Oct 22, 2009
Swine Flu Vaccine – What to do?
My local county Health Department announced two days ago that they have the much-sought Swine Flu (H1N1) vaccine. They gave a phone number in the local paper to call and set an appointment to receive the vaccine; I called non-stop for 30 minutes and only got a busy-tone. Within twelve hours, it was announced that all the vaccines were accounted for. There was clearly not enough supply to meet demand. The word is that more vaccine is due in in the next coming days.
The vaccines are currently reserved for those with underlying medical conditions that could be further complicated by H1N1. These folks are rightfully first-priority in the distribution of the vaccine. The only other group the vaccine is available for includes 6-month to 24-year-olds. Both of my daughters fall into this group. At this point, I am going to try to get them the vaccine, but like many parents, I am a bit apprehensive about doing so.
What worries me about this particular H1N1 vaccine is that it was produced so quickly – maybe too quickly. There was only limited, short-term testing done on the vaccine and that scares me. I don’t claim to understand the production or medical process behind the development of this vaccine (or any other for that matter), but it is hard to place your children’s wellbeing in the hands of strangers. It is hard to fully trust with so much at risk.
Will you have your children vaccinated with the Swine Flu (H1N1) vaccine?
hey, your right. what are we dealing with? I did’nt think more than a few times about getting the flu shot for my kids.. mostly because if everyone else has it, maybe it can’t spread. and avoid ill effects. even if the get a shot, there’s a variant on it’s tail that seems to come in.
the h1n1 is different, and if it’s a fact that an experimental substance is inside the shot, what? I have gone back and forth on it and the bottom line is, I would need to be pretty clear on the risks on both sides of the argument. and I’m not, so the answer is, not going to take it… unless more evidence is forth coming.. or disputed…or proven.. then disputed…
Hi sparks – It is scary. You want to do right by your kids, but that’s hard to do in this case. I think I’ve come to the point where I need to trust science and go with it. It’s hard to watch seemingly healthy young kids die from this (even if they do have underlying health conditions in most cases).
I wish you the best. Dave