H1N1 vaccinations?

[ChicosBailBonds]

If you thought you had it, odds are you didn't.  Many bad diagnosis in the last 3 months.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/21/cbsnews_investigates/main5404829.shtml

[Henry Sugar]

I actually think that much of this conversation will be much ado about nothing, at least for the foreseeable future.  If you're on the fence about the H1N1 vaccine, your decision will probably be made for you.

At least where we live, one has to really put in some effort to get an H1N1 vaccination.  Very short supply, and not even available from our PCP until December. 

[TomW1365]

While I was up in Blue River, Wisconsin a few weeks ago, I heard that the pig farmers are lobbying the media to avoid using the term Swine Flu, because some may think that it can be caught eating pork products.  As recent as Saturday morning I had the Wine Flu from eating summer sausage, cheese and taking down a 1.5 liter bottle of Yellow Tail.

[rugbydrummer]

I would suggest passing on the vaccine. I know a few people who have taken it and have gotten very sick for a few days.  Also, most of the people who worked on the vaccine aren't taking it and many in the medical field are avoiding it as well.  Since this was a bit of a rushed vaccine and it hasn't been tested much, not to mention it's the live virus type, I'm waiting until I know more who have had it before I even consider getting vaccinated. That said, I haven't had a regular flu shot in a long time and rarely end up sick (knock on wood) so I think I'm passing on it either way.

MUWarrior87:  Shaquilvaine is pretty much right on the money.  I know it seems like the h1n1 vaccine is too "new" but in reality, the seasonal flu immunization itself is "new" every season too, so aside from having many old versions in the past, it's not much different from H1N1 immunization (except for perhaps a few months' head start on clinical trials).

Also, only the nasal is live.  the shot is inactivated virus.  in theory, the only side FX w/ the nasal are... nasal symptoms like runny nose (rhinorrhea).  Not to say that you can't have gotten infected just before you got the shot, in which case it's too late b/c immunity takes up to 2 weeks to have full effect.  True story, this happened to one of my attendings, and so i was nervous too, but i got it anyway.

You dig?

[rugbydrummer]

Interesting reading and discussion here. My wife is pregs with our first (and second...we're having twins) and we both got flu shots for the first time in our lives, but neither of us is going to get the H1N1 vaccine.

okay, i read through everyone's posts now, and my points were already made generally, my apologies.

However @MUDish, i highly recommend you reconsider getting H1N1 vaccination.  Being pregnant, young, or taking care of the young, elderly, or immunocompromised puts you in the highest risk bracket, and your family wins on 3 counts.  Here's the thing, it's not that the swine flu is horrible as has been already said here, but if you can avoid getting it, getting sick, missing work, kids missing out on whatever . . . i mean, yes, with any medical intervention there is risk, but one deals with risk every day, though most just don't think about it quite so critically on a daily basis.  As is always the case in medicine (and life generally!), you have to decide if the risk is outweighed by the benefit.

Obviously it's your personal choice to make, but just make sure you are fully informed, and remember to was your hands a lot


From the medicine end: let's just say that major hospitals in the area are mindful and preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.  If there's one thing I could change, it is the fear-mongering and hysteria surrounding the flu.  Just remember to check your sources for your information and that the job of the news is to get you to watch their segments, even if they embellish what's really (objectively) going on.

Stay well everyone!

[muwarrior87]

MUWarrior87:  Shaquilvaine is pretty much right on the money.  I know it seems like the h1n1 vaccine is too "new" but in reality, the seasonal flu immunization itself is "new" every season too, so aside from having many old versions in the past, it's not much different from H1N1 immunization (except for perhaps a few months' head start on clinical trials).

Also, only the nasal is live.  the shot is inactivated virus.  in theory, the only side FX w/ the nasal are... nasal symptoms like runny nose (rhinorrhea).  Not to say that you can't have gotten infected just before you got the shot, in which case it's too late b/c immunity takes up to 2 weeks to have full effect.  True story, this happened to one of my attendings, and so i was nervous too, but i got it anyway.

You dig?

Doesn't really matter anymore with the shortages only children are allowed to get the vaccination around here.  Every time they have had immunizations, there have been lines of parents with their children and they've run out just about every time.

[rugbydrummer]

Doesn't really matter anymore with the shortages only children are allowed to get the vaccination around here.  Every time they have had immunizations, there have been lines of parents with their children and they've run out just about every time.

I know, that part is unfortunate.  I'm just praying they can keep manufacturing & distributing it as fast and as safe as possible.  Although I guess it takes the decision out of your hands for the meantime, too 

On to the basketball season!  Hope the BC installs some waterless sanitizers around the arena so people can eat with clean hands . . .  >_<