Cloudy with a chance of flying pigs
Between vaccines and dozens of prenatal blood tests, I’m feeling a bit like a pincushion.
Not that I am afraid of needles. Not in the least. If fact, needles are the least of my fears these days. What I am most concerned about, I mean honestly losing sleep over, is the upcoming cold and flu season.
Everyone in our home has already received the seasonal flu vaccine. However, no one has been immunized against this year’s H1N1 influenza.
For weeks I’ve been putting it off. Not actually the vaccine itself, but more along the lines of ignoring whether or not to get it in the first place. Reporting on the flu and H1N1 has steeply declined in the media, despite the fact hospitalization rates and deaths attributed to influenza are higher than expected this time of year according to the CDC. Plus, there is a pervasive belief among my friends and family that a rushed, untested version of the H1N1 vaccine would be detrimental to myself and my baby.
But then this morning during my prenatal check up, my doctor informed me that they just received the H1N1 vaccine and are scheduling appointments for pregnant patients if I was interested.
I’ll admit. I froze. I did not have an answer. It seems I am not alone. A recent study shows that while 40% of people were certain they would get the H1N1 vaccine, 41% would not. I suppose I was just not ready to make an educated decision at that moment.
So I went home, and researched the vaccine and recent findings involving pregnant women… for hours.
Let me just say, I am officially terrified.
Just this week, of the 19 flu-related pediatric deaths reported in the U.S., 16 were confirmed H1N1 and the other 3 were likely to be H1N1. And this year, of the 100 pregnant women who were hospitalized with H1N1, 28 have died.
Died.
These are not good odds.
I may never leave my house again. At least not until Spring.
*Are you or your family members getting vaccinated this cold/flu season? Will you get the H1N1 vaccine? PLEASE share in the comments or e-mail me at sandy@momisodes.com.
oh babycakes. We are getting the H1N1 vaccine as well as the traditional flu vaccine. My son has had many health issues and that makes it imperative for us.
The H1N1 is manufactured the same way (to my knowledge) as the traditional flu vaccine. Every year the flu changes, evolves, moves and every year.. the flu vaccine changes with it.
No matter what you choose, you will encounter haters and nay sayers. Go with your gut, your heart.
We will be receiving it. An ounce of prevention…
October 13th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Scary stuff. And I am right there with you… undecided. But I will be back to check the comments in search of the magic answer on this one.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I wouldn’t know what to say either. I’ve only been vaccinated for the regular flu once (when I was pregnant) it was so painful I’ve never done it again……….I don’t have anyone in my family in the high risk category so I don’t have to make a decision. Good luck!
October 13th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Wow…I don’t blame you for freaking out!
October 13th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
What did your doctor say? You’re a health professional! Don’t make yourself crazy with a bunch of internets! You know we’ll be all over the map. I’m not going to even make this more cloudy other than to tell the truth– IDK! I’m no doctor, nurse, matter of fact, I didn’t even really like bio that much.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Yes and yes. The problem is that I have to find a time to do it BEFORE I get infected. The students are dropping like flies around here! And I”ve been home witha cold for the last 2 days.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
My son has received the regular flu shot. I’m hesitant about having him get the H1N1 vaccine. I know there’s alot out there in the media urging people to get it, but I’m still nervous. The thing that scares me is that it’s such a new vaccine, and it seems like they’re rushing to get it out…so that has me nervous. And I’m not sure if the vaccines have thimerosol. Right now, I’m inching towards “no”. Hope this hasn’t confused you even more. Good luck either way you go.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
H1N1 re-appeared in 1977 after killing as many as 50 million people around the world in 1918. There was an outbreak of H1N1 again in 1986-87. This is why us older folks don’t get it or get it as bad as the very young. Any previous exposure to H1N1 is good enough to trigger a good immune response upon current exposure. This is a dangerous flu. I can’t tell you what to do – except to take every precaution. I honestly don’t know what I would do if you got sick.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I am due next month (do I mention that every time I leave a comment?) and am most definitely not getting vaccinated. Reason being there was a bout with the swine flu in the 70s. The vaccine was not tested and proved to be fatal. They claim that this one is safer, but how can they have tested it sufficiently to be sure? Especially to a fetus? I do know that the mortality rate is really high (my doctor said according to a study in the Lancet medical journal there is a 50% mortality rate for pregnant women), I am going to have my husband get the shot. I stay at home with my little boy while he goes to work and interacts with others. If he gets the vaccine and then washes his hands every day when he gets home from work, we should be good. But those are just my thoughts. I hope I didn’t scare you. I am just not all that concerned right now. Good luck with your decision!
October 13th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I don’t really know what to think about it either. A friend of mine sent me an article that her pediatrician emailed her with some info, but I’m still unsure. I feel like the media has scared the bejeezus out of everyone, although most doctors are saying the vaccine is fine. ??? I’ll email it to you.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Ugh, I feel for you. I really do. No one wants to be (or their unborn baby to be!) the guinea pig for a new vaccine, but no one wants to die, either. I hope you stay healthy all the way through!
October 13th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Yah, I would be very cautious too. I would rather NOT get the shot.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Not that it matters what I do as far as you and your issue are concerned but I’m not getting a flu shot. I haven’t had one in over 15 years and here’s why — I seem to be allergic to the vaccine carrier. Sixteen years ago I got a flu shot and my arm had a red area swell up about the size of a tennis ball around and puffy, very feverish and sore about 30 minutes after getting the shot. I was given Benodryl and put an ice pack on the arm. The nurse also told me that the next year I should get the shot in two doses about a week apart. So that is what I did. After the first dose there was no reaction, so we thought we were home free. 10 day later I got the second dose. Not so lucky that time. The arm had a spot about the size of a baseball appear that puffed up pretty high and again was hot to the touch and I could barely lift the arm. Again Benodryl and ice. The swelling, fever, and pain were relieved rather quickly, but my arm had the round red mark for about a week. I’ve not had a flu shot since, and I’ve not had the flu either. I know I’m playing Russin Roulett with the flu, but so far I’m ahead in the game.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Yes, we will all be vaccinated for the “regular” flu shot. I’m not pregnant so there’s no real need for me to get the other vax. We believe my DH already had the H1N1 flu back in May (just a guess by his doctor at recent physical) and therefore, he exposed us to it. I’m with you. New vax always make me nervous.
I’ve heard about people getting really sick after the flu shot, but I often wonder if they were already sick and didn’t know it.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:15 am
It’s so hard to make a decision when there’s such a lack in supporting information. My little one had the flu vac, but none of us got the H1N1. And we don’t plan too. He reacted badly to the flu vac, and I’d rather not risk him getting sick from the shot! And I just don’t trust it to be honest, I worry about what side effects could come about from it.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:16 am
Oh yuck! What a terrible decision to have to make. I’m terrifed of the threat of swine flu too. We may just have to email each other all winter long. Meanwhile, I plan to take a lot of vitamin C and wash my hands A LOT.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:17 am
I got the flu shot but not the other one and don’t plan to get the other one
October 14th, 2009 at 12:37 am
Not getting either shot – due in Decemeber. I plan to take vitamins, eat like a health freak (even small amounts of refined sugar knocks the immune system out of commission for a few hours after consumption – research THAT!), wash my hands like never before and see to it that my family does the same. We will also take extra precautions while in public this year. This has more to do with the soon-to-come arrival of our new daughter during peak flu season than it does H1N1, but there it is for ya.
But I agree with everyone else, you have to do what you believe is the best thing for you and your family, not me and mine. Praying for you and for us all to stay healthy this winter!
October 14th, 2009 at 1:06 am
What percentage of pregnant women *in the US* contracted H1N1 last week? And how many of those *weren’t* hospitalised? Find out those, and view the above statistics in light of them. Chances are, you’ll feel a lot better when you see that the chances of dying are way way lower than they appear right now.
I’m not getting the vaccine. For a start, I hate needles, but when if I didn’t, I still wouldn’t get it. People die from influenza all the time. The WHO made far more of a big deal out of this than they needed to, and it scared people. I’m not in an at-risk group, and I don’t know of anyone ever who died from influenza. I’m not particularly worried.
October 14th, 2009 at 4:44 am
You weren’t kidding about being a pincushion, were you? I think I’m skipping out on the vaccine myself.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:54 am
It is nerve-wracking isn’t it?
My boys will be getting the regular flu vaccine this Friday and I’m still undecided on the new swine flu vaccine. My oldest son had a terrible reaction to the regular flu a few years back and spent 4 nights in the local children’s hospital so it makes me very leary of how his body will react to the swine flu should he contract it.
Stay healthy!
October 14th, 2009 at 7:41 am
If you are OK with getting the regular flu shot, the H1N1 is no different. However, there have not been studies on pregnant women and there have not been studies on people taking both the regular flu shot plus the H1N1.
Personally, I do not believe in the effectiveness of the flu shot. I think it actually reduces your immunity in general. But I’m turning into a tree-hugging hippie freak these days. I try to eat uber healthy these days and turn to herbal and homeopathic remedies at the sign of any illness – for me and my kids. Also important for your immune system this time of year – get enough Vitamin D. Go outside and sit in the sun for 15 minutes a day (if you can find it).
Good luck with your decision. It’s not an easy one. I’ll be sending happy, healthy thoughts your way.
October 14th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I’m nervous myself, as a nursing mom with a newborn – I’ve read several articles cautioning pregnant and nursing moms against the h1n1 vaccine, but it’s the only way to guard your infant since he or she is too young to get the vaccine. I’ve also heard that the nasal mist can make you contagious & that the nasal mist is all that is available in our area for the h1n1 vaccine. I’m still trying to find out if I can get the “shot” version, but I definitely am feeling very torn as well.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I wasn’t going to get H1N1 for my family, because being rushed to production scared me. But, I watched Good Morning America last week with all their info on the H1N1 vaccine, and they went to the CDC. They said the reason that they could rush the vaccine was becuase they made it top priority and put extra resources to work on it. They also said that the components other than the strain of virus in it, are the same as the components in the regular seasonal flu vaccine. Those things made me feel better, and I’m definitely getting it for my family now. The only thing that worries me is that my newborn won’t be 6 mos old until March 22nd….and that’s the earliest he can get the H1N1 vaccine. Those pediatric fatalities scare the bejeezus out of me, along with the pregancy rates. EGads!
October 14th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Ugh. It’s definitely a hard decision. The flu just sucks.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:44 am
My family is getting vaccinated for the regular flu but I am also nervous about the H1N1.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I know how hard this must be for you. We live in the Information Overload society. So sometimes it’s hard to separate the junk from the useful information.
I think most people is on the same page that it’s probably up to your personal choice. My kids get flu shot every year but I don’t. They will not get H1N1 because I just don’t think that it’s necessary. I think sometimes the media put too much weight in this and make a scare out of general public. With that being said, being pregnant will definitely put a different spin in your situation. I pray for you and hope you will find the solution that you are comfortable with.
Talk to your doctor and see the pro and con. I’m sure with all the lawsuit and such it’s even harder to get the straight answer from your doctor. Push for it.. Ask what would they do personally.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:56 am
I am absolutely certain that I would not base my decision to have the H1N1 vaccine on a POLL.
Have you read this article by Harriet Hall? She’s a real doctor who actually knows what she’s talking about.
http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/09-09-23#feature
October 14th, 2009 at 9:57 am
I’m terrified of making the wrong decision on this one. Have my kids get vaccinated and have them have terrible side effects from it or not vaccinate and have them get sick(and possibly die).
I just want to put us all in a plastic bubble through flu season.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I’ve never had a flu shot. I tried to get a flu shot about a month ago but…they turned me away. Ok, some background: as a child, I had an egg allergy. But…clealry I am an adult now (kind of), and they still wouldn’t give it to me. So, in order for me to get a flu shot, I have to have blood drawn and tested, which is surprisingly difficult to do when you are not in your home state and don’t have a real doctor at college.
So…it’s possible I’ll get a flu shot, but only if I can get a blood test, get the results back and get a flu shot…all in the span of my thanksgiving break.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:59 am
ack! i was hoping that if i closed my eyes and clicked my heels 3 times the problem will go away…i have been intentionally ignoring this issue b/c i’m not really sure what i’m going to do myself. i’ve never gotten the flu vaccine, and not b/c i don’t want to but b/c i just don’t get sick very often (knock on wood). we wash our hands A LOT at home during this season and use lots of anti-bacterial hand sanitizers when hand washing is not available. my 3 year old will and 4 month old will be getting the flu vaccine next month. our pediatrician said that the H1N1 is also available and the reason why it’s separate from the regular flu vaccine was b/c they started producing it later, otherwise it would have been lumped in w/ the regular flu vaccine. good luck making the decision!
October 14th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I feel for you. We do the regular flu shot, but I’m still up in the air about the H1N1 vaccine. I might just quarantine my family until April just to be safe.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I am TERRIFIED as well, but not going to get the vaccine. It just has not been tested enough, especially on our little fetuses.
I just am keeping my fingers crossed that we all stay healthy!
October 14th, 2009 at 10:46 am
@The Mother- I will NOT be basing my decision on a POLL.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I’m on the fence too. It seems like everyone I talk to has a different perspective! I’ve always had a hard time deciding on vaccines…
October 14th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I’m on the fence… I had kind of chosen “no” but then today I showed up at school for my first class to find the doors locked and a sign saying “Closed- Swine Flu” and then turned on the radio to find that 45% of our college has H1N1! *eek* So now I’m rethinking my avoidance.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:23 am
I’m fairly new to your blog, and haven’t had much of a chance to delve into it, but I would base my decision on how much contact I have with strangers; whether or not my children are around lots of children who may be sick, and hubby, and his job status.
I’m not doing the H1N1 vax, and neither is my family. I’m not 100% sold on how safe this vax is.
However, with that being said, I believe I would be in a totally new ballpark if I was pregnant.
Good luck with your decision! You have to do what’s right for you and your unborn wee one…and no one else.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:24 am
I’m not sure about the H1N1 shot. I need to educate myself more. I want everyone to get regular flu shots but the kids peds office called to cancel their shots for tomorrow. They ran out. Ugghh.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I don’t envy you. My husband is the only one that sometimes gets a flu shot. The girls and I never had the regular flu vaccine and so far they haven’t had the H1N1. I just can’t decide what to do. I’m not sure what I would do if I was pregnant, but I suspect I would be standing on the fence trying to decide.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Ahhh Sandy, I’m a bit tormented about this one too!!!
)
We’re getting the regular flu shots…someday, when I get my act together, but i can’t bring myself to saying yes to the H1N1, which is really bad because you know my current condition and mindframe.
Hmmm. Ok, update us on what you ended up deciding.
Have a good rest of the week, pincushy girl
October 14th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
will NOT get the vaccine – don’t believe in these at all
October 14th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I love getting vaccinated. It makes me feel imm……..
October 14th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I plan to get the kids their flu shots. However, what I’m hearing, and no I haven’t read the other comments here yet, is that people who can skip the h1n1 vaccine should as if/when they get it they should be able to fight it off and continue to build up immunity naturally that way to it. It is part of the reason why older people have been told them may not need it as they have lots of different flu immunities in their system already from having lived so long. However, for pregnancy and children 6 months to 4 I do see the higher risk. Considering I have a 4 year old we may get it, but then it’s not available here yet.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Personally, I’m not a fan of the flu vaccine. H1N1 or the regular seasonal variety. The only time I have ever gotten the flu, and it was bad, bad, bad, was the one year I got the flu shot. I worry that these shots help create super-strains that we can’t fight. I’m sure I’m an alarmist, but given that we’re a low risk family, we won’t be getting any flu shots.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Ouch, those look painful. As for the H1N1 shot, I don’t think it’s something to be decided by consensus. With my altered immune system due to an autoimmune disease, I think I ought to get one.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Yea, I’m on the fence too (for my son, no-go for me). Sitting on it was a good decision though, it’s ok to be careful!!
Oh, and I’m so behind – didn’t know you were preggers!! Congrats! XOXO
October 14th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Our peds office is not getting the regular vaccine until November and the kids will get the standard one then. If they get the special H1N1 without the mercury then they will get that too I think. My OB had a long conversation with me about the risks to pregnant women and I too read the additional risks for pregnant women. They are trying to figure out why but right now it is the number 1 group of people they are asking to get this shot.
I am just waiting for my OB office to get in the vaccines again. They ran out right before me last time. I have confirmed that they are getting the single dose no mercury version though.
UGH! So stressful. What I really want to talk to my husband about is my absolute desire not to go to his mother’s bday party in November at 30 weeks pregnant and sit near anybody on that plane to Florida. Risk I do not want to take! Too many people way too close!
Good Luck!
October 14th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I agree with you. All this contradictory information is scary. I still have to talk to my children’s pediatrician about this but I’m sure his opinion will way a lot on my decision.
I recommended to my sister in law (who’s pregnant) that she look into it seriously because of all the stats.
I think I will be carrying disinfectant with me at all times. LOL.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I’m not anti-vaccines at all, but for some reason, I’ve always been leery of all flu vaccines only. Plus, none of us have EVER gotten ANY strand of the flu, so I have decided in my totally-un-medically-trained opinion that we are more the type of people that get Strep Throat and not the Flu, and since we’re not prone to it, I don’t have to overcome my reservations and get shot up for it.
So don’t take any STOCK in my opinion – you’re the nurse, I’m the accountant.
But, in general, Flu sucks.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I’m one who is struggling with the same question. Can’t make up my mind what I should do.
@RachelFerrucci
October 14th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
The vaccine isn’t available in SA yet, but as a preggie I would be tempted to get it… considering the number of preggies getting it, and how badly it affects people when they do get it
October 14th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I’m with you on staying in until the Spring. I’m not getting any vaccines but I’m trying to keep up on the vitamin C and lots of iron. Go with what you believe in and try not to let internet research scare you.
October 14th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Oh man, right there with you Sandy (I had my doctor’s appt yesterday too!) and I am torn as to what to do. I normally don’t get flu shots, the one time I did I ended up getting the flu. But we are travelling this winter and since I’m pregnant, I’m seriously considering it. More research I guess but it justs seems so polarized, everyone is either really for it or really against it.
But yeah, curious about the number of pregnant ladies who got the flu and died, where were they living? In the US?
October 14th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Being pregnant is what makes me so conflicted about this vaccine as well. If I weren’t, I would not even be considering it. We homeschool, so my kids are only with a small group of kids a few times a week, at co-op, Sunday School, and AWANA. Yes, they are still exposed to germs, but not as much as if they were in school everyday. And my youngest is six, so not really in the highest risk group of children. But, she does have reactive airway disease from being a preemie and has had pneumonia twice, and has asthma. Yeah, so I am conflicted. Should she and I get the shots? Should none of us? Just me? I just don’t know the answer. And I go back and forth daily. We do not usually get the seasonal flu shot, as the flu usually doesn’t hit us too hard, and I figure the more antibodies they build up naturally, the better. But the H1N1 vaccine, I just don’t know. . . I plan to talk to my doctor about it on Monday when I have my next appointment. I’d heard that most of the pregnant women that were severely affected were late in the pregnancy and had diminished lung capacities.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
@Gretchen- I feel the same way. If I were not pregnant, I probably would not be struggling with this decision as much as I am. However, I usually DO get the seasonal flu shot being a health care worker. I skipped the vaccine in the last 2 years since I switched gears to be a SAHM, and low and behold, the last 2 years I’ve had the flu for the first time in many, many years. And this year with daily preschool and pregnancy is thrown into the mix, I feel like there’s so much at risk not to consider it.
October 14th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Last time I got any flu shot I developed bursitis in my shoulder, had two weeks of PT and it was months before I got full mobility back. I had the flu, prolly H1N1, took Tamiflu for five days. Even after all that, I don’t think I would have gotten a flu shot.
October 14th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I see you are getting a lot of comments on this one. I think you need to decide what is best for you and your family and your situation (exposure level). Scary stuff.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
We already got the regular flu shot. I didn’t know that H1N1 was already available. Thanks for the info. I’m going to call for an appt for me & the kids tomorrow!
October 14th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Oh flu!!
We got the regular fle vaccine. And we are washing our hands like crazy!!
Found you on Wordful Wednesday!
October 15th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Oops I meant flu not fle… I’m sure you understood that though…
October 15th, 2009 at 1:25 am
My son is 4 months old. The H1N1 vaccine is being recommended for children 6 mo. old and up. He will be 6 mo. at his next check up in Dec. I am scared to death to get this vaccine. I am scared he will get the flu but also scared of what the vaccine might do as it is so very new.
It actually scares me anytime he gets vaccinations as they give so many to the children now. I have a large gap in age between children. My older kids are 21, 18 and 17 and then my 4 mo old. There are so many differences between what was done 20 years ago and what is done now.
October 15th, 2009 at 1:38 am
My husband practices Chinese Medicine and my family is very Western Medicine indoctrinated. So we battle this issue every flu season in our household and every flu season my husband wins. We DON’T get the flu vaccine and I sit on pins and needles praying none of us is affected. We are all healthy and our children are ages 5-17. But now we throw H1N1 into the mix and I’m stressing about it all over again. My husband is so sick of disagreeing with me on this he’s left it up to me. So I’m very torn. Part of me want to honor his belief that our bodies should build immunities, that vaccines in general are too risky but the other part of me says if there’s a way to protect my babies I want to do it. It’s hard to find unbiased info out there, either. If they’re trained in Western Medicine they say get any and all vaccines. If they’re trained in Eastern Medicine or more Holisitic Health practices they say avoid vaccines at all cost. I still have no idea what we’re going to do.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Oh this is a hard one. If I am in your shoe right now, I wouldn’t know what to do. I didn’t even know mortality rate is so high. I have heard stories of mommy to be dying from H1N1, it is so tragic. I am with you, I will prob lock myself in the house until spring.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I, too, am flipping out over the H1N1 strain, as I have a 5-year-old, 2-year-old, and newborn. We will be getting our H1N1 shots….we always get a regular flu shot every year.
My thinking is this: chances are very slim anything would go “wrong’ with the H1N1 flu shot (given that we’ve never had issues with the regular flu shot). And chances are really slim that anything really bad would happen if we got H1N1.
BUT if I didn’t vaccinate myself or my kids (especially since we vaccinate seasonally for regular flu anyway) and they got really, really sick (and god forbid, died) I would never forgive myself.
My 2-year-old will get the thimerasol-free one.
The other thing I’m doing is heading to the doctor if my kids run a fever longer than 12 hours. Normally I let fevers go 3-4 days before running to the doctor (since they normally are viral and run their course). But not this year.
Good luck whatever you decide to do.
October 15th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I rarely take shots of any sort if I can help it. I’ve had several bad reactions to oral medications and am terrified of an allergic reaction brought on by something injected directly into my bloodstream. So for better or worse I’m going to take my chances with the flu.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I’m just arriving at 18 weeks along, and I know what you’re going through. Myself, after a lot of thought and a lot of research (not to mention a good amount of trust in my doctors) I’ve decided I’m going to get the vaccine for H1N1. It just makes the most sense to me, and I’m pretty comfortable with the choice at this point.
Good luck with your decision. It’s a very personal one, I know.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Hey Sandy,
I would say you and your whole family should get the H1N1 vaccine. My daughter has had her flu shot but not the H1N1 and I have had neither as of yet. My husband works in the medical field and he is required to get both vaccines. For that reason alone – what germs he could be bringing into our home – I feel that we all should be immunized. You’re right, those facts you found are not very good odds. I can see how you’d be scared but the facts speak for themselves. I know you’ll make the best decision for your family. You’ve reminded me to call the doctors and see if the vaccine is available to me and my little one.
CC
October 15th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I would get the vaccine. I’m going to get my flu shot today.
Most of those people that died usually had other complications.
Or you could just stay home and may get some wrap your house in saran wrap
October 16th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I’m afraid of new vaccines too, especially when pregnancy or children are involved! It might sound a little crazy to some but I think staying home a lot and avoiding germy places is a great idea. I don’t know if I’m going to get the H1N1 vaccine either. Fortunately, there will be a lot of other people ahead of me in line at the hospital. I’ll let the be the guinea pigs.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:20 pm