Question about H1N1 Vaccination

H1N1
The flu season is just beginning. We are all considered compromised people so it is a good idea to get the shot. I got mine 3 weeks ago, and other than a little ache where they gave me the shot I was fine. When you read of deaths related to the swine flu, you see that many of them had underlying medical problems, that would be all of us. I've been a nurse for 34 yrs and am a strong advocate of flus shots. Just my opinion!

Pat

patsy1954 said:

H1N1
The flu season is just beginning. We are all considered compromised people so it is a good idea to get the shot. I got mine 3 weeks ago, and other than a little ache where they gave me the shot I was fine. When you read of deaths related to the swine flu, you see that many of them had underlying medical problems, that would be all of us. I've been a nurse for 34 yrs and am a strong advocate of flus shots. Just my opinion!

Pat

I was told by my onc not to
I was told by my onc not to take any flu shot but that was when I was taking chemo & I guess now I should ask again.

One year ago- in my
One year ago- in my oncologists office I got both the flu and the pneumonia shots. I was half way through chemo. This year I have gotten the seasonal flu shot and will get the H1N1 when I can. I am not going through chemo now.

ldot123 said:

Great Topic
Hello all,

Last year my oncologist said to get the flu shot. I had been finished chemo for a while. I have gotten the regular flu shot over the years and they have not bothered me but this H1N1 shot seems to have so many conflicting stories in regard to side effects, the quickness in which it was developed and the fact that this bug could mutate anyway thus rendering the shot useless. Just too many questions for my liking. There is no guarantee with the regular flu shot as well. They basically target which version of the flu they "think" will be around. I have not got my regular shot yet and may or may not do so.

Have a great weekend semi-colons!
Lance

H1NI
I asked our oncologist if George should get the H1NI flu shot and he said no. I asked my doctor if I should get one and she was here nor there about it, ended up saying you don't qualify for it anyway and that was in September but I did get the regular flu shot, first time. Now that the H1N1 is opening up to everyone (here in Michigan anyway) truthfully, I don't know if as a caregiver I should get one or not. Tina

Everyone's different
My oncologist had me take the regular flu shot, but said no to H1N1 - and I got the H1N1 virus. I survived, but I don't wish it on anyone. I probably wouldn't have taken the shot anyway...

Vicki

patsy1954 said:

How ironic that this posting
How ironic that this posting should come today. My United Healthcare nurse case co-ordinator just called me for our monthly update. Great service by the way provided by my insurance, she has a wealth of knowledge. She wanted to know if I had gotten my flu and H1N1 shot. She said that they are recommending all their cancer patients get the shot since they have had a few cases of cancer patients dying from the H1N1 flu due to their compromised state. I'm glad I got it. My husband also got it per recommendation of my oncologist. They don't want him bringing it home to me. Again, this is all a personal choice, there is no right or wrong answer, everyone needs to make the decision based on what is best for them.

Pat

I swear everyone I know who
I swear everyone I know who gets the flu shot are the most sick. I would never ever ever ever give it to my children.

KATE58 said:

I get the regular flu shot
I get the regular flu shot and a pneumonia shot last and this year.
When I asked my onc about the h1n1 vac,she said she did not want me to get
the shot because ,since this is the first year,you are a guinie(?) pig
She's not getting one and told me wait till next year when they have worked the kinks
out.
btw,she had to talk me into the reg flu shot.
Kate

both
advice from my onc...6months out of chemo...take both

mags

I wish I could get the H1N1
I wish I could get the H1N1 flu shot! Of course, you have to do what you feel comfortable with, but I think it is especially important to get a shot while on chemo, because your immune system is so depleted. If you get the flu, it would likely cause an interruption of chemotherapy. The flu kills thousands of HEALTHY people every year. It is also really important for caretakers so they don't bring the flu home. I am taking care of my father, and my worst nightmare is not being able to go near him for 10-14 days because I am sick. My whole family got the regular flu shot (including my father) but the H1N1 vaccine is not available here yet. The H1N1 shot was "rushed" through production because there was not as much time between when the flu emerged and flu season, but it was made with the exact same technology and testing as the seasonal flu vaccine. Some people will get the flu even if they get the shot because it takes 6-8 weeks for you to become fully immunized, so if you are exposed in that window you will still get sick. The flu season is not over until February or March so it is probably worthwhile if you can get it. Good luck making this decision!

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

RE; my prior post,

my doctor did not want me to get the h1n1 vaccination
and she was not getting it either.
well due to hospital pressure,she and her whole family
(4 kids under 8yrs 1 doctor husband)
did get the vaccine several weeks ago. I left her a message
about problem I was having.she just called me back.
and told me HER WHOLE FAMILY,SHE ,KIDS ,AND DOCTOR HUBBY,
ALL HAVE THE H1N1 FLU!!!!!