No H1N1 vaccine for us, thanks

A few weeks back my mom asked if I was going to get the “swine flu shot” for Bear.

My answer:

“NO!”

She looked at me like I am nuts (a look I get from her and others all.the.time.) and I proceeded to ramble off my reasons for choosing to not get this new vaccine.

  1. I am not an alarmist or anti-vaccine but the way this one has come about makes me suspect. We get our seasonal flu shots every year, but I would rather sit this one out.
  2. She has been very healthy for the past 2 years. No bronchitis or pneumonia. She is not medically fragile any longer.
  3. catching H1N1 is not any more deadly than the seasonal flu and we’re not afraid of germs in my home. We follow universal precautions.

I know that my choice does not work for all families. We have friends that the vaccine side effects are worth the risk because their child is very medically fragile. There is no right answer.

The official federal recommendation:

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.”

This is @drgwenn explaining the guidelines:

Astacia is NOT a medical professional and this is NOT medical advise. This article is strictly her opinion and in no way reflects the standpoint of 5 Minutes for Special Needs. She is a mother of two children living in the Seattle area. She is a contributor in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms. She blogs at mamikaze.

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