It’s becoming hard, if not impossible, to escape the specter of the H1N1, and the debate over whether or not parents should have their kids vaccinated. The conversation is going on all around us – on tv, radio, podcasts and in the newspaper, as well as at my local bus stop and during client meetings.
I’ve been asked if I’m going to vaccinate my kids and I think some people are surprised at my answer – yes.
Yes, yes, yes, yes. I am unequivocal and unwavering in my decision – my children, my husband and I will all be vaccinated for H1N1 as soon as it becomes available.
I’m not trying to downplay the concerns other parents may have about vaccinating. I’m not even sure I KNOW all the risks. I’ve actually tried to read up more about what specific concerns about the H1N1 vaccine are, but instead only find reports about how public officials are “downplaying the risks.”
Maybe, the fear is the unknown. Maybe the fear is putting foreign substances in our kid’s bodies. Whatever others concerns are, the choice for my family is clear. We vaccinate. We get all the routine vaccines, and just received our seasonal flu shot.
We vaccinate because my pediatrician says “it’s the most important thing he does for patients.” We vaccinate because my mother, a nurse, tells me about the possible consequences of not vaccinating. We vaccinate because we believe that, in the end, the risks of not vaccinating our kids far outweighs the risks of vaccinating them. And, at the risk of trying to sound like a martyr, we vaccinate because we believe that it’s a small thing we can do to help those who can’t vaccinate because of health issues. Consider it our small community service.
I know some will say that I’m being naive to put my faith in the system. Others will believe I’m clueless, uninformed or have blinders on.
I’m okay with that, because in the end, it’s our (my husband and me) job to figure out the best way to protect our children. And getting them vaccinated is one of the easiest ways for me to accomplish that task.
But I do wonder, as I watch, listen and read the headlines. What are you planning to do?
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38 Responses to Why I will have my kids vaccinated for H1N1
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Yes, my son will be getting the H1N1 vaccine as soon as he is able. He is just getting the regular flu vaccine this week, so I think we have to wait a few weeks. I’m not sure if my husband and I will get it, but we’ll both be getting the regular one.
I couldn’t agree more Kristin, we didn’t even hesitate when it came time for the seasonal flu vaccine and we’ll be in line for the H1N1 when it becomes available. I don’t disagree with other parents who don’t vaccinate there kids, that is the choice they make, just like its our choice to vaccinate our kids, I just think we shouldn’t be chastised for it.
Well, this is a decision that is made for me. My kids do not get any kind of flu shot, H1N1 included. Why, you ask? Because my husband’s father has Guillian Baray Syndrome, a degenerative nerve disease which has been linked to the flu shot. It’s only a risk factor if you have a history of it in your family, but that means for my hubby & my kids, no flu shot. They get all the other vaccines, just not flu. I personally go get a flu shot every flu season, though.
vaccinating, no question.
My husband and I will continue to vaccinate our children. When they go in for their 2nd dose of the flu shot they will also get the H1N1 vaccination. We trust our pediatrician’s judgement and advice, especially on top of our own instincts.
Abso-freakin-loutely! As the wife of a paramedic, I hear the stories of what happens when people don’t. I think people (parents particularly) are too darn paranoid about some things.
Yes, when it is available here, we’re getting it down. We live in a large city (Los Angeles) and I’m not going to stop going out during flu season. Everyone seems to be coughing, sniffling, and sneezing around us so I want my kids and I to be protected.
Maybe I would think differently if we lived in a remote area where we weren’t piled up on top of each other during flu season.
I don’t think we will get the H1N1 vaccine, although the whole family will get regular flu shots. I’ve heard (please correct me if I’m wrong) that you really can’t get H1N1 twice, and the four of us have already had it. So, the vaccine seems like overkill…right?
I, like you Kristin, believe in vaccinating myself and my children, not only for their safety but on the safety of those who cannot get vaccinated (my friend’s newborn baby, for example). Thank you for your eloquent explanation!
I feel I have to address the above comment. My father had Guillain-Barré syndrome. I also have a Ph.D. in Biology (I admit I am not a specialist on vaccines, but I can read and understand biological research papers). I have read through the most recent review articles on Guillain-Barré syndrome, and there is no mention of there being a greater risk of getting GBS if you have a family history of it. If someone can show me the evidence I will accept it, but I am looking at the actual journal articles and there is no mention of this. According to this article
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2008.08.033
67% of cases have nothing to do with a vaccine, but happen after an upper respiratory infection or gastroenteritis (stomach bug). There was a statistically significant increase in GBS after the 1976 “swine flu” epidemic (I’m using quotes because it’s not related to the H1N1 flu today, and the vaccines are not the same). A study of the 1992-1994 vaccine seasons in the USA reported 1 extra case of GBS per million people vaccinated.
What I’m trying to say is that there is a much higher (although still very very low) risk of getting GBS from a cold than from the flu vaccine. And to put it into perspective, according to the CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
19 children died from the flu last week alone, with 16 of them because of the H1N1 flu.
I can’t tell anyone what to do, and I totally understand Amy’s worry about her kids getting GBS, but I will just say that for me, I think the tiny risk is worth the protection I will have given my children.
Grrrrr, I’m so tired of hearing people say they are not getting the flu shots, and that they think “they” are out to get them. Who’s “they”, hello, our health system is trying to take care of us!!!
Anyway, thank you for this post. I can’t believe how many are so suspicious. Two of my sister’s are doctors, and the more people that are vaccinated the better off we all are. Those that don’t vaccinate (flu or otherwise) are putting everyone at risk.
I am especially annoyed right now, as I am trying to volunteer in my school and am taking a class called Learning Leaders for parent volunteers. The teacher of this program started talking before the class about vaccination and how she was against it, I was ready to scream. I said my 2 cents, but then our class started. I was going to talk to her after, but she had a co-worker there observing her (all the better, right), but I held my tongue. I think I will bring it up this last class, even tho I don’t want to get on her bad side. I already got in trouble for texting on my phone when I was actually adding something to my iphone grocery list!
I mean really, this is quite a stretch taking a class to volunteer, but I figured I would do it and maybe see a little more inside the school system, maybe I’ll teach someday, what I really want to do is teach photography. I volunteer enough shooting (I work professionally).
Anyway, again, THANK YOU for posting this! I just called our dr office to schedule our shots!!!!!
I second that, Lisa. I have a friend who is very anti-vax and who loves to tell me that I am poisoning my children. Whatever…..
My son is too young to get the shot himself, however I have already told my husband that it is not an option for him and me – we are getting the shots! If H1N1 is still an issue at the time our son turns 6 months of age, he will be getting the shot himself. I will also be strongly encouraging my childcare provider (who has already gotten the seasonal flu shot for us) to get the shot as well. There are already nearly as many deaths from H1N1 as there are per year from seasonal flu – and this flu is not seasonal. For our family, the health protection far outweighs any risks.
I am a research nurse in Atlanta where H1N1 has hit hard. My daughter (22 months) and I are part of the H1N1 vaccine clinical trials at Emory University. And, I have spent the past month reviewing case after case of people with H1N1.
I think it is important for people to understand that the H1N1 vaccine is no different from any other seasonal flu vaccine and unless there is a reason for you not to get the vaccine (chicken protein allergy, history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, etc) then it only makes sense.
Alright, I’m going to be the one responder who is not getting traditional flu shots or the H1N1 vaccine. Myself and my daughter has never gotten the flu shot or the flu. My husband has and he has been the only one who gets sick on the years he gets it. I know the flu shot can’t give you the flu, but I feel it has to be more than a coincidence. I will do every other preventative measure to keep my family safe. Handwashing, good sleep, good diet, and keeping my kids away from those who have the flu.
My 2 kids and I have already gotten the seasonal flu shot and once available I think we will be getting the H1N1 if our doctor recommends it esp if in a shot form.
My kids both have the swine flu and it is miserable. Since they are both taking Tamiflu, our pediatrician stated that they will still need to get the H1N1 vaccine (our whole family has already gotten the seasonal flu vaccine). And we plan on giving them the H1N1. We don’t see it as an option but a necessity to try and keep our kids, and our community, as healthy as possible.
We follow the recommendations of our pediatrician and he is recommending the seasonal as well as the H1N1 flu shots. Therefore, we will be getting them both.
Just my 2 euros here.
In Spain, where my family and I currently live, they will offer the vaccine to those in need (health workers, pregnant women and kids with other illnesses, etc) more or less the same as the seasonal flue vaccine.
Here is free if you’re offered it and you can pay and get it privately if you want to.
I’m not scared by the dangers and mostly in favour of vaccination for those who need it. But having been in Argentina in July, when the country was really hit by the flue (and everybody was rubbing their hands with alcohol in gel every 5 minutes) and considering that we took some sensible precautions and we didn’t get sick… well.. my kid is 12 and we don’t think there’s any need for a vaccine for us.
Definitely we are doing it. I was hesitant about it at first for the H1N1 since I would hate to find out in 6 months that there are problems with it. The more I thought about it, Could I live with myself if my children died from H1N1 and I didn’t get them vaccinated because there might have been a side effect?
We too will follow the advice of our prediatrician. My daughter has already gotten the seasonal flu shot and is awaiting the release of the H1N1 vaccine.
Vaccinating all including 5 yr old & 5 month old baby as soon as she turns 6 mos. We have a baby under 6 mos old. We have a young child. We are very involved in the community & my husband is our city mgr – it would be irresponsible for us to be out & about in the community unvaccinated. I have asthama and like my baby & 5 yr old are at a higher risk of actually dying. I nearly died at the age of 27 because of the impact of chicken pox on my pulmonary & cardiac systems even though at the time I was in excellent athletic shape & had great health. My reasons go on but like Kristin it’s a super simple & easy decision for us.
I am not sure yet. I have a 15 month old and six year old. I work in a health care setting so I will for sure get the vaccine for myself so I can possibly prevent bringing it home to my little family. My husband is against the newer vaccinations (gardasil and the H1N1) because he gets all those crazy emails and believes them! But I know for sure that if I do give the girls the H1N1 vaccination, I will have them both recieve the injection as opposed to the nasal mist because the injection is an inactive virus compared to a live virus.
my son got the H1N1 flu mist today…and will get the regular flu mist in 4 weeks…I am too scared NOT to have him vaccinated…some healthy people have died from H1N1, and I’m not taking that chance!
Having just gotten over the swine flu myself, as soon as I recovered I went and got the seasonal flu shot and tonight my children had the first of the two rounds of flu mist for season flu. At the doctor’s office, after they received the mist, they told us they might not have a second dose available due to shortage so now I have to shop for another flu-mist provider for the second dose. What an annoyance. But still, I was SO sick (luckily off work because would have used up all of my sick leave) that I can’t imagine letting my kids be exposed to the risk of that. Will get H1N1 if available.
Yes, we will get the H1N1, or at least my kids will. I don’t know if I will be able to since I am not in the first category to be eligible, but we’ll see!
Now I am glad I got my kids their regular flu vaccines as early as I could, because my 5 year old got the flumist and I see he has to wait 30 days before getting H1N1 vaccine, so he will be eligible next week. Although I feel bad for my 1 year old, who had to get the seasonal shot, and now will need 2 more rounds of the H1N1 shot! Poor kid is going to hate going to the Dr., and since those 2 have to be 30 days apart as well, we are looking at not being fully vaccinated until mid-November, hopefully not too late to do any good.
We’ll be doing the vaccine too. I had H1N1 in September, and somehow nobody else in my house got it, and I want it to stay that way. It was awful. My brother had Guillain-Barré syndrome after receiving lots of vaccinations as part of boot camp when he first joined the army 10 years ago – he was lucky and got very fast intervention and has since recovered. But I was a little afraid of that and appreciate your post Kelly. I plan to ask my doctor for advice on whether I should get the H1N1 vaccine after having had it, I will do whatever she recommends. But definitely for the rest of the family.
Thanks for your post Kirstin. As I type my two kiddos (7 and 5) are lying on the sofa, sick with H1N1. They were vaccinated 4 weeks ago for the regular flu as my dd (the 5 year old) has asthma. They are hacking constantly, my dd has had a fever for 6 days, my son is miserable. The worry sucks; thankfully my ped. did a pulse ox on my son (who has no history of asthma) and discovered it was 94%; the chest xray showed nothing so as a precaution they put him on an antibiotic since the predominant concern is the flu coupled with an underlying infection. As we’re going on a week of sickness in my house – and just hoping the other shoe doesn’t fall with my husband or I getting sick … I just wish we could’ve avoided this with the vaccine; ironically it has hit my healthy son hardest, but my dd with ashtma is going on a week of fever and coughs. There’s also been the vomiting, aches, shakes, chills, … it just plain sucks. Now I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that my family is healthy and free of all bugs when it comes time to “escape” in November!
To add to my above post I just saw this on the CNN page: “Any deaths from 2009 influenza A(H1N1) will be regrettable, but those that result from insufficient planning and inadequate preparation will be especially tragic.” Of course this could be said for any vaccine. I chose not to vaccinate for Chicken Pox and my kids got it at 2 1/2 & 6 months. My son ended up with a pox on his eyeball and I’m very, very lucky he kept his eyesight and didn’t have further complications. It’s all a personal decision, but I thought the CNN quote said it well.
Oh jeez, imagine if the Escape is taken down by H1N1?!? Another worry to add to my list!
In response to my October 13th post – My 15 month old was diagnosed with swine flu today. We are all miserable and my husband and I are trying to figure out who will stay home with her for the remainder of the week. I am just happy it is not a serious case. But my pediatrician did say that since she now has had the H1N1 flu, she wouldn’t need to get vaccinated for the H1N1 this season. My sister-in-law, who is a pharmacist, said the same thing. So, those of you whose children have had it – they may not need the H1N1 vaccination.
I’m also in Europe — Poland — I’m on a Fulbright, writing a book. We got our flu shots no problem and word is that the H1N1 is available privately. There’s a shortage back home in Texas and we’re due to return during flu season. My spouse and eldest are there and he agrees – we will GET the shot. We’ve had the flu even after vaccination (very end of the season) and it was awful. I can’t send my children back to daycare in TX in good conscience if I don’t try, and I can’t finish the book if they don’t go back …
Nope. We never get the flu shot, and won’t be starting this year. Especially the H1N1.
I have a 19 month old and me my husband nor my son will be getting any sort of a flu shot or h1n1 i am 23 years old never had the flu shot or the flu,neither has my mom grandma none of my family,my friends I do know that get it,strangly always get the flu.I don’t like the shot bc it has sooo much mercury in it,it’s been linked to autism and that tamiflu antibiotic is horrible for u! So no mam we won’t be getting it!
we won’t get flu shots either — of any kind. There are so many healthier and simpler ways to prevent flu: vitamin d, c, washing hands, rest. And there seem to be so many complications and dangers w/ the untested vacc. Many seem to get the flu after the vacc. Good immune system is the best way to go for us. Good health tp all!!
found this on slate — interesting perspective!
‘My son has cancer. He can’t go into day care because of unvaccinated children.’
http://www.slate.com/id/2232977/
I have been waffling about this. We all got the seasonal flu shot this year, when we don’t normally. I, nor my children (not sure about hubby), have never had the flu. [knock on wood] I found this link about about the warnings that are in the CDC insert about the H1N1 vaccine and it’s scary to me.
http://debstake.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/h1n1-swine-flu-vaccine-package-insert-warnings/
Especially about the part that they simply don’t know what the safety and reactions to both pregnant women and children, particularly under the age of 4, are. Not enough testing. Scary.
I have been going back and forth about whether or not to vaccinate my 3 children for months now. At first I said no way. We never get seasonal flu shots. But as time went on and more deaths mounted including in our community, I became more worried. My son had the flu a few weeks ago. I didn’t have him tested but what ever he had was tolerable but miserable. I have 2 daughters younger then him and I worry about the “what if” with them. My 4 year old has borderline asthma. I say that because she was born with a lot of merconium in her lungs that left them susceptable to infection.Every single time she has gotten sick she has croop cough and has already had pneumonia by age 2. My other daughter is 15 months and already had a serious upper resperatory infection when she was 4 months old that lasted 8 weeks. She almost died twice. And yet I struggled with my decision until I read this blog. You really set in stone for me what I beleive I should do. Reflecting back on all we have already been through with illness I would much rather take the risk and keep them healthy this flu season and not have to go through all of that garbage.I also read where the paranoid think that vaccines plays a role in people having asthma in this day in age and I beleive they are dead wrong. I know lots of people with asthma that have it because of complications from pregnancy or delivery such as in my daughters case.
Also, I would like to add that I am a germaphobe. I practice the hand washing like a nazi. My kids wash as soon as they come in from anywhere and change their shirt after school. I am hyper aware of all sanitation everywhere we go in public. I give my kids a multivitamin with immunity support everyday as well as make sure they get their daily allowance of vitamin c and D. They are not fast food kids and are fed home cooked meals with lots of veggies and fruit. I even buy the super food anioxidant rich fruit juice that they get before school and before bed.My son carries purrell in his back pack and uses it everytime he needs to when hand washing isn’t available. We practice good hygeine, including swishing with listerine every night, and especially lately never miss a bath.And guess what my son still got the flu.Granite his remained a less serious case, mostly because I forced tons of fluids upon him, but still awful just the same. 11 kids in his class all missed school that same week.I think it’s important to vaccinate because no matter all the preventive measures you try to do “naturally” they are still susceptible.
I have been reading tons of articles in the last few days that are from both sides of the fence and this blog was the only one that seemed to have common sense and really helped me realize that the benefits of getting the vaccine far outweigh the risks of not getting the vaccine. At the rate this virus is going everyone who isn’t vaccinated is going to get it whether you like it or not. Including myself who will not be vaccinated because I do not qualify.
Hello There! My son, daughter and myself have had the H1N1 shot. My daughter is 18 months and is due for her second dose… I’m a little hesitant on getting it with all the talk about long term side effects, but on the other hand I worry about her getting the flu. So confused about this… HELP!