will you be giving your kids the H1N1 vaccine? (son, friend)

[Hangyourhat]

In my personal opinion the news has made a lot of something out of nothing. I hate when it feeds on peoples' fears. Nobody wants to lose a loved one to any sickness. But I woud vaccinate if I had the choice. I don't take chances either. It's either do that or somehow keep your children from the entire population. Now how can we do that? I think we're unfortunate to have to listen to all the junk in the news. It tends to make even the smartest of people a bit paranoid. But if your child got sick and you came awfully close to losing him or her, then how would you feel? My doctor won't do these shots or the nasal spray. So I'm just out of luck and hoping to God that it isn't as bad as people or the news are making it out to be. I have had friends tell me that their children have had changes in the way they can smell or not smell something shortly after having the nasal application. So I should caution you about that. I say go with your heart. It always knows best for you and your family.

[jtjmom]

Another big NO here!

[SleeplessnATL]

Originally Posted by Hangyourhat

In my personal opinion the news has made a lot of something out of nothing. I hate when it feeds on peoples' fears. Nobody wants to lose a loved one to any sickness. But I woud vaccinate if I had the choice. I don't take chances either. It's either do that or somehow keep your children from the entire population. Now how can we do that? I think we're unfortunate to have to listen to all the junk in the news. It tends to make even the smartest of people a bit paranoid. But if your child got sick and you came awfully close to losing him or her, then how would you feel? My doctor won't do these shots or the nasal spray. So I'm just out of luck and hoping to God that it isn't as bad as people or the news are making it out to be. I have had friends tell me that their children have had changes in the way they can smell or not smell something shortly after having the nasal application. So I should caution you about that. I say go with your heart. It always knows best for you and your family.

My personal response to you is that as long as YOU make an informed decision, then you should be okay. I say this because if you do vaccinate and then something happens (like the olfactory damage you mention above) then you may feel regret. . .but if you don't vaccinate and something happens, then you still stand the chance of feeling regret.

No one can predict how their body will react to a vaccine or illness. You will be taking a gamble regardless. So if you make an informed decision--by that I mean scrutinizing to the source of the information--then you should be okay. I do not feel like any physician should be making calls when they do not take the time out to do their own research. Most are just mocking birds. . .they are only speaking a script that has been fed to them. If you really want to know.. .then you will go to the REAL data.

NEVER let ANYONE tell you what to do. . .unless they have given you sufficient information/data to back up their thought processes.

[sskkc]

I wasn't planning on it anyway, but as we are white we do not qualify yet.

Back of the line!

[maciesmom]

DD had the vaccine - not sure which one (shot or spray). She is a college student who works in a daycare with children under the age of 6 ...Don't think she has had any side effects - she isn't feeling great but thinks she has a sinus infection.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by SleeplessnATL

My personal response to you is that as long as YOU make an informed decision, then you should be okay. I say this because if you do vaccinate and then something happens (like the olfactory damage you mention above) then you may feel regret. . .but if you don't vaccinate and something happens, then you still stand the chance of feeling regret.

No one can predict how their body will react to a vaccine or illness. You will be taking a gamble regardless. So if you make an informed decision--by that I mean scrutinizing to the source of the information--then you should be okay. I do not feel like any physician should be making calls when they do not take the time out to do their own research. Most are just mocking birds. . .they are only speaking a script that has been fed to them. If you really want to know.. .then you will go to the REAL data.

NEVER let ANYONE tell you what to do. . .unless they have given you sufficient information/data to back up their thought processes.

This is how I feel. I have read many posts on forums condemning people for having or not having received the vaccine, waiting for their turn or refusing. In the end, we will have been saved or forsaken or quietly bypassed one way or the other. Sometimes a vaccine reaction maims or kills; vaccine is not 100% effective. People with complications, illnesses, sometimes die from the flu, even having been vaccinated. This year might be worse...but maybe not. You should all make a decision with which you feel comfortable. Having done that, if someone you love and care for becomes very ill or dies, you will know that you have done the best for them...the very best that you could do.

[SleeplessnATL]

Originally Posted by Gerania

This is how I feel. I have read many posts on forums condemning people for having or not having received the vaccine, waiting for their turn or refusing. In the end, we will have been saved or forsaken or quietly bypassed one way or the other. Sometimes a vaccine reaction maims or kills; vaccine is not 100% effective. People with complications, illnesses, sometimes die from the flu, even having been vaccinated. This year might be worse...but maybe not. You should all make a decision with which you feel comfortable. Having done that, if someone you love and care for becomes very ill or dies, you will know that you have done the best for them...the very best that you could do.

And one more thing: People HAVE to remember and learn from the past.

We were just here. Remember H5N1 (2003-04)? SARS? The Adenovirus (variant 2007)?

The sooner we learn that we are debating about the wrong things, the better off we will be. We need to start asking ourselves WHY these things are occurring? And not "when's the next vaccine or antibiotic going to be created and/or distributed?"

*Note what has happened with H1N1 and the liberal use of Tamiflu. . .and how people are still demanding it.

[121804]

Originally Posted by SleeplessnATL

And one more thing: People HAVE to remember and learn from the past.

We were just here. Remember H5N1 (2003-04)? SARS? The Adenovirus (variant 2007)?

The sooner we learn that we are debating about the wrong things, the better off we will be. We need to start asking ourselves WHY these things are occurring? And not "when's the next vaccine or antibiotic going to be created and/or distributed?"

*Note what has happened with H1N1 and the liberal use of Tamiflu. . .and how people are still demanding it.

I just read this article & it infuriated me: H1N1 fears lead to rush on Tamiflu - Washington Post- msnbc.com

This is guidance from our pediatrican's office website:
"What about tamiflu? Tamiflu is an antiviral medication that has been shown to be effective against H1N1. It reduces the symptoms by only about 48 hours and gives a whole set of symptoms of its own including vomiting and diarrhea which are often as annoying as the disease. In consultation with Infection Disease specialists, it has not been our policy to treat patients with tamiflu unless they have underlying immune deficiencies or other serious illnesses. We are worried about the side effects of the medication and more importantly, about the emergence of resistance. However, patients who are sick enough to be hospitalized will receive Tamiflu. We fortunately, have not had any such cases yet. "

Tamiflu IS NOT simplistic like Children's Tylenol (another overused product) but trying to give an example....

Parents are just shovelling Tamiflu down their child's throat b/c the ER or ped's office is overrun & overburdened by paranoia & writing out the prescriptions keeps the line moving....

I'm am on the side of getting the vaccination for my children but have been leary about Tamiflu since I heard about it back in April. Thankfully, never knew it existed until then.

Of several of the children who have passed away, reports state that Tamiflu was of no value.

[SleeplessnATL]

Originally Posted by 121804

I just read this article & it infuriated me: H1N1 fears lead to rush on Tamiflu - Washington Post- msnbc.com

This is guidance from our pediatrican's office website:
"What about tamiflu? Tamiflu is an antiviral medication that has been shown to be effective against H1N1. It reduces the symptoms by only about 48 hours and gives a whole set of symptoms of its own including vomiting and diarrhea which are often as annoying as the disease. In consultation with Infection Disease specialists, it has not been our policy to treat patients with tamiflu unless they have underlying immune deficiencies or other serious illnesses. We are worried about the side effects of the medication and more importantly, about the emergence of resistance. However, patients who are sick enough to be hospitalized will receive Tamiflu. We fortunately, have not had any such cases yet. "

Tamiflu IS NOT simplistic like Children's Tylenol (another overused product) but trying to give an example....

Parents are just shovelling Tamiflu down their child's throat b/c the ER or ped's office is overrun & overburdened by paranoia & writing out the prescriptions keeps the line moving....

I'm am on the side of getting the vaccination for my children but have been leary about Tamiflu since I heard about it back in April. Thankfully, never knew it existed until then.

Of several of the children who have passed away, reports state that Tamiflu was of no value.

You are right to be angry. . .these people who are grasping at straws, hoping that they have the magic bullet are only making matters worse. Tamiflu is not a drug to be taken lightly. As I stated earlier: People have to remember. Do a search on "Japanese", "Tamiflu". The Japanese were quick to jump on the bandwagon during the H5N1 outbreak. Take a note.

[121804]

Originally Posted by SleeplessnATL

You are right to be angry. . .these people who are grasping at straws, hoping that they have the magic bullet are only making matters worse. Tamiflu is not a drug to be taken lightly. As I stated earlier: People have to remember. Do a search on "Japanese", "Tamiflu". The Japanese were quick to jump on the bandwagon during the H5N1 outbreak. Take a note.

From all accounts, Tamiflu is only to be prescribed for serious cases. And if there were THAT many "serious" cases..that there is a shortage in areas, we'd all be screwed right about now. Which is leading me to believe that Tamiflu is being prescribed for the wrong reasons. That is dangerous.

And what worries me is that parents may not know the side effects (which are more common than not) & once they see the side effects, back up to the ER or the ped office...and the cycle continues and no one knows what anyone is doing....

I remember seeing a show in 2005 about ear infections and antibiotics. Most children DO NOT need antibiotics and that there were studies that linked heavy antibiotic use with more frequent & more severe ear infections. The few days of the child being miserable was better than shoving down an antibiotic. That was the first time I saw such a thing & it has stuck with me for my son was a newborn and it made me think.