H1N1 is killing children & adults. It is scary but when I think about it, is it really any scarier than what we went through last January when Ian had Type A influenza? Not sure. I also really don't want to find out so I can compare the 2. One hospital visit is enough for our family.
We had the regular seasonal flu vaccine last year & it didn't do a bit of good. What is to say that the H1N1 vaccine will help us out? What about the complications associated w/ the vaccine or the fact that it is a very new vaccine? Do I risk it w/ a child that has had an adverse reaction to the seasonal flu? I just don't know.
If anyone can point me to some articles that helped you decide one way or another, I would really appreciate it. Todd & I would like to read them. We go in on Thursday for our 18 month well baby & will also be discussing this w/ our doctor.
On a lighter note. My family was visiting on Sunday. It was good to have them all here. Tio loved getting on the floor w/ the kids & playing. Unfortunately b/c they are all educators (my dad is a principal & both my mother & brother are teachers), it is hard for them to come over b/c they are always exposed all the illnesses that are around. IF & when they come over after school, we require them to change immediately from the clothes they were in at work to a set of clothes they have left here at the house. Yes, it may seem a little ridiculous but again, we are trying to prevent another round of the flu.
Anyway, the kids had a blast playing w/ Tio Ian & Tia Jesse.
For the record, today is one of those days that I question my sanity. Gabi is driving me mad. She won't stop whining. Very needy. Wouldn't leave me alone until I put her shoes on. She literally said shoes over & over & over again for an hour straight. I finally caved & put the damn things on her. Can we say obsessed?
9 comments:
There is a lot of information on the "Choosing Not To Vaccinate" board on JM that can help you make your decision. Don't be afraid of the name of the board, we have many who post there who fully vaccinate or selectively vaccinate their kids :)
it's tough.. we posted an interview on Multiples and more yesterday, where a twin mom/doctor relayed some info, and she is clearly pro-vaccine. That said, I just talked with my bff, who is one of the most intelligent people I've ever met and a physician's assistant, and she isn't giving her child the vaccine until it has been tested further. It doesn't seem as though it has really been tested on kids, and that's the big scary thing about the swine flu- how it affects children. So for right now, I think we'll hold off until we have more evidence that it is safe for kids.
Not the same situation, but I asked my doctor last week if I should be vaccinated against it. She said yes, if you qualify for it, DO IT. (I have diet-controlled diabetes.)
I asked her because of all the controversy. At some point in time, it becomes too much and I didn't want to make the decision. ;)
According to the CDC the H1N1 is made the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine. SO if your children had adverse reactions to that they would as well to the H1N1 because it is the same ingredients just a different strain of virus. You can ask for the one without the ingredient that is linked to Autism (I forget the name at the moment) but I do not know if insurance companies cover it, etc.
It scares me that most young people are dying from it. 76 children have already died from it and that is more than die annually from the regular flu. I am in the same boat as you, I have no idea if we are getting it yet. I have till next week to decide.
I would just check out the CDC website and get more information on it as well.
I had this very discussion with someone today. When the swine flu went around in the 50's and 60's people got their children vaccinated. Today those same children are aged and are not getting the swine flu. If you look at the statistics older people are not getting the swine flu as much as children. I plan to vaccinate my child because he was preemie and has asthma. I will not get him the swine flu mist as it is the live vaccine. I will wait for the other one to come out. It is a personal decision that may not suit each situation. For my son the benefits of the vaccine far out weigh the risks. A list of pros and cons may help you as it did me.
We are definitely getting our trio vaccinated for the regular flu and the swine flu. It seems to me that the more people who don't get vaccinated, the easier and faster it is going to spread. I know so many people who have experienced the swine flu already. Although none of them have died, some have had some really rough days. I've decided to risk the "newness" of the vaccine in hopes of keeping swine flu away from my kiddos!
Did you know that each year the flu virus changes? They predict which stains will be cause epidemics and produce vaccines that cover those strains of the flu. I have read a little and heard WAY too much... but I have surmised that this is just another strain of the flu that was not predicted to be in this year's shots --- thus requiring it to be given as a separate shot. I have not read enough to recommend a link -- but we are all getting the vaccine. I am basing my decision on what my pedi suggests and what my mommy gut tells me to do - but I tend to do that for most things...
I know it's a tough decision, especially given what's happened to Ian. And as much as you can read about it and all the differing views, you just have to do what YOU feel is right for your kids.
What a cute, fun family you have!!! I love following your blog can you add me to a list in case you ever go private? I'm at koren.hansen@hotmail.com. I decided to put my blog under the private category in the near future and want to keep blogstalking fellow triplet mamas!
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