Being a mother sometimes flat out sucks. It is by far the hardest job out there and all of the worrying and wondering is about to do me in. The latest? H1N1 and the vaccine.
Two months ago I was bound and determined my kids were getting the vaccine. No ifs, ands or buts about it. And then all the research {or lack there of} came out and I changed my mind. So for the past month, I have been of the mindset that no, my kids are not getting the vaccine. Too new, too risky, too scary.
And then I took Gentry to dance today and left feeling more confused and frustrated than ever. What in the world is a parent to do? What is the right decision? Or is there one? We are avoiding play places and things like that where germs run rampant on a normal basis, but we can’t live in a bubble. Or can we? Right now I want to put us in one. Other than school and dance, we are laying low while I make the big decision over whether or not to get us vaccinated.
Chris says that we aren’t even able to get the vaccine yet…it is only for high risk groups. Since Huntler is in a private school, it isn’t even being offered that I am aware of. Fortunately, because he is in a private school, there aren’t as many kids and the germs are hopefully less.
In the meantime we are washing hands like crazy. We are also washing pillowcases, puppies and blankets like crazy. This is so not normal behavior for me…I am not a germophobe at all. But after hearing about all the kids in the ICU at our local hospital {one of the moms at dance has a sister in law who works there} and also the people without underlying health conditions that have died, I’m freaking.
Random I know. Not my normal post. But this is weighing heavy on my mind this week. It is times like this I desperately wish I had a little instruction book on raising kids!
Thoughts? Does anyone out there have any connections and know anything I should know to help me make my decision?
Filed under
random-sweetness,
by Bethany
I am a mother of a 1 year old and a teacher, I too am freaking out !!!! So scary!!!
We all are felling thsi way!!!
hang in there:)
Amy
I don’t really have any specific info regarding all this than anyone else but we too went back and forth as to whether we vaccinate both kiddos or not. In the end, after speaking with our ped we opted to get the kids both seasonal and H1N1. Our ped was really confident that any potential risks with the vaccine versus how sick they could get was worth getting the shot. Her, as well as some of my friends docs here, were shocked at just how sick the kids who did get it were. Riley will get both of her shots through the school district here and Syd got her seasonal shot last week at her 2 year and I take her back in next week for the H1N1.
Please try not to stress too much over it. You sound like you are making yourself sick with worry. Whatever decision you guys make will be the right one for your family and try to stop second guessing yourself. I know that is easier said than done. You are right, we can’t live in a bubbble so all you can do is take the right precautions and hope for the best. It will all be fine. Thinking of you guys.
Kelly
Good luck with the decision, its a hard one for most families. For us, it was easy. We stopped vaccinating completely when my son stopped talking, using a spoon, holding a cup, and eating food at 18 months old. He has autism and although I don’t believe shots CAUSE autism, I do believe that his body is too susceptible to outside environmental factors. If they ever remove thimerosal, aluminum, formaldehyde, and other harmful vaccine ingredients, I will consider catching my kids up on shots. For now, no way.
This subject is one that crossed my mind, however I am not able to have near as much contemplation over the subject, as the doctors that Rylee sees for her CF pretty much told us to get the vaccine. My husband, Rylee and I have all been vaccinated against Seasonal flu and H1N1 and Rylee has her H1N1 booster in a month. I can Say that we have had no side effects to this vaccine.
I too, was not a germ-a-phobe, but after having Rylee and finding out of her condition, we have learned to become Germ-a-phobes. We wash hands constantly, used hand sanitizers, take shoes off at the door, clorox and lysol all surfaces and door knobs/light switches in our house and also limit visitors during flu season. We also avoid all public places, and I hate to say it but we have not taken miss Rylee in public since September. We said in the begininning that we would not keep her in a bubble and she would live a normal life, but with the swine flu and how it affects people with other health conditions, we aren’t going to chance it.
As for it not being available yet, here in the midwest, they are now vaccinating those in teir 1, which includes the ones you listed as well as all children 6 mo-4 years old.
So basically i have not too much information for you except for our personal experience and to tell you that we have not had any reactions to the vaccines. They say that they are made exactly through the same process that the seasonal flu is and that kids under 4 that are vaccinated usually have close to 100% immunity from the H1N1 flu. Kids over 4 have close to 94% immunity. Just some little facts I heard on the news.
Sorry this is so long, but I am pro this vaccination so just thought I would let you here my OPINION….which most of it is truely my opinion.
I agree — parenting is sooo hard! I find myself wondering if I am doing the right things sometimes. Both of our kids got the regular flu shot but that’s it. I am a germophobic on a regular basis so we always wash our hands alot. I should start washing the lovies more though!
My four kiddos got the injection today. I have read and read and read about this. I was so on the fence and just scared to make the decision. We’ve been washing, wiping down bathrooms, handles and doorknobs. I’ve been pumping the kids full of fluids and started back on vitamins. That being said, four kids bring home A LOT of germs. My 9 year old is very susceptible to pneumonia this time of year. Their pediatrician recommended it and it seems the risks of the vaccine are minimal compared to the risks of H1N1, especially for someone like my son. You can read so much and it’s hard to know what to trust. I did check out the CDC’s website to see their take. I asked my son which classmates got the vaccine (forget HIPPA for that age group!). He kids he named were all children of doctors and nurses. That was reassuring! I don’t know that I’ve helped, but just given you my reasoning on why I made the decision. If you hop on Clickin Moms, you’ll see many, many threads on this topic. A few moms are pediatricians too. Good luck
How hard is it to be a parent?
I have researched this for hours and hours. Not kidding. Both sides.
I am a little bit on the fringe in general with vaccines, but here is where I am at:
The vaccine was rushed into production.
It has not been tested on children.
Children are actually the age group that H1N1 affects the mildest.
Because of those three reasons, we are not getting the vaccine. I do not want to risk even a .001% chance that the untested vaccine could possibly do more harm than what is most likely just a different strain of a normal seasonal flu, blown into a media and government fueled paranoia.
That’s all…
That’s me.
Forgot to send this little linky over: http://mamamanifesto.blogspot.com/2009/11/flu-shot-heard-around-world.html
Research summarized in Mama speak.
Both of my kids got the H1N1 Flu! I took them to the doctor for the test as soon as they got a fever they were on put on Tami flu and within hours of taking it they were fine. I would not get the vaccine!!! My Doctor said as long as you get them on Tami flu with in 24-48 hours of the fever there is nothing to worry about (as long as they are healthy kids to begin with).
Just my little two cents…
Yes it has been pushed way too fast and little is known. Medicine is not an exact science, simply an educated guess. But if people, even healthy people, are dying from it I don’t want to be one! If we get the mild flu, okay, but I dont want the consequences from H1N1. For me, I am trying to protect my family as best I know how. I almost backed out, but I did get it. The Tamiflu is more harmful to my unborn than what I know about the shot, and of course, high fever can be harmful as well. And just FYI, our D.O.N. was getting her child vaccinated when I took Mya. And afterall, your mom got it!!
Mya and I both got the H1N1 shot. Neither of us have gotten the regular flu shot. Yes I was very much on the fence about it all. My rationale: Mya goes to daycare, I am a healthcare worker, and it is shopping season afterall
My girls are not getting this vaccination. I just don’t feel comfortable and we go to Mexico to see my family. I think it’s a personal decision and no matter what you decide, your are the BEST mommy for your kids. You are doing the right thing by washing and doing what you can to keep the germs away. Good luck girl! I know it can be stressful. I am choosing to give the girls plenty of fluids, vitamins, healthy eating, avoiding big crowds, constant hand washing, etc. I think staying positive helps too. Good luck!
Bethany, I know (because we’ve talked about it a million times) that these kinds of things are really hard to decide and cause you lots of worry. But I don’t want you to make yourself sick over it. . . you are doing what you can to keep your kids safe and healthy. You know how I feel about vaccines in general, and I think Julie basically sums up what I would have said (that I’ve already said over the phone:). I have tons of articles and links that I can send you, because I too, have done tons and tons of research into this subject because of Avery. Don’t let “the media” and the “hype” freak you out that this is like the bubonic plague and we are all doomed:) i could give you the email/blogs of several friends whose kiddos have had the dreaded H1N1 (even a pregnant friend) and are they are just fine!
Hang in there, April is just around corner. . . or not. But you know what I mean! You will might the right decision for your family and that is all that you can do.
love ya!
Lisa
And the things that freak me out. . . typos:) That should say, you will “make” the right decisions! Just had the urge to fix that and can’t:)
I have been on the fence as well. Today, I am saying that I am not getting the vaccine for them. I am keeping an eye out on Lily and her asthma I am constantly washing and taking temperatures! I follow Dr. Sears alternate vaccine schedule, except for some changes I make on my own (i.e. MMR at age 3 or later.)You should check out his website. Very informative and once I see the ingredients, it makes me want to veto all vaccines. *sigh* Good Luck girl!