Should Obama have been one of the first to get the A/H1N1 influenza vaccination?

indigo girl · Nov 4, 2009

He is not high risk, but his daughter, Malia has asthma.

RedWeasel, RN · Nov 5, 2009

I think if we provide him with secret service, and he has bunkers to hide in during a threat, then I think it would be appropriate for him to get the shot now. On the other hand, he is healthy and as far as I know has no health issues himself. Hard to decide when there is such a shortage. I would lean toward, him getting it. He meets with a lot of people and he wouldn't want to spread it around either.

lamazeteacher · Nov 5, 2009

He's not part of the high risk group, but what do you think?

Exactly! He role modeled the necessity of innoculating children, then later administering it to adults/seniors who aren't caregivers of infants under 6 months of age, haven't chronic repiratory problems such as asthma, or health care workers. I forget his age, but if he's not yet 49, he'd get the flumist, rather than the injected vaccine. If Obama's wife Michelle was pregnant.....the injected vaccine would be the vaccine of choice.

There was no need for a show of bravery, as he also knew that the H1N1 vaccines are perfectly safe, and set the example of trust in the vaccine by having his children receive it. :up:

oramar · Nov 5, 2009

My understanding is that the girls were given the vaccine about three weeks ago. The news show did not say if it was flu mist or injection. I think he is in a catch 22 situation with the vaccine while it is in short supply. People will complain if he takes it saying it is in short supply and it is wrong of him to divert it from high risk groups. On the other hand if he doesn't they will say, "see, he is afraid also". My opinion is that he is doing the right thing giving it to the girls and waiting till it is plentyful to take it himself.

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2009

I have no problem with my President getting a flu vaccination as a matter of priority.

KristiePDX · Nov 5, 2009

Obama is a smoker. That in my book is a risk factor for many things, including worsened severity of any respiratory illness. Plus he has at risk children at home.

tewdles, RN · Nov 5, 2009

My understanding is that the girls were given the vaccine about three weeks ago. The news show did not say if it was flu mist or injection. I think he is in a catch 22 situation with the vaccine while it is in short supply. People will complain if he takes it saying it is in short supply and it is wrong of him to divert it from high risk groups. On the other hand if he doesn't they will say, "see, he is afraid also". My opinion is that he is doing the right thing giving it to the girls and waiting till it is plentyful to take it himself.

Everything he does, or doesn't do, is going to be criticized by certain people anyway...so in that respect, it makes no difference

Zookeeper3 · Nov 8, 2009

Yes! I think the president should be protected from a pandemic if he chooses!

lamazeteacher · Nov 8, 2009

Obama is a smoker. That in my book is a risk factor for many things, including worsened severity of any respiratory illness. Plus he has at risk children at home.

I haven't seen parents of "at risk" children on the priority list for the vaccine, although they could be if sufficient immediately available vaccine was on the horizon.

indigo girl · Dec 23, 2009

The President and First Lady Get Vaccinated

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/12/21/president-and-first-lady-get-vaccinated

In an interview today with American Urban Radio Networks in the Oval Office, the President made clear that the time for adults to get their H1N1 shots is now and that it is safe. From ABC News' write-up of the interview:
"People need to understand that this vaccine is safe," Obama said. "Michelle and I just got the shots ourselves... we wanted to make sure nationwide that children were getting it before adults did. And now there's enough vaccine so that adults should get it as well."
The President spoke about how his daughters received the vaccine in October, when it was first being made available to school-age children. He said that it's important for parents to vaccinate their children.