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I was part of an interesting discussion on Facebook this morning regarding the "Swine Flu".
Then, a few hours later, I hopped on over to my friend Brittany's blog where I watched the video that I just re-posted below. Both things have really gotten me thinking again about this topic, and I thought I would open a discussion here and see what everyone thinks about the H1N1 vaccine.
First subject to note: I DO vaccinate my children. I am NOT anti-vaccine, even though some aspects of vaccinating do concern me.
However, my personal opinion is that, from the research and reading that I have done, (I have not seen many reports on television, simply because we have no TV channels in our home, and I rarely go anywhere that I do see regular TV!) this vaccine has been rushed to the market simply because of the 'scare' or 'threat' of the virus and what it may cause.
I do understand that this virus can be deadly, but it appears that it is no more deadly than the regular, seasonal flu. I don't quite understand why it is getting the massive amounts of attention that it is, yet....here we are.
I will admit--this is a scary thing for me, simply because I have researched quite a bit about the disease hitting otherwise normal, healthy pregnant women (which, frankly, that is a category that I would not even fall into, due to my asthma and propensity toward bronchitis/breathing issues) and causing death. Yikes. Scary.
But the vaccine truly scares me more--the ingredients, the rush to make it available--it just does not appear safe. Brittany had some great information today over on her blog (and some great comments as well), if you'd like to check it out. I would encourage you to read for yourself, and really do your research before making the ultimate decision on whether to get this vaccine for yourself or your children. Hang in for three short minutes to watch this video.....
I'd LOVE to hear any thoughts YOU have on this topic--but please, keep all comments in a positive tone. I am not here today to rip anyone on either side of this argument, I just would like to hear thoughts--other than the ones that spin around in my own head daily.
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16 comments:
I personally am not giving my kids the H1N1 vaccine. I really agree that it was rushed and not much is know about it. I did get them the regular flu shot. Aiden is on an adjusted vaccine schedule. He gets no more than two shots at a time. It has worked well for us.
I do regularly vaccinate my children. I also get a regular flu shot yearly. This is mainly due to my high risk profession as an er nurse. I do, however, think that there is alot of extra, unnecessary hype concerning the H1N1 issue. I do not intent to participate in this vaccination due to many questions about it.
First, I have a hard time believing anything that comes from Fox News. That being said, this particular report seems to be pretty fair. I think there is a lot of paranoia on both sides. One, the H1N1 virus is no worse (and possibly better) than the regular seasonal flue. Two, the vaccine has been developed by very intelligent people who have put a lot of money and research into it and is most likely entirely safe. I do not plan on vacinating my kids mainly because I don't give them regular flu shots so why give them this one? However, if I did give them regular flu shots I would have no heartburn over giving them this one as well.
Dev....
I am at a loss too! I am just not sure what to do?!!? I do regularly vaccinate my children as well, but I just a feel a little uneasy about this. I am going to be interested to see what they say in 2 weeks. We don't have cable either, so I feel like we have not heard a lot of the controversy about it. I have had a friend (out of state) whose kids got the swine flu. They caught it and treated them and they are fine. I am leaning more towards NOT doing the vaccine, and just being extra cautious this winter. BUT I am still not 100% sure!
I know this wasn't a lot of help, just wanted you to know that you are not alone in your confusion!!!
Kacy =)
I get the usual vaccines but never get the flu shot and will not be getting the H1N1 shot either. I am a little annoyed at all the hype. It is not that much worse than the flu, just a different strain. The school sent Ashli home because she had a headache and cough...no fever, didn't want her to spread germs. CRAZY!
I work in the healthcare field and I am choosing not to get the H1N1 vaccine. I do get the regular flu shot every year but am deciding against this other one. I read an article on Fox news last week that said the cause of most of the deaths from the swine flu were from secondary infections the people contacted later. Not the swine flu. There is just not a lot of knowledge going into this, it's a little scary.I'm not vaccinating my little one either.
I vaccinate my children on a delayed schedule, but none of us have had the flu vaccine ever and won't be getting one this year either. There are pros and cons to every vac and so I think the best thing to do is to research them all to the best of your ability and see what decision that leads you to. For me, it's no flu shot of any kind.
I get cable tv but 99% of the time the only thing that's on it is the Noggin or Sprout channel and there's not a lot of conversation on there about flu shots. ha!
Girl, I am all about vaccinating the kids, but I am totally avoiding that H1N1 vaccine. I don't get the regular flu vaccine either.
It's a tough decision to be sure, because you want to protect your kids, but when the "treatment" might actually cause more harm than the sickness...what can you do?
Neither I, or my daughter (or my husband) will be taking the H1N1 vaccine.
We're not vaccinating her until she's 1 with anything, and then only doing select few vaccines. In my mind, and in my research, the risks are much stronger with vaccines, and the fact that she wouldn't be exposed to half the things they vaccinate against nowadays (Hep B, Hep A, etc) causes me to not trust the big drug companies.
Concerning h1n1, there isn't any substantial research that proves to me that it's going to be that big of a deal. The seasonal flu is MUCH worse, and we don't get those flu shots either. Every so often the CDC and the national drug companies have to get together and come up with an "epidemic" to raise panic in our hearts - SARS, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, Really bad seasonal flu, whatever. None of them ever come to fruition like they say it will.
Also, back in the 70's (I think it was the 70's), when Swine Flu was big again... more people died, or had serious side effects, from the vaccine, and NOT the actual flu. That in itself is big enough for me. The neurological side effects it caused are terrifying!
We won't be getting the H1N1 shot and my boys won't get the flu shot. I did get the flu shot this year since I'm pregnant but honestly, I'm not even sure I'm glad I did that. I fully believe that it is important to keep the body as healthy as possible - lots of the ways mentioned on your friend's blog. We try and have good multi vitamins (I'm having a hard time with this one currently but make sure my boys are), get the sleep necessary, try to eat the right kind of foods and cut back on the white sugar if possible. (I'm not extreme but do try to keep it to a minimum). Also, I avoid really germy places (ie - we won't be found at McDonald's play land this winter). And I keep my hand sanitizer READILY available. On top of all that, I just keep praying for God's grace that we stay healthy.
I am with you though Dev, as a pregnant woman - it was a hard decision to come to. However, when I asked my doctor (midwife) - at first she said "They recommend you get it." I said, "But tell me honestly what you would do it you were pregnant?" She said, "I wouldn't get it." I had been praying for direction and felt like that was from God.
Funny thing I was JUST researching this vaccine because I couldnt decide either. I geel the same way, the vaccine is to rushed.to new. But they make the "flu" seem so scary.
Funny thing is I got tired of looking and decided to check on some blogs I hadnt check in a while. Your was the first one I thought of. Isnt God ever so helpful!!!!!
Oh and I likely wont vaccinate my kids. I do a delayed schedule with them and have not given regular flu shots either. I had leaned towards not giving them the shot because I dont do regular flu shots so like many others said why would I do this one. I think I am going to go with my gut and how I feel the good Lord is leading our family. I will just say no.
Devin, in this instance I am truly grateful that we don't have children yet & I am not pregnant. I'm not sure what I would do & I definitely have not put enough research into it. I got a seasonful flu shot last year (after suffering terribly with the flu the winter before) & it was wonderful to be protected. I plan on getting another one this year. I have to admit that I would line up if there was a vaccine for strep throat, the stomach flu, tonsilitis, etc. :-) I work in a pharmacy surrounded by sick people & I'm thinking I'll probably get the H1N1 shot if there seems to be an outbreak in our area. But we'll see...I have the advantage of being able to talk with knowledgeable pharmacists that I trust (b/c they are my bosses!). I'll be praying that you know what to do for yourself & your family.
I am pregnant and after researching the pros and cons and discussing with my doctor and with my husband (also a doctor) I decided I will be getting the vaccine. There have already been a significant number of deaths and intensive care cases of pregnant women from H1N1 (the high fever it causes is very dangerous for pregnant mothers and developing fetuses). To me the risk is higher not to get it, but that is my opinion. Everyone should discuss it with their health care providers and make the best choice for their own family, but I hope people look into it from both sides more than a blog post they come across or one video when there are so many strong opinions out there. Sending healthy vibes to you all!
My family and I had H1N1 in July and although I'll admit it was the sickest I've been in my adult life we all recovered just fine. If we hadn't already been sick we would not be vaccinating for it. We don't vaccinate for anything as it is, and something like this even more so! Any drug that's rushed like this has not been tested properly and I just can't support that at all.
It scares me that a lot of the commenters said they didn't know what to do. One thing I do know, and that is, not only on this topic, but on every topic, we must, absolutely must know all of the information about everything, or it could likely kill us due to ignorance.
I would beseech all of your readers to please do much research on vaccinations and this one in particular. This Dr was cut off at a very pivotal point he was trying to make, and that is the adjuvents that are in this vaccine. Please know what you are dealing with before you blindly take the shot, or any other shot.
I'm glad you're having this discussion! If I was pregnant, I would NOT get this vaccine. I will not be getting it, nor will anyone in my family. My son is auto-immune deficient, as am I, and I do not believe in introducing anything into my body that my body can fight off itself without the "help" of an artificial, deadly preservative laden vaccine.
That was a lot to say. I wish I sounded more together on this, it just makes me so mad and so sad because the American people are being lied to and brainwashed on every side.
But it's a good discussion to have.
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