H1N1 shot.. what do u think

My doctors are saying NO to the H1N1 vaccination. They seem to concur that it is a poorly tested, dangerous vaccination and not worth the risk.

Lots of good info  in previous post re: H1N1 Vaccine.  Look under Help Me Get Through Treatment.

I know one person ( adult) who got the H1N1 flu and was dead 3 days later. I guess it creates so much mucus in the lungs that one can't breath

My onco said it was questionable for anyone, let alone those in treatment.   She also said IF I should get it ( I am not going to do it), that you should wait at least 4 weeks after the regular flu shot.   I did get the regular one, as I have done for many years before, including last year when I was in active treatment.   

CBS has conducted an investigation for months using data from the states. In this expose, it turns out most people reporting flu weren't H1N1. They weren't even influena A or B. Yet the CDC is creating this massive fear campaign on the basis of misleading data.

Scroll down and look at the graphic.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/21/cbsnews_investigates/main5404829.shtml

It's really hard to know just how many true cases there are of H1N1 because state labs run the tests on hospitalized people only (except in a few cases where, like colleges, if there are an inordinate amount of absences, they'll send a few kits over to test and confirm the virus's presence.)

H1N1 is an Influenza A-type. Yet it only reads as "positive" on the Flu quick-test about 40% of the time. This is the test that doctors' offices have. Based on the fact that it was "too early" by CDC standards to see "seasonal flu", it is assumed that is you have a flu-lie illness, it is H1n1 by default. But even in regular flu season, people can have flu-like illnesses and not have "true" flu.

Because the H1N1 virus has the potential to do funky things, like mutate quickly, the CDC would rather be safe than sorry. Too bad it's seen as a conspiracy theory.

I do not understand why people think this vaccine hasn't been studied enough. Even my GP says that. It goes through the same process as the regular flu shot, made by the same people, using the same technique. And if the timing had been better, it would have been included in the "regular" flu shot.

Our clinic has not yet gotten it's batch of vaccine. A big university near us only got 100 doses to dole out among the highest risk people. I will certainly take the shot. I'm not afraid of it. I work in public and am exposed to flu. Or, if I were to get the flu, I'd expose people at risk. I've got surgery coming up. Don't want to add the flu to my recovery. Nor do I want to unknowingly infect my surgeon.

As with everything we face, it's a personal choice. I was on the fence initially, but I am no longer. I'm an advocate.

Anne

I am a type 1 diabetic so I've gotten seasonal flu vaccines for over a decade with no problems.  Last week, 6 days after my bilateral mastectomy, I went to the clinic, drains and all, to get the H1N1 vaccine as well.  Besides a sore leg (i made them do it there), I am just fine.  I was nervous about the shot, so I did ALOT of reading before getting it.

1.  The adjuvanted vaccine in Canada has 1/10th as much Mercury as you'll find in a standard can of Tuna.

2.  THe adjuvant is Squalene (got from sharks but also made by our own livers) and Vitamin E.  The European Community has used this in seasonal flu shots for a number of years without problems.  And goodness knows they are alot more vigilant about food toxicity then here in North America.

3.  The hype about "Gulf War Syndrome" from an associated Anthrax vaccine with adjuvant is apparently an urban myth.  This vaccine didn't use an adjuvant.

4.  Even the unadjuvanted vaccine (which I think is what most Americans are being offered) still has mercury content only equal to that one can of tuna you'll find at your grocery store.  This quantity is well below what both our governments consider safe.  So if the small dose Mercury is going to get us, environmental toxicity will probably do it anyway :P.

I can't comment on the Live vaccine (which kind of freaks me out), as they do not offer that up here.

I hope this helps people make the best decision for themselves and their families.

Cheers. 

Saying no to the vaccine here as well for me and my two daughters.  My oncologist was in full agreement.    You can argue both sides strongly as the facts can be contorted each way.    We have a great protocol of supplements, antioxidants, diet, exercise and hygiene practices that I believe are enough to protect us this season.   I will wait and see what happens with the vaccine this first year but I think the s/e really won't immediately present themselves.

Jennifer

i dont know re: the mercury.  i dont think they should put it in any vaccines regardless of how small the dose is; it all adds up.  and mercury is extremely toxic to the body, not great for your immune system and isnt that sposed to be the point of a vaccine?  so mercury is counter-productive you wud think.

re: the flu shot my sister had.  not sure what it was exactly but it was something they were trialling in australia before it went to the usa. 

SIVANCO

Vaccine's don't lower WBC's - if anything, they might raise them a bit. The reason that people with low WBC counts shouldn't take LIVE vaccines is because they are generally immunosuppressed and could become ill from a live vaccine. There's really no reason why immunosuppressed people can't take a killed vaccine EXCEPT that when the WBC count is low, those who are immunosuppressed may not be able to manufacture antibodies properly - which of course, is the reason for giving a vaccine in the first place.

FAIRYFLOSS

There's usually always a shred of truth that gets blasted way out of proportion in alarmist claims about such things as mercury. Yes, mercury can be poisonous if ingested large amounts. However, eating a large tuna fish sandwich will give you about the same amount of mercury as that found in vaccines.  There's mercury in the food we eat on a regular basis that adds up to much, much more than anyone would be recieving in yearly vaccine with mercury preservative. I read somewhere that albacore tuna averages at least 10 mcg per ounce ...and how many people eat just an ounce of tuna in a serving?? And how many times a week do they eat it. And that's not even considering other kinds of seafood and shellfish.   

BARRY -

Either you misunderstood what you were told, or that person who told you pregnant women, young children or people at high risk should not get the flu shot doesn't know what she's talking about.  The truth is exactly the opposite of what you wrote here. These are the people who are priority target populations for recieving the vaccine. Pregnant women, young babies and immunosuppressed people should NOT get the LIVE virus vaccine, but they definately should recieve killed vaccine - aka "the shot". 

Well, I had my H1N1 shot.  I have breathing issues.  I like to breathe.  I find it quite annoying when I can't breathe.  So it was a no brainer for me.  My doctor says that it is a horrible flu that strikes the lungs and that a lot of people who 'think' they had it will soon find out otherwise.  

I certainly understand people's concerns.  However, I do think there has been a lot of fear mongering about it, especially in the US.  Canada has had a great response to the clinics. 

I am on my way to your wonderful country in about 10 minutes.  My dh and I are going on a road trip.  And we are bring $$$ to spend.  I'll bet there are a lot of people that will be glad that we got our shots!

I had my regular flu shot and today had the H1N1 shot. My WBC

gets low alot and I have always been told to get the flu shot and

it helps me. Good luck, I would rather be safe then sorry.

I spoke with many expert Infectious Disease physicians and pediatricians about the current H1N1 vaccines and they agreed that it would have been part of this year's seasonal flu vaccines this year if components would have been ready in time. The nasal vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, the injection is not live.  I have seen healthy people without any underlying medical problems get really sick with the H1N1 flu this year, and unfortunately some deaths.  Millions of people have been vaccinated without any major side efffects.  My whole family, including two children have been vaccinated.  If you do get influenza, Tamiflu is effective if given within first 48 hours of onset of symptoms.  If you always wear your seatbelt in your car, even though the risk of being in a car accident is low, then the same reasoning should apply when deciding on getting the H1N1 vaccine. No one can predict who will be in the 1% who has a bad outcome from the H1N1.  I wear a seatbelt and I get vaccinated.