H1N1 !!! Will you get the immunization? Will you immunize your baby?

Erin - posted on 10/26/2009

Just a note.. most (if not all) pediatricians won't immunize an infant against any flu until at least 6 months of age. Didn't know if you already knew that or not.

Sean turned 6 months last week. He's due for his vaccinations this week. We're getting him the seasonal flu shot only because he's in daycare. Neither my husband nor I are getting it. I've never had the flu and only one flu shot in my life, when I was pregnant.

As for the H1N1, I'm not going to have Sean get it. My husband backs me up on this. Even though it is manufactured using the same procedure as the seasonal flu vaccine, neither of us are comfortable with the fact that it is a new vaccine (changed from the 1970's shot) that had hurried testing, and no long-term data as to possible effects. I've read what the CDC has to say about it, but still am against the H1N1 vaccine for my son.

Sharla - posted on 10/25/2009

OK... I have done LOTS of research on this and keep going back and forth on the subject. I'll will let you guys in on my info/concerns. We are all right in being concerned that there has been little study of this vaccine, however, the only REAL difference in the US between this flu and seasonal flu is the actual virus it contains (i.e. H1N1 vs H3N2, etc). All flus and most other vaccines contain Thimerisol, that is the mercury containing ingredient, HOWEVER, the amount of Thimerisol is low and it has not been linked to Autism. Anything given in excess could be an issue, but we do limited vaccines and can opt for lower Thimerisol ones. The concern I have is in the use of the adjuvant being added in CANADA (US and other developed countries opted for adjuvant free vaccine). It is true that other vaccines, i.e. Hep, contain an adjuvant, they contain Aluminum Hydroxide and other TESTED ingredients, HOWEVER, the adjuvant being used by GlaxoSmithKline (AS03) contains Squalene, an ingredient not previously tested in children (Squalene occurs naturally in food). AS03 has been used in European flu shots since 1997 but mostly in the eldrely.
So...
1- No, there is no long term study on the effects of Squalene in children.
2- No, there is no short term studies of the effects of squalene in children
3- No one knows how bad H1N1 is going to be
4- Babies less than 6 months of age should NOT be immunized!!!
Ultimately, we are damned if we do and damned if we don't.Get good sleep and nutrition, be active and take you vitamins and make the choice that works for your family!

Shauna - posted on 10/22/2009

I will not be immunizing my baby.....there hasnt been enough research and I stay at home with her.

Brooke - posted on 10/21/2009

I am going to follow my Doctors advice, which is probably give her the H1N1 shot. She is 6 months and we live in NYC. I figure her getting the flu is MUCH worse than the shot.

Brittany - posted on 10/21/2009

Here's the thing we all want to keep our children safe and we do so by taking them to the dr. and when they get sick giving them madicines... we keep them from getting sick my getting them their immunizations so they don't get the mumps, polio, chicken pox etc. Each year the flu shot is new. This year there are 2 flu shots recommeded especially the H1N1. I feel as a mother in her 20's that I myself have to get the shot since the most people that are effected by this virus are in my age bracket and I need to be sure that I myself can take of my children since I am a stay at home mom. The reason why the younger you are the more of a possibility it is that you will contract this virus is because we have not been exposed to such viruses so therefore our immune system doesn't have the antibodies to fight it off. With this immunization for the H1N1 flu virus it gives our immune system a boost so we can fight it off. The H1N1 flu vaccine was made just like any other annual flu vaccine. My children will recieve because I would like to make sure that they don't get this awful flu since it has the potential of killing people and I love my kids and want to make sure they are around forever. That is my opinion and I would hope it my change some Moms outlook at this vaccine.

Jenni - posted on 10/19/2009

I have had the H1N1 vaccine last week, as there is a possibility we may look at getting pregnant again sometime (many pregnant women ended up in ICU when they contracted it).. While there is no guarantee it will work, I am not prepared to risk getting swine flu, especially given the risk if I were pregnant or of passing it on to Hannah. My GP did not recommend getting it for Hannah though - not enough research and they are already having SO many vaccinations at this age....

Kelly - posted on 10/18/2009

This is a good topic to debate. I am an Emergency nurse and I have seen many cases of the H1N1 virus. I too have debated whether or not to get the vaccine for myself and family - I have a 2 year old and 6 month old. My first day back from maternity leave in June I was exposed to H1N1 and was put on Tamiflu. I did not contract the virus however it did scare the pants off of me. I have been exposed several times since. To get the vaccine or not...I initially thought no way I am not getting this vaccine, it has not been tested long enough etc... However every year a new vaccine is made based upon which strain of the influenza virus the CDC believes will be the most prevalent. There are hundreds of strains of influenza. I did get the influenza vaccine over a week ago, it has not made me ill. I will probably get the H1N1 vaccine for myself as I am on the front line. I will ask for the injection form, not the nasal spray vaccine. The injection is a dead virus, the spray is a live virus. My kids will get the influenza vaccine, my son had the shot last year without any problems. He did not get it two years ago as he was too little - they have to be at least 6 months of age. Unfortunately he and I both contracted the virus that year! The docs that I work with all say they will get the vaccine and so will their families.

Kira - posted on 10/18/2009

Great Topic! I actually had the same concerns. With the immunization being so new do I dare give it to my baby? Well My mother works in the medical field and we have many family friends who are doctors and recommend getting it. Therefore If I can find it for my daughter I will get it. However, I have NEVER gotten any kind of flu shot and will not be getting it! Since our doctors are recommending it for their own family I decided it's a good idea for my kid as well! Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 10/18/2009

Yes I would get her vaccinated. My son will get the vaccine. I only say this because children are not able to be treated for the flu of any kind until the age of 1. The CDC has not had any reports of serious reactions or side effects and the vaccine has been being given since June. the effects of the disease are far more dangerous for small children then the effects of the vaccine.

Sonya - posted on 10/02/2009

My son will not be getting the H1N1 vaccine, I will however let him have the flu shot. I agree with many of the other mothers here, it is too new. And I had the flu shot last year and I didn't get sick at all...

Kimberly - posted on 10/01/2009

I am a nurse at the Children's hospital, and I can tell you NO, my son won't receive this vaccine. Too new, and not enough info on the shot. I think any time there is a race to see which company can mass produce something like this, it is asking for the patient to get hurt.

Chantell - posted on 09/29/2009

Glad someone made a post about this. I also have a 5 month old and a 5 year old and was wondering if the H1N1 shot would be a good idea. After reading all of this I probably will take them to get just the regular flu shot and not the H1N1. Thanks!

Brittany - posted on 09/28/2009

We have chosen not to vacinate our son for the flu or H1N1. I never had the flu until I was pregnant. My doctor suggested getting the flu shot and it was only after I had the shot that I got the flu. Aside from the fact that these shots haven't gone through long term testing, what's to say that taking the H1N1 shot won't give it to you--it is created from a strain. And I must say it is a GENIUS plan [not really] to use the "wait 'n see" approach with these shots. It is beyond idiotic to give these shots and then wait to see if they kill us. You wouldn't give a child a burning candle and play "wait 'n see"--don't play with fire, protect your children! I pray that this will not become a "mandatory" vaccine!

Melissa - posted on 09/27/2009

Check out these following sites before getting either the H1N1 or regular flu shots. I myself will not be getting these shots nor will my family. I have been trying to warn friends and family about disturbing new information I have recently learned about them. My husband works as a manager at Walgreens where a pharmacist told him about mercury and other additives being added into the regular flu shot and how unsafe it is. He also told him that there are flu shots available for about double the cost without all of the extra additives and that he himself would definitely not get the H1N1 shot. It takes at least 10 years to determine long term effects of a drug according to experts. The CDC hasn't had a whole lot of time to test the vaccine just like someone else posted. I think it is very sad that they are trying to push all of these vaccines to people when no one really knows if it is safe and what the outcome will be. This is not the first case of H1N1, back in 1976 the same thing was happening and they made a quick vaccine and people lost their lives. Do your own research and decide for yourself before getting anything injected into yourself or your childrens bodies.



This is a website talking about the mercury and additives being put into the regular flu shots.

http://www.momsagainstmercury.org/mercur...



"Since the H1N1 flu vaccine is new, the risks and side effects are not yet completely known.........All side effects from the H1N1 flu vaccine won't be known until millions of the vaccines are given". This is a quote from this site about H1N1 http://www.fallonclinic.org

Lindsay - posted on 09/26/2009

I don't think I am going to get the H1N1 shot for my son. This is because it is the 1st time on the market and sometimes the shot can cause an adverse effect. I have never had the flu shot. However, I have gotten all necessary shots so far from birth-4mths. Just my opinion. I may have him get it next year, but this year I don't think so.

Tracy - posted on 09/26/2009

I was wondering about this, especially since I have two teenagers who might bring germs home.........But i thought it was advised for babies under six months.

Lise - posted on 09/26/2009

I am glad someone started this topic, because I was really wondering myself. I am nervous about getting it done for my son (he is 5 months). My mom is a nurse, so i am going to ask her opinion, however i am leaning towards not having it done. He is a big healthy boy and i am hoping that by proper hand washing, etc with me and staying home if it really gets out of control in the area that we can avoid it and not have to get the shot.

Shannon - posted on 09/26/2009

I work in the healthcare field and I can tell you that between myself and my co-workers NONE of us are getting the H1N1 vaccine. I just had a baby in April and I have a 5year old and neither of them will be getting the vaccine either. I will get the flu shot and so will they but there has not been enough testing in any of our eyes to be able to trust the outcome of the vaccine. Scientists and drug companies have not even done clinical trials for a year on the vaccine. As far as I am concerned that is not enough to make me run out and get it. We all feel the flu shot will be sufficient