ANYONE "NOT" GETTING THE SWINE FLU SHOT???

[Alba333]

Hello again, I was just checking my E-mail and noticed that there was something in there about SWINE Flu prevention.  Well that prompted me to ask this question.  Is anyone out there pregnant and "NOT" getting the flu shot?  Myself, I've never had a flu shot and not planning to now.  I've been speaking to a lot of people who have had it once and they never have been the same.  I mean their immunity to the flu is awful! They never got sick before the shot and now they get a flu every year!  Not to mention what really is terrifying me is the thermosal or mercury that those shot are famous for having.  My son who is 3 has a speech delay and I would hate to think that his vaccines have something to do with it.  I don't have any proof of this anyway. I'll tell ya this, I would rather take him out of his preschool than to subject him to anymore possible damage with this new flu shot.  It also is not helping that online there is so much information about the dangers of this shot, that it makes my stomach flip.   I'm not pregnant but when the time comes if this flu is still around I don't think that I will want to risk my unborn child to these chemicals and I will just have to carry my antibacterial gel around with me everywhere I go and hell if it comes down to it wear one of those surgical masks!  Let me know what you all think because I am already pulling out whats left of my hair over this subject!  What are you all doing about it???
RSVP!!!!!  worried sick!!! Alba

[BabyBlue07]

I am not sure we able to have swine flu shot or not.. I will ask my doctor when I go to see her 9/22..  New medicine always have some risk.. I will not take that risk....Getting regular Flu shot when you are pregnant is okay when you are certain weeks... But swine flu shot is unpredictable...

I will try my best to stay healthy... prevent all things as much as I can...

If you do know anything just post in here and share with us...

Good luck to you..

[Heather5]

I'll probably get the shot. I already got the regular flu vaccine, and my obgyn highly recommends getting the H1N1 vaccine too. I'm also a little worried, but I guess pregnant women are among the 6% of the population that could have major complications from H1N1, and it's especially dangerous in the third trimester, which is exactly where I'll be once October rolls around.

I have no idea about Mercury, but I do know some have voiced concerns about Guillian Barre syndrome, but from what I've read, you could get that from any flu vaccine, not just the H1N1, and it's only 2-3 in one million chance of developing it (at least that's what I've read)...so based on that, I guess the benefits far outweighs the risks.

Also, the regular annual flu vaccine is "new" every year, too, based on the strands they expect will be most prominent that year, so they're technically not tested before either. But I totally understand where you're coming from. It does freak me out a little too.

[Preciouspg]

Hi There,

I've never had any flu shots because I feel that if you keep your body healthy mentally and physically by eating right, exercising and of course enough sleep your body is able to fight off illness.  Also, not to scare anyone, but my boyfriends friends girlfriend had never had a flu shot and decided to get one and had a bad reaction to it and past away the very next day.  If you research the ingredients in these flu vaccines you'll be quite surprised to see a whole list of chemicals that are quite toxic to the body.  

[Super_sally888]

I am definitely not getting the vaccine.  Best is to be healthy with diet and exercise and enough rest.  Good hygiene also helps prevent illness.  

Most important is Vit D, apparently in preventing flu and if you get it, minimising it.

I would not risk myself or my baby by getting injected with something that the risks are not known for.  I actually feel the same for all vaccines and refuse to get vaccinated against anything these days.

[bny807]

i am not getting the swine flu vaccine... with it being rushed to manufacture and still under research for pregnant women (looks like the FDA approved it last night, but they said chidren and pregnant women research is still underway, but they are also number one in the list to get vaccinated since its hitting pregnant women really hard - the illness that is).  My Obgyn is also hesitant to give her obgyn patients that vaccine until more research is out with pregnant women.. She does want me to get the regular flu vaccine though.. but i am hearing that people are reacting more to that one this year than before, which worries me a bit.. I am due mid-late october, and "usually" we dont get the regular flu here till january.. so i am goign to try to avoid it till after delivery.. and then just hope for the best as far as the swine flu goes (we have had it everywhere down here for a while - i sware by hand sanitizer and being a germ phob!)

[Fugitive06]

Absolutely not!  

My PCP said it wasn't necessary but did suggest the regular flu shot.  

No on that one too.  I never had one before & am certainly not going to start now.  I have my theory about all of them.  Our society is WAY too uptight about germs & I believe the over-sanitation & anti-bacterialism weakens our immune systems & causes more problems than it solves.

Thanks for letting me rant! :)

Fugitive

[tatorbug40]

I told my husband that I would not get the flu shot, swine or other,  but I guess I should have the kids get theirs-  I have gotten the flu shot twice in my life, and both times I have gotten the flu that year-  perhaps just a fluke,  but I am going to proceed without...

[Heather5]

Holy Moly! Am I the only one more worried about contracting H1N1 than the actual vaccine itself? You guys are starting to scare me...

[dainsey]

Heather, I'm definitley getting the shot.  I know a pregnant women who got the swine flu back in the first wave of it and she was hospitalized and severly sick.  I heard it is horrible if you contract it and are pregnant.  My father in law works on the safety board for one of the companies that develops drugs and they are very confident that this vaccine is as safe as the other ones out there.
It's totally a personal decision but I'm right there with ya getting the shot.  I have a 17 month old in daycare and I'm sure she'll bring something home and I don't want to risk it.  I had to go to Labor and delivery the other day to be checked out and the nurses there were telling me how horribly strong it was hitting pregnant women.  
So this is just my personal decision.  Not trying to influence anyone :-)

[jenstam]

No flu shot of any kind for me. I'm 31 weeks on Friday and will not risk it. I have never gotten the flu shot any other year, either. I work with a few people who get the flu shot every year and I swear they are the sickest people in our office! I went to school with a guy a few years ago whose family was very, VERY ill after getting their yearly flu vaccination. NO THANKS. I will not subject my unborn child or any of my other children to the regular flu or H1N1 flu shot this year or any other year. I am taking my chances.

[Alba333]

Hi dainsey!  I believe that one pregnant woman who was severly sick over the flu had other underlying conditions.  I'm not sure of what other type of conditions were but I sure that she had a compromised immune system as a result of one of them.  I storngly believe that if you are healthy and take supplements to strengthen your immunity and constantly are using antibacterial gels/products then you will be fine.  As for the little one in daycare that is a tough one.  I'm not sure what kind of practices are implemented over there, and yes she is very likely to catch something there, which is why I took my son out of pre-school for now anyway.  I'm very fortunate to be able to do that.  Also I would supplement the baby's diet as much as I could with immune building foods and supplements.  Still, I'm not trusting of what the FDA says or anyone else for that matter. There has been too many deaths in the past over flu vaccines (just go online there are hundreds of reports that prove it ) and over drugs that FDA approved (thousands of them) and just because the FDA says it's OK doesn't mean it is.  It is just my decision but I'd rather take my chances and wait to see if others get sick/die taking this vaccine I sure don't want to be anyone's guinea pig.  If it means waiting a few months to see what happens I would do it.  Then only if the clouds clear I might only then consider a shot.  (The jury might  still out even at that point!) GOD BLESS!  

[Quinns momma]

I already got the flu shot. However I was hesitiant to get the H1N1 so I asked the pharmacist about it and she said if she were pregnant she would NOT get it. That there is just not enough research into it as far as the long term side effects to the unborn baby.

So I am quite content with the basic flu shot. DH is also getting the flu shot and my daughter already got the flu nasal mist vaccine from her peds office.

[jenstam]

I was told the flu nasal mist vaccine is a no-no for those who are regularly around pregnant women because it is the live flu virus. This is why I did not get it for my kids. They were offering it at their school. My daycare provider told me the same thing.

[Alba333]

Oh my God! Ladies please do research on what you are going to  be administering  to your kids! like Jenstam just said, about the mist vaccine.  The last thing you want to be doing is endangering your own health and the health of the rest of your family. I really hope that Quinn's momma is going to be OK Shoot!! just another thing now to be stressed about!! Why aren't people made aware of this stuff!!! My God the Ped's office should know better!
I'm beside myself about this!

[Quinns momma]

Thanks for the concern ladies but I work in the healthcare field for the past 13 years.Do any of you????  I am WELL AWARE of the risks.
Do not accuse me of not doing the research. I will not put my children or myself in a risky situation.   Why would anyone be stressed out over my decisions. Worry about your own families.

[Alba333]

In response to your last post, first of all no one is accusing you of any such a thing!  Why are you taking it so personally!!!  SOME moms out there take the (FDA'S) word for it  (for example) or other practitioner's word for it without doing some research personally on vaccines, since we're on the subject.   I wouldn't dare  not to do some of my own research before I stick any thing into my child!!!! Not all of us are so careful!!!   As for being involved in the healthcare field for 13 years that's great, then you must very well now how safe or unsafe it is to have a live flu virus around you!  According to what jenstam was referring to about the nasal mist I sure wouldn't be using it if I were pregnant!  No..... we should not worry about your decisions, we have our own families to worry about keeping them safe and not depending on others do our decision making for us,  but we can't help but care about one another on this site and want the best for our member's children as well, we're all in this together!  Remember!   Bless You

[dainsey]

Nope, this girl didn't have 1 single underlying condition.  The only thing going on is she was pregnant.  I doubt you know her...it's on of my good friends from work.  She didn't make the news :-)  My OB said you can be the healthiest pregnant person yet due to being pregnant your immune system is already compromsied so I'm not taking any chance.  I'm getting the shot and that is something I personally chose for myself.  I'm not telling anyone else to get it or that not getting it is wrong.  There are risks both ways..and yes I've done hours of reasearch on this.  

[dainsey]

Just to share an article with you...yes some of the pregnant women who died from the swine flu had underlying conditions, but some did not and were healthy.  I know you feel the way you do and that is 100% fine and I would NEVER try to convince you to get a vaccine that you didn't feel comfortable with.  We all do the best job we can in making choices that we feel will protect us and our children.   Here is the exact quote from the article yet I'm also attaching it for you.  Remember, I am not sharing any info on here in hopes of convincing or changing anyones mind.  I wouldn't ever bash anyone for a choice that is different than mine either and I sure wouldn't make any of the girls on here feel that they were not being a good mom if their decision was different than mine.  (and to clarify I'm not saying you're doing this either :-)

"Some infected pregnant women have other health problems. Trunnell, for example, also had asthma and the skin condition psoriasis. But many of the pregnant women who died were considered relatively healthy, suggesting pregnancy itself is a significant risk, Jamieson said. "
http://kdka.com/national/swine.flu.pregnancy.2.1105588.html

[Schtroumpfette]

Interesting thread.

I am 23 weeks pregnant (with a two-year old son) and have been wondering about what to do.  I haven't done much research yet, but from the little that I have read I am leaning towards not getting it.  

I would say that I am normally healthy and strong and manage to avoid, or easily fight off bugs.  I've never had a flu shot (it's only really recommended for the elderly here); last time I had the flu was as a teenager.  BUT I have felt quite run down throughout this pregnancy and don't feel as tough as a I normally would and I think I will have more difficulty this year avoiding (and getting over) the millions of bugs that are passed around at work, including the regular flu and H1N1 if it becomes a problem.

What sorts of natural remedies/vitamins are you all taking to boost your immune system??  And what do you give your kids?

[Heather3418]

2009 H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations
With the new H1N1 virus continuing to cause illness, hospitalizations and deaths in the US during the normally flu-free summer months and some uncertainty about what the upcoming flu season might bring, CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has taken an important step in preparations for a voluntary 2009 H1N1 vaccination effort to counter a possibly severe upcoming flu season. On July 29, ACIP met to consider who should receive 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.

2009 H1N1 Vaccine
Every flu season has the potential to cause a lot of illness, doctor’s visits, hospitalizations and deaths.  CDC is concerned that the new H1N1 flu virus could result in a particularly severe 2009-2010 flu season.  Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent influenza.  CDC hopes that people will start to go out and get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available at their doctor’s offices and in their communities (this may be as early as August for some).  The seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against 2009 H1N1 influenza.  However a 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it is intended to be used along-side seasonal flu vaccine.  

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel made up of medical and public health experts, met July 29, 2009, to make recommendations on who should receive the new H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.  While some issues are still unknown, such as how severe the flu season, the ACIP considered several factors, including current disease patterns, populations most at-risk for severe illness based on current trends in illness, hospitalizations and deaths, how much vaccine is expected to be available, and the timing of vaccine availability.

The groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine include:

•Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
•Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
•Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
•All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
◦Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
◦Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
•Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
No shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected, but vaccine availability and demand can be unpredictable and there is some possibility that initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities.  So, the ACIP also made recommendations regarding which people within the groups listed above should be prioritized if the vaccine is initially available in extremely limited quantities. For more information see the CDC press release CDC Advisors Make Recommendations for Use of Vaccine Against 2009 H1N1.  

Once the demand for vaccine for the prioritized groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should also begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older.

[JourneyJoJo]

I posted this previously.  

Please read the original CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/clinician_pregnant.htm

If you check the CDC website, they are recommending that pregnant women get the KILLED vaccine and not the live one, and that they are also developing a vaccine for pregnant women and young children without preservatives.  You should inform your health care provider if you have severe allergies to eggs, have had previous severe reactions from the flu shot and/or have had Guillain Barre Syndrome.  

Yes, pregnant women are at the top of the list as 6% of people with adverse reactions to H1N1 (including death or maybe it's 6% of total deaths from H1N1, not sure) have occurred in pregnant women, while they only make up 1% of the population, which is why they're a priority.  Apparently most complications occur in third trimester pregnancies.  They don't know why.

[JourneyJoJo]

Here's what the CDC posted about preventing H1N1 (and the flu, in general):

There is no vaccine available yet to prevent novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection; however, the risk for novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection might be reduced by taking steps to reduce the chance of being exposed to respiratory infections. These steps include:

1.Frequent hand washing.
2.Minimizing contact with sick individuals.
3.Having ill persons stay home (except to seek medical care).
4.Having ill persons cover coughs.
5.Avoiding, whenever possible, crowded settings in communities having outbreaks of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.
6.And using facemasks and respirators correctly if they are used (see Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use to Reduce Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission).

[JourneyJoJo]

I personally will not be getting the H1N1 or seasonal flu shot because I am recovering from Guillain Barre (and pregnant).  I will also be doing lots of handwashing, etc, and am fortunate in that I am not frequently around children or sick people (ie,hospital) nor do I go to crowded places.  My dh has agreed to do the grocery shopping, etc, esp when flu season starts so that I can avoid such contact.  Parnoid, maybe, but we don't want to take any chances if we can avoid it.  

Everyone will have to make the decision for themselves.  If I were to get the shot, it would be the killed virus with no preservatives.

[adgal]

I haven't been able to get on in a few days, so just seeing this now.  I will absolutely be getting both the regular flu shot and the swine flu shot.  I work with a population of people that are extremely high risk and vulnerable to getting this so that puts me at risk as well.  I have researched it, talked to my OB and the medical clinic attached to my organization is very involved in the pandemic planning for my city and province.  For me, the benefit outweighs the risk.  I always get the regular flu shot and have never had any problems with it and I feel pretty comfortable in the H1N1 vaccine.  It's a personal choice and everyone needs to feel comfortable with their decision.  I am comfortable with mine. I will be in third trimester when this peaks, so for me, I feel like I am protecting my baby more then possibly hurting him.