discussion title:
Should my children get it?
message #:
3218.5 in response to 3218.4
From what I hear it is not available yet to the public in the US - only dept of defense has had it in the US. But, both of mine will get it.
I have good friends whose 3 children all had/have H1N1. They were healthy kids and were all seriously ill. Her 3 year old had complications and is 3 weeks later still sick and on a neb treatment several times a day and oral steroids. She and her husband have been out of work with sick kids for about 4-5 weeks now as one got it, then 3-5 days later the next kid, etc, etc....
It can be mild but it can also be serious. And, why put your kid through it when there is a safe vaccine. About 39,000 people in China got it. They had 4 "adverse events" which were related to leg/muscle cramps/headache. Had they had it ready in time it would have been part of the "regular" flu shot this year - it is made the same way. The "Regular" flu shot has been established as very safe. While no vaccine (and nothing in the world really!) is without risk - the risk/benefit ratio here is on the side of safety.
Here is a really nice article from the NY times that has a Q&A at the bottom which provides good information and is easy to understand.
http://www.nytimes.com/info/swine-flu-h1n1-vaccine/
For my family - we are all getting it. My husband has to - he works at our Children's Hospital and it is mandatory and he also sees patients and doesn't want to put them at risk and/or his family in the event he would get sick and bring it home. But, I will optionally take it and my son will get the first dose at school. My pedi office has already let us know they'll be administering the booster for school agers and 1/2 dose for everyone else.
Good luck making your decision.
