Views on H1N1 Vaccine...

Hello Lovely ladies!!

Well today I went and got my seasonal flu shot, and whilst there the nurse stated that in the UK they will soon be offering the H1N1 vaccine. I was just wondering what other peoples views are on getting this vaccine whilst pregnant??

I've read some contrasting opinions on this, and only yesterday read an article stating that the bulk of the UK supply is a vaccine called Pandemrix which contains a chemical called Adjuvant...and the *****ccomends pregnant women are given the vaccine that doesn't contain Adjuvant wherever possible, and there is an alternative called Celvapan. Now I've read that the NHS does have supplies of this, but won't prioritise this supply for pregnant women....So if I do choose to get the vaccine, I will probably receive the Pandemrix.

I am so confused as to what to do! I've read and seen on the news alot of cases of pregnant women dying from Swine Flu; there have been 2 pregnant women die in the Uk in the past 5 days. But I don't want to put my baby at any risk.

So basically my question (FINALLY!!!) is....Will you be getting the H1N1 vaccine, or do you think it is too risky?? I am so torn right now!

Many thanks in advance!

Vicky

it is a tough call!! I have a very limited exposure to the "outside world" I work in an office with 20 people and really only have contact with about 10 on a daily basis. I sit in a private office and am the only one that uses my phone, nextel, computer etc. I share the ladies room with 4 other women but it is sprayed with lysol constantly.

I have opted out of both flu shots and so far the OB supports me. I will talk to the high risk OB when I see him on tuesday also. I am 9 weeks pregnant and will be delivering long after the flu season is gone so I am not worried about the baby getting the immunity from me.

Liz

See this is why I'm torn... I have alot of exposure to the outside world and germs as I'm a teacher ( Iteach 4-7 year olds). If I didn't have much contact with the outside world I probably would opt out of it, but am torn due to being so exposed to germs!!

I am also asthmatic, and always suffer with chest problems in the winter ( hence getting the seasonal flu shot!). I am so confused right now! I don't want to risk mine or the babys health by getting/not getting it....it's such a tough decision!

Thanks for your input though!

I am not pregnant but I got both seasonal and H1N1 shots for myself and my 18 month old daughter. My doctor and her pedi said that the H1N1 is the same vaccine as the seasonal flu shot but just with a strand of the H1N1 in it. Also that the seasonal flu shot has different strands every year anyways. The benefits outway the risks of flu in my own opinion.

See this is the thing.... I am thinking the benefits will outweigh the risks as I suffer from asthma and am prone to chest problems in the winter....however the evidence out there seems to be conflicting, with some saying the vaccine could be harmful. I don't want to put my baby in an unneccessary danger either way....SO confused right now!

Good luck with this! I am starting to lean towards getting it since our supply here in the states is the same as our sesonal flu shots but with the H1N1 strain. I don't think I will get the reg one since if you are preggers it doesn't up your death risks like the H1N1 does.

I am going to get it as soon as it is available to me. All I really know about it tho is that due to pregnancy I cannot have the nasal spray vaccine option I have to have the actual shot because the nasal spray contains lives spores which pregnant women cannot be in contact with.

-Ashlie

I am getting and so are all three of my children. I would hate to from them to lose me or me to lose them with something I could have prevented. My kids have breathing problems in the winter and the flu very quickly turns into pneumonia. Last year my little guy did not get the flu shot. I am not sure how he missed getting it and he ended up in the ER. I am going to say the risks out weigh the benefits.

The adjuvant is what would bother me.

What is truly scary about H1N1 is how very deadly it is in the pregnancy population.

The CDC has details on 266 of the 305 U.S. swine flu deaths reported as of July 29. Fifteen of these 266 deaths -- about 6% -- were among pregnant women. Most of the deaths were among women in their third trimester.

There's a woman over on R&R or on the DS board named Carolyn.  Her avatar is of her in a black (?) dress.  She's a nurse practitioner in reproductive medicine and works for Planned Parenthood.  This is her field.  Go find her and ask her specifically about the chemical differences and see if she can shed some light on that for you.

You can tell her I sent you, but be sure you spell correctly and use proper grammar if you want a swift response ;-)

OK, I'm not preggo, but I won't be getting it, nor taking my kid to get it.
We had a presentation about this at work the other week ( I work in a hospital) from our infection control doc and one of the pharmacists. And I am against it because of the squalene adjuvant. It's the same thing that was used in the Anthrax vaccine. Go to wikipedia and look up Gulf War Syndrome and read the section on the Anthrax vaccine. Also they rushed it out of the lab, the follow up on it was only about 2 weeks. That just doesn't make me comfortable at all. Also it was found that the dose of mercury PER DOSE out of a multidose vial was twice the amount that is safe for a 275lb man. As it the vaccine is more in demand, it will be hard to come by any without the adjuvant, as that is the agent that is used to 'stretch' the vaccine. Granted, I'd feel a bit better about it if it came from a single dose syringe with NO adjuvant, but I just don't feel comfy with it. Many of the nurses I work with won't even get it.