A few weeks back my mom asked if I was going to get the “swine flu shot” for Bear.
My answer:
“NO!”
She looked at me like I am nuts (a look I get from her and others all.the.time.) and I proceeded to ramble off my reasons for choosing to not get this new vaccine.
- I am not an alarmist or anti-vaccine but the way this one has come about makes me suspect. We get our seasonal flu shots every year, but I would rather sit this one out.
- She has been very healthy for the past 2 years. No bronchitis or pneumonia. She is not medically fragile any longer.
- catching H1N1 is not any more deadly than the seasonal flu and we’re not afraid of germs in my home. We follow universal precautions.
I know that my choice does not work for all families. We have friends that the vaccine side effects are worth the risk because their child is very medically fragile. There is no right answer.
The official federal recommendation:
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.”
This is @drgwenn explaining the guidelines:
Astacia is NOT a medical professional and this is NOT medical advise. This article is strictly her opinion and in no way reflects the standpoint of 5 Minutes for Special Needs. She is a mother of two children living in the Seattle area. She is a contributor in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms
Thanks for sharing your thoughts & ideas. My one daughter who should have had one has already had Type-A. I have yet to make a decision about the typical daughter and the ASD son.
Because of the medical fragility of one of my children, everyone in the family has gotten the seasonal flu vaccine and will be getting the H1N1 when it is available. We just can’t take any chances…
We too, WILL be getting the H1N1 my son is very medically fragile. His Pulmo said he MUST get it and I agree. For medically fragile kids with Chronic Lung Disease it is recommended. ButI can understand it is not for everyone.
I am just waiting to see what my doctor says. So far nothing as of yet. She knows I am not a fan of vaccines and I will only have the kids get them if they are extremely necessary.
I am 4 months pregnant and have a 3 1/2 year old son that just started pre-school. I have never had the regular flu shot, not even when I was pregnant with my son. I have chosen not to get the H1N1 shot for myself or my son because it is new and I am not going to be anyones ginny pig, nor is my son. People also think I am crazy but I’m sorry, I’m not going to get something that has just come out and find out in ten years its bad for unborn babies, or it causes damage to young children. We will be careful, make sure we wash our hands (was we always do anyway), like we do every flu season.
I’m not vaccinating myself or my son. I think it’s too big a risk. It hasn’t been tested well enough. They admitted that they don’t know what the side effects if any may be. Though they are trying to keep it all hush hush and encourage everyone to get it. I’m not about to risk my child’s life for them to test a new vaccine. He’s no longer medically fragile either. Maybe I would feel differently if he were, I’m not sure. I think it’s up to each person to decide for themselves and their children. I just think personally I don’t trust it..
There was a spirited discussion about this on my blog a couple of weeks ago. My doctor is recommending that Max, who has cp, get the vaccine. I am so torn. Max has no serious health risks because of the cp, per se, although cp is one of the conditions being mentioned as being more vulnerable to swine flu. Sigh.
We have H1N1 right now in our house. I wish we had been able to get the shots, but got the flu first. 4 out of the 5 of us got it, and my husband is on Tamiflu. If I had any advice for you it would be to get tamiflu for anyone who shows signs of it ASAP after the signs.
It has been a nasty flu bug. Even if it isn’t deadly, I wish I could have spared all of us the discomfort of it.
Links to CDC recommendations are on my blog, 2nd post down.