H1N1 Vaccine

Nebb

This isnt so much about whether you are getting it or not, because we have already done that, but more what are your thoughts on it. I know a lot of you are a lot more educated about it than I am, and I find the articles too wordy to understand and my eyes glaze over. Is it safe? Was it rushed? since it is an "untested" vaccine, are there risks? Share what you know about it, please and thanks

ac_in_dc

My sense is that since it's so similar to other flu vaccines, the untested thing isn't too big a deal. Also that the risks of getting the flu outweigh the risks from the vaccines based on the current state of knowledge.

kkchisholm

I feel the same way, but I am anti-vaccine so I and spectacle and think it was rushed and don't want to be the first ones to have it.

louisvillebride21

I don't have any information but I heard the most ridiciouls thing last night. My roommates BFF is in med school and she's totally convinced that the FDA or doctors released the swine flu in order to make more money. I really wanted to kick her in the baby maker.

louisvillebride21

*ridiculous

aMrsin09

I don't normlly get the flu shot, but since I have asthma they say I should get the H1N1.  BUT, down here they are only offering the multi-dose vials.  One official organization is saying it's fine, the other official organization is saying it isn't.  So that's the part that has me hesitating.

Kati0105

FI volunteers at a hospital in the infectious diseases unit, and he swears it is safe and will probably opt to get it when he can (although he is terribly afraid of needles so maybe not).  I have never had the flu and am wary of the risks involved with any flu vaccines so I will probably choose not to get it.

banana468

I'm really concerned now that it's a "National Emergency".    It's allowing the Federal government to bypass multiple regulations that are in place.I did speak to my physician when having a routine physical.  Her take on the vaccine is that she wasn't comfortable saying one should or shouldn't get it until it was reviewd by the Medical Letter.  I have my annual with my gyno this week and I'm prepped to ask her what she feels about the matter.  As an OBGYN, she's dealing with a high risk group on a daily basis.

ac_in_dc

Also...I know some folks whose kid is in the ICU right now. He's 6 and was perfectly healthy, felt sick on friday, mom took him to the doc and they said he was dehydrated, so they went home. Friday night he had difficulty breathing and they took him to the ER...his lung had already collapsed from h1n1. Luckily he's in recovery now.That sort of thing scares me way more than a vaccine. But I'm also not freaking out in a panic to get one. I'll check about vaccines with my doc when I see her next week and go from there.

Mrs_AF

but I am anti-vaccine so I and spectacleI think you mean "skeptical". Unless you are, in fact, a pair of eyeglasses. But other than that, I agree.

ac_in_dc

If I wasn't pregnant, I'm not sure if I would bother getting the vaccine. I probably would wait a few months. But if I had asthma or something I would definitely get it. Not sure what I would do if I had kids...although my friends who are doctors are vaccinating their kids, so I'd probably follow their lead.

mandysmear

I was told at work today that apparently they made up a different vaccine for pregnant women and children than for everyone else.I don't know if there's truth to that.I know that there was also talk about mercury in it.  So people are freaking out over that.This is all I have to contribute.  I don't do flu shots.  I am not treating the swine any different.

Nebb

My friend who stated that they are using the same vaccine as in the 70s that killed a bunch of people, just advised me that the government is using it as a form of population control. Uhhuh... Im not opposed to the flu shot, ive only ever gotten one once though and got sick that year, so I really dont know what to think about getting it. I cant afford to miss work so either way I dont know what is the best move since its a myth that you will get the flu after getting the flu shot.

J&K10910

It's not untested. It went through the same testing as the regular flu vaccine, as far as I understand it.According to the CDC it is just as safe as the regular seasonal flu vaccine. It's going slower than usual, so I don't think it's rushed either. The regular flu vaccine is made every year, so if you consider that to be "rushed" then I guess it is. There is themerosal (spelling?) in some of the versions, as in most vaccines, but I personally believe you'd get more harm from eating a Lake Michigan perch.Then again, if you (I'm using 'you' in the general sense, not you specifically, Nebb) subscribe to the conspiracy theories, you're now shaking your head at me because I sold my soul to the government propoganda devil.

J&K10910

I know that there was also talk about mercury in it. So people are freaking out over that.That's the thimerosal.  It's a preservative, and it's a lot of vaccines, not just the flu vaccines.

salt78

My mom is an RN and she just got hers yesterday. She works in labor and delivery so it was pretty much a necessity. She told me that it is completely safe and is urging me to get mine. Once I figure out where I can get it, I will...I know too many people now that have had it.

jamm2019

Im not against vaccines.  But I will not get the flu shot, or the H1N1.  I dont give them to my daughter either.

mandysmear

I didn't hear anything about the asthma thing... hmm.

Nebb

marie, do you mind explaining why not? I dont want to come off snarky, im just genuinly curious.

Pirata13

I've had the regular vaccine and my doc recommended that I get the H1N1 as well since I have asthma. I trust my doc big time so I think if he had concerns about it, I would pass. But he seems to think it's ok so if he gets it in the office, I will probably go get one.

kdcwedding

Marie, do you mind me asking why you single out flu/H1N1 as the vaccine you do not get? I tried to get the H1N1 on monday - the state had a clinic at the local HS - I fall into one of the "high risk" categories. Unfortunately, the had no system in place, over a thousand people were turned away. When i got there, the line wound over a quarter of a mile around the HS outside, and who knows how many people were already in the building.

banana468

I'm not anti-flu shot.  However I'm nervous about receiving any live virus.I got the regular flu shot three weeks ago.

ac_in_dc

The thing that makes it more compelling to vaccinate for swine flu is that the immunity to h1n1 in the general population is way lower than the immunity to other flu strain. My best friend is a doc, and her hubby is a pediatric lung doctor, and he is freaked out and really afraid about the potential impact of this epidemic on the kids he treats.

lannerjarv

i'm pretty positive the H and i already had H1N1.we had all the symptoms and were super sick for what seemed forever.i doubt i'll get the vaccine though, seems pointless when i've never had a vaccine for the flu in my life.i do however think that its as safe as any regular flu shot.

[Deleted User]

The flu shot is different each year as it covers the strains of flu they THINK will be around during the flu season. The only difference is H1N1 we know is around. Getting the shot is safer then getting any strain of flu.

sucrets4

I have to run to lunch, but wanted to say that apparently the Canadian versions a little bit different.  They have ones that are attenuated (sp?) that I don't believe are available here in the US. 

wed0608

I was watching the Today Show (I think) and there was a doctor who explained what the H1N1 vaccine is.Basically the people who put together the flu vaccine every year have to anticipate how the virus is most likely to mutate, and make the vaccine accordingly. So, they went ahead and made the normal flu vaccine for this year's anticipated strain of flu. I guess just after they completed the vaccine, the flu mutated. The mutated strain, not covered by the prepared vaccine, is H1N1. So had the mutation occurred before the vaccine was completed, H1N1 would have been part of the regular vaccine and I don't think there would even be H1N1. From my understanding of what she was saying, protection from the H1N1 strain would have been included in the normal flu vaccine, and I don't think it would even have had a separate name. It would all just be "the flu".Of course, I could be all wrong!

J&K10910

Banana, you know it's only live virus in the nasal sprays (for both seasonal and h1n1) right?I can understand people being anti-flu shot.  For most healthy adults, the flu doesn't kill you.  So really all you're doing with the flu shot is hoping it helps you avoid some misery.  Granted, you can look deeper into it (cost of time off work, etc), but I think that tends to be the reasoning for a lot of people.  No sense in exposing to potential side effects just to hope you avoid being sick at home for a week or so.With that said, I got my seasonal flu shot, and intend to get the H1N1 when it's available in shot form as I have asthma and fall into the higher risk age range.

[Deleted User]

For me, the risk of not getting the shot out weighs the risk of getting it. I'll do what ever possible to protect my family from getting sick.

J&K10910

Sucrets, the attenuated version of the vaccine in the US is the nasal spray version.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I sort of have mixed feelings about vaccines that aren't for things like, you know, polio. The chicken pox vaccine? I'll admit, it was fun to have it when I was 6, and my dad developed shingles as an adult, but the complications are so rare that it seems like it's less important that, I don't know, AIDS research or something.