Swine flu vaccine

[sunflower.mama]

Hi all,
Just joining today, after my second ...
Wondering if anyone has decided whether or not to get the swine flu vaccine. When I met with my RE two weeks ago, before BFP, she suggested getting it because the risk of fever, etc is worse to an early pregnancy than the vaccine. But I'm not sure...

[Red Sonja]

None for us, but we don't vax anyway.

We're all recovering from the flu right now. It hasn't been fun (the kids got high fevers, no fever for me or DH) but I would still take it over either the flu or H1N1 vax any day.

[bananabee]

I'm not planning to. I'm just uncomfortable with the idea, as so many people are on both sides of the fence. I had the reg flu a lot as a kid, but never since, and I've been exposed to it a lot in previous workplaces and never catch it. I just avoid sugar, take high quality vit C regularly, and make sure I religiously get a good night's sleep. If I feel the slightest touch of something coming on, I'll suck on a zinc losenge, and as long as I do that I never get sick.

[Traceround]

I'm strongly leaning towards getting it. I work with small children and I have asthma. Being pregnant, that puts me at even more risk for respiratory complications. When I get sick, I get very sick. I'd like to lessen the likelyhood of needing to be hospitalized.

[Gypsy.Momma]

I won't be getting it and neither will any of my family. We are a non-vaxing family to begin with but even if we did Vax I would be skipping that one. The risks of a VERY new vaccine where the side effects on an unborn baby is not known isn't worth it to me. I am going to keep my immune system strong practice good hygiene and hope for the best. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Fly Girl]

I'm not getting it and neither is DD (12 months). We are selective and delay vaccinations but even my pedi didn't seem that concerned about us not getting it.

[henny penny]

This week I'm thinking no, we won't. But I'll continue to evaluate the situation and maybe once I'm out of first trimester, if I'm feeling like there is an increased threat, I may then. There are single dose vials available without thimerisol preservative but I don't know how hard they are to get. Right now, we are just being common sense careful about handwashing, good diet and sleep, etc. It's hard to gather real facts about this flu.

[UberMama]

Nope.

But I had the swine flu last month (when I just found out I was pg). It wasn't near as bad as the regular flu (that I had when pg last time!).

My kids will not get this vax either.

[blessed2bmommy]

I won't be getting the vaccine and neither will DD. I don't work, have no children in school, and just hope to limit our exposure to crowds and anyone who is sick.

DH (military) already had to get it, so hopefully he won't be bringing the germs home.

Lots of handwashing and vitamins for us!

[slsurface]

I know this isn't the popular view here at MDC, but if the vax ever comes to my area I will probably get it for both myself and DS. Mainly because we are at high risk for being in contact with contagious people. DS goes to a private preschool and daycare two days a week. I am a collage professor, so I am surrounded by hundreds of collage students with very dubious health habits. Whenever I lecture, I can hear a chorus of coughs, sneezes, and sniffles . Also, I have an autoimmune disease, so I already at high risk of contracting every bug that comes my way . I don't like the idea of taking a new vac, but I also don't want to take the risk of getting seriously ill.

[Traceround]

Originally Posted by slsurface

I know this isn't the popular view here at MDC, but if the vax ever comes to my area I will probably get it for both myself and DS. Mainly because we are at high risk for being in contact with contagious people. DS goes to a private preschool and daycare two days a week. I am a collage professor, so I am surrounded by hundreds of collage students with very dubious health habits. Whenever I lecture, I can hear a chorus of coughs, sneezes, and sniffles . Also, I have an autoimmune disease, so I already at high risk of contracting every bug that comes my way . I don't like the idea of taking a new vac, but I also don't want to take the risk of getting seriously ill.

I'm in a similar boat.

I know it isn't popular but I have to weigh the fact that I work with small children who swap germs on a regular basis. All the handwashing in the world won't protect me when a small child runs across the room to sneeze full on in my face.

With my asthma, I am already subject to complications to the flu. The regular flu will knock me out for weeks. This one might send me to the hospital or worse. I don't want to risk that. Being pregnant makes me all the more vulnerable.

I also don't see this particular vaccine as any better or worse than any other flu vaccine. The only thing different is the strain of virus used. I've had other flu vaxes with no problems and so I don't see why this one would be any different.

I will, however, be absolutely militant about making sure that I get the single dose version and not the mercury laden one.

[jasonswife06]

It's such a personal & tough choice, no matter what you have to do what is best for you & your family. We do not vax & will not be getting the H1N1

[SeattleRain]

I'll probably get the Flu vax but I'm not sure about the H1N1. It's so new...

[Traceround]

Originally Posted by SeattleRain

I'll probably get the Flu vax but I'm not sure about the H1N1. It's so new...

It isn't all that new really. All they did was swap out the current flu strain for the H1N1 strain. The formula is exactly the same otherwise.

They do this every year when they decide on what the major strain is likely to be and adjust it accordingly. This isn't something that has never existed before like Gardesil. Now that is a vaccine I won't touch with a ten foot pole and a Geiger counter.

[LisaSedai]

Originally Posted by Traceround

It isn't all that new really. All they did was swap out the current flu strain for the H1N1 strain. The formula is exactly the same otherwise

Unless they choose to put the non FDA approved adjuvant (sp?) stuff in it to be able to make more doses.

[pippasmum]

Swine Flu Vaccine

I'm in Canada. Anyone know anything about the make-up of the vaccine up here? I heard an interview on CBC a few weeks ago that was saying that that have an "un-adjuct..." (can't remember the word) version for pregnant women. The scary part was that there are no trials being run on pregnant women in Canada, they are just saying that since the regular flu vaccine is fine for pregnant women, this should be fine too.
I am at a complete loss for what to do. I have never had a flu vaccine and don't want this one but given that dh and I are both primary teachers and work in a kind of petrie dish of germs, I think my risk is very high. Anyone know if there is thimerisol in the Canadian flu vaccine?

[henny penny]

Originally Posted by Traceround

It isn't all that new really. All they did was swap out the current flu strain for the H1N1 strain. The formula is exactly the same otherwise.

Yes, this. If the H1N1 flu strain had emerged just a few months earlier it would have just been included in the regular seasonal flu vaccine along with the other 3 or 4 varying strains normally included. I think part of the reason H1N1 "seems" so different is that it emerged in the "off season" for flu viruses, and is therefore requiring it's own vaccine development.

[henny penny]

Originally Posted by LisaSedai

Unless they choose to put the non FDA approved adjuvant (sp?) stuff in it to be able to make more doses.

The CDC website says that no adjuvant is in either the seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccine.

[aaronsmom]

No flu vax for us. From what I've read H1N1 isn't proven to be anymore dangerous than any other flu strain.

[Sihaya]

We won't be getting it here. We are a no-vax family to begin with and at very low risk since, due to my husband's work schedule and only having one working vehicle, we rarely get out of the house.