The H1N1 flu has arrived and Internet rumors about the flu and vaccine have also gone viral. After I wrote a blog on why I am giving my kids the H1N1 pandemic vaccine 2 weeks ago, I was shocked at the television clips that were sent to me by my friends from “experts” on why the vaccine was not safe. Bill Maher even told pregnant women, who perhaps are the most high risk group, not to get the vaccine. There was a lot of VERY wrong information so I am here to set the record straight. Please visit my previous blogs on the H1N1 vaccine but here is some glaring misinformation that is being reported.
You can catch the flu from the flu shot?
Fear: You cannot catch the flu from the vaccine, especially an injection, as it is a killed virus. The flu mist is a live attenuated virus that may cause cold like symptoms for a few days. It can also shed flu viral particles so the mist is only for healthy people ages 2-49. Asthmatics that are at high risk for H1N1 must have the injection vaccine.
The H1N1 vaccine has high levels of adjuvants/poisons?
No, neither the swine flu vaccine nor seasonal flu vaccines in this country contain immune-boosting agents called adjuvants. The government ordered adjuvants in case the new H1N1 vaccine did not produce a high enough immune response. Actually, tests showed the immune response was much better than expected, so the adjuvants are not used. This is the number one fallacy that I have seen spread on the Internet.
Some have concerns about a preservative called thimerosil (a form of mercury) that has been linked in the popular press to autism but not proven in medical research. If you still have concerns, the flu mist does NOT contain thimerosil and some of the injectable vaccines will also be thimerosil free.
H1N1 is a mild disease, so I don’t need the vaccine.
Fact for some, but I have some real fear: Yes, it is a mild disease for most, so some may choose not to get the vaccine, especially those born before 1957 as they may already have immunity from earlier flu. However, this flu is causing a higher proportion of death in the pediatric as well as pregnant population.
It is also unpredictable as to who will get most ill. About a third of the children who have died from the H1N1 virus had no underlying health conditions. Among hospitalized adults, recent CDC data show that more than 45 percent had no underlying health problems that would put them at an increased risk for complications from swine flu.
As of last week according to the CDC, 86 children under 18 have died from the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Eleven of those deaths were reported just last week. In speaking with my colleagues, a month ago they were not concerned about the severity of H1N1 and some were not recommending the vaccine as they had only heard a lot of the internet rumors too. However, they have told me the last 2-3 weeks have been the worst that their practice has ever seen and are strongly recommending vaccination. One practice sent 4 children to the hospital in just a few days.
You can catch H1N1 or the swine from eating pork?
Even with the 4 Minnesota pigs that have H1N1 or swine flu, you cannot catch swine flu from eating pork. It is a respiratory infection that they probably caught from infected caretakers. The virus is the lungs, not in the meat of the pig, therefore you cannot catch it by eating pork. The infected pigs were all show pigs that are kept separate from slaughter pigs. The only real concern about these pigs having the swine flu is that it increases the chance that the virus could mutate or change and become even more serious to humans. This has not happened, but having received the vaccine may protect you if it does change.
Will you vaccinate your family?
Without hesitation! Having sick kids even for a few days is stressful, especially when it goes through the family one by one. More importantly I don’t want to take a chance on serious illness and death even if the chance is small when I have a safe option to prevent it.
If my child already had the H1N1 pandemic then why should I get vaccinated?
So far, 2 of my 4 children have likely had the H1N1 but I will still vaccinate them. Why? Well neither had the RT-PCR test that is done in a special lab and takes about 3 days. They are reserving this testing for hospitalized and pregnant patients where the diagnosis may change the treatment.
Second, as my doctor told me Monday, there are about 10 viruses circulating that people are calling the “swine” flu but are other viruses that would not provide immunity to the pandemic H1N1.
Finally, neither had the influenza rapid test in the office. As of right now, 99% of the influenza A has been H1N1. Now that test is only 10-70% accurate, which means if the test is negative, you could still have H1N1. I could see how some with this positive test would choose not to vaccinate, as they should have immunity but the CDC is recommending vaccination as it should not be harmful and may increase immunity. In the future, as seasonal flu kicks in, a positive rapid influenza test will not necessarily mean H1N1 and that is most important reason why vaccination is recommended even with a positive test.
Flu is a drag and just when I thought my son could go back to school he came down with another temperature last night. My boys will tell you, this is not mild. I have been the germ Nazi with hand sanitizer and Lysol yet we have still been hit. Vaccination really is the best protection. I cannot wait to get everyone vaccinated and I hope that this blog will convince some of the 50% surveyed who said that they would not vaccinate to change their mind. Click here if you live in Ohio and want to pre-register to receive the vaccine.
I’ll keep you updated and stay well,
Dr. Deb