I have spent the last two afternoons compiling information and opinions on the H1N1 vaccination. As many of you know, I am pregnant and apparently at a greater risk for serious complications if I come down with the H1N1 virus. According to WebMD and other credible sources, 28 out of the 100 hospitalized pregnant women died from H1N1. These women were otherwise young and very healthy. Apparently, pregnant women suffer greater complications because of their decreased lung capacity (caused by the baby pushing on the lungs) and their weakened immune system. This is an abnormally high percentage, enough to make me give this vaccination a second thought.
H1N1 Virus
My mom is stressing that I get the vaccine. After all that she’s been through with my dad’s recent passing, I can understand why. On the surface it seems like a no-brainer. After all, some of the research I have found against the vaccine seems a little “conspiracy theory-ish”. Some people say that the government is purposefully infecting Americans WITH the vaccine to help control the population. Others say drug companies are strictly out to get your money. While the latter I’m sure is partially true, I tend to believe – regardless of my opinion of the current Administration - that the government and drug companies are for the most part trying to help us, not harm us. Perhaps that is naive of me to think so…I just don’t know.
Regardless of all the conspiracy theories, something is still not sitting right in my gut. The bottom line is that the vaccine hasn’t been on the market long enough to have had adequate testing. No one really knows the immediate risks or long-term effects of the vaccine, much less if it is even effective. And the risk you take by injecting harmful chemicals and pathogens in your body is a scary one. Some of the credible research I have found against the vaccine scares the pants off me and causes me to question the viability of our healthcare system in general.
So will I get the vaccine? I don’t know…I still haven’t made my decision. But I can tell you that I will not be first in line to get the shot, nor will I ever allow my two-year old daughter to get it. In the meantime, a holistic doctor and trusted friend told me to take 5,000 IUs of Vitamin D a day. Recent anecdotal evidence shows that Vitamin D helps to prevent onset of the H1N1 virus. Apparently, it will even help prevent some of the possible side effects if one decides to get the vaccine.
I would like to hear from all of you. Anyone out there have strong opinions either way they are willing to share? Any other pregnant women who have made a decision either way?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank-you for sharing your thoughts on this.
I am firmly in the pro-vaccination camp for my family when it comes to my kids (and yes, I’ve done my research and am very comfortable with that decision). And I’ve also had the regular flu shot myself the past few years. But even though I am not pregnant and not likely to be so this flu season, I have serious reservations about giving the H1N1 shot to pregnant women. I can appreciate the increased risks and they are indeed worrisome. But something entirely brand new? On a pregnant women? I would need a lot more credible research to prove the safety of that vaccine before I let that needle near me. It’s a scary and tough decision…
Thanks, Cheryl. I am in the same boat. Got my regular flu shot this year, had no issue with it. I appreciate your comments and you share sentiments with most others out there. No one has advised me TO get the shot, but I have had many adament “NOs”. I’m thinking that I’ll stick with my gut and forego the H1N1 vaccine this year….
Hi Christen, thank you so much for this post. I wish I could offer some wisdom, but I’m in the same dilemma. I’m not pregnant, but live in a very dense city where I feel I’m at an increased risk for coming in contact with the virus. I also feel very uneasy about all the mixed messages that are being sent my way about the H1N1 vaccination, especially in light of the data from the 1976 swine flu scare (in which more people may have gotten sick from the vaccination than the flu itself). Thank you for the advice about Vitamin D. I haven’t made up my mind about the vaccination, but am interested to hear from others!
I have a dr. appointment for my son Rhys, who is 9 months old, on Saturday. I have given him all the other recommended vaccines so far but am nervous about this one as well, and am curious to see what our pediatrician says about it. I read a good article by Dr. Sears on the issue, and he agrees that there has not been enough research done on this shot. My mom is a nurse, and while she usually recommends vaccinations, and she will get the H1N1 herself, she doesn’t like the lack of research on something administered to pregnant or nursing mothers and young children. Or the fact that to get all the flu shots, babies need a total of 4 flu vaccines, which no one has ever had before. This is the Dr. Sears article. It doesn’t give a recommendation either, but good advice on how to have it administered if you do choose to do so.
http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/
On a lighter note, I love your website and blog!
First of all, I am so appreciative of your website! It has given me so many great food ideas and nutrition information! I have been using the recipes since my 10 month old was 6 months.
In regards to the H1N1 vaccine, I had my reservations initially as well. The media coverage can be held partially responsible, I believe. Every year, several strains of influenza are identified and used to make the vaccine. The only difference this year is that the strain that causes H1N1 was identified about 1 month too late. The seasonal flu vaccine was already at the manufacturer or H1N1 would have been included as well. If that had been the case, no one would have even questioned the vaccine. Because H1N1 was identified later, a second vaccine had to be manufactured. The H1N1 vaccine has been made in the exact same way as the seasonal flu vaccine- just a little later… That being said, I do understand the hesitation considering the inconventional way manufacturing occured this year. However, in light of the above information, my family (including my 10 month old) will recieve the vaccine. The risk of my baby contracting the virus is far greater than that of the vaccine.
p.s. Please excuse my misspellings/typos. Trying to post a response while juggling a crazy baby usually results in such errors:)
Hi, Wasup.
I saw ya thread on nurturebabyblog.com
Very interesting
In fact I have been searching for something like this for ages
nurturebabyblog.com is a site i’ll keep bookmarked
Great effort congrats !
John
yanmar dealers in florida
I too thing the risk of myself or my children contracting the virus is fart greater than that of receiving the vaccine. We have two children, all four of us have had it. Should one of us become afflicted by the flu H1N1 virus, atleast we will have the peace of mind in knowing that we did all that we could do to prevent from the virus. If we hadn’t gotten the virus, I’d wonder why I as a parent, didn’t take such a simple precaution.
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