Concern about flu shot

I worked at a flu clinic yesterday, and they offer thimerosol-free vaccines to pregnant women. When we ran out of the "regular" vaccines, we started giving the thimerosol-free type to everyone.

That's good to hear. They don't do that around here yet. I think if more people have the option, more will get the vaccine.

There is no latex in medication vials. Don't they teach you this stuff in school?

There is no latex in medication vials. Don't they teach you this stuff in school?

If a drug is sold and stored in vials with a natural rubber stopper, no matter what precautions you take, latex allergens can contaminate that drug, says Robert Hamilton, Ph.D., professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University. The FDA has asked for evidence that such allergens are present in pharmaceutical vials and that they can induce reactions in individuals already allergic to latex. Now we can provide it to them. Until the FDA requires all vials to be labeled as "containing natural rubber" for easy identification and that the stoppers be latex free, some sensitized individuals will be at risk for a potentially serious or fatal allergic reaction.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/2001/JUNE/010608.htm

The Afluria flu vaccine is suppose to be improved... no preservatives. NO mercury!

Here is some info on it.

http://www.rxlist.com/afluria-drug.htm

http://www.afluria.com/

It states its thimerosal free. This is what we have at our work for everyone.

That article is from 2001. Manufacturers have made the effort to change in response to that study. The grey stoppers on most types of vials are synthetic. I do believe the risk from Tubex type pre-filled syringes still exists. The flu vaccines have latex free stoppers. But, they gave me bandages that have latex for flu clinics. Go figure! I went out and got different ones for the first clinic and then requested latex-free. I always double-check for latex, just in case.

I'm a parent who is educated, and also chooses to selectively vaccinate. I personally don't think that it's necessarily one thing in vaccines that leads to autism, or other adverse reactions, but I think the sheer number of vaccines on the schedule for small children should give most people pause. For example, most vaccines are "mercury free" but in fact they are manufactured with mercury, and then the mercury is removed leaving trace amounts. No big deal if you're just getting a few shots, but IMO when you get as many as babies do these days, they wind up exposed to a fairly significant amount. For the record I also didn't eat fish when I was pg, because my Dr. thought the potential exposure to mercury wasn't worth it. Even the FDA was telling pg women not to eat more than 2-3 servings a week. Tiny, forming brains and mercury aren't a good mix.

That said, as an adult, I'm not worried about trace exposures to mercury, so I wouldn't have an issue with it. I won't give my son a flu shot, but I'll be getting one.

I won't give my son a flu shot, but I'll be getting one.

How old is your son? I definately would not give to a infant or toddler. I have two 10 & 8 and thought about getting them one if I can find a thimerosol free vaccine. So far, I called a few offices and no one seem to have it or willing to order it.

I appreciate all of the responses. It has been very helpful.:)

No, he's not giving vaccines, but had info on it trying to convince patients why they shouldn't get it.

I think it's terribly irresponsible for a Chiropractor, with such limited medical training to be trying to influence his patients on a communicable disease issue.

How old is your son? I definately would not give to a infant or toddler. I have two 10 & 8 and thought about getting them one if I can find a thimerosol free vaccine. So far, I called a few offices and no one seem to have it or willing to order it.

I appreciate all of the responses. It has been very helpful.:)

Did you try the local health department? Ours switched to single-dose syringes several years ago so we wouldn't have to deal with those issues.

Young children need to be vaccinated for flu. They have a very high rate of complications and death from flu! 83 deaths in the US last year and that is only those that were both laboratory confirmed and reported to the CDC. Since few hospitals actually do laboratory testing for flu, the statistics are likely much higher. All children over 6 months should be vaccinated for flu.

The federal Vaccines For Children program provides flu vaccines including the thimerosol free type to all states. Community Health Centers, as well as pediatricians, have access to it just for the asking. Your state health dept should be able to tell you what providers have it if yours is unwilling to order it.

There is no latex in medication vials. Don't they teach you this stuff in school?

Actually we were taught in school that many vial "stoppers" contain latex, not ALL but MANY! And the reason I brought it up with the flu vac is that my MD told me to make sure the nurse takes off the stopper prior to drawing up my vaccination. Maybe he didn't get the memo either! and the facility I work at is taking precautions with the syringes as well.