H1N1 will you be giving the vaccine?

berube · Sep 8, 2009

just my opinion, but i will be getting the regular flu vaccine, but not the H1N1, sort of like not buying a new care the first year it comes out!

tewdles, RN · Sep 9, 2009

As a hospice RN case manager I will be receiving both flu vaccines and will administer them to any clients who request it. I am advocating for my family to receive both vaccines.

iwanna · Sep 9, 2009

I am doing seasonal flu immunizations for Mollen. They will be doing the H1N1 vaccines. I will administer to whoever wants it, but I have a strong objection against getting one myself. I have already received my regular flu shot. My dr. said that she wanted me to get swine flu vaccine when it comes in, but I refuse. It is just too new for me.

BSN75 · Sep 10, 2009

We will be giving H1N1 vaccines in our office if we can get it. We can only get it from the state, and they are trying to determine which offices it will go to first. I will probably get one, but I am a little leary of getting a vaccine that was pushed through so quickly. We have only had one positive H1N1 so far, and she was only really ill for 3 days, which is better than the seasonal flu cases I've seen.

Kymmi · Sep 10, 2009

I will get the H1N1 vaccine but only because I pretty much HAVE to take it or else wear a mask the entire 12 hour shift (as soon as we enter the unit until the time we leave) from Oct 15th to March 31st.

Stacy in North Texas · Sep 19, 2009

I work in the office of an OB-GYN. Of course we care for lots of pregnant women. The CDC, ACOG, and the state of Texas STRONGLY encourage pregnant women to get vaccinated for H1N1 because they are at high risk of complications from the flu. The doctor has to give out information about the vaccine to his patients as required by ACOG, but he has strong reservations about recommending a vaccine that has been developed so quickly. We are on the state's list to be one of the first to get the vaccine because we care for a high risk population. I got my seasonal flu vaccine just yesterday. I am torn about getting the H1N1 vaccine for me personally because it is so new, but at the same time, I feel compelled to protect my pregnant patients from possible exposure from me. What to do, what to do?

tewdles, RN · Sep 19, 2009

I am not certain why people are scared of the H1n1 vaccine. This vaccine has been developed and produced just like the seasonal flu vaccine is produced. It is an inactivated virus just like the seasonal vaccine. It is grown and manufactured just like the seasonal vaccine. It is administered just like the seasonal vaccine. Have I missed something? Has there been some study that links this vaccine to complications that I missed?

trinionli · Sep 21, 2009

I am not certain why people are scared of the H1n1 vaccine. This vaccine has been developed and produced just like the seasonal flu vaccine is produced. It is an inactivated virus just like the seasonal vaccine. It is grown and manufactured just like the seasonal vaccine. It is administered just like the seasonal vaccine. Have I missed something? Has there been some study that links this vaccine to complications that I missed?

People are concerned because this is a NEW drug. IMO there has not been sufficient testing on LONG TERM side affects. I am strongly against taking this experimental vaccine. Yes, experimental. Anything developed and released to the public in this short time without long term testing is experimental to me....

ConnieNTX · Sep 29, 2009

My kids have all tested positive for H1N1-all 5 of them, one after the other, all within the past 8 days. Today, my husband tested positive. They do have to miss a week of school, and feel miserable for about 48 hours, high fever, body aches, cough, but nothing different than the seasonal flu(in fact, doesn't seem as bad). They are all on Tamiflu, and two of my children on Azithromycin as well. The Dr. prescribed me Tamiflu also-and I've been taking it since Friday to prevent it, along with vitamins, and so far-so good(knocking on wood). My youngest two children were vaccinated this year for seasonal flu-still got this strain. It's spreading like wildfire here, and now 2 of my sister's 4 children were diagnosed in the e.r. today with Type A influeza-which CDC says 99% of Type A right now test positive for H1N1. I've noticed within 3-4 days my kids are back up and trying to do normal activities, just a little drained as with fighting any flu or respiratory infection, but nothing horrible. I can see if it is someone immune-comprimised or elderly, but I'm not sure even after my own children having it, I would have them vaccinated for something so new.

darla09 · Sep 29, 2009

Thank you for the reply, it was very ineresting. I am sorry to hear that so many of your family members have the flu but thankful you have stayed healthy. Do you attribute your resistence to the flu with the drug Tamiflu or are you a person who rarely gets sick?

I hope your family recovers soon.. if I lived near you I would being over a huge kettle of chicken soup :-)

pumpkinpatchquilter · Oct 4, 2009

I am not certain why people are scared of the H1n1 vaccine. This vaccine has been developed and produced just like the seasonal flu vaccine is produced. It is an inactivated virus just like the seasonal vaccine. It is grown and manufactured just like the seasonal vaccine. It is administered just like the seasonal vaccine. Have I missed something? Has there been some study that links this vaccine to complications that I missed?

I think the issue is, that there HASN'T been any study that links this vaccine to complications, because it's only been in existence for something like six months. You're right, the vaccine is said to be made exactly like the seasonal vaccine, however, we don't know what kind of reactions people could have to the actual antigen being in our bodies. Being a new virus we don't know WHAT it's capabilities are, or how our body will react to it, dead or alive. Another issue I see is quality control. Ever notice when you type too fast you get more typos? This vaccine has been pushed out to the public, and will be given in MASS numbers never seen before, in time frame of only months. Surely, with things moving that fast, there is the increased possibility for errors.

I think it is wise to be cautious. I'm still on the fence, as I have two daughters, a 4 and 7 year old. The issue for me is not as much about the H1N1 that currently exists - but the mutation that it might become. I am aware that if H1N1 mutates the vaccine very well may offer no protection at all, but maybe it will? Maybe people who had the vaccine will fight better a more virulent strain of H1N1, if one develops. I just don't know.

Of course I don't want to get caught up in the hype. However, even if a small percentage of people who become sick have complications, I sure don't want either of my daughters to be in the minority. Same with the vaccine. It's such a tough decision, I can't blame ANYONE for their choice, whichever one they make...and I don't really don't think it's fair to judge people for their choices either. There are LOTS of reasons TO get the vaccine, and LOTS of reasons not to. Both sides, in my opinion, have completely valid points. That's what makes this such a tough decision for many of us.