[mamaGLOSS] H1N1 Vaccine: Will You Get It?

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Lolita Carrico

There’s been much buzz about the H1N1 virus and the new vaccine, which thus far, has had limited availability.

Noted pediatricians Dr. Jay Gordon and Dr. Cara Natterson appeared on Larry King Live earlier this week and to my surprise, both docs did NOT recommend the vaccine for healthy children without underlying issues such as diabetes or asthma. Larry King also commented that his child’s pediatrician also does NOT recommend the vaccine.

Most importantly, the pediatricians as well as CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, pointed out that most of the deaths in children who contracted H1N1 were due to a secondary infection that wasn’t detected in time. If your child does get the virus, it’s important to keep an eye out for a fever that returns after the initial fever subsides — the return of a fever could indicate a secondary infection which can be extremely dangerous.

I also agree with a comment Dr. Gordon made: that it is irresponsible for the CDC to declare H1N1 a national emergency when the vaccine for the virus is largely unavailable so far.

Personally, I won’t be getting the vaccine — when it is widely available — for myself or my two sons. We’re healthy and my feeling is that if we do get the H1N1 flu this season, with some good rest and care, we’ll recover and will then be protected for the future.

Will you be (or have you already) vaccinating your children for H1N1?