by trmr

Hi everyone! It has been ages since I have posted anything, so I hope I am doing it right!! Now I am here because I want your thoughts on the H1N1 vaccine. I am totally TORN between what is the best option for my kids, to be vaccinated, or not to be vaccinated. My daughter currently has H1N1 and luckily is not any sicker than she has been with regular old flu. But the news of all the pediatric deaths with H1N1 scare me. I am tossing around the idea of getting her and her brother vaccinated as soon as the shot clinic comes to our area. But I also am a very cautious person. I do not want my kids to get sick but I am not sure if the H1N1 vaccine has been tested enough or given to enough people or out very long to know if it is truly safe. I have tried finding info, but when you read really good, everything is explaining what can happen with the seasonal flu shot and they say its "similar" to the H1N1 vaccine so side effects, etc., "could be" similar. Just want to know any thoughts you may have on it, did you get your own kids vaccinated, have you been dealing with sick patients with H1N1, or yourself? Thanks everyone!!
confused and concerned in Iliinois

Re: H1N1

Be careful of the live mist vaccination. If your children tend to get sick easily talk with your doctor before taking the mist....as for the injection, I think it is a better alternative for some children....but always consult with your doctor. You can read my experience with the flumist on this forum titled H1N1 flumist disaster. I am definitely for prevention! Even though my daughter is very sick from the vaccine (and I wish we did the shot version) I am glad I vaccinated! This virus does seem to be hitting kids hard.

Re: H1N1

I don't believe I will get the vaccination for my children as they have already had the flu itself. If they had not had the flu then I would still be deciding. Tough decision.

Re: H1N1

I'm recovering from H1N1. It wasn't very debilitating, except that I had no energy, had bad chills, and it did a real number on my voice--I lost it for two days. It's been almost a week and I still don't sound normal. And yes, I had the regular flu vaccine already--I got it about a month ago.

That being said, as soon the H1N1 vaccine is available I'm getting it, and I'm getting it for my son because I don't want him to come down with it (I'm surprised he didn't catch it from me, actually! Lucky kid).

Re: H1N1

I'm still debating this as well, worried about the virus mutating quickly too. It's so hard to find the true hard facts. Has anyone received the vaccine and still come down with it (or know someone who has?). Our peds office has it, but for now I've only done the regular flu shot. I've put our entire household on a high vitamin and honey immunity boost regimen--don't know if it will work though. Wondering why those who have had it are opting for the vaccine as well, does having it not prevent you from getting the same strain?

Re: H1N1

Originally Posted by acubed

Has anyone received the vaccine and still come down with it (or know someone who has?).

Here is an experience of someone coming down with H1N1 after receiving the mist. However it could be coincidence.

http://allnurses.com/pandemic-flu-fo...er-436060.html

Originally Posted by acubed

Wondering why those who have had it are opting for the vaccine as well, does having it not prevent you from getting the same strain?

Unless you had a positive rRT-PCR test you can not be absolutely certain you have had H1N1 so vaccination is recommended by the CDC

Originally Posted by CDC

All people in a recommended vaccination target group who did not have 2009 H1N1 virus infection confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test should be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. People who had an illness confirmed by rRT-PCR to be 2009 H1N1 virus earlier in 2009 can be considered to be immune and do not need to be vaccinated this year. However, most people with respiratory illnesses since this spring have not had testing with the rRT-PCR test, which is the only test that can confirm infection specifically with the 2009 H1N1 virus. Tests such as rapid antigen detection assays and diagnoses based on symptoms alone without rRT-PCR testing, cannot specifically determine if a person has 2009 H1N1 influenza. Although people who were not tested, but who became ill within 1-4 days after close contact with a person with lab confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza might have been infected with 2009 H1N1, they cannot be certain since many pathogens can cause respiratory illness. These people should get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine as recommended for their age and risk group.
People who were infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus and who are not severely immune compromised will likely have immunity to subsequent infection with 2009 H1N1 virus. However, vaccination of a person with some existing immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus will not be harmful, and patients who are uncertain about how they were diagnosed should get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccinati...nicians_qa.htm