H1n1 - Dracut,MA

I will be giving my children and myself the shots when they are available. In MA there is a severe delay, could be December when we are able to get vaccinated.

It is indeed hard to make such a decision when all the media coverage is extremely biased and one-sided. It was quite eye opening to see a different side though with the CBS Investigation that proved that over 90% of the swine flu cases in the US did not actually prove to be swine flu in lab tests. You can read my article about it and watch the video: http://www.eco-babyz.com/2009/10/cbs-investigation-h1n1-c...

I will personally wait to see what the side effects are (even though I imagine they will do everything possible to cover it up). Also, take into account that the few 'safety' tests done on this vaccine are done BEFORE the adjuvant (squaline) is added. Therefore, nobody can guarantee safety with the presence of the adjuvant in the vaccine.

I sorry I am making the decision only harder! I wish it was easy, I wish we had a government that looked out for the people - not supporting pharmaceutical companies. All the best to you, and follow your motherly instincts!

Hi Bonnie

I will definetly have my daughter get the shot but I am unable to find a place to get the shot. How did you get yours.

S.

I was sick to my stomach with the deicion to get the vaccine. I just read everything & talked my Dr's both primary & OB as well as my sons pedi. I did get both of us vaccinated because I am expecting we & qualified for the early rounds. In my findings pregnant people make up 1% of the population but have an alarming 6% of the deaths not to mention 60% chance hospitalization. Though I'm sure the numbers vary where you read I tried to make a educated decision. The way my sons nurse explained the shot to me was the best. She said it's the same cocktail as the seasonal flu shot with a different virus. The flu shot has been around for 30 some odd years and there has been lots of research. Some people view the flu shot as some what new but infact it's just newly popular for everyone to get. I have a hard time w/vaccine in general & have yet to give my almost 2.5yr old his MMR, just so you understand how torn I was. He will get his MMR upon turning 3 I wanted him to be older & to have without any other shots. It's a personal decision and we should not judge one another just share our thoughts. Good Luck!

Hi Bonnie

I think many of us are in the same boat...not sure if we should or not. I was at a PTA function the other evening and we were discussing if we should or not..and the PTA president is a nurse and her concern is that right now..we do not know what the side effects are. They could happen further down the road.
I'm so torn...at this point..its really going to be a personal decision. Good Luck!

Hi Bonnie,
I too really hope to find a place to get my kids the shot. I fear for my youngest daughter who never does well when she gets a cold/flu - she seems to have breathing problems, perhaps something more serious that's never been diagnosed - but scares me when she's sick. My choice would obviously be NO FLU and therefore NO SHOT - BUT since I can't control whether she gets the flu or not - AND having witnessed the bad hygiene of about 50% of schoolkids - I'm opting for the shot. Can I ask you where you found to have it done?
I'd really appreciate knowing.
L.

My 14 month old had his 3 weeks ago and seemed to do well with it. We were lucky that our pedi. had it on the day that my son went in for his 2nd flu shot. That being said, we do not think we will be getting the follow up H1N1 booster shoot as my son is not in day care.

Hi Bonnie,

I feel your pain. I think that is a personal decision for each family. As a local Emergency Room RN and a mom I have my own decision to make.

I can understand people's concern regarding vaccination. I also have some concern about over vaccination.

I believe the media unwittlingly contributes to anxiety by keeping track of every sad situation where a child has a severe reaction. The incidence of EEE or West Nile Virus were probably about the same this summer as in previous years, yet we heard very little about them. It is simply the disease du jour. This makes it difficult to have perspective.

From what I know, most people who get H1N1 have a mild case. Unfortunately, our youngest citizens seem particularly vulnerable. This is a novel virus. It seems this virus is so unique that most people have no natural immunity. Because of the lack of natural immunity, especially among young people, the incidence of this virus will likely be greater than seasonal flu.

When it hits your child's school, it will be like those cruise ships and very large numbers of students will contract the virus. Of those who contract it, it seems only a very few will get very sick and, among them, a small percentage will die. Most, but not all of those people will have coexisting chronic illness. That will include otherwise healthy children with asthma.

Although I believe most of us and our children will weather this season without serious consequence, in fact, you may not even know it was H1N1 that you or your children had, that is no comfort to the ones who suffer more serious illness.

I believe I will seek out this vaccine for my daughters. (currently my pediatrician has none) and I will continue to pray that we will remain healthy.

I suggest being proactive by promoting a healthy lifestyle. Reduce stress. Make sure your children are eating well, sleeping enough and not overly stressed about schoolwork. Don't allow them or yourself to be bombarded by news reports of serious illness from the virus and make lots of time for joyful activities. Let this be an opportunity to enjoy the "present" that this moment is.

If you or your children does become sick, stay home. Avoid heavy meals but drink plenty of fluids and small nutritious meals (chicken soup is great medicine especially served with TLC) get plenty of rest, control fever and other symptoms with Tylenol or Motrin. (If children feel better they will be more likely to cough effectively and eat and drink better) If they show any signs of deterioration (labored breathing, inability to keep fluids down, uncontrolled fever) then seek emergency care immediately. Early treatment can be effective at limiting symptoms.

God Bless all you moms and your families.

J. L.

My daughter wheezes with the common cold and sometimes needs nebulizer treatments. It's not chronic asthma, but it does make me wonder what she would be like with the flu; probably more likely to develop pneumonia given her history of bronchiolitis and wheezing. If/when my pedi offers the vac (currently it's not available at our office) I will get one for her. As a health care worker I will vaccinate myself as well. I spent a lot of time researching and worrying about it, but ultimately I'm getting it for the benefit of others (pretty sure I could sail through a bout of the flu, even this one). My grandmother tends to get pneumonia easily, my patients are critically ill, my husband is diabetic, and as I mentioned, my daughter has risk factors as well. I have found it helpful to read about the impact of H1N1 in places that have already had their flu season, like Australia and New Zealand. This is your decision and yours alone. If it makes you uncomfortable to get a brand-spanking new vaccine then weigh that against your risk factors and go from there.

Just wanted to add that mercury has been added to the multi-dose vials of vaccine, but it is not present in the single-dose vials, so if this is a concern of yours ask your pedi if they carry the single-dose vials.