H1N1 vaccine..im Scared

K.-
I'm a first time mom also. My son is 6 months old.
My hubby and I were scared at first too. We both got the regular flu shot right away this season and will get the swine flu shot now that it is available to protect our son. My 6 month old son got his shots on Dec 4th to include the regular flu and the swine flu shot. The pedi said that babies get 1/2 dose and then get the other half about 3 weeks later. We all discussed it in the office and decided to go ahead and get both flu shots. So my son got 5 shots total that day. He did well and only had a low fever afterward like the other times. I give him tylenol at the doctors office right after he is weighed, but before the exam and the shots. That was on a Friday and his fever was gone Sunday. So we go back for shots again on a nurses visit at the end of December. Basically what made the decision for us was that the swine flu is really effecting children more so than adults and flu can be very tough on the little ones sometimes requiring hospitalization. So it actually made more sense to us for him to have the swine flu shot than the regular flu shot. Also he could end up with the regular flu and having had that before I know it feels horrible and I don't want him to go through that either. So we decided to go with both as we don't want him to go through the discomfort of being that ill with the flu. With him being in daycare, the chances of him getting the swine flu are probably pretty high. I had also seen on the news that the swine flu vaccine is made the same way they make the regular flu shot each year, it is just made to defend against this particular strain of flu virus. I also asked the pedi what she thought and she thought it was a good idea. I also asked her what most other parents are doing and she said most are getting both. I also thought about the fact that my son is in daycare. He has been since he was 3 months old. Since being in daycare, he has had colds with fever 4 times and I end up sick as soon as he is well. His daycare is great, clean, etc. Its just part of being in daycare. I know when he was home with me for the first 3 months we were both well the whole time and it only took 2 days of being in daycare before he got his first fever and cold. Also it takes a few weeks after the shot to build immunity. I know I'm a nervous wreck when he is sick and its just torture not being able to hug and kiss him when I'm sick. Hope this helps you make the best decision for your little one :) Mommy guilt is something else, huh? :)

I am a former Respiratory Therapist. I never get any of the flu vaccines nor do I give them to my children. In my professional opinion the H1N1 vaccine has not been out long enough to determine if there are going to be long term side effects. I have a 4 year old that came down with H1N1 in October. I am also pregnant. I never got it and her doctor gave her a strong antibiotic to combat any secondary infections along with Tamiflu. She was fine within a couple of days. The H1N1 virus itself is not what causes death in children. It is the secondary infections that can lead to pneumonia and that is what causes the most damage. The best thing to do if your child contracts the flu is to treat them aggresively and fast. With my new baby I also will not give him/her any type of flu vaccines.

Lisa

I wouldn't even consider giving to my babies. It hasn't been tested enough and has ingredients I would never willing inject my kid with. Since you child is not in daycare you have nothing to worry about. Build up your own immune system by getting plenty of sleep and fresh fruits and vegetables (not canned) cut out white sugar and you will be fine. People with strong immune systems can be exposed to it and not get it. No worries!

My son and I got both flu shots about a month ago. We both have asthma so are considered to be in the high risk group. Neither of us have had any adverse affects other than the usual sore arm. There are 7 other family members I know of who have gotten the H1N1 with no adverse side affects. Out of all including my son and me, four are children with ages ranging from 8 - 15. My 80 year old grandparents also got the H1N1 this year and the first time around many years ago. No side affects then or now.

If you son is not in daycare and is at home with you guys most of the time I would not get it. It's too scary. Most vaccines are. Just keep him healthy on his diet, give him a probiotice supplement daily (powder form) and even Vit D 3.
My daughter is 17 months old this month and we will not be getting either flu vaccine. I am pregnant and will not be doing either for myself.
Stay well!