[allisonx]

Ok, so I guess the CDC is saying all kids over 6 months need a swine flu shot, as do people living in the household with them. I am worried, though, because I have read a lot of bad things about the vaccination. My doctor seems worried, too, but I know that he will do whatever he is told to do by whoever is above him. I was wondering what everyone thought about this... I am not sure what to do. I am def. getting Jacobi his seasonal flu shot, but I'm not sure about the swine flu vaccine. I've also read that it's MANDATORY that everyone get it, which makes me even more reluctant. I don't know. It's just scary.

[wanna be a young mother]

Not sure where you live or where your info comes from but in the US it is not mandatory for anyone to get a H1N1 vacc.

As for the actual vacc. it is NO different then your regular seasonal flu vacc. It's made the EXACT same way by the same people. Only difference is the strain of "flu" in the vacc. My advise is check out the CDC's website about the H1N1 for info. There is a TON of false info floating around about this vacc. My high risk OB and Nevy's Pedi. have both said it's safe and the risk of NOT getting a vacc. is worse then getting one. We have already got the seasonal flu vacc. and will be getting the H1N1 shot at then end of Oct.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccinati...ion_qa_pub.htm

HTH

[HeatherRainbow]

It is mandatory in NYS for all health care professionals to get the swine flu and the influenza vaccination. While many are stating they will go ahead and receive it, many are protesting, saying that the swine flu vaccination is actually more dangerous than the swine flu.

It is important to be informed on the contents. When getting the swine flu vaccination, make sure you know what the ingredients are. The preliminary tests done do not contain thimersol and squalene, and so ask if these are in the h1n1 vaccine. Thimersol is contained in many vaccinations, and many people attribute it to causing autism in babies and young children. (see http://www.autismactioncoalition.org/)

In addition to thimersol, the h1n1 vaccination may also contain squalene, which is a chemical never before used in the general public. The one other use was during the anthrax scare, when military persons received the anthrax vaccination. For more information on squalene and its affects on animals and persons, see this website: http://www.without-consent.com/media...Toxicology.pdf

Squalene may cause sterility, auto immune issues and disorders, as well as a host of other problems. Be informed. Always ask questions.

[Nadia_Medt]

A great resource to find information on seasonal immunizations and mini clinics in your area is www.medtipster.com.

According to the CDC, more than 36,000 people die from flu related complications each year. 2000,000 are hospitalized.

Medtipster also helps you find accurate and competitive prescription drug pricing info from pharmacies offering discount generic drugs across the country. Simply type in your prescription's name, dosage, and zip code to find a generic alternative for as little as $4 and right in your neighborhood.

[purelegance]

Originally Posted by wanna be a young mother

My high risk OB and Nevy's Pedi. have both said it's safe and the risk of NOT getting a vacc. is worse then getting one.

it's ironic, because i JUST asked my doctors here (tx) & my doctor back home (del) and neither of them are really overly concerned with the swine flu. they both said it resembels the normal flu so much, there's really not much they do diffrent to treat it. All they do is take a blood sample & send it away. If you have swine flu, they make a note. by the time they get the test results back, 2 weeks have passed & you are better & back to work. maybe it depends on your area more than anything on how worried they are. obviously having any illness in a city is going to be much worse for everyone than if you are in the suberbs/country.

do your own research, talk with your doctor, then decide what you want to do. It is NOT mandatory to get the vaccine.

[Alejandros Mommy]

My hubby and I recieve info on this because we are work in the health care field. TBH we have done a lot of research on this because we have kids. Also if you are working where you can get sick you can decide, yes you can they say its mandatory but look at union laws, to take it. I dont want to come across this and neither does my husband only for ourselves not to get sick But our children get sick from it. What kind of parent would I be If I choose not to get this and yet went out in an area that I KNEW I was high risk for coming into contact with this virus?

There is a lot of BAD information. This shot is no more dangerous that any other shot. This shot does not contain mercury at all. The preservative is what caused the reactions in some people and IT HAS been changed.

I don't know where the info is coming from about thermosil but here in Canada we stopped using that a long time ago with our shots. There was no need for it.

[2girls]

Originally Posted by Alejandros Mommy

There is a lot of BAD information. This shot is no more dangerous that any other shot. This shot does not contain mercury at all. The preservative is what caused the reactions in some people and IT HAS been changed.

I don't know where the info is coming from about thermosil but here in Canada we stopped using that a long time ago with our shots. There was no need for it.

Actually, if the H1N1 vaccine is made the same way that the seasonal flu vaccine is made, then it WILL contain thimerosal.

http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/ABOUT/QA/thimerosal.htm

[Alejandros Mommy]

I can say from experience this shot is one my dear husband has held in his hands. It does not have thermosil. We have not used it here in Canada for many years. No idea if its is still used in the US. BUT the H1N1 Vaccine in Canada does not have this.

If you read the article it states

the majority of influenza vaccines distributed in the United States currently contain thimerosal as a preservative.

[angelic_ky]

it's funny that you are giving it to 6 mths and on as my Dr told me Gabby couldn't have it, i think it's 10 yrs on here, and for that reason i'm hesitant to get it as i'm still BFing... Mum got it last week and all is fine (ecept a nasty bruise on her arm... i think mum has upset the dr as that the second time in 2 weeks) and i'm going to get Joe to get it as he is on buses and trains going to and from work everyday

[wanna be a young mother]

You have the option here to get a seasonal flu shot WITHOUT thimerosal and we do NOT use any adjuvants in US vacc.'s. The seasonal & H1N1 vacc made for other countries are using a adjuvant but the batch for the USA will not contain one.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccinati..._safety_qa.htm

Will the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine contain thimerosal?
The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines that FDA is licensing (approving) will be manufactured in several formulations. Some will come in multi-dose vials and will contain thimerosal as a preservative. Multi-dose vials of seasonal influenza vaccine also contain thimerosal to prevent potential contamination after the vial is opened.

Some vaccine manufacturers will be producing 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in single-dose units, which will not require the use of thimerosal as a preservative. In addition, the live-attenuated version of the vaccine, which is administered intranasally (through the nose), is produced in single-units and will not contain thimerosal


So you have the option to request one without thimerosal just like you can with a seasonal flu shot.

Will the 2009 H1N1 vaccines that are currently recommended contain adjuvants?
No. According to current federal plans, only unadjuvanted vaccines will be used in the United States during the 2009 flu season. This includes all of the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccines that will be available for children and adults in both the injectable and nasal spray formulations. None of these influenza vaccines will contain adjuvants.

2009 H1N1 vaccines with adjuvants are being studied to determine if they are safe and effective. Experts will review these data when they are available. There is no plan at this time to recommend a 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine with an adjuvant.



It's not just about where you live it's your risk level as well. Pregnant women are #1 on the list to get a vacc. b/c H1N1 is killing them in higher numbers.

We live in Chicago (we have the 2nd highest record of H1N1 in the US). A school was just closed last week b/c over 100 students tested + for H1N1 and a healthy 15 year old died. This was 20 mins from my home. So I have to agree with Lessly that why would I put my children at risk and not get the shot.

Yes some hospitals are making health workers get the shot but your question was about the general public being madatory to get one....which it is NOT. Healthcare workers fall in a different class and yes sometimes they have no choice in doing certain things but there are VERY few hospitals that are making this shot madatory for health workers.