November 2, 2009

Deciding whether or not to get the H1N1 vaccine

Posted: 12:30 PM ET

By Rebecca Leibowitz
CNN Medical Intern

I had H1N1. It started with a cough, which quickly progressed to a headache, body aches and a 102-degree fever. A rapid flu test came back positive, confirming my diagnosis. Although this nasal swab test for H1N1 is not very reliable, so much so that it is no longer being used, I had all of the symptoms of the flu. H1N1 was pretty much the only strain circulating in late August, so chances are very high that I did indeed have it. I spent the next three days isolated in my apartment, pumping my body with vitamin C and chicken soup. Then I was fine. I felt great and I was no longer contagious; I could go to class, to the grocery store and to the gym without fear of infecting others. To my friends, I was finally “swine-free.”

My decision whether to be vaccinated against H1N1 has been made for me. Since I most likely already had H1N1, and therefore have built up immunity to the virus, I will not be getting a vaccination. However, millions of Americans are facing the decision of whether to vaccinate themselves and their children against the novel influenza A virus.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends the following high-priority groups get vaccinated: pregnant women; people who live with or provide care for infants younger than six months; health workers; people aged six months to 24 years old; and people 25-64 years old with certain pre-existing conditions.

So, when my mom told me that her doctor recommended she not get the H1N1 vaccine, I was confused. As a chronic Lyme disease sufferer (who is well under 64) and a social worker who works with very young children, my mom fits into one of the high-risk groups. Why, then, did her doctor advise her against getting it?

As I later discovered, there are several reasons why people are apprehensive about getting the H1N1 vaccination. My mom’s doctor told her that he did not see the evidence that the H1N1 inoculation protects one from getting the virus, a concern he also raised regarding the seasonal flu vaccine. This contradicts what the CDC has been saying for weeks. CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden recently told reporters that the vaccine should work very well because “it is an excellent match with the strains of the virus that are circulating.”

There is also widespread concern about the safety of the vaccine. During the 1976 swine flu epidemic in the United States, those who received the vaccine for that strand of swine flu were proven to have an elevated risk of contracting Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of its nervous system. The most common complications from Guillain-Barré syndrome are breathing-related, and patients are often placed on respirators. The majority of people who contract the disorder recover, but it can be fatal.

The CDC says that it expects the H1N1 inoculation to follow a similar safety profile as the seasonal influenza vaccine, which has not been associated with increased risk of Guillain-Barré. Officials also say that this new pandemic vaccine is much “purer” than the 1976 inoculation. The expected side effects from the 2009 H1N1 vaccine are similar to those from the regular flu shot, including soreness or swelling at the point of injection, low-grade fever and body aches. The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration will be closely monitoring the safety of the immunization. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System exists so that health care providers can report vaccine concerns directly.

And then there are those who think natural immunity is better and safer than any vaccine and are suggesting “swine flu parties” are the way to go – get yourself infected with H1N1 and your body will build up immunity. Most doctors and the CDC strongly advise against this method of protection.

What factors have influenced your decision whether or not to get the H1N1 vaccine? What advice has your doctor given you? Have you come to a decision whether to vaccinate you or your children?

Posted by: Rebecca Leibowitz - CNN Medical Intern
Filed under: H1N1 Flu • H1N1 Flu Vaccine • Health • Vaccinations

Share this on:

del.icio.us

Share post | 12 Comments |

Add a comment | Permalink

Annie Brock

November 3rd, 2009 10:17 pm ET

If I had to, I would pay to get the vaccine for my family. I have begged the Health Officer in my county to let my daughter get it this week at our first public community H1N1 clinic, but since she is 19 she is above the age limit of 18 set for this clinic. Ironically, if she was pregnant she could receive the vaccine this week. She's not – instead, she has Crohn’s Disease, for which she takes handfuls of pills daily and a biweekly (though soon to be weekly) injection of Humira, is a student at the local community college where she is exposed to those coughing around her in class five days/week and volunteers with middle-school girls at our church. She weighs only 102 lbs and there is no margin for error in managing her health. I will be bringing my younger daughter (age 16) to the clinic and can’t conceive that I am not allowed to protect my child who is most vulnerable sooner rather than later.

Brittany

November 4th, 2009 1:05 am ET

The things that would influence my decision to get the H1N1 vaccine would be missing work, school, and my family. In today's economy no one can afford to miss a day of work let alone a week or two due to being sick for something that could have been prevented. Students pre-school on up should be vaccinated because one of the main places swine flu can be spread. Not getting my family sick is another reason for me to get the vaccine. I believe I will be taking my doctors advise and getting my H1N1 vaccine before it is to late.

Lynn Ward

November 7th, 2009 8:51 am ET

Regarding the H1N1 vaccine...I am a dialysis patient...am I considered an "at risk" patient who should receive the vaccine very soon?

November 7th, 2009 10:24 am ET

It's so nice to here someone else has my sentiments exactly. There is nothing, in my opinion, like natural immunity. It may even be better in the long haul than the vaccine as the vaccine is made against only some of the antigens. If this were a "meaner" virus, I'd take the vaccine and rec it for my child, but this is the flu not ebola! I'll risk it! I think the steps we are taking in preparedness training through this pandemic are very helpful for us to learn how to handle more virulent/pathogenic situations in the future. Thanks!

Mike

November 12th, 2009 7:56 am ET

I'm not getting it. I don't get the regular flu vaccine either. Several people I know who have gotten the vaccine became ill right away. I'd rather take my chances of not getting it (and yes, I stay home from work to not expose my co-workers if I am ill).

Wilfred Anderson, MD

November 14th, 2009 5:44 am ET

The girl who sneezes continuously may have an irritation to the under surface of her diaphragm, which would usually radiate to the shoulder, but variation could include the naso-pharynx. A gas bubble under her diaphragm would move off the diaphragm when she lies down to sleep and return when she stands up. A simple test is a large dose of Maalox, 45cc.

John

November 15th, 2009 10:45 am ET

I think it is foolhardy not to get the vaccine if you are in one ot the CDC's high risk groups. I have seen first hand what this virus can do to people. The risks of the flu shot are nothing compared to the complications of having a bad case.

Kim

November 17th, 2009 10:37 am ET

My question is has anyone who has taken the shot contracted the H1N1?That will sorta decide for me. Because they really rushed this shot out. Did they have time to really test this. Will there be any long term affects that they have not told the public.

Christopher

November 17th, 2009 2:05 pm ET

Do you think that people that have never had a flu shot and a person that never gets the flu should get the H1N1 vACCINE? And also how does America intend on stopping the spread of the swine when people that might have it dont have health insurance and refuse to go to the Hosipital...Isnt that making it easier to spread when those people dont get treated. I know three people that are really sick right now and might have the swine but refuse to go to the hospital b/c they can afford it. We need some sort of health care...it benifits everyone in the long run...whats more important than our health.

Oct

November 17th, 2009 9:06 pm ET

I wasn't going to get the vaccine but deceided to at dr's office based on his sugesstion to.
It's been 2 1/2 weeks and my shoulder is KILLING me not in the muscle area where injection was given. I can't even put my arm through my jacket without cringing in pain. My dr says ice it...really not sure what happened and why I am in agony now! Symptoms started within 24 hours and there is nothing that else that could of caused the intense pain...

HeartlandJen

November 18th, 2009 3:59 pm ET

Make sure you report it to your doctor and ask them to use the VAERS system to report your reaction.

shana

November 23rd, 2009 2:24 am ET

I am having the same shoulder issue as the previous poster but mine is joint and muscle. It has been five days since the shot.

Leave Your Comment

« Back to main

Previous article:
Ramping up global efforts to defeat childhood pneumonia

Next article:
Breast cancer scare an insurance nightmare

About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends -- info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.

Editor's Note

Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

@sanjayguptacnn: a remarkable college group, called bhangra empire, just performed at the WH. they weren't on the program -- but really terrific.

Updated: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:58:06 +0000

@sanjayguptacnn: http://twitpic.com/qu03d - the soundtrack from slumdog -- live at the WH.

Updated: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:42:09 +0000

@sanjayguptacnn: http://twitpic.com/qtws1 - the program for after dinner...

Updated: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:18:21 +0000

@sanjayguptacnn: http://twitpic.com/qseri - my wife is wearing this beautiful sari for the state dinner. she will look amazing!

Updated: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:50:23 +0000

@sanjayguptacnn: http://twitpic.com/qrr8r - a president and a prime minister going to the podium.

Updated: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:02:23 +0000