Opinions on flu and h1n1 vaccines please

Ok, I'm hoping to start a discussion on what people are thinking PERSONALLY and/or have gathered as input from their drs about getting the flu shot and/or the h1n1 while pregnant.

I have heard so many different things, especially conflicting information from drs about whether or not we should be getting the h1n1 vaccines. It's too new, it's too dangerous not to, etc etc.

So - your thoughts?

my dr suggested both..... i told her no thank you... in my opinion the h1n1 shot is just to new.. and well the flu shot... i havent ever had one and wont start now... i will also be refusing both for my son...

I talked them over with my Doc and my husband and I will not be getting either. Especially H1N1... they don't know any long term side effects. No Thanks!

I am so torn on this issue too. My doctor really wants me and my family to get both. I have never had a flu shot before either. She also wants my kids to get both. Her children are the same age as my two school-age kids (they have actually been in the same classes before) and has had her's vaccinated against the seasonal flu and will against H1N1. They ran out of the regular flu shot here and she actually called me to let me know they were doing flu shots at my local Wal-Mart! I almost went, but then I just had too much anxiety about it.

I have been trying to do research on it online, but it seems like I keep finding such extreme views on both sides of the issue that it's making my decision harder!

Melanie

I am a Nurse and I am actually exposed to patients with H1N1 and the regular flu regularly so I woill certainly be getting the vaccines...already got the regular actually. I spoke to our immunology specialist here and she told me that my risks were much higher not getting vaccinated and My OB agreed. They also said that the H1N1 vaccine is very much like the regular flu vacine in design so the effects should also be similar. That's good enough for me. I don't know if there will end up being negative side effects to the vaccine but I KNOW the negative consequenses of the flu and especially H1N1 on pregnant women and I choose to go with the facts and not the speculation. But that's only my opinion and I will certainly be getting the Mercury free version of the H1N1 regardless.

Woah woah woah woah... wait a minute!  I didn't know that there was a mercury free version available!  Can you please tell me more about this?  My major issue with H1N1 for my kids is the mercury level in it.... TIA!
-Donna

The Mercury in the vaccine is there becase it's faster to make that way but it is not necessary and there are mercury free ones available. In WA state, where I am, they are supposedly going to reserve the limited supply of Mercury free vacccines for pregnant women and other high risk pts.

Thanks, I also looked it up after I posted of course.  I learned an interesting fact that those who share my concerns might want to know...if they have them in pre-packaged one shot shots they don't have/need the mercury.  The ones with mercury come from a vial which has something like 10 doses and the mercury is the preservative in those.  (I think that's accurate, but look it up yourself too.)  I am thinking I might do that one now, but am still waiting to talk to a few doctor friends.  Thanks for the info!
=Donna

I got my flu shot yesterday!!
My ob insisted that because we are still trying that I get the shot, she has had pregnant women die from the flu, i get it every year so no biggy...
I have been reading about H1N1 and my OB suggested it, and i saw an article yesterday (i wish i could remember where) that said it is based on the flu shot just replaces the flu part for H1N1, but I did see that they offer two vaccines one nasal and one shot, and the article stated preggy women should not get the nasal one we need the shot, which my OB also stated, but I havent decided if I will get H1N1 I am going to talk to the High Risk OB on the 13th.

I'll be getting both.  It's a personal choice for everyone, but with two little ones in school and my dh working in a hospital, I feel that our risk of exposure is too high to gamble with it.  Also, as far as the H1N1 vaccine being "too new,"  the seasonal flu shot is reformulated each year, so, in fact, it is always "new" also.  We always get the seasonal, so it makes sense to me to get the H1N1 as well since it's threat as an illness is even greater.  Just my two cents....Natalie