Who should get swine flu vaccine?

mawhinney

Who should get swine flu vaccine?

mawhinney

The tech at my local pharmacy told me that her doctor said folks in the 60+ age group do not need the swine flu vaccine as they have already built up immunity to the swine flu due to exposure to many flu germs over their lifetime.  Has anyone else heard this from their doctor?

GramE

My onco says the verdict on the swine vaccine is still out.  She does recommend the regular flu shot for anyone.   I got one last year even though still on Taxol.  And will get one this year.  For those over age 50, a pneumonia shot is not a bad idea.   

 AND, if you plan on getting the regular and the swine vaccines, wait at least 4 weeks between them.   Only going by what my oncologist says.    

edited to correct typos.... 

CapeBretongirl

I have heard on TV(lol, not that everything or anything you hear or see on TV is true) That most people over the age of fifty have already built up an immunity to H1N1.  So, now you have my two cents worth.

Annabella58

hello, first, I'd go with what my dr. said, not a person at a pharmacy, well meaning tho they may be. 

My GP said no to swine flu vaccine until it is tested alot more.  She is not getting it herself, nor her family, feels not enough time has elapsed and that the swine flu out there is not particularly deadly.  That more folks die from the regular flu!

I believe what you tech may have been referring to is the swine flu epidemic in the 1970s, where they had alot of issues with a contamination of the vaccine that caused MS and Guilliane Barre syndrome in alot of folks.  (I had it, no problems).  That vaccine may have given some immunity to this swine flu, as my GP believes it was concocted based on that formulation tho, of course, without the obvious flaws.  I am 53, so I don't know about folks over 50, but if you got the swine flu vaccine in the 70's, it may (MAY, they stress) give some immunity.  Good thing, too!  I am allergic to regular flu vaccine.

We got me thru a flu epdemic raging in '07, with my mastectomy and my kid in college as a freshman by using purell and staying out of public places.  No one caught so much as a cold.

good luck

Kleenex

I was just reading that people mostly do NOT have natural immunity to this H1N1 flu, unless they had a brush with it when it came through earlier in the year. They are verifying side effects from the new vaccine, but there are always "coincidental events" when a large number of people are vaccinated at once, as will likely be the case with this new vaccine - things happen that may or not be a direct result of the vaccine itself. For example, I read that the jury is still out on whether the Guilliane-Barre syndrome really was caused by the flu vaccine.

CapeBretongirl

I won't be getting the H1N1 vaccine.   Nobody knows what the long term effects will be.  I have to laugh at my last sentence, because I'm stage IV

leaf

This is from the CDC site:

Who will be recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine?

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

We do not expect that there will be a shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable. There is some possibility that initially the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. In this setting, the committee recommended that the following groups receive the vaccine before others: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children 6 months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.

The committee recognized the need to assess supply and demand issues at the local level. The committee further recommended that once the demand for vaccine for these target groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should begin vaccinating everyone from ages 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. Therefore, as vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people over the age of 65.

Do those that have been previously vaccinated against the 1976 swine influenza need to get vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 influenza?

The 1976 swine flu virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus are different enough that its unlikely a person vaccinated in 1976 will have full protection from the 2009 H1N1. People vaccinated in 1976 should still be given the 2009 H1N1 vaccine."

 http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

LindaLou53

The link to this article from the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center was posted by AlaskaAngel on the "Help Me Get Through Treatment" forum last night.  Thought it might be of interest to those of you on this thread also.  It basically recommends both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines for cancer patients with the following cautions:

1.  The H1N1 nasal/inhaled vaccines which contain live virus should NOT be given to cancer patients.  Only the injectable version of the vaccine which contains dead virus should be used.

2.  For cancer patients in active treatment, the vaccine should not be given during the Nadir or lowest point of their immune suppression. Discuss with your oncologist what is the best time in your cycles to be vaccinated.

http://www.oncolink.org/blogs/index.php/2009/09/h1n1-seasonal-flu-vaccines/

otter

Some of us should not be in a hurry to get the first issue of H1N1 vaccine. For example, I'm too old for it.   

This paragraph was in an article in the on-line Los Angeles TImes on Septeber 19:

"The first vaccine available will be Medimmune's FluMist intranasal vaccine, but injectable vaccines should be distributed a week or two later, Dr. Jay Butler, chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2009 H1N1 vaccine task force, said at a morning news conference. The intranasal vaccine has not been approved for children younger than 2, adults older than 49 or pregnant women, so it may go primarily to healthcare providers."

The on-line New York Times published something similar in its September 19  issue: (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/health/19flu.html):

"More than three million doses of swine flu vaccine will be available by the first week of October, a little earlier than had been anticipated, federal health officials announced Friday. But nearly all those 3.4 million doses will be of the FluMist nasal spray type, which is not recommended for pregnant women, people over 50 or those with asthma, heart disease or several other problems, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned.

"Nonetheless, it will still be possible to vaccinate people in other high-risk groups, health care workers, people caring for infants and healthy young people.

"The nasal spray contains a weakened live virus, while injections contain killed and fragmented virus. The spray gives a stronger immune reaction but carries a small risk that the virus will multiply too quickly in people with compromised immunity."

I had my seasonal flu shot (inactivated form) last week. 

otter 

otter

Here's another article warning that the first few million doses of H1N1 vaccine will be the nasal spray, and it can't be used in some of the high-risk groups... like pregnant women, infants, and people over 50 who have chronic illnesses.  They'll have to wait for the injectable form of the vaccine.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6645877.html

otter 

mawhinney

How does the phrase "in active treatment" relate to those that have had cancer? I am finished with surgery, didn't need readiation or chemo but I am in my 2nd year of taking an aromotase inhibitor. Am I considered in active treatment?

leaf

I don't know if they specifically say, but I would guess that you would not be.  I would check with my doc to be sure.

This is from the CDC describing groups at higher risk for influenza (ie the seasonal flu): "Adults categorized as being at high risk for influenza-related complications self-reported one or more of the following: 1) ever being told by a physician they had diabetes, emphysema, coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, or other heart condition; 2) having a diagnosis of cancer during the previous 12 months (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) or ever being told by a physician they have lymphoma, leukemia, or blood cancer during the previous 12 months (post coding for a cancer diagnosis was not yet completed at the time of this publication so this diagnosis was not include in the 2006--07 season data.); 3) being told by a physician they have chronic bronchitis or weak or failing kidneys; or 4) reporting an asthma episode or attack during the preceding 12 months. For children aged <18 years, high-risk conditions included ever having been told by a physician of having diabetes, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, congenital heart disease, other heart disease, or neuromuscular conditions (seizures, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy), or having an asthma episode or attack during the preceding 12 months."http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/coveragelevels.htm

I do see that the Arthritis Foundation states that certain groups of people (I think these are mainly groups of people with systemic arthritis diseases or on immunosuppressants) may be at higher risk for the seasonal flu. http://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-and-h1n1.php

There is much we don't know about the swine flu, so probably no one knows for sure.  It sounds like once the highest priority people get vaccinated (such as pregnant women), then, eventually it will be offered to all.  So it may be just a matter of timing.

Hindsfeet

There are a lot of concerns about the Swine Flu Vac. ... The technician who draws blood the other day said that pregnant women, women with compromised immune systems and young children should not get the shot. I haven't had the flu in several years. Imune boosters such as golden seal, lyzine, and garlic keeps me from getting colds and the flu. Below, interesting read...

http://www.prohealth.com/blog/boardDetail.cfm?id=5947
Another Shocking Warning About Swine Flu Vaccine
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
September 08 2009

"The swine flu vaccine has been hit by new cancer fears after a German health expert gave a shocking warning about its safety.

"Lung specialist Wolfgang Wodarg has said that there are many risks associated with the vaccine for the H1N1 virus. The nutrient solution for the vaccine consists of cancerous cells from animals, and some fear that the risk of cancer could be increased by injecting the cells.

"The vaccine can also cause worse side effects than the actual swine flu virus.
Sources:

Please visit the Mercola site if you would like links to click on for the sources:

Dr. Mercola's Comments:
"Finally some good news to report about the swine flu mess.

"This site, and many others seeking to shed light on this deceptive manipulation, are making a huge impact and the people are refusing to believe the government propaganda.

"Vaccine safety advocates everywhere are beginning to make a serious dent.

"According to a recent Fox News poll, the majority of people in the US now believe the swine flu vaccine may be deadlier than the actual virus.

"Additionally, there is more good news when it comes to what health care professionals believe. Research published in the August 25 issue of the British Medical Journal reveals that more than half of doctors and nurses in public hospitals would also refuse the H1N1 vaccine, due to concerns about side effects and doubts about its efficacy.

"New Potential Health Risks of the Swine Flu Vaccine Emerge

"Just last week I reported on the confidential correspondence between the British Health Protection Agency and 600 neurologists, warning them to be on the lookout for cases of Guillain- Barré Syndrome once the swine flu vaccine campaign begins.

"I've published earlier articles about some of the more dangerous ingredients in this vaccine, such as mercury, and squalene, which has been linked to the development of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

"Now, German lung specialist Wolfgang Wodarg has come out about even more potential health risks associated with the swine flu vaccine. Interestingly, Dr. Wodarg also holds political office, as the chairman of the health committee in the German parliament and European Council.

"According to Dr. Wodarg, the swine flu vaccine contains animal cancer cells, and there's no data indicating whether or not this may cause an allergic reaction when injected.

"It also raises questions about the risk of contracting cancer.

"He also told the German press that the widespread fear of the pandemic was an "orchestration," stating,

"It is great business for the pharmaceutical industry. Swine flu is not very different from normal flu. On the contrary, if you look at the number of cases it is nothing compared to a normal flu outbreak."

"More Documentation about Swine Flu Vaccine Safety

"A recent article by Dr. Blaylock also highlights the many reasons why the vaccine may be far more dangerous than the virus. If you have interest in this issue I would strongly encourage you to read Dr. Blaylock's article.

See Mercola's site for Blaylock's article

"He states that the Baxter swine flu vaccine, called Celvapan, uses cultured cells from the African green monkey, which has previously been implicated as having transmitted a number of vaccine-contaminating viruses, including the HIV virus.

"Likewise, Johannes Löwer, president of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, believes the side effects of the vaccine can be far worse than the actual swine flu virus, which typically causes only mild symptoms, requiring just a few days in bed.

"As you may already know, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) consistently claim the seasonal flu kills about 36,000 Americans each year. After investigating that figure, it has been found to be a gross exaggeration based on flawed data compilation, but still, the swine flu has claimed FAR fewer lives than the seasonal flu in any given year, and no draconian measures have ever been taken to curtail the seasonal flu.

leaf

Here's more from the CDC site on their recommendations about those at risk for H1N1 (ACIP recomendations)

Medical risk factors for severe infection are similar to those identified previously in studies of seasonal influenza (12). In one case series of 179 patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, 117 (65%) patients had a medical risk factor previously associated with severe infection in studies of seasonal influenza (e.g., chronic heart, lung, renal, liver disease; cancer or immunosuppression; or pregnancy) (12,18; CDC, unpublished data, 2009). Deaths caused by novel influenza A (H1N1) have been reported among pregnant women. In one case series, the incidence of hospitalization for confirmed novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection among pregnant women was four times higher than that of the general population (19). Obesity (defined as body-mass index [BMI] ≥30) or morbid obesity (BMI ≥40) has been noted among hospitalized patients in some case series (20,21). However, the majority of these patients had other medical risk factors, and investigations to determine whether obesity or morbid obesity is an independent risk factor for severe infection are underway." http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr58e0821a1.htm

I know there have been some concerns about the timing of H1N1 vaccines with seasonal flu vaccines. It sounds like the paper has not yet been published or peer reviewed.

There are many unknowns that will not be able to be answered until well after this flu season is over.

KPolasek

Maybe I am wrong or maybe I am right .....

But I am going to take my chances and NOT get the vacine ..... regular or swine.  I am in my mid-fifties and have been exposed to swine flu already and yet to get anything.  Why would I compromise my system by injecting a virus intentionally?  I used to get the flu shot and EVERYTIME I would get sick with the flu.  Kind of stupid when you think about it ... get a shot so I can get sick.  If we use good common sense, like washing our hands with soap and water ..... (all the while singing happy birthday to yourself - at least once or twice), keeping our fingernails short (germs live under the nails), keep your hands/fingers out of your mouth, eyes, and nose ..... and walk the other way FAST when someone coughs (while in a store) ..... these are some of the best ways to prevent getting sick.  In fact .... before cancer .... I rarely got sick with colds, stomach flus .... and haven't since my cancer. 

 Drink lots of fluids, get a good night's sleep, and take care ...of yourself. 

Many, many blessings,

K

leaf

I am not going to change your mind, but, if you are in your mid-50s, you would not qualify for the LIVE ATTENUATED nasal H1N1 or Seasonal flu vaccines.

You would only be eligible for the KILLED virus H1N1 or Seasonal injection vaccine.   Barring production errors (I can't find a documented case of  this ever happening for commercially produced vaccines in the US, please correct me if I'm wrong), please explain how you could get the flu from a KILLED vaccine.

Luah

I certainly intend to get the vaccine, subject to my doc's approval on timing.  I would have done so before my cancer diagnosis anyway, but now, facing the prospect of chemo, I definitely don't want to risk my life (beyond cancer!) by contracting a deadly virus when my immune system is weakened.