Comments on: Are you receiving the influenza 2009 H1N1 vaccine?

By: A mom

A mom — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:23:21 +0000

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???

By: bewilderedmilitarywife

bewilderedmilitarywife — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:20:12 +0000

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?

By: Marge

Marge — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:04:08 +0000

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.

By: Katrine

Katrine — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:08:05 +0000

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.

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:42:06 +0000

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

By: A mom

A mom — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:27:47 +0000

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

By: Penny

Penny — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:02:17 +0000

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.

By: profvrr

profvrr — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:29:40 +0000

See my recent post re Novartis vaccine. Half dose seems to be
protective. At worst it will lead to infection but milder disease.

By: Me

Me — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:58:11 +0000

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.

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:37:21 +0000

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.

By: sue

sue — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:12:19 +0000

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!

By: A mom

A mom — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:58:20 +0000

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

By: donna savage

donna savage — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:43:14 +0000

i am getting it at a state clinic on Friday.
15 year old daughter got it last week

By: Stacey

Stacey — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:14:08 +0000

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?

By: profvrr

profvrr — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:02:32 +0000

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.

By: Amanda Grifka

Amanda Grifka — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:55:19 +0000

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!

By: andy

andy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:04:18 +0000

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.

By: profvrr

profvrr — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:28:52 +0000

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?

By: andy

andy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:03:33 +0000

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.

By: A mom

A mom — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:52:30 +0000

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

By: bubbbles

bubbbles — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:41:36 +0000

besides what the fuk does this have to do with fuking tap water!!!!!!

YOU DUMB PIECE OF CRAPPY SHIT.

By: bubbbles

bubbbles — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:40:04 +0000

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.!!!!!!

By: profvrr

profvrr — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:23:32 +0000

Yes, I would immunize my children with Arepanrix if that what was
available here in the US. What is your concern about that vaccine?

By: A mom

A mom — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:19:24 +0000

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.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:44:42 +0000

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.

By: no name

no name — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:20:30 +0000

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.

By: Kevan

Kevan — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:15:43 +0000

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.

By: profvrr

profvrr — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:14:04 +0000

Symptoms usually develop within 1-2 days of exposure. If there are
none in that time period vaccination would be a good idea.

By: concerened parent

concerened parent — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:06:18 +0000

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

By: profvrr

profvrr — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:30:32 +0000

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.

By: profvrr

profvrr — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:28:26 +0000

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.

By: סקר גולשים: האם תתחסן נגד שפעת החזירים? | מגירה 2.0

סקר גולשים: האם תתחסן נגד שפעת החזירים? | מגירה 2.0 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:22:56 +0000

[...] הרשומה בהשראת הפוסט Are you receiving the influenza 2009 H1N1 vaccine? [...]

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:28:59 +0000

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.

By: Question Answerer

Question Answerer — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:53:29 +0000

Assuming the vaccine is specific for exactly the same virus as that causing the real infection, then NONE is the answer.

By: Janine

Janine — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:10:07 +0000

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?

By: samantha lang

samantha lang — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:29:10 +0000

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.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:27:57 +0000

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?

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:26:38 +0000

By: Hillary

Hillary — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:26:28 +0000

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.

By: giari3

giari3 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:57:48 +0000

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.

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:24:09 +0000

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.

By: staceyu

staceyu — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:19:09 +0000

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.

By: lori

lori — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:17:54 +0000

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.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:35:26 +0000

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.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:22:31 +0000

By: Sven

Sven — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:54:49 +0000

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!!!!

By: Spencer

Spencer — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:17:51 +0000

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.

By: mitochondria

mitochondria — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:09:53 +0000

Thank you Hayden!! I agree wholeheartedly

By: mitochondria

mitochondria — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:05:10 +0000

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.

By: Francisco Banuelos

Francisco Banuelos — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:02:00 +0000

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.