Will you be vaccinated for Swine Flu?

[debknight]

I am on the fence with this one. It's very new, and seems rushed to me. Also, apparently in the 70's when swine flu hit the first time, more people died from the vaccine then the flu itself. Sometimes I wonder if it's just put out there to appease the masses.

Both my sister and myself received the "Swine Flu" vaccine in the 70's and we are still very much alive.

 

[HelenePA]

I would ask your doctor. Since he can't get the live vaccination (the inhaled vacine for H1N1) because he is too young, that is good news. But, then it also means that no one in your household can get the inhaled one either. I think I would have him get the shot, as well as everyone in your family. But, make sure that he has limited contact with anyone that has had the live vaccination (inhaled). It is possible that someone who receives that vaccination can pass it on to him or anyone else which wouldn't be great. Since his immune system is compromised, I would do it.

Its not my son who has had the defect corrected it's my daughter who's 8. Is that still too young? but I'd get the shot I couldn't see her taking the inhaled one anyway.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Its not my son who has had the defect corrected it's my daughter who's 8. Is that still too young? but I'd get the shot I couldn't see her taking the inhaled one anyway.

Sorry - I misunderstood. But, no one in your family should get the live vaccination due to her heart defect. Even though she is doing good, she is still at risk and the last thing you want is for someone to get the live vaccination and pass the H1N1 virus to her. The shot is not a live virus, therefore it cannot be passed from one family member to another. In most instances, the inhaled vaccinations are a bit safer because they don't have thimerosal in them. But, I wouldn't risk it for your daughter.

 

[Lanshark]

I am a teacher. I have one student out with it already. GA is, I believe, one of the hardest hit states so far. I will get the vaccination as soon as it is available.

 

[LimeGreenEd]

Never been vaccinated for regular flu and have not got the flu yet. Not really worried about it.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Are you planning on being vaccinated for the Swine flu? Why/why not?

Nope!

 

[sunnyday123]

Both my sister and myself received the "Swine Flu" vaccine in the 70's and we are still very much alive.

Really?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm typically cautious of vaccines, and haven't received any since I was a kid. However, I plan to get the flu shot (I've never had it, nor have I ever had the flu) and probably the swine flu vaccine as well.

My health is not great this year. I have Crohns (an autoimmune disease), severe asthma, on an immune suppressant medication, and work with children and homeless/low income on a regular basis. My Crohns is not under control right now and I'm on a new medication that has higher risks than previous ones I've been on (in regards to immune system issues).

My usual steps to avoid illness have helped me so far but with the possibility of huge numbers of people coming down with flu this year, my risks are probably going to skyrocket and probably end up being higher than the risks that the vaccine may carry with it.

The last I heard about the swine flu vaccine is that it'll be limited so I'm not sure I'd qualify for it but if I do, I've about decided to go for it. There isn't a possibility that it'll contain a live virus, is there? I'm not able to receive anything with a live virus due to my medications.

I'm going to find a low cost flu vaccine location to get that in the next week or two.

My DH does not want to receive either. I'm not sure if I should push him to do to it for my sake or if me receiving the vaccines will protect me enough. Guess I'll have to talk to the doctor.

 

[golfgal]

I have not heard that, but I can certainly imagine something like that happening. If it was not possible to opt out, then I might join the ranks of the homeschoolers. A few years down the road, when there is more known about this vaccine, I might feel differently.

Well, a few years down the road this vaccine won't do you any good because the virus mutates and changes which is why they have to develop a new vaccine each year.

Of course, the strain of flu that is being vaccinated against changes each year while the bulk of the vaccine remains the same.

Regarding this particular vaccine: I have spoken with several healthcare professionals who have expressed concern over the safety of this vaccine. In part, that may be because unlike other flu vaccines this vaccine requires two doses. I am not a health care professional, and I don't claim to know any other differences between this vaccine and those that have come before it. However, I trust the professionals that I have consulted. They urge me to get the flu vaccine every year, and they get it themselves. They are concerned about this vaccine, and I trust that.

ETA - For my family it may be a bit of a moot point anyway. Swine flu has been in our county and our schools since last spring. In fact, we currently have the largest number of documented cases of swine flu of any county in our entire state. By the time we could get the vaccine, it's likely that we already will have been exposed to it, if in fact we haven't already been. As of last week, no place will even test for it any longer. We've all been sick recently; for all I know we could have already had it.

I think you need to talk to medical professionals that actually know something. The first time you get a flu vaccine you take it in two doses generally. Since this virus is a new virus never seen before they are recommending 2 doses to insure immunity. Every other vaccine you get you receive in multiple doses over time too.

The H1N1 has been around everywhere since last year. You may or may not have been exposed at that time. The concern is that historically when they have a new virus like this one it rebounds in the fall and is very lethal after an initial outbreak that was very mild. THAT is why they are so concerned. Research the flu outbreak in the early 1900's and you will find that there was a mild outbreak in the late winter/early spring then it rebounded in the fall killing millions. The problem was that the people that died were actually the healthy population as it kicked peoples' immune system into overdrive thus those with a compromised immune system fought it off better then those with a normal immune system.

If you had the flu, you would KNOW. It isn't just a little cold.

As far as getting a vaccine, probably. Since it won't be out until October I wonder if we will have already had it by then going by the number of cases that seem to be popping up in schools already-our schools don't start until Tuesday so we will see.

 

[englishteacha]

I'm a teacher. Our district is planning a swine flu shot clinic for the kids, but I don't think I will get one. Our nurses will be coming to talk to us about the H1N1 vaccine and I might change my mind. I usually get the regular flu shot, and I almost always get the flu anyway. Just my luck!

 

[metime]

We will definately be getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.

We used to never bother with seasonal flu but due to a connective tissue disorder that my daughter and I share one of us seems to be having surgery every year. Since 2006 there has been 5 surgeries in our house. I know it may not even prevent the flu but I also know if someone fell ill from it while recovering it would be devastating.

I feel the chances of them catching anything while their body is already taxed is greater for us than any ill effects from the vaccine. Should some one become ill form jus the vaccine I would feel as though I weighed the options and did what I though would give the best outcome.

If everyone in may family was healthy and I didn't have to think about surgeries and hospital stays then no I wouldn't get the H1N1 shot.

 

[golfgal]

I'm a teacher. Our district is planning a swine flu shot clinic for the kids, but I don't think I will get one. Our nurses will be coming to talk to us about the H1N1 vaccine and I might change my mind. I usually get the regular flu shot, and I almost always get the flu anyway. Just my luck!

You get the influenza every year???? Are you sure it is influenza and not a stomach bug? They are not the same thing.

 

[shortbun]

We're not getting it. Both my son's pediatrician and my internist said, 'too quickly put together.' and neither one of them is getting it. I may end up with a mask on and medical gloves, lol. I feel ya because I'm driving four different school loads of students who might have it. Do whatever you can to bolster your immune system, I think that's the key.

 

[Scurvy]

I think you need to talk to medical professionals that actually know something. The first time you get a flu vaccine you take it in two doses generally. Since this virus is a new virus never seen before they are recommending 2 doses to insure immunity. Every other vaccine you get you receive in multiple doses over time too.


If you had the flu, you would KNOW. It isn't just a little cold.

Thanks for the advice. As I said, I don't know why my doctors are concerned about this particular vaccine; I didn't ask. It may or may not have anything to do with the multiple doses required. Regardless, I'm comfortable with my doctors and am confident that they would tell me to get the vaccine if they thought I ought to. Unfortunately, I am well aware of the difference between a cold and the flu. But I do appreciate your input.

 

[golfgal]

Of course, the strain of flu that is being vaccinated against changes each year while the bulk of the vaccine remains the same.

Regarding this particular vaccine: I have spoken with several healthcare professionals who have expressed concern over the safety of this vaccine. In part, that may be because unlike other flu vaccines this vaccine requires two doses. I am not a health care professional, and I don't claim to know any other differences between this vaccine and those that have come before it. However, I trust the professionals that I have consulted. They urge me to get the flu vaccine every year, and they get it themselves. They are concerned about this vaccine, and I trust that.

ETA - For my family it may be a bit of a moot point anyway. Swine flu has been in our county and our schools since last spring. In fact, we currently have the largest number of documented cases of swine flu of any county in our entire state. By the time we could get the vaccine, it's likely that we already will have been exposed to it, if in fact we haven't already been. As of last week, no place will even test for it any longer. We've all been sick recently; for all I know we could have already had it.

Thanks for the advice. As I said, I don't know why my doctors are concerned about this particular vaccine; I didn't ask. It may or may not have anything to do with the multiple doses required. Regardless, I'm comfortable with my doctors and am confident that they would tell me to get the vaccine if they thought I ought to. Unfortunately, I am well aware of the difference between a cold and the flu. But I do appreciate your input.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Yes, I will receive the H1N1 shot and will be very grateful to have it administered as soon as it becomes available. I received the regular flu shot and the pneumonia shot last week

 

[Scurvy]

I'm sorry for veering off topic, OP.

I'm sorry I confused you. If you were confused because I said it's unfortunate that I know the difference between a cold and the flu, I said that because I'd rather not have experience with either; I find it unfortunate that I have had them each fairly often over the years. If it was because I said I could have had swine flu - several of my family members had the flu shortly before swine flu was confirmed to be in my area. We weren't tested for swine flu specifically; for all I know that's what it was.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I think of it like any other flu vaccine. And since I faithfully get a flu shot every year I will be getting the swine flu shot as well as soon as it becomes available. Right now I don't believe that swine flu is necessarily more dangerous than any other type of flu but it makes sense to me to protect myself against any infectious disease that I can.

I totally agree. I already got my seasonal flu shot (I like to get it early!) and will get the swine shot(s) as soon as they are available.

 

[JimB.]

Most likely yes.

I'm a paramedic & see sick people all the time. I need all the help I can get.

 

[HOGFAN]

yes, it will probably be required at my work(hospital).
they have already told us that if we dont vaccinate for the regular flu that we have to wear a mask.