Just found out that my insurance will pay 100% for this vaccination. I'm undecided about it. Will you guys be getting one? If so, will you also get a regular flu shot?
Already got my regular flu shot and will get the H1N1 as soon as those at higher risk have been taken care of first (Pregnant Mothers, Children and Health Care Workers).
I'm still undecided about us getting the regular flu shot...last time we got it a couple years ago, my middle son (the one that gets sick most often) got the flu anyways. And he's the one I worry about the most because when he gets sick, he gets SICK. He's also the one that is terrified of needles, so it won't be easy getting him in there to get the shot...My oldest never gets sick, and neither do I (now watch us get it!) Even if we do, it's not bad. So we'll see. My 4 yo goes Thursday for his check-up, I might have him get the shot that day. No idea about H1N1, I was under the impression that it would be only for those that absolutely need it (like stated above) because there wouldn't be enough for everyone.
In a month or two there should be plenty of Flu vacine available for H1N1 and they will have an inhale-able version for those who do not like needles. I will not encourage you do get the shots, but I think you should consult your physician about these, in particular the H1N1 for your children.
As for the regular flu shot, it has been said that if a child gets the flu even though he or she has already had the flu shot, the flu symptoms are much milder than if they didn't get the shot. Children are considered high risk for the H1N1. Especially ones with asthma (my oldest has mild asthma), the ones with chronic medical problems and ones with lowered immune systems. Everyone in my house is getting the regular one this week and H1N1 when it becomes available for everyone. Better to be safe than sorry.
:iagree: The first year my daughter and I got our flu shots (2006?), we both caught the flu, but we didn't know we had it at first because the symptoms were so mild. However, I have to say it's the sickest I've ever been. I can only imagine what it'd been like without the shot. On that note, I'm undecided about H1N1 for myself. I will probably have my daughter get one, though.
From what I've read, the live virus in the flu mist is said to possibly be more effective than the shot because really no one has been exposed to this strain of flu before. With seasonal flu, adults usually are better off with the shot. As for the seasonal flu vaccine, we've already gotten ours with no big whoop. As soon as the H1N1 is available to us, we'll likely get that too. Of course, the highest priority is for our kid first with the H1N1. We have never had any adverse reactions to the shots and I feel they are reasonably safe. When I had pneumonia in '07, the hospital gave me a pneumonia vaccine too. Those are good for 5 years and also help protect against menigitis, which I know I didn't spell correctly.
I can't get ds in until the 28th for his flu shot, and they are not sure if they will get the H1N1 vaccines..
I was just told by my doctor's office that they will not be giving the H1N1. They told me to call the health dept.