't even know if we had flu or cold in this house. Some fevers. Some not. Some fine after a few days. 2 of us (young adults) with probable secondary infections. I am 36 hours into antibiotics, and SOOOOO sick of coughing. At least I can breathe correctly now, though.

 

[taximomfor4]

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm080754.htm

Data supporting the safety and effectiveness of FluMist in this population are limited. In addition, FluMist is a live virus vaccine, and has the potential for transmission to household contacts that have a weakened immune system. FluMist recipients should avoid close contact after receiving the vaccine.

Yes - CLOSE contact. Not grocery shopping at the same store, etc. It's not going to be "likely" transmitted, nor even "easily" transmitted.

When I did my peds rotation in nursing school, only the hematology floor (lots of leukemia, etc) had forbidden entry after FluMist...for 2 weeks I think it was.

 

[Christine]

My co-worker's daughter had to get the shot over the mist because her mother was receiving chemo for breast cancer. I guess they considered the possibility of transmission a risk to her.

 

[LeslieG]

My son has asthma, but his pediatrician has given him the seasonal flu mist the last two years. I'm wondering about the H1N1 mist for him. His allergy doctor's office has a blanket statement saying get the shot, not the mist. But I'm trying to weigh the risk of getting the mist versus waiting an additional month or whatever it might be for the shot and the chances of him contracting the flu waiting. I'm not sure what is more risky, getting the mist or waiting for the shot. Our county health department has given us zero information about when the vaccine might start arriving or how they plan to administer it.

 

[teacups]

I received this email and thought that if anyone would be intersted in this, it would be this group.

> Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist)
> having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in
> institutions* like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital, Saifee
> Hospital, Tata Memorial,* etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear
> Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and
> Critical Centre, Malad (W).
>
> The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is*
> important to know. In a* global epidemic of this nature, it's almost
> impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all
> precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as
> proliferation is.
>
> While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of
> H1N1* infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of
> symptoms and development* of secondary infections, some very simple
> steps, not fully highlighted in* most official communications, can be
> practiced (instead of focusing on how to* stock N95 or Tamiflu):
>
>
> 1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official
> communications).
>
> 2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all* temptations to touch any
> part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
>
> 3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't
> trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the
> throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.
> Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt
> water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on
> an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and
> powerful preventative method.
>
> 4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day
> with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra
> Neti* (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing
> the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds
> dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral
> population.
>
> 5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C*
> (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin
> C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
>
> 6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.*
> Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the
> reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat
> into the* stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any
> harm.
>
> Neti pots and sinus rinse kits
> are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive, under$15.
>
> I suggest you pass this on to your entire* e-list. You never know who
> might pay attention to it - and STAY ALIVE because of it.

 

[CowboyCO]

Don't count on it. For us, "most at risk" went right to police/fire/ems workers. I THINK some hospitals got it, to give to some employees. But since I am an RN LOOKING for work, I don't count. Have to wait for it to come to general public. EEK.

On an added note, dh had cold symptoms this week, only took 1 day off work (lost his voice -- was too hard to teach). Now he wakes up today, chest is tight. He couldn't cough. Off to urgent care -- may have settled in his chest.

We don't even know if we had flu or cold in this house. Some fevers. Some not. Some fine after a few days. 2 of us (young adults) with probable secondary infections. I am 36 hours into antibiotics, and SOOOOO sick of coughing. At least I can breathe correctly now, though.

Not flaming, but WHy are you on antibiotics with cold/flu symptoms? They are both viruses, which antibiotics do not work against. The only treatment for flu symptoms are Tamiflu and another inhaled medication which can reduce the severity of the flu if taken in the frist 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Not flaming, but WHy are you on antibiotics with cold/flu symptoms? They are both viruses, which antibiotics do not work against. The only treatment for flu symptoms are Tamiflu and another inhaled medication which can reduce the severity of the flu if taken in the frist 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

I can answer this since I will also be requesting antibiotics when/if we have flu-like illness. Many people who die or who have a really tough time with H1N1 do so due to secondary bacterial infections. Antibiotics can head off this problem. So you will still have swine flu, but the idea is to prevent bacteria (strep, Mersa...)from coming in and taking advantage of your weakened immune system.

 

[hereyago]

DD11's school is having some workers from the health department come next week and administer the h1n1. However, we are not sure if it is the vaccine or the nasal yet. '

And even though DD is getting the h1n1, I am still promoting that she washes her hands and coughs into her sleeve,etc.

 

[LisaR]

I can answer this since I will also be requesting antibiotics when/if we have flu-like illness. Many people who die or who have a really tough time with H1N1 do so due to secondary bacterial infections. Antibiotics can head off this problem. So you will still have swine flu, but the idea is to prevent bacteria (strep, Mersa...)from coming in and taking advantage of your weakened immune system.

I am of the same belief. I am 100% against the overuse of antibiotics in this country. However, to the best of my knowledge, nobody has died FROM H1N1. They have all died from a secondary bacterial infection that could be cured with antibiotics if taken soon enough. Now I won't be rushing to the doctor the first time one of us sneeze, but for the first time in my life, I am going to really discuss the pros of antibiotics with our doctor if one of us gets sick.

I recognize that the same can be said for seasonal flu (those that die do so from a secondary infection) however, those are generally the elderly or people with weakened immune systems. People in those categories are generally given antibiotics when they become ill as a precaution.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

My wife took our daughter to get hers the other day. As far as I can tell she is fine.

 

[LisaR]

DD11's school is having some workers from the health department come next week and administer the h1n1. However, we are not sure if it is the vaccine or the nasal yet. '

And even though DD is getting the h1n1, I am still promoting that she washes her hands and coughs into her sleeve,etc.

Good for you! One thing that worries me about the mass immunization is that people will become lax in their hygiene again. Heck, we have a seasonal flu every year and so many people weren't big on the whole hand washing thing. Now people are drilling it into their kids heads and following through themselves. I hope that doesn't go by the wayside just because people have been immunized.

 

[C.Ann]

Yes - CLOSE contact. Not grocery shopping at the same store, etc. It's not going to be "likely" transmitted, nor even "easily" transmitted.

When I did my peds rotation in nursing school, only the hematology floor (lots of leukemia, etc) had forbidden entry after FluMist...for 2 weeks I think it was.

-----------------------------

I would consider "living in the same household" close - thus some family members should not receive the mist..

 

[Tinijocaro]

However, to the best of my knowledge, nobody has died FROM H1N1. They have all died from a secondary bacterial infection that could be cured with antibiotics if taken soon enough.

Viral pneumonia, kidney failure and encephalitis are several other reasons people die when they get swine flu.

 

[denisenh]

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)."

thimerosal is a safe, effective preservative. this/a preservative is not needed in single dose vaccines. it is used in multidose vials to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria which may be introduced once the multi dose vial is opened.

in an effort to find the dangers of thimerosal through my own research, i have actually found that it is a non issue for most people/children.
thimerosal is a preservative used in many cosmetics and over the counter products that need to have a preservative, like eye drops and nasal sprays.

i wouldn't go out of my way to soak myself in thimerosal but for crying out loud, i wouldn't shun an influenza vaccine with trace amounts of it either.

i am going to allow my less than 18 year old kids to have the "with preservative" influenza vaccine because of the shortage of preservative free single dose version aka pediatric over 36 months of age vaccine.

 

[Pennykay]

"thimerosal is a safe, effective preservative."

Thimerosal is about 50% mercury. Whether it is safe or not is debatable, but I respect your opinion and your decision to choose to vaccinate.

"thimerosal is a preservative used in many cosmetics and over the counter products that need to have a preservative, like eye drops and nasal sprays."

I just feel that it is different when you are injecting it into children's bodies. Or even pregnant woman, for that matter, because the mercury does transfer to the baby in vitro.

 

[maroo]

Viral pneumonia, kidney failure and encephalitis are several other reasons people die when they get swine flu.

They have also died when the heart is attacked by the virus.