H1N1 - who's getting the vaccine?

[arubamark]

This is a tough one for me and the misses to decide for our 3 and 6 year old. I think I feel pretty confident letting them get the vaccine but still have some reserves. Are you getting it for your children / grand children?

Some interesting reading from Yahoo Health:
"The H1N1 vaccine is made in exactly the same way, using the same material, the same companies, the same process as the seasonal flu vaccine we make every single year and give to tens and tens of millions of people," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Fauci explained that even the seasonal flu vaccine is changed slightly each year, with slightly different strains.
Had the H1N1 virus emerged just a little bit earlier, it would have been included in this year's regular flu shot, he stated.
"We wouldn't be talking about safety now if [the H1N1 vaccine] were given within the context of the seasonal flu," Fauci continued.
Nor has the vaccine been made too quickly, as some have worried. In fact, "it hasn't been faster at all," said Dr. Robert Frenck, a professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on infectious diseases.
The seasonal flu vaccine goes into production around March and is available around August. The H1N1 virus was isolated in May and became available this month.
Side effects from the H1N1 vaccine have been mild, including tenderness and swelling at the injection site and a mild fever. In China, four of 39,000 people vaccinated reported muscle cramps and headaches.
"We've had experience with this particular variety of killed vaccine for 20 years, and the risks are primarily swollen arm and low-grade fever," said Dr. Nathan Litman, director of pediatrics at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. "There are some very, very rare other events, but some of them happen naturally even in those who don't have the vaccine. The risk of disease and complications of disease is far greater than the vaccine."
Some concerns were precipitated by an earlier experience with swine flu vaccine. In 1976, the U.S. government vaccinated 43 million people against swine flu following an outbreak at Fort Dix in New Jersey. Some 500 of those vaccinated developed a rare neurodegenerative condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome, which many experts believe was linked to the shot. Twenty-five of those 500 died.
But the equation for this year's swine flu pandemic is already vastly different. The 1976 virus never spread beyond 240 soldiers stationed at the base, while the current outbreak has already sickened more than 340,000 people worldwide, killing 4,100 or more, according to the World Health Organization.

[cindyo]

We're gona go with it for the girls. It is offered at the kids High School actually now the week we are suppost to get back...Rob and I stil haven't decided about ourselves. I guess it all depends if I have to stand in some line..( not a smart way to decide, I know)

[arubamark]

Yeah we are favoring getting it also. If the kids get it we will get it as well just to be on the safe side.

[Arubalisa]

Side effects from the H1N1 vaccine have been mild, including tenderness and swelling at the injection site and a mild fever.

Also side affects of the seasonal flu shot.

[arubamark]

Lisa, are you having your daughter get it?

[Arubalisa]

Dh's school had a good number of students out today as well as teachers. So we will all get the vaccine, IF it ever gets HERE. As witnessed by the two horses running LOOSE down the street in front of our house yesterday we REALLY do live in the middle of NO WHERE!

[Chadd]

They closed a couple local schools because everyone was sick or afraid to send their kids.

[arubamark]

Thank's everyone for the responses so far. Keep them coming.

[Andrea J.]

your older daughter had it in late spring?
protocol on those that already had the virus, do they get the immunization?

when the vaccine makes it way to central maine and is available for adults, paul will get it. not i.

apparently the elementary school kids and the staff will be inoculated later next week. unsure if it is a nasal spray for the kids or an intramuscular injection. inland hospital and maine general medical personnel are required to receive the shot.

now, there is a blurb on the inhouse tv at our chiropractor's office with all sorts of "the sky is falling" news warning NOT to get the shot.

Originally Posted by cindyo

We're gona go with it for the girls. It is offered at the kids High School actually now the week we are suppost to get back...Rob and I stil haven't decided about ourselves. I guess it all depends if I have to stand in some line..( not a smart way to decide, I know)

[Randi]

This has been a hotly debated topic in Canada as well. One of our best friends is head of infectious disease at our largest hospital and he says DEFINATELY get the flu shot. He says that the tests etc are/have been the same as with the usual flu shots. He also told us to ensure that we are immunized PRIOR to our annual visit to Aruba. He said you don't want to be in the hospital in Aruba, especially if you need to be on a respirator!!

The people that have died due to the swine flu in the spring have had related health issues. Unfortunately, yesterday we had an 11 year girl die with no prior medical issues. She was admitted to our children's hospital with a mild form and it quickly turned worse and dies within 24 hours!

People, this is not funny...get your immunization!