First Time Moms

It's funny, I've kind of changed my thoughts on this due to the number of child deaths from the H1N1....and due to the fact that our PCP has changed her stance too since her daughter had the virus and she's seeing a lot more cases come thru her door. She originally said she'd only recommend it to 3rd tri pregnant women and patients with compromised immune systems....but I think she's changing that and she's ordered some of the vaccine and will probably recommend all children get it....she hasn't said this, but I'm guessing....

So here's the thing, the seasonal flu isn't even out there yet...it peaks in February but you get the vaccine now because it starts hitting in mid-november and the vaccine is good for 6 months, so getting it now means you're covered from a select number of strains they think will be the worst this year. The H1N1 JUST missed being included in that normal seasonal flu shot....but if you know someone who's said they had the flu, 99% sure it's the H1N1....and it's NOT hitting and killing the same demographic that the seasonal flu kills....it's hitting kiddos the worst because this strain of flu hasn't been seen in several decades, so older folks were exposed to it, but us younger people haven't been, so it's hitting HARD! But anyway...the vaccine is made the same way as the seasonal, so as long as your children don't have an allergy to eggs, they should be safe. There's a small chance of side effects as with any medication/vaccine, but usually it's just a sore arm for a couple of days....sure beats being laid up sick for a week, if you ask me.

If you  have the opportunity to get either or both, I would do it. I'd hate to compromise the health of your LO just because you think things are being blown out of proportion. Fact is, we have no clue what's really going to happen with this flu in the end. it could be at it's peak right now, or it could just be ramping up for the biggest epidemic we've seen in our lifetime. Were I a single adult with no kids, I'd probably just go with the flow, but because I have a child who is in the highest risk group, I'm going to do what's good for HER and that's that.

I was SO against getting it. I thought it was all hype and the media putting all this fear out there. To a certain extent, perhaps they are,however I've since changed my mind. I've done my research. I've asked people high and low what they are doing. The problem is that it's hitting a little too close to home. I'm a teacher and we have had qutie a few cases of H1N1 in our students. Currently, one of my grade ones is in the hospital (been there since Saturday) very sick with it. Another student has a baby cousin who is very ill with it int he hospital and another teacher's nephew is also in the hospital with it. It's just too close to home and too many to take the risk. I'm exposed to a lot and I'd just die if Mason got it and had complications and I could have done something to help him. I really toyed with the decision, but we are going to get him the shot thru our doctor (the non-adjuvant version hopefully!).

You really have to do your research and make the decision that is right for your family. This is what we've decided because of the line of work I'm in and the amount of cases around us, and also the fact that both him and I are in high risk groups. Good luck with your decision.