Did you get the flu vaccine?
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Topic: Did you get the flu vaccine?
Posted By: newme
Subject: Did you get the flu vaccine?
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 8:53am
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I got the flu vaccine, the combined one with the swine flu in it too, as recommended by the MOH and my dr.
I wasn't going to get it but my husband got swine flu and was really sick, and I was afraid of catching the flu. Now I have read that it has never been tested on pregnant women, and there is a possible link to autism in the babies of pregnant women who had the shot. Now I am so worried. I know it isn't rational, the chances are extremely slim, but i feel so annoyed that the dr didn't explain to me that it had never been tested on pregnant women. I would never have had the vaccine if I had known that. |
Replies:
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 9:14am
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I did.
I weighed it up and decided that for me, the possibility of a risk was outweighed by the very real risks if I got a bad dose of it. No point in worrying about it now and really, this is just the beginning of many difficult decisions you have to make around the health and wellbeing of your child. Try not to stress and beat yourself up over it, you can't change it now and chances are it is stress over nothing. ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and: 
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 9:56am
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I didn't and havn't needed it. As caramel said not much you can do about it now. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: fairy1
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 10:04am
It is correct that it wasnt tested on pregnant women, but the minstry of health wouldnt recommend a vaccine to be given to pregnant women unless they knew that there was minimal risks to the baby and the women. They are very paranoid (which is good in this case) with pregnant women and medications. In terms of autism and this vaccine, it hasnt been in use long enough for a research study to have been done on this. The vaccine only become available last year (in tablet form, not sure about injection) so any research that suggested a possible link with autism wouldnt be medically credible and they wouldnt be able to say it for definate either. You did what you thought was best for you and child. I had the vaccine due to the fact that I work in a hospital but now regret it as I havnt been allowed to work since May so my exposure risk is lower than I thought. Dont stress over things that havnt been proven. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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hila1 wrote:Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 10:08am
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I think the anti-vac brigade have managed to link nearly every vaccine to autism.
I didnt get it, but i was recommended to get it as well - i think the small risk of the vaccine is much much smaller the the risk of getting swine-flu, especially living close to someone infected. Don't beat yourself up 
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 1:25pm
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i got it after being preg..which turns out wasnt a great idea cause DS allergic to egg but anyway.. i agree with the others particularly caramel on this one.. i had an encounter with someone who was being treated for it and didnt tell me...grrrr but anyway i didnt want it while preg but I totally understand why people do and its good to know the newborn will have protection for a little while too! ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 1:41pm
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Thanks everyone. I do feel a bit better. I think to actually express my worry has made it go away a bit too, if that makes any sense.
My fears and worry seem a lot more irrational after putting them in writing. I will try and stop worrying. |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 2:37pm
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Medsafe actually states on their website that is not recommended for pregnant women and it is written in the package insert as well, I was confused as to why it was then being recommended to pregnant women, not sure the motive behind that.
Yes the vaccine is untested and more worryingly it has ingredients in it that have never been tested in any vaccine. The other issue particularly around pregnancy is that it contains thimerosal which was removed from all vaccines on the childhood schedule in 2000 because of it's risk (it's a mercury preservative, and it passes the placenta and the blood brain barrier). The autism worry comes from this, this preservative is still used to some extent in the US which is why the debate still rages over there more than here, this is entirely seperate to the whole MMR autism debacle as MMR has never contained thimerosal. I doubt your doc knew it wasn't recommended, knew it was untested or even knows what's in the jab cos sadly they just give out whatever is on the schedule or whatever is recommended. You've had the jab though so their isn't much you can do and hopefully you and baby will be unaffected. I would however spend a little more time looking into the vaccines that they recommend for your child and also to look into all medicines you are prescribed, as much as doctors should know and should give the right advise that isn't always the case and ultimately your health/your childs health is your responsibily and not your doctors. |
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 3:06pm
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What exactly is your post trying to achieve two_boys?
Did you post it just to try and scare OP again or make her feel guilty or what? It is an untrue generalisation that Drs just give out whatever is on the schedule or whatever is recommended. I have always found my Drs (and practice nurses) very forthcoming with information and advice about the various vaccines that I or my children have had or asked about. Despite how this reads, I'm not actually trying to start an argument or debate with you, I just really don't understand your motivation for posting what you did. Maybe I'm misreading your tone or getting the wrong end of the stick, but it seems quite mean to me to post such scaremongering information when a person has already said they're feeling worried after hearing some of it. ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and:
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Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 3:50pm
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CaraMel I am sure her intent wasn't to make her feel guilty or scare her.
Rather, perhaps the information could be helpful to her for any further suggestions by her doctor, or for the multitudes of other women who read this forum every day! Often doctors do just give out drugs without checking the fine print, and often people don't know to ask the right questions to get the information and advice on vaccines. All she did was answer with factual information, explaining what the medsafe data said, as well as the ingredients of concern, and gave her some advice to do her own research and not necessarily rely on one doctors advice! Doctors are human too, they sometimes make mistakes, and they don't know every thing! From reading the other posts if I was preg and considering the swine flu vaccine i would think it was totally safe, but it isn't. I am sure hila1 will be just fine, as will her child, but if people are considering this vaccine they need to hear that it isn't reccommended by medsafe before making that decision! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: fairy1
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 4:26pm
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Ive just read the medsafe guidelines which say it IS SAFE for pregnant women. As per the info below.
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/v/Vaxigripinj.pdf Pregnant women Influenza vaccine should be offered, and is funded, for pregnant women with a medical condition (as above). The vaccine should be given before the influenza season. Although the inactivated influenza vaccine is considered by many experts to be safe at any stage of pregnancy, others prefer to administer the influenza vaccine in the second trimester to avoid a coincidental association with spontaneous abortion. Practitioners should assess the risks for individual women. Although the publicly funded vaccine is not yet available for pregnant women (without a risk condition) the Immunisation Technical Working Group to the Ministry of Health makes the following recommendations for pregnant women: Influenza vaccination is recommended for women who are beyond the first trimester of pregnancy (ie, greater than 14 weeks gestation) during the influenza season. Use in Pregnancy (Category B2) There is no convincing evidence of risk to the foetus from immunisation of pregnant women using inactivated virus vaccines, bacterial vaccines, or toxoids. Safety of use during pregnancy has not been established; benefits of vaccination should be weighed against potential risks. However, as VAXIGRIP® is an inactivated vaccine, it does not share the theoretical risks associated with live vaccines. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 4:34pm
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I don't see where that says it is safe. In fact it says Safety of use during pregnancy has not been established; benefits of vaccination should be weighed against potential risks.
Doctors used to think Thalidomide was 'safe' for pregnant women and we all know how that turned out. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: AzzaNZ
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 4:38pm
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I dont think any vaccines are ever tested on pregnant women, are they?
I chose to have the vaccine during my pregnancy with DS as I had miscarried a baby a few months earlier when I got a very bad case of flu. I've been told that getting sick is not likely to have caused the miscarriage but I was seriously ill and believe it was a contributing factor. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://intermittentblogger.wordpress.com |
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 4:41pm
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Ha, I just read that too melissag. It says exactly what I based my decision on "benefits of vaccination should be weighed against potential risk"
People have such passionate views on this and you can understand why, they don't want to be told that they made the wrong choice. It is such an individual thing though and I think all we need to know as parents/parents to be is that it is important to do our research at reputable sources of information and make the choice that feels right for us and our families. ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and:
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Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 4:57pm
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That medsafe info also says that it should be given to preg women with the medical conditions above (in the list that didn't get cut and pasted).
And clearly it's not a good idea in the first trimester. And "theoretically" it should be safe. They don't actually know because it hasn't been tested on pregnant women (and no, they don't normally test them on pregnant women because of the high risk involved should it go wrong - those tests are usually established in the first few years of a vaccine being rolled out to market and reported as side effects, sometimes resulting in a direction change to exclude preg women or sometimes proving fine) & I agree CaraMel... research is important. 
By the way, is it actually vaxigrip we were originally talking about, or celvapan as well? Not sure if that was fed out here? Cos that's not as nice by a long shot! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: fairy1
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 5:36pm
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I included the link so that people could read the whole fact sheet for themselves, too much to cut and paste.
The info sheet is for vaxigrip. I researched the vaccine before I had it and weighed up the rsiks and benefits. Thalomide is exactly why medical professionals are so paranoid with pregnant women and I am glad they are. They wont test any drug on pregnant women and I doubt anyone would let them do that. I posted the sheet because incorrect information was being given saying that it shouldnt be given to pregnant women. Medafe does not say that. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 6:13pm
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melissag - you stated that it said it was SAFE for pregnant women. It DOES NOT say that.
I wasn't questioning your cutting and pasting, rather that the bit stating reccommended for pregnant women referred to those with pre-existing medical conditions listed in the piece above that wasn't cut and pasted. Not just generally for all pregnant women. i also know what fact sheet the link was for, my question was relating to what vaccine the original poster and subsequent posters may have received, and whether that was vaxigrip or another vaccine. If they don't test a drug on pregnant women, yet provide it to them in the first roll out, is that nothing more than a "test" in itself? The side effects or consequences can not possibly be known at this stage. Hence they can only claim that theoretically it should be safe. Also, the statement above you are "correcting" by two_boys is that it isn't recommended for pregnant women (not that it shouldnt be given to them- sorry semantics but I have a button on people putting words in others mouths.) It isn't recommended for pregnant women. It is recommended for pregnant women with pre-existing issues. Outside of that an individuals circumstances should be weighed against the risks of the vaccine. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 6:49pm
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My post was trying to achieve getting people to actually research what they do before they do it, and to stop hila1 from feeling this same way about another vaccine later down the track. If you research then make a decision you can be sure you have made the right one, if you don't and you rely on other people to make the decision for you then you run the risk of feeling like you've done the wrong thing or regretting your decisions when you find out things that you didn't know at the time. You cannot rely on a gp to know everything about everything, they don't have the time to research everything, they are the jack of all trades in medicine, which means they are the master of none. It's up to the individual or in the case of children it is up to the parent to do the research, to get opinions and advice from doctors but not just to do what they say cos it's easier than taking on the responsibility yourself. Vaccination in nz is run on an informed consent basis, yet time and time again I see people consenting with little or no information.
mellisag the part I read stated that the vaccine was only recommended for women with complications such as asthma and diabetes and not all pregnant women, yet the MOH information recommends it for all and this is what doctors have gone by, this I do not understand, how can one department only recommend it for a subset of pregnant women and another recommend it to all? The rest of what I wrote was intended to give hila1 information on what the issue is with this vaccine so she can research that. I wasn't trying to make her feel worse, I was trying to give information and some advice. |
Posted By: amme_eilyk
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 7:12pm
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the pregnancy category of the vaccine is b2 which is
Drugs that have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals[1] are inadequate or may be lacking, but available data show no evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage. There is a lot of misinformation around and almost any medication taken in high enough proportion of the population can be linked to autism. I had the vaccines. The risks of flu while pregnant are much greater than any unproven risk from vaccinations. |
Posted By: troutpout
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 7:21pm
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I had it when I was 30 weeks, I now have a beautiful healthy 4 month old girl, who is bright and vivacious and thriving.
Also when my DH was sick for 2 weeks with flu this winter, me and bubs were disgustingly healthy. They wouldn't make the reccomendations if they didn't think benefits outweighed the risks, and the anti-vac brigade love to link anything to autism. I swear you'd think belly button fluff was the latest thing to developmentally delay our babies!! Don't beat yourself up, you did what you thought was right for you and baby. So did I, and so did thousands of other pregnant women out there who now have happy healthy babies xxxx Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. big hugs to you xxxx ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 7:23pm
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*wanders in waving white flag Firstly *like* two_boys! Secondly, hila I'm sure you'll be ok hun... like the others said, you just have to make an informed decision based on what you know- or have been told- at the time. If you trust your Dr then cool, he's made the right decision for you Thirdly, no vaccine is 100% effective or safe BUT then do you want to run the risk of catching said disease/illness? that's something only you can weight up as an individual. I chose not to have the jab, in fact it didnt even enter my head to have it....but then look at all the posters who HAVE had it. Don't think any of us are wrong or misinformed as such, just have different views and risks we're willing to take -------------   http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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*Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 7:27pm
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Um that's a weird (and massively generalised ) comment. As a non vaxxer, I don't link any vaccine to autism I like the Don't Beat Yourself Up bit Though ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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. That's as bad as me coming on here and bleating like a sheep to all 'you people' who chose to vaccinate cos your Dr and Plunket told you to. I don't do that cos I don't know why you make your decisions the way you do!Posted By: Emmi_
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 7:28pm
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To answer the original question - No I didnt get the flu vaccine when I was pregnant. I looked into it, researched it, and decided against getting it. I dont regret not getting it, I still havnt got 'the flu' or swine flu. ------------- 
+1 May 09 Angel 
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 7:33pm
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Aaawww Troutpout surely you're not gonna lump all us non vaxxers together too? Man maybe it's my preggy hormones but I feel a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa coming on...... ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 7:34pm
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Ditto Emmecat. Gross generalisation. But like diseases vaccines all have risks. You weigh them up and decide yourself, based on your own research and situation.
Personally I wouldn't proactively put something in my body to avoid something I may not catch. But that is me. I have my reasons. Ny first being that in all my years I have never caught the flu. Of any kind. May have had a bad cold once upon a time. But never the flu. Weighing up my situation vs the risks it wouldn't make sense for me to have the vaccine. But you all make your choices based on your situations. I don't assume you are part of some brigade pushing an agenda based on 1 piece of information, and it would be rude to assume that us non-vaxx do the same. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 8:41pm
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I might just jump back in again.
I would like to say that for DS I researched extensively about immunisations, and I opted for most but not all. When DH got the swine flu, he was really really sick and developed complications and was in hospital. Then my son got sick too (not swine flu) and I was really stressed. I was worries about getting the flu, and then I looked into Tamiflu incase I did get sick, but decided there was no way i would take that as even though they do give it to pregnant women it has never been tested and the rat babies showed increased amounts of deformities. Then I took my son to the dr, and the dr then said I should get the flu jab, and I just agreed with her, I don't know why, I normally look into these things but I was just soooo tired and stressed that I just went along with her suggestion. Thank you all for your advice and opinions. I have had the vaccine now, so there is nothing I can do about that. |
Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 8:46pm
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hila1 I am sure you did the right thing, based on your circumstances. Tired and stressed or not it sounds like you made a good choice for you.
I would hesitate to add most side effects you would have would have shown in you by now, and you are far along in your pregnancy so it's unlikely to cause any complications for bub. Your doctor probably knew all the background etc and your situation and assessed the risks as well. Don't worry. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 8:46pm
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Hila, ((hugs)) sounds like you really looked into things and good on you for that Totally understand what its like to be tired and stressed, the last thing you want is to be sick as well ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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You've done what you think is best for you and your family, and made an informed decision. It must've been so hard to watch your hubby and son be so ill. Hope they're doing better now. Chin up Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 10:29pm
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IMO, do what is best for you and your family based on reliable research/information and forget the rest ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 23 September 2010 at 11:59pm
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Hila , you don't have to justify or defend your decision, you did what you thought was best and given your husband's history with swine flu thats understandable.
Hugs chick, try not to think about it anymore, just concentrate on growing that baby of yours ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 24 September 2010 at 1:45pm
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The problem with the vax debate is that each side feels like they have to defend their decision. We all do what we think is right for ourselves and our families and that is all that matters.
Hila, I'm sure everything will be fine for you and bubs. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 24 September 2010 at 4:49pm
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I apologize - i worded that badly.
What i meant was, i have met large numbers of people who are anti-vac BECAUSE of the increased risk of autism that any and every vaccine WILL give your child. And i know that a lot of these people have websites and blogs promoting that point of view which come up during a google search, which, if the OP did would no doubt be scary because they promote their point of view in a scientific and factual point of way and are actually quite convinving. I didnt mean to imply that everyone who is anti-vac are so because of this reason, or that you're crazy at all. I am anti-vac for myself for as long as i've been able to make the decision (flu jabs, meningitis, cervical cancer jab thingy) for various reasons. So, apologies to anyone who thought i was lumping you all together, or calling you crazy because you're most certainly not and i'm pretty vocal on the "your child, your parenting, your opinion" front. -------- |
Posted By: 4thtymlucky
Date Posted: 30 September 2010 at 8:59pm
| Omg now I'm a wee bit worried too actually. I had the flu jab before I found out I was carrying and if I work back on my dates I would have been at least 6 weeks pregnant which is when bubs is still developing. I'm 37 years old and 27 weeks pg now which I guess is making me a bit more paranoid now too. I'll be asking my mw about this when I have my next appointment in a fortnight's time...thanks ladies for all your comments, both pro and con as it does help to educate me. I just pray my bubs is healthy and safe. Blessings everyone. |
Posted By: ajmmum
Date Posted: 30 September 2010 at 9:05pm
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don't fret 4thtymlucky. Risks are minimal, and would be mainly from any reaction you had at the time. You didn't say you had reacted to the vaccine, so things should be just fine.
Just make sure you do some research from primary sources for your own peace of mind in future, or jump in here and ask everyone - not many people are shy with their opinions in here so you're bound to find some ideas and opinions that help  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 30 September 2010 at 9:37pm
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I had it while i was pregnant and my little girl is just perfect! ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
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Posted By: Lucky apple
Date Posted: 30 September 2010 at 10:16pm
| ditto what RJ said! |
Posted By: 4thtymlucky
Date Posted: 01 October 2010 at 6:56pm
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Thanks heaps for the reassurances ..not sure if getting the worst flu (10 days off work) 2 days after getting the flu jab counts as a reaction?...what do you reckon?
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 01 October 2010 at 10:13pm
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the vacccine is fragmented so not 'live' so you cant actually get the flu from it, but the incubation period for the flu is 10 days or so from memory so you could have been infected prior to getting the jab ------------- http://lilypie.com]
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Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 02 October 2010 at 7:58am
This is true. And the vaccination isn't effective until about 2 weeks after you have had the shot - so I would think you already had the flu germs inside you! |
Posted By: 4thtymlucky
Date Posted: 02 October 2010 at 7:13pm
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Thanks heaps for that..I'm relieved that the flu germs have to be there much longer prior to the symptoms exposing themselves...I'll have to make sure I have a pg test next year before I get another jab just to be sure
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Posted By: fletch
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 at 7:28pm
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I got the Flu jab and now am a tad worried. I am a school teacher and a notice from the min of helath was sent to schools advising to get it -esp preg women. I check with midwife and doc and with having 2 students in the school with swine flu I got it. I really think that at the time it was the best decision for me. Its when the thinking afterwards that always gets me. I do think it is a personal choice and at the time what is best for you personally - Hopefully! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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