Are you receiving the influenza 2009 H1N1 vaccine?

by Vincent Racaniello on 14 October 2009

flu-vaccine-coverageAll the evidence I’ve seen so far points to a poor uptake of the influenza 2009 H1N1 vaccine in the United States. This is not good news – inadequate immunization means more infections and more deaths.

A few weeks ago I asked a class of about 50 students in a course on Emerging Infections whether they would receive the 2009 influenza H1N1 vaccine. None of them raised their hands. Yesterday, I taught seven high school biology classes about viruses; I asked each group (about 30 students) if they were going to get immunized. About 5 out of over 200 students said they would.

My informal poll may not be indicative of the mood of the entire nation, but there is no doubt that the vaccine is in trouble. You would have to be living in a cave to realize that fear about the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is being propagated by the press and various blogs and websites. Incorrect information from people who know little about viruses, viral vaccines, or infectious disease is easy to find. The following email from a Microbiology Professor in Portugal illustrates the problem:

It is impressive the amount of hate emails on H1N1 vaccines. With all this hate email, people are starting to ask if they should take the vaccines or not. I just hope it doesn’t spread to other vaccines. I’ve heard from a few health related workers that they won’t take the vaccines because they have doubts about their safety. The worst thing is, that most of the times the reason for that, is just an email they have recieved.

As you can see from the image above, even in non-pandemic years, the number of people who receive influenza vaccine in the US is low. The CDC estimated that the overall rate in the 2008-09 season was 32.6%. The number varies according to age and ethnicity, but the best immunization rate – 67% – is in those over 65 years of age. When the vaccine is a good match with the circulating strain – which happens to be the case with the 2009 H1N1 strain – the vaccine is 70-80% efficacious. But it’s not helpful at all if only a third of the general population is immunized.

I’ve already received my seasonal influenza vaccine and I’m waiting for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine to become available. My entire family – including my three children – will receive both vaccines. Is there any better endorsement for the vaccine? If you don’t believe me, read Paul Offit’s words on why the vaccine is safe and efficacious.

Please let me know whether or not you are going to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine – and your reasons for shunning it – by posting a comment.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2009). Influenza vaccination coverage among children and adults – United States, 2008-09 influenza season. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 58 (39), 1091-5 PMID: 19816396

Share this post:
  • TwitThis
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon

Tagged as: , , , , , , , ,

  • Name
    I won't get it because influenza's RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is low fidelity and makes many mutational mistakes when replicating hemagglutanin (major cause of antigenic variation) and neuramidase genes (lesser contributor). Indeed this is why you never get the same flu twice and/or you can get sick again just after you think you've beaten the bug.
    Highly mutable surface proteins are the key to influenza's evolutionary success. So after the virus incubates in you and mutates through millions of generations; the virus you give to me because you sneezed without covering will not be the same as the one the vaccine was developed against months ago. Sure you could argue that the mutations are of the point variety and do not cause amino acids changes, but with such a high mutation frequency structural changes in the surface proteins are likely. I think if you get vaccinated, you won't get H1N1 but you may get H1xN1y, a related bug that your immune system will have to recognize and fight on its own.

    Just my $0.02 but I thought someone would discuss the actual biology of orthomyxoviridae.
  • Dave Munger
    I'll probably get it if I can get a combined H1N1/seasonal flu shot.
  • Greg
    I'll get it if I can find it. I'm not in any of the high priority groups, so I'm not sure when/where it will be available to me.
  • davedobbs
    Already got the seasonal, as I always do. My kids (and I, when my turn comes) will get the H1N1. I've a blog post coming soon (http://scienceblogs.com/neuronculture) that will explain why. Short v: 76 kids already dead in US from H1N1, but no sign so far of serious adverse effects. Math pretty simple. Tiny threat of hypothetical adverse effect loses to demonstrated fatal threat from virus running amok.
  • BEW
    Yes, I will get the H1N1 shot when it is available. I already got the seasonal flu shot.
  • kotnik
    I'd get if I was in a high priority group. The country I live in doesn't care a lot about health of it's people, unfortunately.
  • I'm a college student, and I plan to get the H1N1 vaccine the moment my college starts offering it. On the other hand my aunt, who is a pediatric nurse, doesn't want to get the vaccine because she doesn't think it's been tested enough. We both have gotten the seasonal flu shot.
  • a Paediatric Nurse!, she simply should take it :)
  • Mary
    I Agree. It is apalling that a paediatric nurse would even consider avoiding this vaccine. She needs to get educated and be a role model!
    As a Reg. Nurse I feel obligated to protect my patients. As a mother and grandmother, I simply want to protect my family. True, it is not as well researched as we'd like, but I still believe the benefits will outweigh the risk. Just heard of another child dying in our city....we need to get this and do anything to protect children and their young parents.
  • mitochondria
    I completely agree with your aunt, the pediatric nurse. The vaccine has not been tested enough and its long term side effects are not known. It's not about being a role model. It seems as though individuals have no power these days - If you work in a hospital and you choose to not get the vaccine, then you must wear a mask - I will be wearing a mask. Thank you.
  • I will be vaccinating my two kids (ages 21 mos. and 4 yrs.), and my husband and I will be getting vaccinated, if possible. Assuming neither child gets H1N1 before vaccines are available (they're here in VA, but not being dispersed to the general population yet), I want to do whatever is in my power to ensure that they're as protected as possible from infection. My husband has CP, and although it's manifested in his legs only, the strain on his respiratory system is such that we're hoping he will get special consideration as an 'at risk' adult and also be able to get the immunization. For the record, my sister - who has three children (ages 7, 9, and 10) - is *not* planning to immunize; I don't agree with her decision (since this seems like a particularly vulnerable age group), and she hasn't clearly explained her reasoning. I believe my brother and sister-in-law are planning to vaccinate their two girls (ages 5 and 8).
  • azileretsis
    Don't you think that by now, most of us have already been exposed to this bug? Also, that it might be good to have natural immunity to this virus rather than an induced immunity?
  • The fact that this is a novel H1N1 means that none of us have been exposed to this virus before. It’s similar to automobiles. If you compare a Beetle and Pinto you will find that they are different. They are cars, yes, but not the same. Influenza is just like automobiles. There are several models. Our body has to recognize them exactly, like a garage door that has the same shape as the car. And this is why you can't park the Pinto in the garage made for the Beetle. Same thing with influenza. This is why Dr. Racaniello has gone blue in the fact stating over and over again about the need to be vaccinated because we don't have the "herd" immunity that is necessary to protect all of us from the virus. It is this "herd" immunity that protects us from Polio and we desperately need to have it with influenza or people will continue to die. That drives me crazy. I guess its ok that people die when its not you dying or the people you know.

    Natural immunity vs. induced immunity: My T cells and B cells don't know the difference between an antigen that has come in from a needle or from my neighbor who sneezed on me. Your immune system doesn't care which vector the virus invades from and will respond regardless. In fact your immune system will respond the same to both vectors of infection.

    It always puzzles me when I hear people say that they would rather get sick with a virus than to be immunized because they think it is better to let your body do it naturally. I find there to be no value in exposing yourself to a harmful situation on purpose when you could be vaccinated instead saving yourself from the risk of serious disease or death. Every time you get sick you run the risk of serious disease or death. It is NEVER good to let yourself become infected by a pathogenic virus if there is an alternative. It is also important to point out that you may not gain immunity from a so called "natural" infection. Your immune system may not have mounted a strong enough response to the infection and as a result there isn't strong enough memory to protect against future infection. This is one of the best reasons to vaccinate over allowing a so called "natural" infection to take place; you can control the dose of the vaccine to make sure that all of the population gets a dose that will cause a protective immune response.

    The ancients had no choice but to allow themselves to fight these viruses off "naturally" and they died from lots of these diseases in spite of that fact. "Natural" immunity didn't help against Polio or Small pox. Without the vaccine people would still be dying of both diseases. In fact some people still are dying because they don't have access to the vaccine and their "natural" immunity can cut it.
  • Josh
    In the UK the vaccine is only being made available to frontline healthcare staff and those in 'at risk' groups such as pregnant mothers and those with underlying health problems. As a medical student I would be first in line for a vaccine if it was made available but unfortunately that isn't how the vaccination programme is being run at the moment. A lecturer did ask my entire year if they would want the H1N1 vaccine and everyone raised their hands to say they would.
  • jim vandiver
    I'm going to get it; 67 yrs old. Wife, 65, won't. Both just had the annual shot and wife felt lousy for several days, her usual reaction, and it discourages further inoculations... In her case it would have been better if H1N1 and annual vaccines both could have been combined into one shot.
  • Janet
    I'd like to get the H1N1 but like an earlier poster, I'm not in one of the high risk groups. Any suggestions how to get it?
  • Megan
    Already got the seasonal; planning to get H1N1 vacc when it becomes available. As a grad student and virologist-in-the-making I'm encouraging family and friends to get them too, and trying to combat the misconceptions as well. Thanks for posting this and including Dr. Offit's article. It's helpful to have these resources to give to friends.
  • shawmutt
    I will be getting the seasonal shortly, but will not be getting the H1N1. My family are just getting over the actual H1N1 flu, and are innoculated.

    With that being said, I work for a company that makes the H1N1 and other vaccines, and have the inside scoop on the processes and chemicals used to make vaccines. Knowing what I know about risks vs. benefits and vaccines vs. diseases, I make sure that my wife, our two toddlers, and I get every vaccine available and on the CDC recommended schedule.

    The amount of misinformation and outright lies propagated by the anti-vaccine crowd is just staggering. Their hatred of vaccines is an unfortunate ideology, and they don't care about who they hurt. I find myself doing a fair bit of explaining to friends and family about not only the H1N1 but vaccines in general. "I read on this website..." is a common argument. I also do some "front-line" work of trying to correct the wackos on the web.

    Fortunately, H1N1 has so far been a mild flu, so the anti-vaccine crowd can be dead wrong with little consequence in this regard.

    One website I recommend is called sciencebasedmedicine.org. I send the link of this blog entry ( http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=1229 ) to any friends or family that want to learn what exactly this "flu bug" is.

    Excellent blog and podcast Dr. Racaniello, keep up the good work!
  • John Kelsey
    I'll get it if it's available to me. I'm asthmatic, but it's been many years since I had an attack that my rescue inhaler couldn't stop, so I'm not sure where that will leave me in the list of people wanting it. I'll also get it for my kids if I can--when I got them their seasonal flu shots, the pediatrician's office didn't know when they'd have it. (I guess I should call and find out if they have it yet, and where we'll end up on the list.)

    As an aside, comments from people like you, the Reveres, and Orac are really valuable, at least to me. I am a scientist in a completely different field (cryptography), and can't independently evaluate the risks and rewards of a given vaccine. Official recommendations can be (and often are) as much products of politics as science. I especially worry about that with something like swine flu, which has gotten so much media attention, and so probably a lot of attention from the Pointy Haired Bosses/political appointees at the top of various agencies. And most media coverage of scientific issues is worse than useless. Reading comments from you guys is really helpful.
  • poxdoc
    Yes indeedy. My wife and I have already gotten the seasonal vaccine and we'll get the 2009 H1N1 as soon as its available. Special motivation derives from the fact that in early November we're going to visit our new grandson, born yesterday, and they his parents actually specially requested that we get vaccinated if only for his sake. No hesitation here.
  • mdubuque
    In all likelihood I will. But I'm going to wait a bit and not participate in the first wave of vaccinations.

    I think it's foolish to ignore the demonstrated and proven scientific objective history of botched vaccines; from the swine flu vaccine fiasco under President Ford to the proven WHO lies about polio vaccines that killed people. Those horrific tales are peer-reviewed. Why ignore them completely. They should be factored into any rational decision.

    I study decisions for a living. I have a rude, robust and nasty immune system. I'm not sickly nor obese, nor frankly impotent like so many Americans; I'm in fabulous health, my blood pressure is 105/70, remarkable for someone 50 years old in the US. My resting pulse is 60 times per minute and I don't eat trashy and sugary food, so I can afford to wait a little longer to be certain that this is not another botched job from underfunded public health entities. My glycosylated hemoglobin count, an outstanding heuristic for gauging overall health, is in the 95th percentile.

    Besides, I know that it's often the SECONDARY infections such as pneumonia that do the actual killing in these epidemics and I do have a pneumonia vaccine.

    This H1N1 just isn't going to kill me. So I'm going to track the infection locally here as well as I can before getting vaccinated.

    And I got a small stash of Tamiflu prescribed for me by a rational doctor several months ago that I have on hand in case the foregoing analysis is flawed.
  • Hayden Scott
    It's the same reason I avoid drinking tap water.

    I don't fucking trust the government or pharmaceutical corporations.

    Oh, and I don't like injecting mercury into my bloodstream. That's just a horrible idea.
  • Hayden, what do you drink instead? Bottled water? How do you know it's safe? Don't the companies that sell bottled water have essentially the same profit motive as companies that sell vaccines? Why is it that you trust one, but not the other?
  • I know the government is SO terrible. Why don't we just get rid of it and have an anarchy? Without the government we wouldn't have any of the institutions over which we could even have this discussion. They government is the only institution that can manage vaccines for entire populations. Who would you have deal with these issues? Microsoft or Comcast? I think not. If you don't trust the government you should vote in elections to change the government so that you can trust it. Abandoning everything because you don't trust the government is only going to harm yourself and the social structure that we have created.
    The fact that Thiomersal is not straight mercury has been address but consider this...
    I would not inject pure chlorine into my blood but I eat table salt all the time NaCl which is half chlorine. I also wouldn't drink bleach, OCl, which has chlorine in it... This is how things are in chemistry. Things behave differently as an element versus as a compound. An example of a use of mercury in the body is with dentistry. They have and still use mercury in the silver fillings. These are called amalgams and are mixtures of sliver/gold and mercury. You may have a few in your mouth. These usually last 15+ years and would theoretically expose you to more mercury than Thiomersal would and Thiomersal won't hang around in the body.
  • mitochondria
    Thank you Hayden!! I agree wholeheartedly :)
  • bubbbles
    okay your a dumb fuking piece of shit for your information their are no studies that prove that their is murcury in the h1n1 vaccine. go get the vaccine dumb shit. and i dont want you to post anymore inferior comments on this website.!!!!!!
  • bubbbles
    besides what the fuk does this have to do with fuking tap water!!!!!!

    YOU DUMB PIECE OF CRAPPY SHIT.
  • Perry E. Metzger
    Thimerosal (which is a mercury compound, not mercury) hasn't been used as a vaccine preservative in a very long time, Hayden, so no, you're not "putting mercury into your bloodstream" if you get vaccinated.
  • Name
    The vaccine available here (Pandemrix from GlaxoSmithKline) contains 5 µg thimerosal?
  • Niki
    Actually, Thimerosal IS being used still...so that information is wrong. However, they make a Thimerosal and NON-Thimerosal H1N1 vaccine...depending on which you choose.
  • lisaschnirring
    I'm low priority for the pandemic H1N1 vaccine, but will eagerly wait in line for it. And I'll get the seasonal flu vax as soon as our student health service is restocked. My 16-year-old son will also receive both vaccines. Thanks for drawing attention to this important issue, Dr Racaniello.
  • DNALady
    Yes, I will be getting the H1N1 vaccine as soon as the injection vaccine is available. To old for the FluMist. Both H1N1 and seasonal are given free here at the pediatric cancer center where I work. My spouse and 3 kids will also get both vaccines..
  • JParilla
    I will as soon as it is available in my area.... i hope i can get the nasal spray!
  • Margaret
    I will definitely be getting the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it's available. So will my husband and my 23 yr old daughter. My husband is a Univ. professor and more than a few of his students are already sick with swine flu. Not a nice virus to have !
  • Name
    This 53 year old will definitely get his H1N1 shot despite his age and lack of health issues. And I hate needles and normally do not get flu shots.
  • Just received my seasonal flu vaccine this week. I would like to get the H1N1 vaccine when it's available. What's the best way to get the H1N1 vaccine?
  • Eva van Emden
    I'm planning to get the H1N1 vaccine. It will be my first flu vaccination.
  • Brittney
    My children and husband are getting the flu vaccine (seasonal and H1N1). I am waiting on a response form my allergist to see if this vaccine will have any sulfites/sulfides which I am very allergic to.

    Even if it did, I would still try to get the vaccine under the supervision of an allergist. Unfortunately our health department in AZ will not be giving our allergists office any of the vaccine. (which I think is crazy considering all of the asthma patients allergic to egg who should get the vaccine under the supervision fo an allergist.

    I am an asthmatic and have alpha one antitrypsin deficiency as well as my daughter (age 11). Until we can get the vaccine we have been employing social distancing to prevent getting sick. My daughter is doing her school work from home. The regular flu makes us very very sick. She got her seasonal shot last year and still was very sick with the flu in March and needed to go to the ER for breathing treatments.

    We are not taking our chances with this flu. No way.

    What aggravates me to no end is how cavalier everyone is and how nuts they are about the vaccine. There is a Dr. Mercola telling people that it is linked with a Nerve Disease (GBS) I constantly have to correct people on Facebook about the vaccine. There are a lot of quacks out there using scare tactics. What annoys me is that people are taking their advice at face value and not even researching the facts.

    Incidentally-does anyone know if there are any sulfides/sulfites present in the vaccine? because it has egg (which naturally has sulfites/or sulfides) I was not sure how much egg there was in the vaccine and if there were sulfites, how much there were.

    Can't seem to find this info anywhere.
  • Everett197281
    Since Im not clinical staff at the Medical College, I will not be in the first tier of people to receive it, but if they open it up to everyone, I will be sure to be there.

    So like most of the posts here, I too, am willing to have the nano chip tracking device installed with the vaccine that allows Dick Cheney to control my thoughts.
  • alikatze
    I will definitely be getting the H1N1 - I have already gotten my regular flu shot this year. I am a healthcare worker (no, not in NY state ;) and I have asthma - it boggles my mind that people are so skeptical about vaccines, especially those people in healthcare and who have chronic conditions. To say I despise the distressingly misinformed anti-vaccine crowd is an understatement. (To be fair, however, there isn't, IMHO, enough being done to teach the public about vaccines or their safety.)
  • I will not take it, because simply I never did!, (may be I had it once while being a child, but not sure about that!)
  • kimdanos
    I vaccinated my 3 children. As soon as the flu mist was available my 4yo and 8yo received it at the Public Health Dept. Currently the PHD is the only place to acquire it in my state, Iowa. I waited another week for the shot to become available for my 12yo asthmatic son. We went an hour before the PHD opened and stood in a line outside for 2 hours. The h1n1 clinic started at 9am and by noon they had distributed 2,700 doses and were out. I was eligible to receive the vaccine and did, but my husband is not on a priority list. He would receive it if possible. The flu (H1N1) is currently widespread at the schools my children attend. I don't know if they will have the titers built up prior to being exposed. We are hopeful. The younger two will have to receive a second dose of vaccine at the end of the month.

    We get the seasonal vaccine annually.
  • GrumpyMel
    I won't be getting it either. Nor likely will my family. Seen too much hype about "Killer Pandemics" in the past that turned out not to even be a blip on the radar screen.

    Also I know enough history to understand that the experts of the day know less then they think they do about the long term effects of certain substances/treatments. There are many things in the past that were thought to be "perfectly safe" that only years later the full long term effects became clear.

    Don't get me wrong, I fully support the scientific method. It's just the risk/reward calculation for this one doesn't play out for this one.

    Anytime you inject a foreign substance into your body there is risk. Heck even if the science behind the vaccine is rock-solid.... there is no assurance that QA at the manufacturer might not screw up with the batch you are being given....or that it might have been tampered with... or that you could even get an infection at the injection site (not from the vaccine).

    Bottom line is that H1N1 does not seem that serious a risk to people in relatively good health (which describes myself and my family). Thus the vaccine doesn't strike me as truely neccesary.
    If that situation were different....and we were at higher risk.....or the disease was alot nastier then it sounds that equation might be different.

    I highly suspect we won't catch it....and if we do. I don't anticipate it doing any more damage to us then a bad case of the regular flu.

    And yeah...I remember '76 too.
  • valeriek
    I am not able to get it now since the supply is so low. I am a health care worker (RN). I did have all 5 of my children vaccinated yesterday. I also called my family and 8 of the children were vaccinated. No significant side effects to report. I am hoping the immunity takes effect quickly as I was exposed to a confirmed H1N1 case 2 days ago. At this point as long as my children are safe I can be ok with that. State, Iowa
  • hsofia
    I've never had a flu vaccine before and am in very good health, so I wasn't planning on getting the H1N1 vaccine - especially as it sounds like it's mostly mild cases going about. I'm sure my mind has been influenced by the vehement anti-vaccine emails and conversations that are all around. Apparently, the government and WHO, Barack Obama, the pharmaceuticals, and the New World Order are trying to kill us! I don't know why they'd do this, because if we died, who would be left to shop at Wal-Mart? But, in any case, all the fearful talking has caused me to hesitate. I did make an appointment to get my child (she is a toddler) vaccinated next week. And hopefully myself, too, if I don't contract it by then. Is there any where to get a titer test done for the H1N1? What if I've already had it? We both had a mild "colds" already last month, that lasted 3-4 days for me and 1 day for her.
  • Kristi
    I'm not thrilled that the vaccine without adjuvant is not ready yet, as I'd be more comfortable without the adjuvant. However, I'm in my third trimester of pregnancy, and I figure that I'd rather take my chances with an adverse reaction to the vaccine than severe complications due to H1N1. I work in an elementary school, and my husband works in a hospital, so he will be vaccinated as well. Our toddler will get her shot when I get mine.

    In Ontario, our seasonal flu shot clinics will be held later, and we'll all get jabbed again then too.
  • Name
    I managed to get my 7 and 4 year-olds the H1N1 vaccine this week, and will get it for myself (and second doses for them) as it becomes available. The kids also got a seasonal flu vaccine, and I'm looking for one for myself.
  • Name
    Absolutely going to get it along with my 2 children and husband. I'm a pediatrician and seeing so many many sick children and so much misinformation I can't imagine taking a risk. Also increased rate of resistance to Tamiflu. Thanks for your blog.
  • My husband and I have received the seasonal flu vaccine and we will get the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it is available, but I am concerned about the shortage. I have systemic lupus and easily develop pneumonia. I'm afraid that if I should contract H1N1 before I can receive the vaccine, I might be looking at pneumonia #14 as well as other cardiopulmonary complications.
  • KymberlyB
    What I'm concerned about are side affects from this H1N1 vaccine. It is available in 2 weeks at my childrens schools and I havent seen or read anyone talking about side affects they've gotten from this. Are the people taking this vaccine getting sick afterwards? Are they having reactions? I've read about a few mild reactions and some DEADLY reactions. I would like to hear some real experiences not just what the CDC says. I am so nervous about letting them get this vaccine!
  • There are no serious side effects associated with immunization with the H1N1 vaccine. Please look at the FDA reports linked in this blog post to see the types of side effects observed: soreness at injection sites, muscle aches, fever. There are no deadly reactions caused by the vaccine.
  • Wendy
    Kymberly think twice... I had my four yr old son vaccinated on monday he was healthy perfectly fine, by Wed he was really stuffy and conjested by Saturday he could barely breathe and was sent to childrens hospital treated with asthma meds and thankfully is home recovering. However I am tired of hearing people claim "you wont get sick from the vaccine" or " it is just a coincidence and he had it already" I know my son I know where he has been and what he has been exposed to the only difference was the shot. It happened quickly so if you get the vaccine and see any difference in your kids please keep a close eye on them. Any laboured breathing has the chance of getting serious very quick for us it was less than 4 hrs until he was in serious enough condition we had to rush to emergency with him. Not trying to scare anyone just please be aware, my son has NO underlying health issues at all.
  • Name
    I am a nurse vaccinating healthcare staff with flu vaccine. I have taken both, the injectable seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 FluMist. Yes, I am still alive and quite healthy.
    As I am vaccinating healthcare staff, I spend most of my time teaching, educating staff about the vaccines. Now, you would think that healthcare staff would do the research-- very easy these days with internet available-- they don't. So, if I am having a hard time with healthcare staff, I can not imagine what's going on in the general public. Often, I have to correct misinformation from primary care physicians. Just today, I had a medical staff person who would not take the H1N1 FluMist, because his doctor told him, he should not have it, because his wife is pregnant....
    As our injectable vaccine supply is very limited and we require staff who can take the FluMist to take it, I could not give him the injectable vaccine. He walked out.
    Also today, I spent 15 minutes convincing a cardiologist to take the FluMist. In that time I could have vaccinated 10 other people.....
    Ignorance is still killing more people than science....
  • Thank you for posting your experience with flu vaccine. Despite the information about the safety and efficacy of the influenza vaccines, many choose to listen to individuals who propagate fear and false information.
  • christi
    I am pregnant (17 weeks) and I do not know what to do. I do not know if it is safe for me to get the shot, for fears that there hasn't been enough testing to make sure it is safe for the baby. Please help and advise!!
  • The CDC has said the following: "The CDC and its ACIP recommend that pregnant women receive both the inactivated Influenza A H1N1 (2009) monovalent vaccine and the inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine during any stage of pregnancy. These recommendations are based on the increased risks of influenza and its complications for pregnant women, the protection that the influenza vaccines can provide for both pregnant women and their newborns, and the track record of safety of the licensed inactivated seasonal influenza vaccines." The complete report is here: http://bit.ly/31vHqL
  • polenta
    What happen if there is no H1N1 vaccines available for the 2nd dose for my kids?
    Is one dose enough? I read that they need two.
  • CDC has recommended that children through 9 years of age receive two doses of inactivated H1N1 vaccine a month apart. Today CDC indicated that vaccine supplies are increasing, so I don't believe you will have difficulty obtaining a second dose a month from now. The vaccine produced by Sanofi (see link above) induces protective responses in children after a single dose.
  • Wendy Rose
    I am thinking I will NOT get the H1N1 shot--- I am concerned about allergys - I once and only once had a bad breathing reaction to a reg. flu shot-- it was scary-- the doctor later disregarded it as a mere coincedence??/ I was fine--went in got the shot--drive one mile to my house got out of the car and could hardly breath and felt very strange--lasted about 30-40 minutes... I have gotten flu shots for the last five years and had no problem-- I do have alot of allergies and I have breathing problems and had a bad cancer 2 years ago (clear cell cancer) and I get nervous---- so I may not get it this year,,,, I had a severe reaction to my first chemo treatment and I actually thought all the veins in my head were going to burst (terrible pressure)-- they went into action right away and injected histamines to counter-act it --- my husband said I was all red in the face and I couldn't even talk.
    So this is why I am nervous...
  • daiseygurl_2712
    Yes I understand that it can be serious and have serious side effects. But I'm still not sure about it. It has not been around that long and peole have only been receiving the vaccine for a short time. Until I see proof that it is 100% safe my family will not be receiving it. I have never gotten a flu vaccine and unless it is extremley necissary I probably never will. I just can't allow this to be put into my childs or my own if I'm not sure about it. For example if someone asked you to pick chewing gum off the ground and eat it would you ? Even after them telling you it's the same gum you spit out. I wouldn't even though someone is telling me it's mine you can't be sure that it is or it's even safe due to germs and dirt. I know my example isn't a very good one but I think I've made my point. Thank you
  • kristie87
    I am a 22 year old pregnant woman I received the h1n1 vaccine today the dead virus of course it made me feel a bit sleepy gave me a sore throat and a headache for maybe an hour or two but its been 6 hours now since i received it and i now feel normal I'm a bit worried because I've never had any kind of flu shot in my life same goes for my husband and he was given the live virus he is having all the side effects i had plus muscle aches Do you think it is still possible for me to catch the live virus from him even though i had my shot? The shot doesn't fully protect for about a week.
  • sue
    No offense, but the vaccine couldn't give you a sore throat within a matter of hours nor could it make you sleepy. People think every single thing that happens to them the minute after they get the vaccine is caused by the vaccine!
  • brandy
    My daughter is 16 months old and may potentially have asthma. Her doctors say if she were to contract the flu it could be very hard on her or cause death (because it effects the respiratory system). I am worried about side effects, but every health care provider I have called says the effects are like the regular flu vaccine. The hype about Guillain-Barre Syndrome is related to the 1970's version. No cases of this have occured with the new version. So I will get my daughter the vaccine.
  • Francisco Banuelos
    I am a bit scared because there are risks that are not being shared. My 5-year-olds best friend got it on Friday, 10-23-2009. On Monday he felt sick and went home from school. Tuesday morning (4am), his parents rushed him to the hospital. Currently, our local hospital couldn't find the reason for his siezure, some loss of vision, and leg weakness (he can't walk, but has some reflexes). He was transported to Children's hospital last night and had more siezures, spent last night in the ICU. As of now the siezures are gone and he is out of the ICU. I have spent most of my morning researching online trying to find possible causes for this, but the H1N1 vaccine does have risks that closely resemble what this child is facing. Please note: This is TRUE and my email is provided for any questions or professional medical suggestions that maybe helpful. I, personaly do not intend to give my kids the vaccine. I first thought that I was, but after seeing what is happening with this poor boy, I will not.
  • Spencer
    I am 34 years old and got the seasonal influenza shot three years ago, and for the first time (and last). I was healthy when I took the shot, and that winter I was sick more often with the flu MORE that I had ever been in my life.

    Mabye check out how many people die from seasonal influenza each year..... appx 35,000 a year in the US.

    So, I took a shot that was innefective, and now they tell me I need to take a shot that may be innefctive and has NOT been tested?

    Damned if I do and Damned if I dont.
  • Sven
    I think people really need to do there homework, go to this website, (vactruth.com). Read about it. It's made up of ingredients found in spermocides, cleaners etc. It also has cancer cells in it, and is known to cause Leukemia. This is not just in the H1N1 vaccine, this is also in the seasonal vaccine. Which has been proven to be inaffective.
    Read about it before you act!!!!
  • Steve
    My family and I will not be getting it. Mostly for the same reasons as others here - it has not been tested enough. My wife is 7 months pregnant, and she doesn't want unknown substances being injected into her or the baby. You make the statement "You would have to be living in a cave to realize that fear about the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is being propagated by the press and various blogs and websites. " I beg to differ. I would say "You would have to be living in a cave to realize that fear about H1N1 is being propagated by the press, the medical community, and those who stand to benefit monetarily from the sale and administering of the vaccine. " Bird flue was supposed to kill us all. It didn't. SARS was supposed to kill us all. It didn't. It's a plain fact that the seasonal flue is far more dangerous to everyone as a whole, than H1N1 ever will be. In fact, your chances of dying from H1N1 are approximately 8 million to 1, based on the number of people reported to have contracted it vs. the number of people who've died from it. Simply stated, it's not as bad as we're being told it is.
  • Steve
    My family and I will not be getting it. Mostly for the same reasons as others here - it has not been tested enough. My wife is 7 months pregnant, and she doesn't want unknown substances being injected into her or the baby. You make the statement "You would have to be living in a cave to realize that fear about the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is being propagated by the press and various blogs and websites. " I beg to differ. I would say "You would have to be living in a cave to realize that fear about H1N1 is being propagated by the press, the medical community, and those who stand to benefit monetarily from the sale and administering of the vaccine. " Bird flue was supposed to kill us all. It didn't. SARS was supposed to kill us all. It didn't. It's a plain fact that the seasonal flue is far more dangerous to everyone as a whole, than H1N1 ever will be. In fact, your chances of dying from H1N1 are approximately 8 million to 1, based on the number of people reported to have contracted it vs. the number of people who've died from it. Simply stated, it's not as bad as we're being told it is.
  • lori
    my two year old daughter received the nasal vaccine the other day and now she is sicker than a dog. i regret with all of my heart getting this done for her.
  • staceyu
    I agree with you. I am a pediatriuc nurse. have received my vaccine, and all three of my children, ages 8 months to 10 years old, have received theirs. Prevention is the key. To think the government is poisoning us is absolutely ridiculous. If the average person saw the amount of sick children in thr hospital that I have seen in the past two weeks, they would realize this virus is everywhere.--- rich, poor, black, white. People need to stop being so naive and selfish and start putting the health of their children first.
  • Jeanne
    I did get the vaccine on Tuesday. So did my sister, neighbor and son. Three of us got the shot and one of us got the Flumist. No side effects from any of us. We are in Florida and the vaccine was really easy to get in our area. No waiting at all.
  • giari3
    Hello, my 3 children ages 8, 12 & 17 received the H1N1 vaccine on Tuesday, 10-27-09. The nurse said that the vaccine was better than the nasal mist. I should of asked her why, but I didn't. I just trusted that she knows best. My 8 year old had a fever and vomiting the next day. It lasted only that one day. My 12 and 17th year old both woke up sick five days later on Sunday morning. Both had fever and vomiting. I hope that this also only last one day. Some of my friends do not want to their children to take this vaccine because they say that we really do not know that much about it. I am now wondering if these are side effects from the vaccine. All 3 kids including myself had the flu shot and one of my kids got the influenza nasal mist. None of us had any probems with that. This was about a month ago. We have Kaiser and they said priorty now is pregnant woman and children ages 6 months to 17 years old. In a few weeks they will have it available for the adults.
  • Hillary
    My daughter received her H1N1 Vaccine Today.It has been about 3 hours since she got.And she is doing fine.She has recieved her regular flu shot as well.And as soon as i can get it i will.I have not recieved my seasonal one but her dad has.He also has not recieved the H1N1 either.
  • Jenny
    The 3 of us, ages 37, 10 & 4 received the H1N1 vaccine on Oct. 29 and started with a runny nose and sore throat on 11/2. The younger 2 have asthma and have had to use albuterol treatments. The older 2 of us have had temperatures. There are 3 others of us in the house ages 36, 7, & 1 who did not get the vaccine and are not ill. Is the reason why we are sick a result of the vaccine? The CDC never did tell us how to report any side effects after the vaccine. Is anyone else getting sick?
  • Jenny
    The 3 of us, ages 37, 10 & 4 received the H1N1 vaccine on Oct. 29 and started with a runny nose and sore throat on 11/2. The younger 2 have asthma and have had to use albuterol treatments. The older 2 of us have had temperatures. There are 3 others of us in the house ages 36, 7, & 1 who did not get the vaccine and are not ill. Is the reason why we are sick a result of the vaccine? The CDC never did tell us how to report any side effects after the vaccine. Is anyone else getting sick?
  • There are known side effects of both inactivated and infectious influenza vaccines, including fever, muscle aches, arm soreness. These are not considered serious and do not need to be reported. More serious events that occur in conjunction with immunization (such as seizure, not necessarily caused by the vaccine) should be reported to the organization who provided the vaccine.
  • Penny
    I got really sick too 4 days later. Fever, sore throat, and sore muscles everywhere. Had to take a week off work. I was just trying to do the responsible thing and ended up missing a week's work because we are not allowed to go to work with a fever.
  • Fred
    I believe the CDC would like all side effects reported so they can evaluate the information. You can report and do searches here. Citizens can make their own reports if health care providers are unwilling.

    http://vaers.hhs.gov/index
  • samantha lang
    Iam wooried about getting it my 3 year old son is always sick he contantly washes his hands but still comes down with everything that he exposed to. When i asked my doctor if he should have the vaccine i was told that they did not know and are not commenting on that at the present time. My son last week came down with a chest infection and a sinous infection and not even a week later gets a double ear infection and a throat infection. I want to do what is best for him but i am worried that if he gets the vaccine with how sick he gets from everything else will this help him or hurt him. No one has been able to answer this question. I even wanted to know if they could screen him to be sure that he would be ok from the vaccine they told me they don't do it and that it is a game of russian rollette no matter what I ask no one can garentee that my son will not get really sick after having this shot. All I want to do is protect my son so that he will live a long life and know one seems to beable to help.
  • Janine
    What, if any, is the benefit to the immune system against future influenzas or mutated versions of the H1N1 influenza if one actually has been infected versus having received the vaccine?
  • Question Answerer
    Assuming the vaccine is specific for exactly the same virus as that causing the real infection, then NONE is the answer.
  • That's a great question. Natural infection probably provides more protection against unrelated strains; infection is not prevented, but the symptoms are less severe. Similar effects might be conferred by the infectious vaccine (Flumist) but not the inactivated vaccine.
  • concerened parent
    Hello I just have a question really my daughter is 2 in a half and was out visiting at her god mothers house and it is to be said that her daughter had the H1N1 and was put in the hosptial for a couple days.....but I need to know if my daughter was already exspoded to the virus and didnt get anything should I or could I still have her vaccineded you can send me a response to dolphinqueen1433@hotmail.com with the answer I hope to here from you soon.....concerned parent
  • Symptoms usually develop within 1-2 days of exposure. If there are
    none in that time period vaccination would be a good idea.
  • Kevan
    I won't go near influenza vaccines for the reasons listed by "Name" before me. And simply put, I've had much more success fighting off illness through a healthy life style. I've seen the flu spread throughout my family year after year and it's been over half a decade since I personally had any notable infection.

    Also, if H1N1 is such a serious threat and almost no one is getting the vaccine... why is it there have been only [roughly] 6, 700 related deaths worldwide due to H1N1 infection as opposed to 250, 000 to 500, 000 annual deaths due to seasonal flu infection.

    ALSO lets not forget that those who are at the most severe risk - the elderly and pregnant women, the latter of which I probably wouldn't even recommend getting vaccinated due to the more prominent threat the content of the vaccine itself poses to the developing child due to the 100% guarantee the child will come into contact with the contents, where H1N1 is not guaranteed to come into contact with the mother or her baby.
  • no name
    As a healthy 30 something, I don't really want to get it but for the sake of herd immunity I will. My mom had polio and people that don't vaccinate, without good reason, annoy me. However, as for my 2 children in the 0-5 year old age group, in Ontario, I am concerned with the product that they are offering us. Maybe if they had single dose vials. My doctor isn't comfortable with it quite yet either. I think Canada made a mistake with the adjuvenated vaccine as so many people are skeptical re safety issues, then again so many others are waiting in line for ten hours.
  • Jennifer
    My husband, my three sons (ages 8, 5, and 3) and myself received 2009-10 seasonal vaccine (IM injection) in early October. We then received the novel H1N1 vaccine, also by IM injection, 2 November. The vaccine was drawn from a multidose container using aseptic technique; the preservative was listed as thimerosal.

    All of us fall into the priority group, and my husband and myself meet multiple priority group requirements (direct contact with high-risk groups and a history of moderate to severe asthma).
    None of us experienced any side effects beyond the usual post-IM injection pain (modified by giving each patient appropriate doses of ibuprofen one hour before the injection and then q6h x2 days after the injection).

    I had (and continue to have) no qualms regarding the thimerosal preservative or the "untested" nature of the vaccine (a popular reason given by otherwise intelligent and well-educated parents and staff in my sons' elementary school, when I proposed holding an H1N1 vaccine clinic).

    It worries me terribly that, at least in my middle-to-upper class neighbourhood, very few priority patients are making any effort to find H1N1 vaccination clinics and some of the parents of paediatric priority patients are actively declining both the seasonal vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine. Some parents have commented that since other children are vaccinated, their child is protected de facto; despite my best efforts, these parents do not seem able or willing to understand the concept of herd health.

    I believe, unfortunately, that it will take the hospitalisation or death of an otherwise healthy child (e.g., one with no underlying health problems diagnosed pre- or post-mortem) before these recalcitrant parents will vaccinate their children, and even then, I am not sure that denial (this couldn't happen to me, that parent must have done something wrong) will not still keep these parents beholden to the various myths floating around regarding the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines as well as other vaccines.

    Just as a side note, I have heard anecdotal reports of the H1N1 injectable vaccine being more painful than usual. I did not pre- or post-medicate my own self with ibuprofen for either vaccine and if anything, the H1N1 was less painful than the seasonal vaccine. Please note that this is my subjective experience and I do not know what gauge needle was used for the seasonal vaccine; for the H1N1 vaccine was administered via a 25 x 1 1/4" bevelled needle.
  • A mom
    Dr. Racaniello,

    Would you vaccinate your 8 year old (healthy) child if they were going to get the Canadian vaccine-Arenpanrix??

    Thanks
    Another confused parent.
  • Yes, I would immunize my children with Arepanrix if that what was
    available here in the US. What is your concern about that vaccine?
  • A mom
    My concern is regarding the Adjuvant and lack of testing in children. I have had my concerns due to information given to me by those I know in the health field ( one a nurse in Cardio and other professionals) I am very happy to have found your blog- it is great to get information from a "proper" source !
    Thanks
    A mom
  • andy
    I have been following this Blog and am also thrilled to have found it. I am also concerned with the adjuvenant. I also have had many, many discussions with various M.D. friends and other health care professionals and I must say they are as confused as anyone. If not confused, certainly not uniform on their choices for their children. It is simply the lack of scientific studies (or are there some out there from European countries?) in children regarding this. Then they throw in the thimerosal to make people more scared which concerns me less than the possible long term effects of squalene. No, I am not blaming GWsyndrome on it but it is immunogenic and the lack of safety studies doesn't sit right with me. I routinely vaccinate my children and like to be as evidence based as I can when making these decisions and there lies my problem. I think that both of my kids have had a good case of it anyhow, but may consider the non adjuvenated single dose version if available.
  • I fully understand that many have concerns about AS03; I am not trying
    to minimize them but present my explanation of what is known. AS03,
    made by GSK, contains squalene, DL-alpha-tocopherol (a vitamin E
    derivative) and tween 80. A very similar adjuvant made by Novartis is
    MF59, which contains squalene, tween 80, and the surfactant sorbitan
    trioleate. While AS03 has not been extensively tested, MF59 has been
    used in influenza vaccines in Europe for many years without serious
    consequences. There are over 30 peer-reviewed publications describing
    the use of MF59 in vaccines. This may mitigate everyone's concerns
    about squalene. Would it be useful to write a post summarizing our
    experience with both adjuvants?
  • andy
    Yes I think that would be very, very helpful to your northern neighbours. I am going to steer my medical doctor(and my non-vaccinating friends in the health care professions) to your site as she has concerns that I think would be answered with a post like you mentioned. The information re MF59 makes me feel much better about the adjuvant. (So did a previous response where you discussed that the non-adjuvenated vaccine produces as good of an immune response as the adjuvenated.) Thank-you for taking the time.
  • A mom
    My 8 year old child had the Arenpanrix vaccination yesterday. It was a half dose. Canadian guidelines are not confirmed as to whether her age group will need another half dose in 21 days.
    We are to wait and see.
    There was noticeable pain at the injection site, but so far that was the only discomfort.
    How long would it usually take to gather the information on whether the immune response to protect from H1N1 virus is effective with just a half dose in younger children??
    There seems to be differing opinions ( of course!) between the national and provincial health officials if a half dose will give the needed protection.

    A mom
  • See my recent post re Novartis vaccine. Half dose seems to be
    protective. At worst it will lead to infection but milder disease.
  • A mom
    Just wondering about reactions to the H1N1 vaccine. My daughter had the vaccine over 2 wks ago -sore arm as expected but no other side effects . I received it the following week with just mild sensation at the injection site.
    My husband was able to get the vaccine a few days ago. He went with 2 other work mates and by the next day all of them felt as if they had "the flu"....no fever but all the other classic symptoms.
    Are symptoms from the vaccine any indication about a persons immune response?
    Is there any medical evidence to back up suggestions that people that feel like they have "the flu" after a vaccination are better protected against-in this case- H1N1 virus?
    I am more inclined to think it was perhaps the batch of vaccine as they were all vaccinated at the same time or some other effect.


    A mom
  • Amanda Grifka
    I'm on the fence and scared as hell about my choices! First off the reason I don't want to jump at the chance of vaccinations is that Ive seen too many photographs of cases of people suffering from a rush job on vaccines example polio and the swine flu of the 70's! ANd the arguement would be now that medical information has progressed so much from then till now , but the fact is if this was an old disease and a cure worked on for a few decades I would take it , but it's not. I don't want my childrens mutated bodies in some future text books illustrating how the first vaccines for the H1N1 Virus had serious side effects!
  • Of course you have a choice whether to immunize against influenza or
    not; it's not required. I try to post information here that can help
    everyone make decisions, based on the idea that by understanding the
    underlying science you can make a better choice. We do try to learn
    from past vaccine mistakes, but errors will always happen. My advice
    is always to balance the risk of influenza with the risk of side
    effects. The inactivated influenza vaccine has been produced for a
    very long time and it has an excellent safety record. On the other
    hand, half a million people die each year of flu and more might die
    this year.
  • Stacey
    Our seven year old son has had classic signs of H1N1 virus this past week but was not lab confirmed. None of us have been vaxxed yet. The only exception was our 10 month old who received Prevnar the day before our son got sick. Baby had a low grade fever and fussiness which cleared in 3 days without any other obvious symptoms. The balance of the family have had flu like symptoms but not had the raging fever, mainly the headache and stomachache. Doc suggests we all receieve the vaccine this week. My question is: if our son did have H1N1, what are the chances based on above the rest of us are now naturally immune not requiring the vaccine and if we do now go and get it, could it be harmful or an overload to our immune systems? And, what do you think about the Homeopathic remedies out there for treatment of the virus. Do you have any experience with them?
  • Sue
    It's highly unlikely you had H1N1 if you only had a headache and stomachache but no respiratory symptoms. Sounds more like viral gastroenteritis. In the absence of a positive H1N1 diagnosis (confirmed either by a lab test or rapid nasal swab test) you should not assume you had H1N1. The CDC recommends that people get the vaccine if they experienced some type of illness but did not have a proven case of H1N1. It will not harm you to have it even if you did have H1N1, which seems unlikely based on your symptoms.


    There is no scientific evidence that homeopathy works as anything but a placebo. There is no harm in trying it for minor ailments if one is so inclined but it would be extremely unwise to rely on it to protect you from a potentially life-threatening illness.
  • donna savage
    i am getting it at a state clinic on Friday.
    15 year old daughter got it last week
  • Me
    Had the vaccine two weeks ago (I have asthma and a heart problem) and had no reaction other than a sore and bruised arm because the nurse jabbed the needle into my arm with all the vigor of a spear fisherman. My college-aged son (has asthma and other health issues) had a nurse with a lighter hand and had no reaction at all, other than relief that I would finally quit bugging him to stay out of crowds and use hand sanitizer at 5 minute intervals. My husband works in an office where people insist on coming to work sick even though there was a confirmed case of H1N1 that started the chain of illnesses. He has had to resort to wearing a mask at his desk to protect himself from these people. He gets teased relentlessly but so far he has remained well while the others have fallen. He would love to get the vaccine but he is at the bottom of the priority groups and it may be a month or more before it arrives in our area. It'll be a miracle if he escapes it because of the thoughtless people he works with, but we can always hope.
  • Guest
    I received the swine-origin H1N1 shot a month ago with absolutely no ill effects. Two weeks ago, my healthy 23 year old daughter received the nasal spray for this vaccine and had a bit of a headache, sneezing, and a mild sore throat for about 3 days. The sore throat on day 4 progressed to a very swollen throat and a low-grade temperature. One week after the vaccine, she was given both a strep culture and a mononucleosis blood test, both of which came back negative. Two weeks later, her temperature is normal, she feels a bit better, but her throat still feels a little swollen. In all of this time, only the nurse at her doctor's office has seen her and not her doctor, and since her tests were negative, she was merely told to take Tylenol and rest. Two weeks later, I am wondering if her symptoms have been caused by the nasal spray vaccine, especially since it contains a live virus. I am encouraging her to be seen by her doctor on Monday (today is Saturday). I don't ignore coincidences, and it seems suspicious to me. Has anyone else had similar reactions to the swine-origin H1N1 nasal spray vaccine? Would you be inclined to suspect the vaccine in this case Prof. Racianello? I know you are not a medical doctor, but rather a virologist and scientific researcher, but your opinion would interest me.
  • Marge
    Follow-up to above post on nasal spray vaccine:
    Well, finally, after two weeks, my 23-yr old daughter, who received the swine-origin H1N1 nasal spray vaccine and consequently had a bit of a headache and tonsillitis, is perfectly well again.
    Perhaps the vaccine had something to do with her tonsillitis, but more likely I suppose, she coincidently had another virus lurking around which decided to confuse us by striking at that time!
    I have not read of any similar reactions, so I'll have to put it down to coincidence.
    Still think we'll choose the injection next time if available.
  • bewilderedmilitarywife
    Well my husband got the shot today he is military so it was an order. He is now home sick in bed and has thrown up violently for the past 3 to 4 hours every half hour or so. Any answers?
  • A mom
    Dr. Racaniello,

    Did you have the H1N1 vaccination?
    If not, are you planning to? There doesn't seem to be much talk about this virus in the media anymore. What are your thoughts about another wave of this virus "hitting' the United States and Canada in the coming months???
blog comments powered by Disqus