H1N1 Vaccine! - Boynton Beach,FL

My 15 year old is just finally getting over the H1N1 and it was AWFUL. He was so sick for 11 days. He spent the first 6 in bed sleeping almost all day and night. He is getting better but the coughing is still REALLY bad. My Husband had it as well. 4 weeks later his cough is still quite bad as well. My 10 year old also had it. For him he had a few days of fever and that was that! So... because of this my other son, 12 years old and I have both been exposed so we won't be getting the vaccine, but honestly... I would probably have gotten it if they had not already had it. I've heard so many people say the swine flu isn't that big of a deal. My kid 15 year old would NOT agree.

I'm not getting it for mine..Any flu will make breathing miserable.....Remember, they want to make their money back on it too since healthcare really is just another corporation trying to get richer like everyone else...

I'm going to get my son vaccinated as soon as it becomes available to me. I'll get vaccinated too. I've already had the seasonal flu shot (it was free at work for age 18+). While my child might not get that sick if he gets swine flu, having him vaccinated might prevent him spreading the disease to someone who might. I'm a working mom and if my son gets sick, I really can't be out of work for a week and then possibly get it myself, putting me out of work for more time.

A vaccine does not "suppress" your immune system. That is so crazy to say that! It actually ACTIVATES your immune system... that's why you end up with *immunity*.

Don't go to some weird unheard of website and trust what they say and call yourself educated. I can publish a website right now that says the vaccine is made out of Spam and cheddar cheese and list lots of statistics supporting my claim. The website would be up and ready for the world to read in minutes. So anybody can make a website and say whatever they want, whether it is true or not.

The FluMist has no thimerosal and no adjuvants. It is live virus but almost dead live virus. You cannot get the flu from it unless you are in an ICU or have AIDS... you have to be that sick to get the flu from a Flumist vaccine. There is some "shedding", I think like 2.4% of people in a study group exposed to another that was recently vaccinated with Flumist were found to have some of the virus from the vaccine... everyone is talking about that but here's what they don't talk about - the virus the non-vaccinated had was even weaker than what was in the vaccine! So they didn't catch the flu from someone shedding, they caught the vaccine.

My whole family got the FluMist weeks ago and we are fine. No side effects whatsoever. Meanwhile, everyone around me is sick and they say it is awful, awful, awful and stays around forever. Five healthy people have died from it locally in the last few weeks, two of them were children. Just so random.

I think people that don't vaccinate are irresponsible to their community. They rely on the rest of us to vaccinate to lessen their chances of exposure to disease. If we all stopped vaccinating and polio, for instance, made a come back and their kids were all twisted up and paralyzed I'm sure thimerosal wouldn't look so bad. But thanks to those of us who vaccinate, they don't have to worry about it. WE just have to worry about them being hosts to evolving diseases from which nobody is protected.

People, there is no conspiracy going on to hurt people! The swine flu vaccine is manufactured in exactly the same way the seasonal flu vaccine is manufactured! Please go to reputable web sites to do your research NOT conspiracy theorists who have absolutely no evidence to back up their claims! I am a medical professional and received the vaccine Fri and so did my 3 yr old son. I would never jeopardize my health or the health of my son and risk us getting severely ill to the point of death for my little one if we were to get the H1 N1. This flu is most dangerous to the pediatric and obstetric population. If you don't want it that is fine but do not put your children at risk. If you are pregnant you definitely need it. It is a killed vaccine made the same way the seasonal one is made. Please do your own research on well established sites that talk about FACT not scare tactics of individuals who have had bad results.

Personally if the scientists that created the vaccine won't take it.....I wouldn't take it. The reports that I have read claim that the doctors and scientists that created the vaccine state that it has not been tested enough nor has it been tested to do what the media is claiming it can do. When the creators of the vaccine say that it needs more testing and is not ready......to me...that's a huge red flag!

I hear ya! Check out Dr. Mercolas website.

Obviously, this is a very controversial topic. There is lots of info out there on the "pro" side. Check out two websites with well documented info from the "against" side. www.mercola.com and www.drtenpenny.com

You can get more info on www.mercola.com - just search vaccinations and also go to see the 1970's 60 Minutes show on You Tube - back when people told the truth and weren't suing everyone and being as politically correct or greedy. It is being pushed by people who stand to make money from it without regards to the long-term health of our children. This flu has been here before - with no greater mortality rate - The number of people who are dying from it are mostly those who had some other disease or medical complication! We didnt get vaccinated then and have immunity now. If you get vaccinnated, you have to keep getting more vaccinations and expose your child to nerve and brain damaging ingredients. The Swine flu vaccine was tested only on children 16 yr old and up! Check it out first!!!

HI, I am a very big NO (to swine and regular flu vaccines for us and our kids). I know some people who have gone through this flu (type A, they don't even test to see if it's swine or not anymore)-and all have come out just fine. Everyone has to decide for themselves, but I am too scared of the possible side effects and also do not think it's necessary -healthy people are recovering. I have links to 2 great articles I got through facebook but I cannot figure out how to link one of them here, so I am just cutting and pasting it below the first link (sorry so long!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1z7KSEnyxw

Swine Flu Vaccines (2009-2010): IngredientsShare
Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 12:26pm
Four swine flu vaccines have been licensed by the FDA and are currently being administered throughout the United States. They are manufactured by 1) CSL Limited, 2) Novartis, 3) Sanofi Pasteur, and 4) MedImmune. Here is a summary of the age groups they are recommend for, the ingredients they contain, and other pertinent information:

CSL, Limited: For people 18 years of age and older. Multidose vials contain 24.5mcg of mercury per dose. Also contains the weakened swine flu virus (influenza A/California/7/2009--H1N1), sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, taurodeoxycholate, egg proteins, neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B (antibiotics) and beta-propiolactone.

Novartis: For people 4 years of age and older. Multidose vials contain 25mcg of mercury per dose. Also contains the weakened swine flu virus, sodium phosphate, egg proteins, neomycin, polymyxin B, betapropiolactone, and nonylphenol ethoxylate.

Sanofi Pasteur: For people 6 months of age and older. Multidose vials contain 25mcg of mercury per dose. Also contains the weakened swine flu virus "propagated in "embryonated chicken eggs," polyethylene glycol p-isooctyphenyl ether (Triton X-100), sucrose, gelatin, and formaldehyde.

MedImmune: For people 2 years through 49 years of age. (This vaccine is squirted up the nose.) Each dose contains the live "pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus," MSG, pig gelatin, egg proteins, arginine, sucrose, potassium phosphate, and gentamicin sulfate (an antibiotic).

Notes of Interest:
All four of these swine flu vaccines were made by mimicking earlier seasonal flu vaccines (and by adding the new swine flu virus). However, the manufacturers admit in their product inserts that these new swine flu vaccines were NOT tested for safety or efficacy. The FDA allowed them to be rushed to market assuming that they will be similar in safety and efficacy to previous flu vaccines.

All four of the swine flu manufacturers acknowledge in their product inserts that several debilitating ailments could occur in people following their flu vaccines. These include: blood and lymphatic disorders (lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia), nervous system disorders (convulsions, Guillain-Barre syndrome, or GBS, Bell's palsy, and various neuropathies), respiratory ailments, immune system disorders, digestive disorders, and cardiovascular disorders.

Although swine flu vaccines (and seasonal flu vaccines) are recommended for pregnant women, the vaccine product inserts clearly admit that flu vaccines have never been tested on pregnant or nursing women to determine if they will harm fetuses or babies.

wow, you've gotten a lot of responses, and I didn't have time to read them all. Whatever you decide, know that the H1N1 vaccine is made the same way as the seasonal flu vaccines. While it may seem that is was developed quickly, the companies that make it also make the seasonal flu vaccine, which is different each year. As far as the mercury, while thimerosal is in the multidose vials, it is not in single dose vaccines. I don't know if those are available yet, I think the companies plan on making them. They are listed in Clinical Pharmacology, which is a reference used by health care professional (of which I am one). I also don't know where the person who said the amount is 25 x greater than is considered safe got that information. Yes, it is more than the recommended DAILY exposure to mercury, but you are not getting a shot everyday.

If you get the seasonal vaccine and have your kids get it, then the safety shouldn't be a concern. I will most likely get it for my son, but I am hoping for the single dose (preservative-free) for him. If it's not available, I think we will probably get it for him anyway. We haven't made our ultimate decision yet, because it hasn't been available from our pediatrician.

Good luck with your decision.

hi Jessica,
serously do the research! there is so much you can read. i am TOTALLY AGAINST the swine flu shot. It has 25x more mercury than what is considered "safe". Ok, so you tell a pregnant women not to eat tuna fish b/c of the merucry content, but its "OK" to inject her with 25x more than whats even considered safe? does that even sound right? NO! I will not get it, my kids will not get it, nor will my family! read up on it.. PLEASE.. before you make any decision!
OHHH, and since its "government controlled"... IF you get the vaccinne, you must submit your name,dob, age, address, and other personal info to the government, "just incase" something happnes later on in life and they can link it to the vaccine.. (humm.. makes me think that maybe the government isnt soo sure about what this "vaccinne" really is)

At our house we do not do seasonal flu shots nor do we plan to get H1N1. My children homeschool so at this point in time I do not believe the benefits outweigh the risks.

My children have received other vaccines.

IMHO the flu vaccine argument is not equivalent to the polio vaccine argument (a broad generalization which tends to shut down critical thought). Every vaccine (as with almost any medical procedure), contains inherent risk - said risk must be considered as it pertains to a particular child. For instance one of my kids has an egg sensitivity - a consideration when it comes to flu vaccines.

It is a very difficult decision and most of us parents want to do the right thing - sometimes it is hard to know what that is. Talk with your doctor and check the CDC info page (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_keyfacts.htm). I also like www.nvic.org (for some counter-arguments about flu vaccinations).

Good luck to you and your family, whatever you decide.

I believe in researching everywhere you can. I have to say that just going to the CDC site is not the best way to get all the information. This is a totally different vaccine, but check out this link http://pop.org/merck-researcher-admits-gardasil-guards-ag...

Not all information that is in the best interest of the public is always made available to us. Do what is best for you family.

Learn natural methods of addressing flu, like vitamin D3, vitamin C, MMS, OxySilver, zeolites, anti-viral herbal extracts, raw juices, spirulina, etc. Flu vaccines haven't been shown to be safe or effective in well-designed studies. If you see what's in them and understand how the body's immune resources are designed to function you may recognize how vaccines trigger long term weakening of the immune system and can foster a variety of problems, some of which appear quickly and others which may appear much later and not be recognized as having a relationship to vaccine effects.

You will find lots of information about the vaccine and the swine flu if you do a little research. I think you should decide if it's right for you and your family. I am choosing not to get it simply because extensive trials haven't been done because the assumption is that the side effects should be similar to the regular flu vaccine since they are essentially made in the same manner minus the actual strain of flu. I stay at home with my son and am still breastfeeding so I don't consider him to be in a high risk group, but my decision might be different if I had a child in daycare or school. It can be hard to sift through all the information but know that you have your child's best interests at heart and I'm sure you will make the right decision for your family. Good luck! Interstingly I read that the number of pediatric fatalities for swine flu is the same as the regular flu so with that said, I'm not sure we should completely panic.

Wow, I just had a chance to read the posts and think the bulk of them make it more confusing for you to make a decision! The best you can do is educate yourself from a variety of resources....Dr's, vaccine websites, medical sites and governmental sites. Personally, I don't rely much on governmental sites such as the CDC, pamphlets or information for this sort of thing as I don't think the government is who I want to turn to for answers for my families health. They have their own agenda. Sadly,after the gov forced so many vaccines on our soldiers, they are now citing the vaccines as the cause for so many neurological disorders they will suffer with for the rest of their lives.....sad. These are many of the same vaccines they urge on our children and preg women!

Sometimes its not necessarily that the disease that the vaccine was meant to avoid that is bad...its all the carriers, additives and other 'stuff' that is added to make the vaccine 'work'.....these take a toll on adults, animals, babies....

You have a big decision to consider. Educate yourself and do what you feel is right for you. For me, until vaccines can be made safer and with less harmful components, we opt out for our family.

Best wishes!

My 2 year old will not be getting this vaccine. There has been minimal testing, and most of the test results that the pharm companies are using are actually just the test results for the REGULAR flu vaccine...not the h1n1 vaccine at all.

The "safer" internasal form is more dangerous for those around the person getting vaccinated since it has the live virus and they shed the virus for several weeks after being vaccinated and expose people they come in contact with.

The vaccine package inserts actually say NOT to give it to pregnant women and yet the CDC is pushing that all pregnant women get it.

All this adds up to enough red flags that I would never get this vaccine.

If you have a child with health risks, work on hand washing habits, taking extra vitamin D (www.mercola.com explains this aspect of prevention) and building their immune system instead of assaulting their body with this vaccine.

My personal vote is no, but it is such a hard thing to decide! I would really urge you to do a LOT of research on it before you make your choice.
Best of luck!
Jen
Mom of 3 boys

Do the research and do what you feel like is right. Don't let anyone talk you into something one way or another cause it's your decision. My boy has always been healthy. For me, at this time anyway, I'm not going to have my 2yr old have the shot.

I think it's hilarious when people call those who educate themselves and not just blindly follow their doctors conspiracy theorists.
What is wrong with this society???? Why do people have such problems with learning to build up their immune system naturally??? Yes, getting sick sucks, it feels lousy but we are not machines. Even machines break down. Our body will get sick and sadly people will die. But putting carcinogens and toxins in our body to suppress natural immunity makes us sicker in the long run.

Educate, allow your body to work as nature intends it to.

www.thinktwice.com
www.909shot.com

the long term effects of vaccines are really dangerous. To say you should go to a country that doesn't implement vaccines is hilarious too. Disease is rampant due to hygiene issues and lack of proper water irrigation. Disease happens, there is a rise AND fall no matter what vaccines are implemented that is FACT. Jonas Salk testified before congress about how vaccines don't work properly!!!!

Dear Jessica,

You must do what you feel is right. Yes there is some concern because the testing for this new vaccine was very short and limited. The reason the testing was cut short; the flu epidemic and the number of young people dying. Odds are if you get it, it will be no worse than the usual flu going around for the season, but if you are one of the unlucky, you could die. No one can make this tough decision for you, do what you feel is best.

I can't get the vaccine because I am allergic to eggs. My daughter will be getting her regular flu shot, but not the H1N1 because I don't trust the testing and she has other issues so the possible side effects could be devistating.

J.

I have always found that if I educate myself as much as possible and make my decision based on education and compare it to what others have experienced I make the best choices. No matter what anyone else thinks we all ultimately live with our choices. Dr. Mercola is an M.D. that has a lot of information on the internet that is easily accessed as well a suggestions on what to do to improve your health. You can bring up his web site and put H1N1 in the search bar.
All the best making the decision best for you and your family.
Deb

Hi Jessica,

I decided against the H1N1 vaccine for my 3 year old and 16 month old. They did get the regular flu shot, as they have every year. After talking to my doctor about the previous swine flu vaccine (I believe it was in the 70's) and what a disaster that was, we both agreed not to vaccinate them, even though his office reccommends it (I think they just reccommend whatever the CDC says). He openly admitted that he is nervous about this vaccine. He said he has had many patients with H1N1 and it has been mild. He gives them Tamiflu and they are better fairly quickly. Hope this helps :)

From the healthcare worker perspective.... If you or your children have any underlying medical conditions, asthma, diabetes etc, I'd risk the H1N1 vaacine and get it. I've seen too many people in my hospital, children included die from H1N1 in the last few months but most of them had underlying conditions. However if you are all generally healthy, I'd skip it. I am skipping it and I work around this stuff everyday. Best of luck.

Hi Jessica,

I know the H1N1 is confusingq.

Please educate yourself properly. Some of the information on the websites Joceyln provided is inaccurate. If you do your research and only trust reputable websites, such as the CDC, you will find that the pros outweigh the cons. I am pregnant and I will be getting the vaccine today. If I end up not getting it and then get H1N1, I will, more likely than not, be hospitalized and jeopardized my new baby, as well as my family. I do not work, so being in the hospital is not an issue of missing work, but being so sick that my OB suggests hospitalization and little to no contact with my son (2 years old) is just not worth it. The side effects from the vaccine are flu-like symptoms, but manageable... no coughing up a lung. The side effects from H1N1 are much worse! If you have a crystal ball and can look into the future, and you do not see anyone in your family getting H1N1, then avoid the vaccine. I don't have a crystal ball, so I am getting vaccinated!

Hi Jessica,

I know the H1N1 is confusing. The media has is so hyped up and it's been shown to be less problematic than the regular flu. They have also said that the vaccine is late because it has already reached it's peak as far as the number of people it will affect. The people that are dying from the flu if they get it are those that are already ill or have compromised immune systems. My cousin's sons both have it and she said that they are still running around playing so it can't be that bad. Although it does seem to hang around longer. It's good for the immune system to have to work and build itself. Fevers are a good thing and if you suppress them then the bugs in the body remain there and have other health affects, which is partly what the vaccines do. You do need to go with your mommy gut and do what you feel is best though.

I have 4 children, one being a newborn, so I thought the pro's outweighted the con's and we all got the swine flu nasal mist. So far we have all been fine, no side effects at all. I am 31, my children are 11, 8, 6, and 6 weeks. But my baby of course couldn't get the vaccine. It wasn't even a second thought for me, since I have adult friends who have had swine flu, and who were "coughing up a lung" so to speak, and I couldn't picture my children bringing that into my home, and my newborn being strong enough to live through that. We all have had the regular flu shot also. My pediatrition told me and what I have also heard Drs. on TV shows say is that this shot is nothing new, its a tweaked version of the flu shot, which also changes every season to keep up with different strands of the regular flu.

Another bit of info is there is a shot available that is the non live virus and the nasal which is the live virus. They are giving the shot to kids/people with egg allergy's and health care workers (I believe) but if you do some research, you may be want to request that over the nasal if you chose to get the vaccine. We all got the nasal, which was a first for all of us, and loved the no shot tears drama.
Good luck with whatever choice you make.

I don't know where some of these people got their info, but there is so much biased and fear propaganda out there, it's hard to tell what the facts are and what is put out to spread the fear. ALL healthcare workers and all government employees (military, etc.) WILL be getting the shot as it becomes available in their areas. When it becomes available in my area, I will be taking myself and my children in to get the vaccine. I can't tell you how many of my friends and their children have already come down with this virus once. Many of them had to be hospitalized for days. Parents are losing time from work, children are spreading it through their daycares. That common sense factor just isn't there when there's so much fear put out there.
Look at sites like the CDC for your information and don't just google it. For us, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. The vaccine, along with all the other precautions, will help to keep my family safe this season. I like that holistic approach, but when it comes to the flu, I don't take that risk. So I choose to do both. You'll have to make that decision for your own family.