Who is getting a flu shot
We've got H1N1 flu vaccine starting to arrive in my state this week and next. I'm curious as to how many people are getting a flu shot this year. I think I'll pass, just to see if my immune system is tuned and ready like I think it is.
Anyone else going to get the shot?
Anyone else going to get the shot?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Teri Hale on -
I got my N1H1 and my seasonal on the same day last week. The N1H1 was definitely sore and I felt pretty bad the next couple of days, but I am doing good now. I get a flu shot every year as I have a suppressed immune system.
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Permalink Reply by Bare Believer on -
ok you just answered my questions about being allowed to do both. and i guess if you're feeling fine, then it must not be overwhelming for the body to get both vaccinations. Thanks for your help!
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Permalink Reply by Brooklynn on -
I am still on the fence .... and I am high risk because of my asthma. I just don't know though ... my best friend is an Infectious Disease specialist and he is recommending it but I would like to know why they put stuff like metal products in the shot. Do I really need that?
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Permalink Reply by ImmuneDude on -
Here's some language I just found from the Washington State Dept. of Public Health:
"The mercury in vaccines is in a preservative called thimerosal. It's been used safely for years to prevent contamination of vaccines in vials that contain more than one dose. Except for some types of flu vaccines, all vaccines routinely recommended for children under six years of age are thimerosal-free, or contain onlytrace amounts. While some people are concerned about the safety of thimerosal, many large, thorough studies have shown no harm caused by thimerosal in vaccines"
Here's more from ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Germs/story?id=3655803&page=1&...
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Permalink Reply by Ellen S on -
Those with autoimmunity issues need to carefully consider vaccination so they can make appropriate personal choices. The first key to good choices is education and understanding. About H1N1 vaccination-
From the Lupus Foundation of America:
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Advisory for People with Lupus
The LFA is consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as our National Medical-Scientific Advisory Council, on the possible impact of this virus on people with lupus. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is aware of the concern that people with lupus may have about the recent outbreak of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu.
What do I need to know about the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines?
* The H1N1 vaccine administered as a mist (by breathing through the nose, similar to FluMist) is a “live-attenuated” vaccine. Neither product is safe for people who are immune compromised or taking medications that suppress the immune system.
* People with lupus, in particular anyone who takes any immunosuppressive medications, (including prednisone and other steroids) should not get any live intranasal (meaning in-the-nose) mist preparation nor should anyone in their household (for example, their kids). Hydroxychloroquine (plaquenil) alone is not immunosuppressive. The H1N1 vaccine injection should be given to immunosuppressed individuals and their family members.
* The three H1N1 vaccines administered by injection are created from inactivated influenza viruses. These are considered safe for people with lupus.
* People with lupus should receive their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. While you should always consult with your doctor, you should not delay receiving the seasonal flu vaccine in anticipation of the H1N1 vaccine. The seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines appear to provide protection within two weeks of receiving the immunization and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be administered on the same day.
* According to the FDA, the seasonal influenza vaccines and the 2009 H1N1 vaccines are being produced in two injectable formulations. You should consult with your doctor which formulation is recommended for you. The two formulations include:
++ a multi-dose vial with thimerosal (a mercury derivative added as a preservative)
++ a preservative-free, single-dose, pre-filled syringe without thimerosal
At this time, the precautionary recommendations for people with Lupus are no different than for the general public. However, it is important to note that people with lupus are typically at increased risk for infections, particularly if they are taking medicines that suppress the immune system. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant about following the general precautions.
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Permalink Reply by Ellen S on
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Facts about the seasonal flu vaccine and autoimmunity from the Lupus foundation of America-
"Sometimes a vaccine can trigger autoimmune flares, but this is usually self-limited, involving several days of fevers and muscle aches. Frequently people with lupus tolerate vaccines without any side effects.
The influenza vaccine (flu shot) is a highly effective inactivated (killed) virus vaccine that is given yearly to those at risk for complications of influenza infection. Side effects were not more frequent and disease flares were not more common. When present, the flares were usually mild.
One person did develop diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (a class of kidney disease) following immunization received during a lupus flare; therefore, some researchers do not recommend vaccination during flares. Overall, though, influenza vaccine is considered to be safe and effective in people with lupus, and it is recommended that lupus patients receive a flu shot every year.
However the inhaled flu prevention treatment (flu-mist) is not recommended for people with lupus or for their family or close contacts because it contains attenuated (but live) virus and would not be safe for people with any immune-compromising disorder or those taking any immune suppressing treatments.
The pneumonia shot (pneumococcal vaccine) is also recommended for people with lupus and a second dose should be given five years after the first dose. This vaccine can help to prevent most but not all kinds of community acquired pneumonia.
Several studies conducted in people with lupus who received the influenza vaccine found a protective antibody response, although the antibody levels tended to be lower than in the healthy control group. Because morbidity and mortality related to influenza are increased in immunocompromised patients, it is recommended that patients with lupus get annual flu shots, which are safe and do not increase disease activity. Most people with lupus respond well enough to vaccines to provide them with protection from infection. Therefore, people with lupus should receive all vaccines that are safe (any that contain killed viruses or bacteria or proteins from infectious agent).
Lupus patients should always talk with their doctors before receiving any vaccine, especially if you are pregnant or have had certain types of allergic reactions in the past."
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Permalink Reply by Bare Believer on
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My mom has been pushing me to get the flu shot for an entire month, but I'm not particularly fond of needles so at first I just ignored her (which is very difficult to do - if any of you have jewish or italian moms, you know what i mean. but my mom is both... oy vey!). anyway, now i don't quite know what to do, because the swine flu shot is practically sold out everywhere in Los Angeles!
Should i get the regular flu shot and then wait for the swine flu shot to open up to young adults like me or is it not health / allowed to get both?
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Permalink Reply by Alicia C. Staley on -
Has anyone found information specific to cancer survivors and the H1N! shot? I can't find guidelines and would love help locating this information. I've spoken with my oncologist and we're still trying to determine if this is the best thing to do. Any thoughts?
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Permalink Reply by Janeen on -
Stales,
I'm not sure this is what you are looking for but I found the following regarding H1N1 vac and cancer survivors:
HelpwithCancer.org - Should Cancer Patients Receive H1N1?
Cancer Survivor Network - H1N1 and other vaccines
Ovariancancer.org - The 411 on the seasonal flu and H1N1
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Permalink Reply by Alicia C. Staley on
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Hi Janeen!
Thank you very much. This is exactly what I was looking for - thanks for taking the time to look that up for me. I really appreciate it. I'll make sure to post this over in the cancer group too.
How are you feeling? I hope you're hanging in there.
-- Alicia (@stales)
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Permalink Reply by Janeen on
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Getting better! Finally able to come back to the computer today. H1N1 was not fun, but luckily it wasn't bad enough at our house to put us down for too long. I'm still not 100% so I'm not going to push it today.
Glad the links were what you were looking for.
Be Well,
Janeen
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Permalink Reply by ImmuneDude on
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Good Job, Janeen.
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