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Monday, August 24, 2009
Wait! Don't leave!! Please come back. I know it's not as hilarious sounding as my last post but perhaps we can have some fun with it.
I took Kendall to the doctor today with a raging fever. She took a flu test. Thankfully that wasn't the problem. So there goes that copay. That's 20 bucks I'll never see again. While we were at the doctor, she mentioned that they were getting close to a vaccine for H1N1 (or "swine flu" as it's street name...) and that kids the ages of mine would be given it first, for health reasons. This brings up the whole issue of vaccines again.
On facebook the other day, I thought we had a very honest and respectful discussion on the topic of vaccines (If you don't follow me on facebook, you should. Right now. Get over yourself and send me a friend request). I think one thing we could all agree on was our mutual disdain for Jenny McCarthy. That and the desire to do what is best for our kids.
I will take the opportunity to say I am VERY pro vaccines. My kids will get flu shots (Cason gets FluMist this year...Yay for nasal spray!) and not every kid does and that's fine. Cason has chronic strep and so the flu is one less thing we would have to deal with. But this H1N1 thing has me worried. On the one hand, my kids go to pre-school two days a week with other germy kids. And if one of them got swine flu, I would, of course, be devastated that I didn't get them the vaccine. So I should vaccinate, right?
On the other hand, I don't really want my kids to be guinea pigs for the vaccine. I don't want to given them the vaccine and then have them turn into man eating zombies. Ok, that's a little extreme, but still. Do we know what all the side effects are? Do we know that it is safe for everyone? And I can't help but feel like this vaccine has been rushed due to the media scrutiny over the swine flu.
So what do you think? Will your kids get the vaccine? Will you? Should I get over myself?
12 comments:
I know I will shock no one when I say that my kids will not be getting that vaccine :) But I have done the regular flu vaccine in the past and they always get the flu (Ben and Jason - it's so not fair!). Luke and I don't get the shot but I have turned all granola hippy-like and am *still* nursing...so I feel like that's my "out".
Aren't you glad you asked?
I guess I missed the discussion on facebook! I'm thinking that we will decline the h1n1 vaccine!
I am one of those people who get sick after getting the flu shot. Every year I was in the Guard, I had to get it the weekend before finals. Every year, I was sick during finals. Left the Guard, stopped getting the shot, stopped getting sick. Until last year. This year, I may be getting a flu shot. The sick from the shot was easier than the flu! My girls will probably be getting the regular flu shot for sure because their dad brings home hospital germs. The H1N1, no way. I'm not for my children bring guinea pigs.
I don't know yet. I am debating it just like you are. They will get the regular flu shot and I will be asking a TON of questions and looking for everything I can find on the H1N1 shot. The up coming flu season has me a little freaked out.
I, too, am pro-vax for a number of reasons, most involving the well-being of the community. That being said, I am not going to have my children have the swine flu shots. I just don't feel good about it. I am not sure, though, that it is really that much different than a regular flu shot (as far as testing goes). I mean, those are different every year and we don't hesitate to give those to our kids. More research is needed for me but I won't subject my kids to something that I am unsure about. So there it is.
My kids will get the flu shot, I never do (unless I'm pregnant and the OB insists) but whatever...there are so many strands who knows if it will work? So there - that's how much faith I have in it. I do it so my pediatrician doesn't think I'm horrible.
Interestingly enough we have already been exposed to H1N1 from my father in law and NONE of us have gotten sick...not even my mother in law!
So I think we'll be skipping that one.
Good question! Nathan and I were just discussing this the other night. We too are a little sketchy about the new vaccine. Ultimately, I think we have decided to discuss our concerns with our ped, and probably follow his reccomendation. I don't want Anna to be a guinea pig, but I also have a gut instinct that this flu season is going to be particularly bad (especially at daycare) and I feel the benefit will outweigh the risk at this point.
*Disclosure: I reserve the right to change my mind at any time provided a proceeding comment persuades me to do so. :)
Like Jen said, I don't think the H1N1 is much different from the usual flu vaccine, since they modify that one every year to protect against the strains they predict will be the worst. (Although I will say I AM very against using myself and my kids as guinea pigs for new-ish vaccines. The HPV vaccine freaks me out and my daughters won't be getting it unless somebody forces me to do that, because I want to see a whole generation of girls who got that grow up and have kids. That's just a scary part of the body to mess with!)
But- I don't guess it much matters for me, because I'm not planning on doing the flu vaccine, anyway. Partly because I'm being selfish- I can't stand the baby shots. I cry every time. More than Jacey does. And partly because I don't usually get it and I've only gotten the flu once in the years I can remember, and at that time I decided getting sick once out of a bunch of years didn't warrant a painful, scary shot every year. (Yes, I hate shots.) I fully realize I'll probably change my tune on that the fist time I'm taking care of a kid with the flu!
-Lela
I don't have kids, so I can't really comment, but I wanted to comment anyway...just because I love your blog so much. You are welcome.
I can't say. Our pediatrician said David had it and we are almost positive Drew has had it too... They were mainly really tired.
Don't get the shot. Eat healthy, stay fit, wash hands, take vitamins. An apple a day and an orange a day. I don't want my grandkids getting a shot to test out something new.
I am an RN. My husband is a pharmacist. We've done a lot of research on the subject and our kids will not get flu shots. Ever.
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