H1N1 flu shot

[Steven_Draker]

Since I travel a great deal, my doctor suggested that I do this fall both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 influenza vaccination.

 

I was wondering if anyone else here did it or intend to do the vaccine? There is still a great controversy in Europe about the H1N1 flu shot. I was wondering what do you guys think?

[+ Lucky]

Well, I have had both, so I guess that means I recommend them.

[Lookin]

Got both on Friday, one in each arm. No side effects, just a little prick. But that was a pre-existing condition.

[Txpaytoplay]

I got it as well...both of them.

[+ deej]

There's controversy here as well but it seems to come from the usual "stir it up" people.

 

If H1N1 had surfaced just a few months earlier, the vaccine would have been rolled into the normal seasonal flu shot and nobody would have said a word. They add new varieties to the seasonal flu shot every year.

 

It's only getting attention because it is being distributed as a separate vaccine (only because of when it surfaced).

 

Got mine, like the others.

[Steven_Draker]

Thank you, Deej. Good to know that. It makes more sense now.

 

I already had the seasonal flu shot about a month ago and the H1N1 shot only last week, when it became first available.

The latter caused mild side effects (mostly pain in the shoulder), but I'm glad I did it.

 

[seaboy4hire]

Not getting either one. Way over hyped.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[Mark Gordon]

Vaccines

 

Got both. I always get whatever vaccines are available. I believe escorts are at higher risk since we're in close contact with so many people and of course I don't want any down time due to sickness.

[josephga]

I was advised I should get one because of my past with cancer and now ms but so far I haven't. Other than rag weed allergies I haven't had any type of cold or flu in years

[+ nycman]

Got both about a month apart.

 

Same experience as Draker but in reverse.

 

Regular Flu - sore arm, H1N1 - nothing.

 

Stop being pansies and get them both already!...grin

[KMEM]

Didn't H1N1 first appear in the mid to late 1970's? If so, is there any good reason that there is such a big hullaballou about innoculations now? In other words, we often get "old' news; when do we get "new" news?

 

I have never received a flu shot and I am not having one this year either.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[whipped guy]

I usually get the regular flu shot, but there seems to be none available this year in my area... very few doctors or pharmacies were able to get it. Even local hospitals have run out.

 

Of course getting the shot is no guarantee. Two years ago while on vacation it was announced that the vaccine was not formulated correctly and would be ineffective. True to form the flu bug hit me like a ton of bricks later that very day... probably a coincidence, but still very indicative of how the formulation of the vaccine is partially a crap shoot.

[GoodFella69]

Welcome Back, Steven.

 

Steven,

Welcome back to the U.S. (and specifically Chicago)!

 

I received both vaccines earlier this month without negative side effects (soreness, etc.).

[Guest zipperzone]

Didn't H1N1 first appear in the mid to late 1970's? If so, is there any good reason that there is such a big hullaballou about innoculations now? In other words, we often get "old' news; when do we get "new" news?

 

I have never received a flu shot and I am not having one this year either.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

My doctor told me that anyone who was around in the 70s when it 1st rolled through would automatically be immune to it and getting a shot now, while it would not hurt, is really not necessary. Even so - I plan to get one.

[whipped guy]

Close but no cigar

 

My doctor told me that anyone who was around in the 70s when it 1st rolled through would automatically be immune to it and getting a shot now, while it would not hurt, is really not necessary. Even so - I plan to get one.

 

Well not really "automatically immune", but rather older individuals may have some level of existing immunity. That is why it has been more dangerous to younger individuals. Older individuals exposed to earlier flu strains, combined with previous vaccinations most likely experience a level of additional protection... but probably would not necessarily be totally immune to N1H1. For example, while older persons might indeed develop a total immunity, there also exists the possibility that they might only get somewhat ill from exposure to the virus by being able to produce certain anti-viral chemicals. The results would be contracting only an extremely mild case. So for once older is better... hopefully!

[traveler1954]

H1n1

 

I also took both shots a few weeks apart, without any reactions.

My infectious disease colleague read me data that supports the idea that there was cross, but partial immunity, to a virus that passed through over 60 years ago, not in the 70's. Apparently those who are over 60 comprise only 2% of those that get infected and/or died . A rather low incidence.

[Samai139]

Got both since I volunteer in a hospital several days a week and there was a clinic and Employee Health strongly recommended them. No pain with the injections--but this I believe depends on who gives the shots--some are very good, others not so. After effects, side effects---almost none---not even much muscular pain. I haven't had flu silnce I was in high school and will do practically anything to avoid getting it again.

[Luv2play]

I got my H1N1 shot yesterday in Ottawa and have had no side effects other than a slightly tender spot on my arm where the needle went in. My sister had the shot two weeks ago and had to take painkillers for 4 days for a very sore arm and headaches.

 

In Canada there has been a fair amount of controversy about the way this flu shot has been rolled out since each province organizes it differently. After the initial confusion, things seem to be going more smoothly now. The nurse who administered my shot yesterday confirmed that experience.

 

I have to say it went very well in the special clinic that had been set up and people were in and out in about an hour. They were processing hundreds of people and we went from room to room in a sorting routine that meant no-one sat in one place more than 15 minutes. The last 15 minutes after the shot was in a room where you had to wait just to make sure you had no immediate allergic reaction.

 

The experience in Canada from what I have read and heard on the news is that the victims who die from this flu are varied and somewhat unpredictable. What galvanized the public a few weeks ago was the death of a young seemingly healthy boy who played hockey. The public reacted by descending on clinics en masse to get the shot, thus causing delays and confusion. It later emerged that the boy did suffer from asthma.

 

I have not taken the regular flu shot which I usually do every year but will look into doing so next week. We are being told that over 99 percent of cases of flu are of the H1N1 variety although those stats are based on the ones that get tested, which is a minority of cases I believe.

[+ Lucky]

The regular flu shot never causes me problems, but this one gave me lots of muscle pain and some nausea. If you don't get the shot, here is some advice:

 

CHISINAU, Moldova --(AP) Moldova's army is feeding its soldiers onions and garlic to help them ward off swine flu.

Defense Ministry chief doctor Col. Sergiu Vasislita says about 0.9 ounces (25 grams) of onions and 0.5 ounces (15 grams) of garlic will be added to each soldier's daily diet. That roughly corresponds to a small onion and a couple of garlic cloves.

[+ Lucky]

In a Washington Post survey, 2/3 of the people said they would NOT get the H1N1 flu shot. Read why:

 

http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/11/18/GR2009111804635.jpg

[Steven_Draker]

Steven,

Welcome back to the U.S. (and specifically Chicago)!

 

Thank you, Good Fella for the warm welcome. Hope you're happy and doing fine.

 

Cheers,

[KMEM]

Zip-

Thanks for the medical opinion about the 70's H1N1. Does being old mean one could be immune from any WWII diseases?

 

WG-

So, I should just enjoy being old? I think I will.

 

ffdave-

I am only offering an opinion that I think applies to me; if any others wish to get flu shots or any other immunizations, it is fine by me and strictly a personal choice.

 

Lucky-

 

I think anyone who ate enough onions and garlic would not get any communicable disease. No one would get near enough to transmit.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[monopolizer]

any problems with vacinne prioritization

 

I am not in one of the groups who have been prioritized for h1n1 vaccine and so will have to wait until all the prioritized cases have received vaccine and until more supply becomes available.

 

Wondering if anyone here tried to get vaccine and was denied?

[+ Lucky]

We just asked for it and got it.

[whipped guy]

Poor Planning

 

I am not in one of the groups who have been prioritized for h1n1 vaccine and so will have to wait until all the prioritized cases have received vaccine and until more supply becomes available.

 

Wondering if anyone here tried to get vaccine and was denied?

 

I have spoken with many individuals who work at local hospitals... mainly nurses and staff members... and the goal is to immunize all their workers with both the regular flu vaccine as well as N1H1. However, it seems that the doses of both varieties arrive in very small shipments so only a handful of individuals can be immunized at any one time. In addition, visitors under 18 years of age are prohibited from visiting patients unless there are extenuating circumstances such as the imminent death of a grandparent for example... and mainly because those under 18 have not been immunized. So with all the hoopla about the flu shot and the swine flu pandemic it appears that more than a few planners were asleep at the switch. I recall that there was plenty of vaccine available in 1976 which was the last time something such as this occurred. So the bottom line is this, many hospitals are trying to protect their own workers and can't properly do so. What chance does the general public have?