Sometimes, I think it is really hard to be a parent. You are responsible for making choices for your child. Most recently we have had to decide if we will vaccinate the kids against the H1N1 flu. There are plenty of people who choose not to vaccinate their kids at all. Most of them are probably fairly safe, but only because the majority of us have vaccinate so these illnesses are not very prevalent.
But this flu is a little different. It is running rampant around here right now. I hear there are so many case that the pediatrician offices are not testing for it. They just assume when a child presents with symptoms, they have the H1N1. I know there is at least one confirmed case at Macie's school. There are many more kids with high fevers who could very easily have it.
This is a real threat to my kids. Macie has a tendency for things to go straight to her lungs. While she has never had a big asthma attack, she has many of the symtoms. Because this flu seems to be really affecting the lungs, she is probably at high risk. Not the mention the child still puts her hands and lots of other things in her mouth. Carson is probably in a low risk group, but there have been many deaths in kids with no pre existing conditions.
I also have to consider that I am pregnant. From what I read there is a big risk to pregnant women. Because of the reduced lung capacity in pregnancy, the flu attacking my lungs could be very dangerous. If my kids are not vaccinated there is a greater chance of me getting it. They are the ones bringing home all the germs. Right now, I have not been able to fine the shot available. I can not have the mist because it is the live virus, so I have to wait. In addition to me, we are going to have a new born in the house in the Spring. Who knows if this thing will be gone by then. I feel certain I don't want a new born with the swine flu.
So, what do you do? Do you risk getting the illness? Most of the people who get it are fine. Do I hope if we do get it we will be in the majority? Or, do you risk getting a vaccine? You can find as many things saying the vaccine is safe as you can it is worse than the flu. This is why I think it is hard to be a parent!
Today, we went and got the mist for the children. The health department had it in stock and a fairly short wait. We went as soon as Carson got off the bus. Macie had taken an early nap, so it was the perfect time. And, we went with 2 other families. The kids played outside until they called us. We were only there about 45 minutes, and it was very easy (and free). Carson had the seasonal flu mist 28 days ago (the minumum for getting this one). He did so much better this time. He took it and sniffed without a single cringe. Macie was not all the keen on the idea, but when it was her time she was a champ. She did better than Carson did the first time around.
Now, we hope they don't get the flu for the 2 weeks it takes to kick in. And we hope that all the folks saying the vaccine is perfectly safe are right! And hope I can get the vaccine soon.
What about you? Where do you stand on this?
5 comments:
I trust my doctor, and he says he will vaccinate his kids. He JUST received 1,000 doses of the vaccine (both mists and injections). He told me today (we were there with D) that he'll run out within the next 3-4 weeks. We're heading back to get it as soon as D is well. I think you're brave to post this as I'm just not up for discussing all the controversy around it!!
Jacob can't get the mist because of his asthma. I guess that means Macie hasn't been officially diagnosed with asthma?? I just got him the regular flu shot at his 3 year appt and have the other 2 scheduled for theirs on Thursday. I've never really been one to be scared of vaccines, but someone did say that the H1N1 has that mercury thing in it. So I am not sure what to do either about it. The pediatrician did not offer it when we were there on the 12th. I will try to remember to ask when I go on Thurs. I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks.
I guess it is obvious what I think since I was with you getting the kids their mist yesterday. I have always vacinated my children and yet I can say that in doing all the research, I was not going to do the H1N1. But when you are literally touching kids with H1N1, fear sets in and your perspective changes. I don't think most of my parenting decisions should be done in fear, but I feel so much better now that they both have the regular flu vaccine and the H1N1 mist. I just hope they can stay away from the germs for the next two weeks until they build the full immunity. I told my mother in law over the weekend, that this is the hardest decision I have had to make as a parent---and I have had to make some hard ones. I felt like I was choosing the best of the worst and who likes to think that way in regard to their children's health and safety.
For what it is worth from the perspective of a grandmother, You all did the right thing. As Sandy knows, I have had one former student (18) die from H1N1 and a close colleague hospitalized for two months with it. She also coded. To me this is one where you trust the medical community.
I totally agree. Tressa and I just had this conversation. We've already had our reg. flu shots. Megan isn't a candidate for the mist with her asthma so we are waiting for our ped to get the shots - she has a well child appt on Friday so I'm hoping maybe they'll have it by then. As for me... no mist due to baby, I heard that some hospitals are offering it (most only have the mist, if they have it at all) after delivery - but even then there's controversy over getting a live vaccine that soon after delivery. Ugh. So I"m just waiting for the shots to take the bulk of the controversy out of it. Besides I already need to get the Pertusis vaccine at the hospital and that's another live vaccine anyway. I figure with a "high risk" kid like Megan and her asthma, the benefits outweigh the risks, and then add a newborn into the mix.... needless to say, Our household will all get the vaccine as soon as we can. Tom's a little bummed about having to get them both - but it doesn't make sense for only 1/2 the house to be vaccinated when he could just as easily bring home germs to a newborn as I could.
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