OT- H1N1 Vaccine for my Son?

[natemomma27]

*I asked on the Maternal Forum as well, but get quicker answers here! LoL

My son is 5 years old and attends a school in Pennsylvania that has been hit with the H1N1 virus.

Cumulative Count: (Begining of school year (9/1) to date (10/16)

High School - 66 total  (44 prior, 22 new this week) - All but 14 have returned to school.

Middle School - 45 (18 prior, 27 new this week) - All but 10 have returned to school.

Intermediate School – 82 (40 prior, 42 new this week) - All but 21 have returned to school.

B. Elementary – 8 total (2 prior, 6 new this week) - All but 3 have returned to school.

LN. Elementary - 5 total (2 prior, 3 new this week) - All but 3 have returned to school.

S. Elementary -   15 ( 7 prior,  8 new this week) - All but 8 have returned to school.

Total -  221 reported cases to date.  49 out of school district-wide.  All others have recuperated and returned to school.

*Bear in mind, that after the first few cases the school district is treating all flu as the H1N1, so the numbers vary a little.

Should I have my son vaccinated? Especially since he has 2 younger brothers (ages 3 and 9 months) at home that he may carry 'diseases' to?

[tiredbuthappy]

we have a 2 month old. My OB thinks it's so crucial that we all get it, he ordered one not only for me, but for my husband. He feels it is critical for parents to be immunized to protect the infants in their care. When my first was born, he had me and DH get a DTaP booster since pertussis is on the rise and affecting more and more infants.

In my area, I have not heard of any doctors advising not to get the shot.

To the original poster- i mentioned this on the MC forum, but I'll reiterate for those who don't venture over there. What is alarming in the case you posted is the number of NEW cases. It shows how quickly the virus is spreading. Seasonal flu rarely affects schools like that.

I also feel that this whole H1N1 thing clearly illustrates what could happen in a flu season if so many people chose to not vaccinate against the flu. Since there hasn't been a vaccine available until now, it illustrates what a virus has the potential to do. It is those of us who do vaccinate that prevent outbreaks like this.

[Crystalrt]

In Australia a child under 10 can't get the vaccine, I'm not sure why if you guys' children can...

[Proud_Papa_of_2]

so if you want to take the chances with your health, that's fine but how can you consider risking your children's lives by disregarding the advice of the professionals paid to handle the situation?

[Proud_Papa_of_2]

the vaccine is being in the same manner and in the same places as the seasonal flu vaccines so  the risk associated with it will be the same as with the seasonal vaccine.

[kephartswife20]

i think u should all get the vaccine. considering ur children r so young. pregnant women are at the top to get the vaccine then children 6 months to 24 years old. in the paper today here where i live the CDC has reported 11 children in the past WEEK have DIED from it. but its up to u. im pregnant and have already gotten it my doctor recommened it to me and told me that the shot is a DEAD virus. the spray isnt.and im fine. and very happy with my choice. i would rather take the chance with the vaccine than me and my unborn child die from the swin flu. and pregnant women can and HAVE died from it.

[AndiJ78]

I recently suffered for 3 weeks with what is believed to have been both, H1N1 and seasonal flu. I have not been that sick in recent memory. I never went more than a day between 101+ degree fevers, chills, body aches, severe headaches, neck pain, malaise, fatigue, nausea, and sinus complaints. That was the first 10 days, once the vomiting and diarrhea kicked in, it was fantastic.

Now I am a 31-year-old woman in excellent health. I am not immunosuppressed and I am active.

Look what this did to me. I have no doubt that on 2 separate occasions, I would have been kept at least overnight for dehydration had I even had the energy to get to the van to be taken in. I was frightfully sick.

Why on earth would any mother who claims to love their child risk subjecting them to this? Why? There is no side effect that is worse than what I experienced during the past 3 weeks. I could not imagine willingly allowing my child to get either of these knowing I had the chance to possibly prevent it.

[luvmybabes]

Oh my god I am so freaking out about all of this.... I have terrible anxiety because of it

[spade22]

My biggest concern right now is Jazmines pediatrician doesnt have injectable H1N1 flu vaccines - they only have the nasal kind which she is too young for. Hopefully they get these in soon - my husband has been calling daily.  She got her regular flu shot a few days ago.

I'm also curious as to the nature of these scary side-effects?  Are they as bad as death from the flu?

[evthing4reason]

They just approved the H1N1 vaccine in Canada yesterday...We will all be getting it in our house as well as the seasonal flu vaccinne, up until this point they were not giving the seasonal flu shot in my province to anyone under 65 but now they are going to be doing both in mass clinics, my Dr highly reccommends it

[houseofgirls]

I'm actually surprised to hear that there are doctors out there not getting it.  Everyone from my OB/Gyn, my Pharmacist and even my Primary care doctor are encouraging it.  They are also getting both flu shots.

I'm curious what the scary side effects supposedly are?

[sk123]

I agree with Peek. If you have young children, they should be getting the vaccine because they are in the high-risk group. Dr. Enoch Choi recently did a health chat on swine flu and the issue of doctors not getting the vaccine was discussed. He said it was irresponsible.

You should all read it before making up your minds: http://www.medhelp.org/health_chats/archive/34

[peekawho]

Pregnant women, and caregivers of small children, and children themselves are at high risk from this illness.  They are the EXACT people who should be receiving it urgently.

Every flu vaccine is developed "new" each year, tailored to the expected strain that may be coming in the flu season.  This one is no different.  

I landed in ICU for a week some years back, from the "regular" flu.  No way I'm chancing that again.

[Sarah1013]

My kids are getting it. My youngest has asthma and Im not going to risk her dying from it when i can prevent it.

[peekawho]

There is no more risk from the H1N1 vaccine than there is from any other flu vaccine that comes out each year.   In no way is it playing Russian Roulette.  NOT getting it is playing Russian Roulette.   Healthy children are dying from H1N1 in unusual numbers.  Children and young adults without risk factors.

I'm getting both the regular flu vaccine, as well as H1N1 (when it becomes available for us).  I'm shocked that Joy Renee has heard of doctors, especially pregnant doctors, who are not getting it.  Every physician I know personally, and this is a large number of MDs, are getting the vaccine.   Its a no-brainer--why would anyone not?

But then again, nothing should shock me any more, after the last couple of days.

I'm wondering what website has a large number of pregnant doctors who are refusing the vaccine?  

[houseofgirls]

I was pretty much going to say what Spade said.  If you are pregnant or if you have an infant (especially under 6 months old since they can't get a flu shot) then you are in a high risk group.

[spade22]

Anyone under the age of 29, who is pregnant, or suffers from other health issues is in a "high risk" catergory for H1N1 flu.  Those with and without autoimmune diseases are susceptible to the swine flu.

The CDC expects "side effects" from the H1N1 vaccine to be similar to that from the regular flu shot which have "very good track records".  Of the few people that get side effects, they tend to be very mild - red, tenderness/soreness at injection site.

Getting the flu shot is your best defence against getting swine flu (unless you have no contact with people during the outbreak to begin with).  It will also help prevent the spread of flu to people that might be susceptible to severe complications, including death, should they catch swine flu.

H1N1 is not the typical flu and targets, and kills young healthy people.  The regular flu tends to hit people over 60 the hardest.

Most of this information can be found on the CDC website.

[rebekah385]

I am somewhat on the fence about this one myself, my family has gotten the reguar flu shot as m youngest (almost 2) has asthma. i was really kind of leaning toward not getting it because it is a realatively new vaccine and I worry that there maybe unknown side effects. However I have a kindergartener, a 3 1/2 year old in pre-school and my 2 year old who is asthmatic and with all of the germs from the 3 of them I think that i probably will get it now although still not completely sure it is not available here yet, so I have a little time. i had a reality check this evening though a 5 month old baby in the same county as me died today from the swine flu the first one in my state (Washington) and that really makes it a reality for me. i feel it is a very personal decision and there are risk both ways. I think i will have them done though, I think for me that  would rather risk a chance of having some sort of side effect than have be child die and know I could have prevented it. i don't want to offend any one that is just how i feel.

[5n1]

I agree with Joy on this one. They are saying everywhere this is basically "experimental" and I am sorry they are not experimenting on me nor my kids. I will just take my chances.

[jakesgal88]

My husband and I have decided not to get the seasonal flu shot or the new flu shot, we will not be getting either for our children either. None of us have had the flu shot before and do not plan on getting it. My OB is not pushing this shot either. As many have said, it is a very personal decision however.

[akl_cdl]

It is a good idea to do your own research.  That's what my husband and I did and we came to the conclusion to get the vaccine. Go to the CDC website and talk to your doctors.  Everyone keeps saying it is just another flu but I have come to disagree.  Alot of people die from the seasonal flu but 90% of those who die are the elderly...It's totally opposite with this flu.  It's younger people and alot of them have been healthy.  I am 34 weeks pregnant and as soon as it comes available here I will be getting it.  Just make sure you are comfortable with your decision.
Also alot of healthcare workers and doctors don't even get seasonal flu shots.

[natemomma27]

thank you all! its a really tough call! i am a little hesitant b/c it is so very new...i guess im off to do more research!!

[dnikki0928]

The only things you can believe out there are on the CDC website. In my opinion - b/c you have a 3yr old and a very young one, then yes, I would get the 3yr old and the 5yr old vaccinated. I am currently 23wks p/g and my OB and pharmacist have stated how important it is that I get this vaccine. Our 3yr old son will also be getting the vaccine to protect himself as well as his baby sister who will arrive in Feb. The death toll is getting to high for comfort and the regular flu season hasn't even really begun yet. Of course, to each their own opinion.

[spade22]

H1N1 targets people who are 29 or younger and are otherwise healthy individuals. People in this age group can DIE from this flu - this has been shown to be the case.  

Im not sure what potential risks associated with the vaccine are worth the risk of death.  The fact someones doctor is not willing to get a flu shot should have no bearing on your descision.  What % of doctors ARE willing to get the H1N1 flu shot?  Those are statistics that are revelant.

[sweetangel7]

I'm not pregnant but I got one and my doctor got one with me...his kids got it...my son will get it...

The school I teach at gets recommendations and updates from the CDC and the CDC recommends vaccination in 'herd' fashion so we have vaccines for our town and school...of course it is personal choice of parents to get their kid vaccinated....