Susan Hyde is a university American literature and composition instructor, freelance writer, wife to Steve and mom to two wonderful boys. She has published stories for Pregnancy Magazine, The American Chesapeake Bulletin, iparenting.com, The Bad Mother Chronicles, Suite101.com, MainePets.com and Raising Maine Magazine. Her homeschooled boys, Aaron and Robby, inspire her daily to be a better teacher and learner. @EducatingMama
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Vaccination Irony
Oct 25, 2009 09:46 AM
Categories: Miscellaneous Town: Harpswell
On the heels of the President declaring H1N1 a National Emergency, I received a letter from the local Superintendent that H1N1 vaccinations will be provided to kids at our local elementary school sometime between November 2, 2009 and February 14, 2010.
Earlier this school year, the district had plans of a vaccination clinic for regular, seasonal flu that was canceled -- presumably because there wasn't enough of that vaccination to go around.
I'd love to know what individual or individuals were in charge of getting these vaccinations ready for the general public. From news accounts -- if we can trust them (is it me, or does all coverage of this topic seem to be sensationalized?) -- it's an extreme shortage. Doesn't February seem a bit late to receive help for a pending "National Emergency" that the WHO and our CDC have been aware of for more than a year?
I was happy to find out that the vaccination that will be given is the mist form. Somehow that feels better than injecting kids with a brand-spanking-new vaccination... but, honestly, I'm still not sure that it's necessary. Thankfully kids are healthy and not in any of the high-risk categories.
As I mentioned before, my great grandmother died during the Influenza Pandemic of 1918. She was a young, healthy middle class woman with two children (one being my grandmother) under the age of four. By all accounts that flu was incredibly fast and virulent, settling into the lungs almost immediately. That, too, was a "swine" flu... but since the swine designation has to do with the fact that the virus can hit pigs as well as humans rather than the actual strain of the virus, I'm not sure that history is the best way to judge danger of this modern pandemic or not.
What is going on in other Maine school districts? If your school offers the vaccination, will you allow your kids to get it? Does it make a difference to you whether the vaccination is a "flu-mist" or a shot?
Earlier this school year, the district had plans of a vaccination clinic for regular, seasonal flu that was canceled -- presumably because there wasn't enough of that vaccination to go around.
I'd love to know what individual or individuals were in charge of getting these vaccinations ready for the general public. From news accounts -- if we can trust them (is it me, or does all coverage of this topic seem to be sensationalized?) -- it's an extreme shortage. Doesn't February seem a bit late to receive help for a pending "National Emergency" that the WHO and our CDC have been aware of for more than a year?
I was happy to find out that the vaccination that will be given is the mist form. Somehow that feels better than injecting kids with a brand-spanking-new vaccination... but, honestly, I'm still not sure that it's necessary. Thankfully kids are healthy and not in any of the high-risk categories.
As I mentioned before, my great grandmother died during the Influenza Pandemic of 1918. She was a young, healthy middle class woman with two children (one being my grandmother) under the age of four. By all accounts that flu was incredibly fast and virulent, settling into the lungs almost immediately. That, too, was a "swine" flu... but since the swine designation has to do with the fact that the virus can hit pigs as well as humans rather than the actual strain of the virus, I'm not sure that history is the best way to judge danger of this modern pandemic or not.
What is going on in other Maine school districts? If your school offers the vaccination, will you allow your kids to get it? Does it make a difference to you whether the vaccination is a "flu-mist" or a shot?
INeedaMinute says,
My daughter falls in the category of bottom of the list and she's four. It's due to her not being five and in K plus she's in a private PreK and they don't offer vaccines of any kind nor will they. I do have her getting the flu mist (I like the idea of the myst as well for the same reasons and am sure H. would prefer it) but I can't find a pediatric office who even has a list going for H1N1 vaccine for a four year old. I am becoming worried!!! It's crazy. H. goes in Mon for her regular flu mist -- Do you know of any solution for my dilemma. I actually prefer mist to shot because I would rather not stick a needle in my kid if not necessary. I am told the effectiveness is the same as the shot.
Oct 25, 2009 10:19 AM
melanieannie says,
Sam got his seasonal flu shot at school a few weeks ago. Belle couldn't get it because she was running a temp that day. They are both signed up to get H1N1 at school as well. I would rather they have mist, but it has not been available where we go. With both Josh and I working with high risk individuals and Sam having asthma, we always try to get our shots as early as possible. We got letters from our pediatrician to take the shots at school if we could because they did not have enough vaccine in their offices. So we are just hoping that we do not catch anything. My sister-in-law actually is just getting over H1N1. She lives in California and was offically diagnosed with the virus. She came through it fine, but it is still scary.
Oct 25, 2009 01:54 PM
GeriNurse says,
This is a VERY tough thing to figure out Susan. I would like to think keeping kids healthy and keeping immune systems boosted will be enough. I am opting not to have the vaccine nor my kids....1/3 of all seasonal flu vacs will do no good, as in its the wrong strain.
I dare say the h1n1 virus is less virulent here in Maine then down south, but that is truly a guess and intuition on my part.....
I am eating garlic, feeding the kids garlic and other immune boosting foods, providing plenty of Vit C an doing a lavender spritzer to help cleanse the air....
Since I am choosing not to have the vac and I am a health care worker I am required to wear a mask to work for the entire flu season. This practice is being inforced in my work place.
Oct 25, 2009 02:10 PM
MomsForJoy says,
Geri are you talking about the regular flu vaccine or the H1N1? I am in a quandry as well. My children have only had the flu shot once because the previous year they were all quite sick. I have never gotten one for myself. Two times I tried to get all of us the flu shot at the local clinic and both times they ran out. A sign??? I don't like all of the hype and the sensationalism. I too am counting on healthy immune systems being boosted with garlic, Vit. C, strict bedtimes and fresh air.
Oct 25, 2009 03:20 PM
GeriNurse says,
1/3 of the seasonal flu vacs won't do any good because its basically a crap shoot on the correct virus. There are several different strains. As far as H1n1 I just do not trust we know enough about it to have a good handle on an appropriate vaccine.
(Often times the preservative in vaccines is a big factor in why folks do not want an immunization)
I will state, I am not at all poo-pooing concern about the seasonal flu and/or H1N1.
I do feel there is a bit too much drama and sensationalism going on, the media creates a frenzy.
Every one hundred years or so...give or take a few years...mother nature has a way of coming around and doing things like ramping up the amount of viruses and bacteria. The last big pandemic was....about one hundred years ago give or take a few years...not to sound inhumane, its population control.
Boost your immune system. Wash your hands and then wash your hands AGAIN! Tell your kids to cover coughs and sneezes and have them wash their hands every time they blow there little noses. Be careful when kids are sick, fevers, keep them out of school so as not to pass it around. etc. Be vigilant, but live your life.
Oct 25, 2009 06:03 PM
EventerMom says,
My sister (who lives in VT) has a HS daughter. School was closed last Thursday & Friday because 166 out of 700 students were out with H1N1. It seems almost ridiculous to get it in Feb when flu season is near the end.
Oct 25, 2009 02:51 PM
SBHFreelance says,
My sister subs in Northern Virginia, and she says that recent absenteeism is near 20%... but they are only doing the swabs for H1N1 on high risk kids. That being said, she knows of a few kids in her neighborhood who tested positive... I sort of think we're a day late and a gazillion vaccinations short if this is as bad of a problem as our media makes it out to be. Ah well... I think I'll take GeriNurse's advice, wash my hands and go on with my life.
Oct 26, 2009 09:59 PM
LUV2LOSE says,
Is it possible that all these vaccinations will have a detrimental effect on our collective future health? I think there is something to be said for a body fighting germs to build a stronger immunity. I can't help be skeptical that all this fuss about the flu is more for making drug companies rich than anything else.
Oct 25, 2009 08:16 PM
Ann Murray says,
I know this is a big quandry--it's the topic at every drop off and pick up at school. I don't know what to do.....:(
Oct 25, 2009 10:32 PM
KathyEliscu says,
Well - in general, I'm a proponent of flu shots - voluntary, of course - and it sounds like there will be H1N1 vaccine for high risk groups pretty soon - pregnant women, children, young adults, and so on. There is a difference between the mist and the vaccine, and it alters who can get which one. The problem with not getting vaccine (Jackie's question about immune system fighting it off itself) is that tens of thousands of Americans die of the flu each year - I am not making this up - and that is not to say that everyone who gets flu will die - of course not - but it's smart to read the scientific literature, talk with a doc you trust, and make an informed decision. THE FOLLOWING IS NOT SCIENTIFIC, THAT I KNOW OF: I received an email from my daughter that advised people to gargle with warm salt water daily (1 or 2 times, can't remember) and once a day, blow your nose, then swab the nostrils a little with salt water, and to keep your hands OFF THE FACE! How often do we put fingers in or around eyes, nose, mouth, without even thinking? So, while I wait to see if I will be eligible for an H1N1 vaccine, I'm doing this other stuff. Anyone out there know of other home preventive things that may be an adjunct to vaccine?
Oct 26, 2009 12:47 AM
Girl Talk says,
Unfortunately our school postponed their clinic as well, which would have been held last week. My kids are now scheduled to see their Ped later this week to receive the mist... I didn't want to wait until mid-November - I was told that if you're choosing to be vaccinated, the earlier the better. We've all received the flu vaccine for the last few years and they have been the healthiest winters so far.
Oct 26, 2009 09:18 AM
1kid5cats says,
Our school also postponed the seasonal flu and H1N1 shots to November 10, but I signed up my daughter anyways, hoping it will be enough. I would like to get the shots and don't even think there would be any vaccine available for a regular, healthy adult like me...
Oct 26, 2009 01:08 PM
littlefields says,
The H1N1 vaccine that is a mist is the live form of the virus. It is not usually given to people who are at high risk-as there is more of a chance of developing illness from it. The shot is the killed virus-but it is preserved with thimersol (aka: mercury). If you want a thimersol free shot you have to specifically request it. I see people who have had the swine flu and most of them said it was not what they expected-started with a sore throat, then cough, runny nose and high fever. A healthy person or child with a strong immune system should be able to combat most flu viruses. Check on the CDC's website-so far they list almost 1600 adverse side effects from the vaccine-600 of those were considered severe.
Nov 12, 2009 10:17 PM
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