Newborns and H1N1

Kimberly - posted on 10/23/2009

I have an 18 month old toddler and am pregnant and due in December. I'm hoping to get the H1N1 vaccine for me and our toddler so that the new baby will be protected. My midwife recommended I get the vaccine, but just try to get the preservative free version. (Comes in an individual already-filled needle.) She said that the baby will get some antibodies from me while he is in utero, but mostly he will get the antibodies that my body is producing in response to the flu shot when he is breastfeeding after he is born. My toddler is old enough to be vaccinated for H1N1 and I'm hoping that by him getting the shot, he just won't get sick and pass it on to his new brother. My husband is also going to try to get it.

The hard part for us so far seems to be that every place near us that receives it runs out immediately before we can get there for a shot...but we're going to stay persistent until we find some...

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 10/23/2009

Here's a helpful link:



http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/g...

Aliya - posted on 10/23/2009

I was really against getting the H1N1 vaccine, I did get the seasonal flu vaccine but after reading these other comments I may consider getting the vaccine. Thanks for the info ladies. I am 34 weeks pregnant.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 10/23/2009

I just had a long conversation with my mom on this. She is the nurse manager of the OB floor at our hospital back home. She has been to conferences and meetings on H1N1. She's begging me to get the vaccine for myself and my baby (who will be 6 months in two weeks). I have to talk to my husband, but I think we're going to get it and here's why: The company that makes the seasonal flu shot goes to China every year to see what flu virus is big that year. For whatever reason, that is the virus that comes to the U.S. The reason the swine flu is seperate is because it surprised everyone by coming in from Mexico. My understanding of the vaccine is that it is the same as the seasonal flu vaccine it just protects against the H1N1 virus. I talked to a mom at our breastfeeding support group and she got the vaccine for her 6 month old. She said that if her child got sick or worse because of H1N1 then it would be her fault for not getting her vaccinated. If her child had a reaction to the vaccine then she would still feel like she did what is best. Her baby is fine and is now protected. My mom said they are releasing new information daily so check the CDC website frequently. They believe that this flu will be around until Easter OR possibly until the end of 2010. So, if it sticks around that long, it will be part of our seasonal flu shot next year. Talk to your child's doctor and check the CDC, I think those will be your two best sources. If you get the H1N1 vaccine now, you will pass antibodies to your baby through your breastmilk which will help them since they are too young for the vaccine. Hope this helps!

Rebecca - posted on 10/22/2009

They are telling anyone who is caring for an infant under 6 months to get the H1N1 vaccine. This is to prevent you from getting the virus and giving it to the baby.....Im just on the fence myself about that because of the adjuncts used in the vaccines (at least here in canada) and the fact that I am breastfeeding. But I think in the US they only use the vaccines without the adjuncts. Drs dont really have alot of info themselves on the safety of the vaccine and just base their answers on the seasonal flu vaccine so its very difficult to get the correct info. It is a choice that you will have to make for yourself. The pros outweight the cons....