Flu & H1N1 Shot

Sarah - posted on 09/28/2010

wow, i didnt get flu shot or h1h1 last yr and my daughter was brand new, im a little leary of whats in the shot too, but upon reading the post with a detailed breakdown of ingrediants,stats etc.... i am NOT getting it this yr either, i was considering getting the shot for myself to protect my 15mnth old and just not taking her in areas where lots of germs are, limit her interaction with kids this winter. i am not going to b a stat and die, leaving my baby girl alone!wow, it is a hard desicion to make no doubt...!

Kristen - posted on 09/28/2010

I would definitely go ahead and get it. Last year I had my daughter get a normal flu shot, but not the H1N1 vaccine, because it was so new (she was about 8-9 months at the time.) I did not get either vaccine because I was without health insurance at the time. I wish I would have gotten us the H1N1 vaccines because I ended up getting the swine flu, and despite how well I tried to keep away from her, and constantly disinfect things, my daughter caught it as well. It was absolutely miserable for me, she didn't have it as badly as I did, thank God.

We are BOTH going in within the next 3 weeks, and getting our combined flu shots.

Liz - posted on 09/28/2010

My whole family got the vaccine last year and there were no issues at all.
They recommend it to people who are pregnant for a reason, the deaths related to H1N1are very much like the regular flu, Infants, pregnant women, elderly and unhealthy people should get it because thats where they have seen the fatalities, people with major head trauma should get it too.

I don't see how this is a ploy by the government and pharmaceutical companies when they lost money on it. It was distributed for free to anyone who wanted it no matter how much you made and this year they have a small fee to help pay the manufacturing cost but nobody is making money on it.

Jennifer - posted on 09/28/2010

Ive already responded to this post... But I figured I would add.... I had the h1n1 shot while pgt, and not only did i end up in the ER after having it, but now my daughter (the one I was pgt with when I got the shot) and myself are sick with the flu already... So I guess the shot isnt all its cracked up to be!

Annie - posted on 09/27/2010

I've got the H1N1 shot and I'm completely fine. They've already have a strain of the H1N1 shot in the flu shot. So, if you've gotten your flu shot this year, then you've already had part of the strain anyways.

Donna - posted on 09/25/2010

I got my flu shot last yr. I'm choosing not to get the flu shot this yr, I really dont thing H1N1 is really as big of an issue as its made out to be. Although I'm in the healthcare field and they are talking about making it mandatory, which I totally dont agree with

Crystal - posted on 09/25/2010

Neither I, nor my 4 children are getting any flu shots. They get them as infants, but that's about it. I don't believe it's one of those mandatory shots that you need to get, unless you have a weak immune system. Then I'd probably get it.

Jennifer - posted on 09/25/2010

P.S. Although many people have gotten the shot and have experienced no problems... Thats not to say it couldnt happen. Like I said I was in the ER with a high high fever on bags and bags of IVS before they were able to get my fever down and get rid of other symptoms I was having. This was almost a year ago now so I dont remember every little symptom I had and what exactly the doctor said, but it was definately cause because of the shot!! While myself and my daughter I was preggo with while getting the shot, havent gotten sick yet this year, my hubby and 3 year old daughter (who have NOT had the shot) have also not gotten sick!! You cant really know for sure that you dont get sick just because you get a shot, or that if you dont get it you will get sick...

Jennifer - posted on 09/25/2010

I havent gone through any of the responses yet so I dont know what advice youve already recieved.... But I wanted to tell you my personal experience... I took my doctors advice and got the H1N1 flue shot when I was pregnant, and I DID NOT react well to it at all!! I ended up with a high fever and wasnt feeling well at all... I ended up in the emergency room for a whole night on IVs and was crying from pain, dizzieness... It wasnt good for me at all. I wanted to do what would have been best for me and my baby, but overall, I really dont know if it was actually worth it considering how sick I got from the shot!

Meredith - posted on 09/24/2010

I have not gotten the H1N1 shot and I never get the flu shot because in my opinion, it is not an effective vaccine...simply because you have to get it every year...I would say get it if you work and you have children in day care...but I am a stay at home mom and I am crazy about washing my hands and carrying Wet Ones with me...Frankly, if you take the proper precautions, you don't really need the vaccine at all! Don't let your doctor bully you into getting a shot you're not sure about...

Amanda - posted on 09/24/2010

when i was pregnant i was forced to get the shot! I NEVER would have gotten it if i hadnt fallen and had to go to the hospital. I have never gotten a shot and never had the flu! I think its all bogus if you ask me!!!!

Beth - posted on 09/24/2010

So sorry, Dena, that you had to go through that! It must have been awful! It does bring up a good point though; many deaths from the H1N1 were not from the flu itself, but from pneumonia and other complications.

Alicia - posted on 09/24/2010

Thank you, to everyone that has spoke out about this topic! I can't remember the lady's name that said I was miss informed, or some one was informed that told me, I'm simply going off what we heard everyday about it, we had the out break and within in I think 3 months had a vaccine for it. For me that is way to fast! I'm not only considered about the long term effects, but also the short term. Owing a ranch I feel like, I have been shot with enough penicillin to live through anything! Ha, only hoping on that one! But anyways, again thank you for everyone on both sides giving me their opinions as well as some facts!

Noel - posted on 09/24/2010

my family will not be getting the h1n1 flu shot.i, too believe that it is best to let your immune system work through an illness in order to strengthen itself.

Janessa - posted on 09/24/2010

I personally don't get them for me or my kids, because I figure if we get it we get it. We'll work through it. There's no way to avoid all sicknesses. Most people I know who have gotten them still get sick with something. I do however vaccinate my kids for all the routine vaccines. I don't know that the shots would hurt you if that is what you are worried about. I just don't get them because I don't think they are necessary. But that is my opinion, and I could be wrong.

Alexis - posted on 09/24/2010

With the H1N1 shot I agree with you, there is not enough testing. And as for the shot it is up to you. I was 11 when I got my 1st one, there had been very few flu viruses going around. But my DR suggested it and my being the "good mom" said I had to get it. I got the WORST FLU EVER that year. In a mild flew season. I was sick for weeks! So I have refused it since. I have had alot of crap thrown at me for not allowing my daughter to have it. But her body needs to build up immunity to somethings! Like the girl said with every shot you give them there are risks. Good luck!

Summer - posted on 09/24/2010

Last summer I caught a flu when I was about 30 weeks pregnant. It wiped me out for a couple of days and I refused to take medication because I believe that those drugs weren't clinically tested and were a ploy by pharmaceutical companys but that's another story! I got over it of course and now I have a beautiful healthy 8mo. I wont be giving her the influenza vaccination but it's all down to the individual. Good luck!

Lindsay - posted on 09/23/2010

You were just trying to do what was best for him. You can't blame yourself! At least he's now doing great.

Jeanette - posted on 09/23/2010

it was from the h1n1 shot, and dr's have recommended that he never gets a regular flu shot as they are not sure if he will react the same way. We are very lucky that he is doing great now. I will never forgive myself for not trusting my instincts, my gut told me not to give him that vaccine

Lindsay - posted on 09/23/2010

Jeanette- Was that from the regular Flu shot or the H1N1? I'm sorry to hear that happened but glad that he's doing ok!

Jeanette - posted on 09/23/2010

My son had the shot last year and spent 2 months in and out of the hospital. He had a severe reaction that caused his brain to swell and spent 14 hours in the ICU having seizures. Then the pressure on his optic nerve caused his left eye to turn in. After 3 LP's they released enough pressure for him to start to get better. This November it will be a year since he had the shot and we have finally been released from our Neurologist but he is still being followed by Opthomology and we have no way of knowing what long term affects we might run in to down the road. I know he is a one in a million case but this mom will definitely think twice about any new vaccines for my little man.

Ashley - posted on 09/23/2010

I understand that this is a very, very hot topic and I'm a little scared to get into it. I'm glad you are concerned and researching rather than just doing what you are told by your doctors. I myself feel the same way as you and have done enough research on my own to have made the decision (at least for now with my toddler, myself being pregnant, and after my baby is born), that we will hold off on vaccines...and I will continue to research and decide if I ever want to have my kids vaccinated. Doctors/people will tell you that your kid has to be vaccinated to go to Kindergarten, but it's not true, you can get a waiver if you disagree with vaccines. I have been told that it is a hard road to go down because so many people will make you feel like a terrible person, but you have a right to your opinion and as a mother, you get to decide what is best for your children...not the government. I wish it wasn't such a hard thing to do, but if it's the right decision, then it's worth it. I am currently reading a book called What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations by Deborah Mitchell, and this book has helped me to learn and understand what we need to know. The facts in the book are alarming. I think a lot of people want to say that there are no side effects and it's all safe because the facts have been kept from us--you have to really look into it to find them out, and when you do, it's scary. Keep asking questions and doing your research!

Kayleigh - posted on 09/23/2010

If you actually do the research you'll find that the vast majority of these diseases had their major decline before the vaccines were even being distributed...
Example: The Black Plague, which had its lifespan, decimated, and died off, All On Its Own. Viruses have a life span just like any other living organism. People have Immune systems for a reason and the MAJORITY of the things they vaccinate for aren't even life threatening! (Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox etc.) KIDS ARE SUPPOSED TO GET CHICKENPOX! i did! so did my sister! its only life threatening if you DON'T get it when you are a kid and manage to contract it much later in life... which is a threat if you were vaccinated instead of just getting it... b/c after a couple years you are susceptible again.

Trust your bodies more, not the establishment. they dont know as much as they say they do... and the vaccine manufacturers Definitely don't care about you or your children.. just selling more shots.

I just want to say that I'm done with this thread (as I'm sure all of you are happy about) i just wish people would stop being sheep and actually look for the information that is LITERALLY right at your fingertips.

Jan - posted on 09/23/2010

I have not got the shot and neither has my daughter. OUR doctor told us to wait and see what it does to the people in the medical field that have to have it, before I make any decissions about it. It's up to you if you get it or not.

Jessica - posted on 09/23/2010

My 1 year old just got her 1st dose for the new flu shot which is the combine shot with seasonal and H1N1 (which for the 1st 2 years they only get 1/2 a dose then the next month get the other 1/2)..She had also gotten 3 of her vaccines that same day and had a bad reaction to one of them she has never had any reaction to any vaccines in the past and the newest one was the flu shot. She wound up getting a bad fever and causing her to have a Febrile Seizure..It is not long term harmful at all but it is still something I don't ever want to see again:( so I can see your concern I am scared now to get her other 1/2 of dosage in a month..But she is doing fine now and back to normal.:)

Amy - posted on 09/23/2010

A friend of the family is now paralyzed because he got a flu shot, which he got every year and was a big supporter of them. Freak things can happen, but my family and I do not get them.

Jayde - posted on 09/23/2010

kayleigh the reason they have nearly become "extinct" is because of the vaccinations, otherwise people would still die from these diseases today. Even whooping cough has its highs of epidemics & the lows are because people realise its dangerous & then get the shots.

Jayde - posted on 09/23/2010

Darci i agree with your statement. I got the shot but i didn't let my bub get it-dont get me wrong i'm definitely pro vaccination but personally after the reports of young children having reactions to it (under 2s) i didn't want to take that risk & thought i would rather wait til she's a bit older -----BUT I'm DEFINITELY PRO VACCINATION ITS SO IMPORTANT!

I'm not say there aren't rare cases to which there are serious side effects but in that report from above post they gave that child all shots in one & they had an underlying medical issue so the shots didn't CAUSE autism but contributed to it. The benefits of vaccinating greatly out ways what could happen & at least i can say I've done all that i can to prevent my daughter from getting the old deadly horrific diseases & i believe that the more people that don't immunise their children, these diseases WILL come back.

Kayleigh - posted on 09/22/2010

Family to Receive $1.5M+ in First-Ever Vaccine-Autism Court Award!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20...


SERIOUSLY!!!

Darci - posted on 09/22/2010

I have not got the shot but should. I got it for my son and i wouldnt get it for him if i thought it could possibly harm him. There is nothing wrong about getting it. There has been a ton a research done on it. who ever told you different is uninformed. There is nothing different about the H1N1 then with the regular flu shot besides the fact that its just a different stain of the flu. They make it the same as they would any flu shot. Every year you know the flu is a new strain so every year when they have flu shots they are new and not the same flu shot you got the year before. There is nothing in a vaccine that can harm you. Ask your doctor more about how they are made, vaccines are just a little taste of the sickness so that your body buids and immunity to the sickness. It actually really bugs me when some people really do think a vaccine is going to hurt them or cause autisim like some think. It is really silly. The study that was done on the autisim thing was done by one team of doctors that were later discredited for their false facts and now has been proven many many times by many different doctors all over the world that it infact does not create autism. So my advise to you is just research it your self and talk to your doctor and dont listen to others that might not be informed because they just listened to a friend that listened to another friend and so on. Ya know. Good luck

Rachel - posted on 09/22/2010

I happen to agree with you on this one. My husband and I had multiple discussions on this (our son was not old enough to have the flu shot or the H1N1). We both ended up getting the flu shot only. None of us got sick last winter. I didn't get the H1N1 because it's such a new drug that we don't know the long term effects. I was not willing to make the situation worse 20+ years from now (I will probably make the same decission this year). I'm a nurse and the nurses I work with also feel the same way. You don't know the long term effects. That's just my opinion though.

Teresa - posted on 09/22/2010

not a chance! i believe in getting immunized but i haven't ever gotten any flu shot and my oldest is 5 and my youngest is 10 months. none of us have gotten flu shots. just don't feel its needed. the h1n1 flu is really not a lot of a throw up your guts flu. its more of a cant breathe cause its in your lungs thing for awhile. we survived a mild case last year with a brand new baby coming home.

Kayleigh - posted on 09/22/2010

I really personally think its silly that people trust the medical establishment so much... they use us as guinea pigs and then just pay people off when things go wrong... its comes down to one thing for me really..



Heavy Metals Cause Brain Damage.



And i still have not met a doctor that will even MENTION that there is Thimerosal (mercury) and/or aluminum in nearly all vaccines. Up to 250 micrograms in a shot.. .when the CDC them selves state that a SAFE level is 4 to 5 micrograms for a grown adult... Lets forget about allergic reactions and all that, 250 mics a shot and they give some INFANTS 4 to 8 shots at a time... you do the math. I don't want to have to, so my daughter will build up her immune system like nature intended...

also, yes.. there will always be those out there that take their career with pride and care about what they are doing..
they are few and far between... Amanda, I'm really glad you trust your doctor that much, but I've never met a single one that even assumed I had half a brain in my head. Nothing bothers me more than doctors that don't like educated patients, makes me feel like a piece of meat.


This is exactly why I'm having my child at a birth center that is not controlled by "Physician Overlords" (to quote my one of my lovely midwives ♥)

Amanda - posted on 09/22/2010

Kayleigh Liddell- it's great to be educated but to sit there and say your doctor won't tell you the truth isn't true at all. My aunt is a Nurse Practitioner who owes her own practice and it 100% honest with her patients. She explains the risks, the side effects, and even gives hand out. And yes there are a lot of suspected stuff when it comes to vaccines but in all truth that's all they are is though/suspicions/ and points of view. Some people may develop side effects but hell you can do that to anything regardless. Also, did you realize that a lot of things you eat, brith, or do "could" have a bad effect on your body later in life? For example, if you eat to much of one food it could cause health issues. The air we breath could. Doesn't mean we need to refuse all of it. I trust my doctor and my childrens doctor.

Amanda - posted on 09/22/2010

I'm 25 and will be more than likely getting both as will my children. My view is would you rather have that tiny little chance of having it back fire or would you rather risk your childs' death? yes a child can die from the flu or H1N1. I personally wouldn't want to take any chances. but hey that's just me.

Lindsay - posted on 09/22/2010

I have had the flu shot once that I can remember in my entire life and that was only because they pinned me after one of my DRs appts when I was pregnant with my oldest and since it was 'recamended (sp)' they pushed really hard for me to get it! Other than that I don't get it myself. THe H1N1 I will probably never get nor will I get it for my kids. I heard a lot about it when they were first putting it out there and I chose not to get it for any of us. I do get my kids the flu shot every year but that's only because they are more prone to get the flu then myself.

Staci - posted on 09/22/2010

My mother works for our local health department and actual got it herself then suggested for myself & husband. I can't remember how far along I was, but I was pregnant when I got it & had no side affects or issues. I'm actually sick less often. If you are pregnant you have to get the shot, but my husband did the nasal spray & said it was fine! My baby is now 9 months old and has gotten a cold once, he is never ill. I feel like there are so many advancements in medicine that if it wasn't safe they wouldn't have made such a big deal about EVERYONE getting it.

Mandie - posted on 09/22/2010

i have gotten it and so has my son. you have to look at it this way did you get other vacines when you were younger? or has your child gotten any? they were all new at one point too. but now we look at them as routine vacinations that most people dont think twice about.

Christina - posted on 09/22/2010

Also, I seen on here someone putting I think like 12,000 people or something a year have effects from the vaccine but over 200,000 people a year are hospitalized w/ flu-related complications.

Christina - posted on 09/22/2010

I got the regular flu vaccine (required at the hospital I work at anyway) & the H1N1 last year when I was pregnant. The OB doctors recommended both when you were pregnant. You can get the mercury free vaccines.

Kera - posted on 09/22/2010

I got the flu shot with my daughter, but didn't feel the need for the H1N1. I told my doctor that we wanted to try for another child this year and she told me, "People who were diagnosed with H1N1 and had to be hospitalized were obese men and women and pregnant women." If that's the question of just keeping my baby healthy. I'm taking the shot!

Carol - posted on 09/22/2010

Due to having Diabetes (I have type 2) I had to get the flu shot and it is recommended that I get one every year due to having Dibetes, the only way for me to not have to get it is lose enough weight that I reverse the Diabetes and then I can not worry about it till I am quite old. Getting the shot really won't hurt you would you rather get it and 20+ years down the road find out it did cause your body harm or not get the shot and be one of the few who ends up getting the flu and dying from the flu? Think about your family how would they feel if they knew you could get the shot and stay alive versus not getting the shot and dying?

Madeline - posted on 09/21/2010

The flu shot this year will cover the seasonal and H1N1. I will get it, because the CDC does some pretty rigorous testing to ensure that these vaccines are not harmful to you or your baby. The risk of complications if you do happen to get the flu is pretty awful. I think the benefits for the shot outweigh the risks. I think this is especially true if you will be having your baby during flu season, as the baby will be protected from the flu by the antibodies you produce to the vaccine until he/ she is about six months old. I will also be getting my 3 year old and seven month old vaccinated. I'd hate for them to get the flu and develop some really awful complications (because they are in the age group for increased risk associated with the flu). Hope this helped!

Brandi - posted on 09/21/2010

I am required to get it because of where I work (hospital) and I don't have any effects from it. Not even soreness as other people I work with have complained of.

Breanna - posted on 09/21/2010

i have never got the h1n1 or regular flu shot n i got the flu every yr but last yr i decided 2 get the regular n h1n1 flu shot i didnt get the flu at all last yr so i will most likely get it again this yr...but only you can decide whats best....

Kristin - posted on 09/21/2010

i would not get the flu shot for myself or my child. there are things inside vaccinations that are not good for your body. it is just the flu, as long as you are a healthy person in general than i don't believe there is any need for a shot. i actually got the h1n1 flu last year when i was pregnant, i was sick for a few days, nothing serious, then i was fine. i agree that there is no way to know what the side effects will be down the road. why put those things in your body just becuase it MIGHT prevent you from getting a flu bug? your body is capable of fighting it off on its own (this is on the assumption that you are healthy over all with no autoimmune disorders etc) Doctors have to recommend getting all vaccinations. the info given about how harmful the h1n1 flu is misleading, and caused unwarranted alarm in the public.

Shalaina - posted on 09/21/2010

Some are saying that they got the flu even though they have received the flu shot. That is possible because they can not put every strain of the flu virus in a shot. They do research and see what strains are most likely to be prominent this flu season. You can not get the flu from a shot - it is a DEAD virus.
I believe that they recalled those shots last year because they were not potent enough? Can't remember for sure either!
Also this year, if you get the flu shot the H1N1 is included. There is no separate shot. Which I don't mind - saves me a shot!!
Got mine today! My son and husband will have theirs soon! I completely recommend it but I wish you luck in making the right decision for you and your son!

Lynn - posted on 09/21/2010

Read my research articles on H1N1 at http://www.examiner.com/x-9784-Charlotte...

Traci - posted on 09/21/2010

you have to do what makes you comfortable! you are gonna get loads of people on here telling you loads or information about how its good and how its bad, the internet is a dangerous place for this very reason. You can find information online to back up practically any opinion you might have about anything, there is always gonna be someone who wrote a report about why its great or horrible. Lat year i went back and forth for weeks about whether to vaccinate my daughter months at the time, i've never gotten a flu shot so i thought i why would i get this? I did as much research as i could trying to look at both sides and in the end she ended up getting vaccinated. Then 2 weeks later when my husband got the flu (we had not been vaccinated yet) i know i felt 10 times better knowing that my daughter was protected if in fact he had H1N1. In the end you just have to do what you feel most comfortable doing. This year i'll ask my OB cause i'm pregnant and at higher risk of course. I know most Dr push vaccination but i feel comfortable that she'll give me an honest answer.

Chasity - posted on 09/19/2010

My 2 year old, my husband and myself were all vaccinated due to having a LO who was too young to be vaccinated. We are all fine. Just as someone else said on here, ppl do have allergic reactions you can't blame it ALL on doctors and the medications they come out with--people are allergic to peanuts and many other things that cause death and how many people consume those!? I would rather have side effects with it than my child to die from catching the stuff.