I got a flu shot a couple weeks ago...only the 2nd I've ever had.
I am sort of anti-flu shot. I can't explain why I feel that way.
I am VERY apprehensive about the whole swine flu shot.
The boys are scheduled for their flu shots...
You know there is a question coming, right? Actually, there are 2:
1.
Do you and/or your children get the regular flu shot?
2.
Are you and/or your children going to get the swine flu shot (when available)?
5 comments:
1. We do get the flu shot every year. I had a toddler niece end up on a ventilator due to influenza, (then she recovered) and it scared the living daylights out of me.
2. But I'm with you on the H1N1 vaccine, I feel like I don't want to be in the first million or so to get it, because who knows? It's so new?
Also, I asked my pediatrician about the H1N1 vaccine (I realize that this is the 2nd comment in which I am quoting my pediatrician - sorry), and he said that in the first round this fall there will probably only be enough for the top 3 priorities: 1) pregnant women, 2) healthcare workers, and 3) families with infants under 6 months. Don't you fall into all 3 of those categories? :)
We were just having this discussion the other night, and this is what we decided -- based mostly on the advice of my hubby Sometimes it's handy to have a doc around! :)
I got my regular flu shot 2 weeks ago, and the kids will get theirs when the "kid version" gets to their doctor.
We will also be getting the swine flu vaccine. I was VERY hesitant about it -- and to be honest, I'm still not crazy about it -- but here's why we're doing it:
I'm pregnant. That's the long and short answer. The media has hyped up H1N1, but for healthy people the swine flu is no more dangerous than the regular flu and the same precautions should be taken (washing hands, etc).
However, my hubby has read a lot about it and the thing about H1N1 is that it is particularly bad for preg. women/very young/immuno-compromised. Apparently, there is some bad mojo involved for preg. women who get the swine flu (as opposed to the reg. flu).
So that is where we are at. I am not a fan of any kind of flu shots - and my hubs has lots of patients on amended vaccine schedules, etc. But because of the new baby, we will be getting the shots this year.
Also - remember that you and the boys should get shots NOT any kind of "flu mist" vaccine because they are too young and you are preg. The shot has NO virus in it and you cannot get the flu from the flu shot (even though some people do feel crappy afterwards, it is a reaction to the shot NOT the flu)
However, the flu mist does have a weakened form of the flu in it, and it is possible to get sick from it, so you should not get it.
1. Yes.
2. Yes. (I hope.)
I have no vaccination anxieties. Stick away, sister. Just keep me from getting sick.
The thing that concerns me about H1N1 is that it IS so new...and the urgency to get it out in time for this flu season makes me wonder if any short-cuts were taken? They may be perfectly "legal" short-cuts but that still makes me nervous. I do think most doctors work from a position of integrity BUT they can only base their judgments on the information provided...and if that information is flawed in ANY way...hmm. I don't consider myself an alarmist in general but this one bugs me. My kids are fully vaccinated and so far, so good. I just don't like how new this particular vaccine is...don't want to be the guinea pig
We have all gotten flu shots since I was pregnant. My high risk perinatolgist made me get the regular flu shot while I was 32 weeks pregnant, so I have always felt safe about getting it. I trusted him implicitly, so if he thought if was safe and necessary, I did it. The NICU also told us to get the babies regular flu shots, since they were preemies. Their respiratory systems weren't fully mature, so if they got sick, it would be harder for them to fight off the flu or any respiratory virus. We were also told to limit exposure to school age kids and be DILIGENT about washing hands during flu season.
However, I will not be getting the H1N1 shot. I am wary of most vaccines to begin with (even though we are up to date with ours, I DID delay and separate them). It doesn't sit right with me that it was developed so quickly and long term effects aren't known. Like you said, I don't want us to be the guinea pigs. So this year we will get the regular flu shot and do things like change clothes when we get home from library or play group. Wash hands as soon as we get in the car. Hand sanitize like nobody's business. Lysol everything. You know, become a germaphobe ;) and hope for the best!
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