I am debating on whether I should get the swine flu shot and if I should get the shot for my 4 yr. old daughter as well. We are just now getting over the regular flu and I think the next step should be getting the shot, but I am getting a lot of mixed reviews. How many moms are planning on getting the shot for themselves and their children? Does anyone know any great reliable sites regarding the shot?
Hello Ladies-I have to say that I have debated this every single day. I have read and re-read some of your positings here, outside information, news programs and though everyone makes a valid case I have decided to get my daughter vaccinated. I am concerned about everything but my biggest concern is for Zoe's health. The reality is that it is very early on in the flu season and the death rate is very high. And if this vaccine can prevent that, for the projected 1% of the population who will loose their life over the FLU, then its worth it. No one should die from the flu. A little 4 year old girl in Reseda, not too far from here, died yesterday. Her family must be suffering and I can not imagine what that mother is going through and if a vaccine can prevent that kind of tragedy I have to give it a shot for my daughters sake.
My dad called me yesterday saying he had asked his doctor, who has young children, about the swine flu shot. His doctor not only said he was not getting it, but that he would neither get it for his children nor recommend it to any of his patients. His personal thoughts that there had not been enough testing done on the vaccine. And based upon my own research I agree with this doctor.
Dr. Jay Gordon, a well known pediatrician in Santa Monica does not advise using the H1N1 Vaccine. In fact, he thinks it might be terribly dangerous to not develop a "natural immunity" to this strain of flu. Here's an excerpt:
"Preventing outbreaks of this "novel H1N1" influenza may be a mistake of huge proportions. Yes, sadly, there will be fatalities among the 6 billion citizens of the planet. Tens of millions of cases of any illness will lead to morbidity and mortality, but this is completely (tragically) unavoidable. The consequences of not acquiring immunity this time around, however, could be really terrible and far outweigh a mass prevention program." You can read his whole article about it at:
http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/news/h1n1update.asp
Dr. Gordon IS NOT against vaccinating. But he is cautious about how he vaccinates. He feels there is just not enough research, and the vaccine has been too rushed:
"It sure isn't "sexy" to suggest handwashing, good nutrition, hydration, extra sleep and so on. It's not conventional to suggest astragalus, echinacea, elderberry and vitamin C. Adequate vitamin D levels are crucial, too."
I trust him, but you must make your own decision. All the best, A fellow concerned mom!
To be honest...no way in hell! I wouldn't shoot an untested, live virus that is full of mercury into my child. And even less of a chance I would do it if I were pregnant. I'm sorry, but it's the flu. Same flu as always, just earlier in the season. WASH YOUR HANDS PEOPLE!
In my mind getting any flu shot does three things... it floods your system with a whole bunch of chemicals, synthetic ingredients and preservatives. Secondly, it allows even stronger strains of the flu to be created. And lastly, it lines the pockets of some pharmaceutical company whose main line of business is to make money off of people's fears.
This question has been asked a lot lately by mothers all over. I find, however, that no one wants an alternate opinion. Pretty much everyone wants to be validated for doing what the doctor says without question. I don't do anything my doctor says until I've done my own research. So you asked and this is my opinion. Do with it what you will!
My son has gotten his regular flu shot, but I don't plan on getting him the H1N1 shot. On our last visit to the pediatrician, about a month ago, our doctor did not recommend it...seems there hasn't been enough testing on children. I don't plan on getting it either. (As a side note, there have been a number of H1N1 cases in our area, but they have all been very mild.)
I am getting it and so is my husband and son. And I agree that you should do some research to make sure you are doing the right thing for you and your family. But I'm afraid Nicole is blindly taking false information from in informed people and making recommendations based on that. First, it is NOT the same old flu. Clearly that's not the case. "Earlier in the season" is not what is causing all these adults and children to be hospitalized! Vaccinations have stopped things like polio, etc. So what "bad" effects did stopping polio cause?? Yes, there are lots of concerns over pharmaceutical companies and the money they make (trust me, I spend $50 a month on one med and I'm not thrilled!) but there is far more good then bad that they do.
Sorry, I'll leave it at that. I just hate fear-mongering!
Do your research, just be careful where the research comes from. :)
I'm with Karen. Many doctors are not recommending this vaccine. The nasal mist is the LIVE VIRUS. Why would you want that for your child. Anytime they sneeze they will spread the LIVE virus. The fear mongering is about the flu, not the vaccine. I remember in 1976 when there was a big flu scare and push to vaccinate against the flu. People died from the vaccine. People were paralyzed from the vaccine. People came dow with Epstein Barr from the vaccine. These vaccines are being rushed to market. You are better off working on building up your immune system. You can do that with superfood, a dehydrated mix of greens- wheatgrass, ryegrass, spirulina. Any health food store should have it. Propolis capsules will build up your immune system and are also anti-viral. They are a food stuff, a by-product of the beehive. Oil of oregano is another anti-viral. Sambucol has been tested and is as effective as Tamiflu. It can be found in health food stores. Sambucol is an elderberry extract. Keep in mind that many pharmaceuticals are synthesized agents trying to mimic what mother nature produces in food and herbs and plants. Why not go for the real thing? Vaccines are not benign and carry risks. Consider this, if you have a reaction you can not sue the pharmaceutical company. They are indemnified by the government. Check out how much money they spend lobbying lawmakers. At $25/pop think how much money they stand to make on this. Just say no.
I too will be getting the H1N1 flu vaccine and so will my 10 month old daughter. The truth is, if the swine flu would have come out only a couple of months sooner it would have been incorporated into the seasonal flu vaccine. In this case I think the benefit out weighs the risks of the vaccine.
I too was indecisive about getting it, but there was a segment on NPR (National Public Radio) last week and in an instant I decided I will get it. The doctor stated a high percentage of pregnant women have died from the H1N1 flu. I'm 31+ weeks pregnant, and the risk is too high. Also young children just don't have as much immunity, for that reason my daughter will also be getting it. Our medical provider has not received the H1N1 vaccine yet, so we are just waiting.
I did have to call the Center for Disease Control, who clarified for me the correct order/combination to get the H1N1 and regular flu shots. Their number is (800)232-4636 or visit their website.
Good luck with your decision.
I read a nytimes artcile with a very good q & a about swine flu and regular flu vaccines. Sorry I don't have the exact address but go to nytimes.com and do a search for H1N1 you should find the article. It helped lessen my fears about the vaccine.
I wrote a long response to Maren about this. You can watch the 60 Minutes segment from Sunday if you can find it online. At least at Kaiser, the Swine flu vaccine isn't available for adults yet unless they fall into a higher risk group, but the line for kids yesterday was an hour long! Your daughter is at higher risk than you are and it is more deadly in children (but still less than a 1% risk) Not a risk I'm willing to take with my children. My 11 y.o. got the nasal spray H1N1 vaccine yesterday as well as the seasonal shot. No reaction -- he's rarin' to casterboard today! Good luck with your decision. E.
Dear Maria,
My husband and I just received our seasonal flu shots and our son took the H1N1 nose mist in addition to the regular. I didn't seriously consider skipping it for him, but I researched it anyway. I have heard so many mothers truly agonizing over the decision because there is so much false information coming out and fear-mongering. After my internet reading, speaking to my SIL, who is a doctor, and to my son's pediatrician who told us that the hospital was seeing far more cases this month, especially in children, I was ready to get the vaccine for myself today (which I couldn't at this point because it is being doled out for the high risk groups - 6 months to 24 years, those with underlying health conditions that might make catching the flu all the more dangerous, health care workers and infant caretakers).
These two sites may help you:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e25_###-###-####
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1125...
I felt peace of mind today, watching the news story of a ten-year-old girl struggling out of a wheelchair and barely walking out of the hospital after weeks of illness and pain. I felt getting my son the vaccination was part of my responsibility as his parent to keep him from being in that little girl's position.
Good luck with your decision.
