H1N1 Vaccine

[jng2b]

I would not be that concerned with this, other than the fact that we are planning to begin TTC around October/November. I hate the media for making me scared to follow my plans. Now I don't know if I should hold off TTC just to see what happens with the vaccine and any outbreaks. If I could get the vaccine before getting pregnant, I think that would be better, right? Ugg, so stressful.

[twin53]

i was told i already had some immunity since i was around the last swine flu oubreak in the 1970's. i would like my college junior son it get it tho.

[vhdos]

We have two young kids (ages 4 and 5) and the whole family will be getting the flu shots. I never used to think that the flu was that big of a deal and then I contracted the respiratory flu two years ago. I was horribly ill for almost a week. I made it through, but all I could think about was how awful it would have been for my children. Ever since, we all get our flu shots.

[megs0927]

From: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/27/Canada-Looks-at-Vitamin-D-for-Swine-Flu-Protection.aspx

The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter
POSTED BY:
Dr. Mercola
August 27 2009

Canada Looks at Vitamin D for Swine Flu Protection

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has confirmed that it will be investigating the role of vitamin D in protection against swine flu.
The agency started a study last year on the role of vitamin D in severe seasonal influenza, which it said it will now adapt to the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Part of the researchers’ goal is to understand whether vitamin D levels are in any way responsible for the fact that most people with seasonal influenza develop a mild illness, but a small minority go on to develop severe symptoms.

According to PHAC, results from its study will indicate the extent and nature of the role of vitamin D in severe seasonal influenza.


Sources:

NutraIngredients August 10, 2009


Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Canada appears to be one of the first countries to literally “see the light.”

Over the course of at least three flu seasons, Canada’s public health agency plans to analyze the impact vitamin D levels have on flu severity and, if they find a correlation between severe flu cases and vitamin D levels, will then decide whether vitamin D can be used to lessen serious cases of seasonal flu. While the study started out focused on seasonal flu, the agency is now adapting the study to the swine flu virus.

This is exactly the type of research that stands to make a real difference in public health, with the unfortunate aspect being that it may take years to bear out.

I highly suggest you don’t wait for their results to come in, as there is already overflowing evidence showing that your vitamin D levels play a role in your likelihood of getting the flu.

Vitamin D is a Powerful Flu Fighter

Dr. John Cannell, founder of the Vitamin D Council, first introduced the hypothesis that influenza is merely a symptom of vitamin D deficiency in the paper Epidemic Influenza and Vitamin D, published in the journal Epidemiology and Infection two years ago, followed up with another study published in the Virology Journal last year.

The findings were confirmed by a new study -- the largest and most nationally representative of its kind to date -- that involved about 19,000 Americans. It found that people with the lowest blood vitamin D levels reported having significantly more recent colds or cases of the flu.

In conclusion, lead author Dr. Adit Ginde stated:

"The findings of our study support an important role for vitamin D in prevention of common respiratory infections, such as colds and the flu. Individuals with common lung diseases, such as asthma or emphysema, may be particularly susceptible to respiratory infections from vitamin D deficiency."

There is so much compelling evidence, that I believe optimizing your vitamin D levels is one of the absolute best strategies for avoiding infections of ALL kinds, and vitamin D deficiency is likely the TRUE culprit behind the seasonality of the flu -- not the flu virus itself.

How do You Know if Your Vitamin D Levels are Optimal or Deficient?

In the United States, the late winter average vitamin D level is only about 15-18 ng/ml, which is considered a very serious deficiency state. It’s estimated that over 95 percent of U.S. senior citizens may be deficient, along with 85 percent of the American public.

Unless you are getting daily sun exposure on a large portion of your body, it’s imperative to have your vitamin D levels checked on a regular basis. This is especially important if you’re taking a vitamin D supplement.

It’s important to realize, however, that what’s conventionally considered normal is NOT the same as optimal. I strongly believe you could avoid colds and influenza entirely by maintaining your vitamin D level in the optimal range, as noted in the chart that follows.



(Holick MF. Calcium and Vitamin D. Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Clin Lab Med. 2000 Sep;20(3):569-90)

The ideal way to increase your levels is by getting safe sun exposure. The next best option would be to use a safe tanning bed. The third route you can take is to use a vitamin D3 supplement, but because it’s possible to overdose from this type of vitamin D, you should be sure to have your levels tested regularly to remain in the therapeutic range.

For adults, the appropriate dose is likely 4,000-5,000 units per day, but it could be even higher. In fact, according to Dr. Heaney, your body requires 4,000 IU’s daily just to maintain its current vitamin D level. So in order to actually raise your levels, you’d have to increase either your exposure to sunshine, or supplement with oral vitamin D3 (which, again, I do not recommend without having your levels tested).

When you go in for your vitamin D blood test, if you’re in the United States be certain your test is performed at a lab like Labcorp, which uses the gold standard Diasorin test for checking vitamin D levels.

Also be sure you order the correct test. 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, is the better marker of overall D status. It is this marker that is most strongly associated with overall health.

You Can Use Vitamin D to Treat the Flu, Too

As I said earlier, if you were to maintain your vitamin D levels within the optimal range shown above, you would likely avoid being affected during the cold and flu season entirely.

That said, if you are coming down with flu-like symptoms and have not been on vitamin D you can take doses of 50,000 units a day for three days to treat the acute infection. Some researchers like Dr. Cannell believe the dose could even be as high as 1,000 units per pound of body weight for three days.

However, most of Dr. Cannell's work was with seasonal and not pandemic flu. If your body has never been exposed to the antigens there is chance that the vitamin D might not work.

Ultimately, your best bet is to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D around 60 ng/ml year-round. To find out even more important information about vitamin D, I strongly recommend you watch my one-hour free vitamin D lecture along with my video on vitamin D’s role in flu prevention.

[LV Luvr]

I just don't see how they can complete the clinical trials so soon for children and get a complete run back of all adverse events by October. It just seems way too fast. We won't be getting the H1N1 this fall b/c I believe more testing and feel there needs to be more time for adverse event recordings. Also will they have done a concomitant study with the H1N1 vaccine along with the regular flu vaccine? How will they know what the adverse events will be with that. In my opinion there is no way they can complete both studies by October and record everything thoroughly.

[scarlett_2005]

I talked to my DD's pediatrician and she said she only recommends the vaccine for kids who are in daycare or school more than three days a week. Since I'm a sahm she said my DD would be fine without it.

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

just remember the flu vax is not new, h1n1 is a strain, just like they try to predict strains every year. The ingredients haven't changed.
DH works for a big pharma Co - NOT the one that is making flu vax's! - and he already got the flu shot and has every intention of getting the h1n1 shot as well.
And he grills me daily about getting me and my kids vaxxed because his Mom is in chemo and get get the shots and one of our twins can't get sick because he's delicate respiratory-wise but can't get the shots himself because he's allergic to eggs.

We all just have to weigh the pros and cons for ourselves personally and choose what's best for us individually.

[angfento]

I just read that my State is getting the vaccine the first oart of October. I guess it's one of the 11 states that it is considered widespread. I've had 3 people I know get it in the past 2 weeks! Luckily I haven't been in close proximity to them. My OB/GYN recommended the vaccine, but man I am so hesitant! So scary to think I could cause harm to my LO! I'm due Oct. 23rd!

[angfento]

A pretty convincing article...http://www.pennlive.com/bodyandmind/...men_shoul.html

[Bags4Bubbles]

I'm bumping this to see if any newly pregnant people or others have thought about this... I keep going back and forth, I can't decide on the H1N1 vaccine. I never have gotten the regular flu shot in the past, and I don't generally tend to get sick even when people around me get sick... however, with being pregnant I haven't decided whether I should go ahead and get the regular flu shot or the H1N1 vaccine.

All of the points for and against stated by posters in this thread are good ones and the points I've been going back and forth with myself. By the time it's readily available at the end of October, I'll be close to the 2nd trimester and I know I won't consider it before I'm a few weeks into it... anyone else in the 2nd trimester considering it or not considering it?

angfento - I know you posted a month ago, so you may not re-open this thread... but do you know what the 11 states are that it is considered widespread in? Does anyone know? Thanks!

[Blondee178]

^^I had my first Dr.'s appointment today (i'm 10 wks) and she gave me the regular flu shot. I wasn't going to get it as i rarely get sick but i read that pregnancy weakens your immune system and i didn't want to risk it.

As for the H1N1- I haven't given it much thought. I guess if my Dr. suggests it, I will consider it. If not, i probably wont do it. Either way I would suggest you talk to your Doctor about it.

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

you actually cannot get the H1N1 shot unless you get the reg flu shot 30 days before or at the same time. Something to keep in mind.

We're all still definitely getting it.

[Selena]

Swanky where did you hear that?

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

I can't remember I know I've heard it in several places though.

I read that they must be together or 30 days apart.

[Golden Touch]

My Ob said evey pregnant woman should have it any time after 12 weeks. I was not going to have it but now I have heard of a lady not far from us who lost her baby after 22 weeks due to Swine flu and she nearly died as well.

I am now 14 weeks and we are booked in for next Wed to have the flu shot (DH & I). DH is going to discuss with DSD's mother about her having it - but I doubt we will have success there.

I have not had the regular flu injection (I normally have it but didn't this year?!). We were not told we had to have that to have the swine flu injection.

I will question them.