Parents are constantly asking me my thoughts about the new vaccine for the H1N1 flu. Although I usually get my kids the flu vaccine each year, I still haven’t made a decision regarding whether or not to get them the swine flu vaccines also. I’m kind of hesitant to give them 3 flu shots in one year. (Kids under the age of 10 need to take 2 H1NI flu shots.) That just seems to be a lot for their system. Since the vaccine is not available yet, I still have a couple of weeks to decide. Meanwhile, I’m gathering as much information as possible to make an educated decision.
I have received a ton of emails and such from “experts” regarding this topic and I found the following video from Seattle Children’s infectious disease experts Drs. Danielle Zerr and Janet Englund to be especially helpful. In it, they address specific questions from parents about H1N1 flu and the new vaccine.
In addition to the questions answered in the video, I received some additional answers to questions from Mom in the City readers:
1. I keep hearing bits and pieces regarding the potential dangers of the swine flu vaccine. Any comment?
-The H1N1 vaccine has been tested in thousands of adults but only so far in 1000 or fewer children, but so far it has been very safe both in the U.S. and studies in other countries. We also know how safe the regular flu shot is. There will be follow-up studies to continue to see how safe this vaccine is once it gets into the general population.
2. Is it essential for kids to have both the flu and the swine flu vaccines? That seems like a lot of shots for young kids.
-Yes, we recommend kids get both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccinations. The best time interval between receiving flu vaccines is not known but our study requires a 3-week interval between 2 doses of H1N1 vaccine. I do not believe that a child’s immune system will get too much stimulation with the single H1N1 vaccine – it does not contain that many antigens (immunogenic material) compared with, for example, a tetanus shot. In some studies, the use of a flu vaccine containing 4 viruses has been tested and been found safe. Our regular flu vaccine contains 3 virus and adding one more should theoretically not be a problem. Again, I have no data yet on H1N1 vaccine. For more specific information, visit the CDC’s H1N1 page: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
3. Can you get swine flu twice? I asked my sons physician, but he said that they just don’t know. I think that my son had it twice – the second time was not as severe.
-Since the swine flu is so new, there are no definitive answers. As far as the regular flu:
“First, you can get the flu more than once during your lifetime. The immunity (natural protection that develops against a disease after a person has had that disease) that is built up from having the flu caused by one flu virus strain doesn’t always provide protection against newer strains of the flu.” Source: CDC
(A NYC reader also asked if it is mandatory to get your school-aged child vaccinated because she was getting pressure from her child’s school. The answer is no – according to the Department of Education. It’s your choice as a parent regarding whether or not you get your child vaccinated when it comes to the flu.)
What are your thoughts about the H1N1 vaccine? Are you planning on getting it for your kid(s)? Why or why not?