NTTTCR: Teachers... will you get the H1N1 vaccine?

Nesting.Away

I think I am going to pass with cycling next month. I don't want to get the piggy flu, but I don't want some weird condition that could affect my embies. I am just ready for the snot heads (ie. middle schoolers) to start taking over my room. How about you?

smilee

I honestly had not thought about it.

Funny... it is on the news right now.

I doubt I will anytime soon as I am not putting off cycling.  

psychmusetls

honestly, I hadn't thought about it.  but probably not. . .

EmptyOven25

Our school nurse came in to talk about it today, and really pushed the shot especially for our kids who have any sort of immunity issues (ex. cystic fibrosis).  I just think it's too scary to take a brand new shot like that without knowing what the real risks are (whether cycling, pg, or nothing).  It sounds risky.

Jenniemarie111

I teach middle school and I will not be getting the vaccine. I have talked with other teachers on the issue and they have heard from physicans not to get it because its too new and they aren't sure of the effectiveness/risks.

Aliki

The H1N1 vaccine is going to be a dead version of the strain and will not affect your embies in any way. Essentially what they do is introduce the harmless part of the "shell" to your body so that when the real thing comes along, you already have the Ab to fight it.

Unfortunately the announcement today said that the H1N1 vaccine is not going to be ready until mid-Oct.

But when it is ready, I plan to run out and get the shot immediately! I'm a teacher and I know those kids are super germy!!

epphd

OK, I'm not a teacher, but you guys know I'm a total science nerd so I thought I would weigh in here.

I am trained as a neuroscientist and DH is a practicing research immunologist.  You can imagine we have super enthralling conversations about this stuff   Long story short, I am leaning toward not getting the h1n1 vaccine, though I will get the standard seasonal vax. Why?  Because at present FIVE companies have different vax in trials, and the trials won't be complete until the release of the vax.  the FDA will be performing an "expedited" review.  At this point, adjuvants may or may not be added to the vax.  At this point, the production of the vax may or may not be identical to the production of the seasonal flu vax (current production in chicken eggs; potential novel production in cell lines). 

So right now we don't know

1. how the vax will be made

2. whether it will contain adjuvants

3. whether the adjuvants have been thoroughly tested

4. who will end up with the "winning vaccine"

5. how the final vax will be selected

Moreover, full durable immunity will only be conferred after two rounds of shots, and the vax will not be broadly available until November.  In October, IF everything goes according to plan and IF there are no adverse reactions, a limited number will be available. But these will be rationed to the ill, immune compromised, and pregnant (lame). And, even the scientists working on the vax are talking about how rushed this is.

for me, there are too. many. unknowns.

That said... IF the production is in chicken eggs, with no adjuvants, and according exactly to the production plan of seasonal flu vax... I'll consider it.

And I am SUPER pro-vax generally - our kid will get all his shots on time. 

If this was cholera, or TB, or something more virulent... I'd think about getting what I consider will be at best an "experimental" vaccine.  But it's not - it's flu.  It sucks, but in the vast majority of cases it is an inconvenience, not a death sentence.

Carry on

Temp893722312503334

That's funny you brought this up - I made a mental note to talk to the RE about it on Thursday.

I think that i would wait and see if I get pregnant this fall and then consider it.  I work in a school of almost 800 kids - ages 3-11 and I don't worry about it at all now, I feel like I can handle it, its just if I am pregnant I would worry about miscarrying due to issues from the flu (any flu reallym not just H1N1).

j11skate

Well, I'm still unsure.  I am already back to work with 25 1st graders.  This is only our second week and I had two kids out and know of at least 3 teachers that are sick already.  So, I will probably get the regular flu vaccine but still unsure about the H1N1.  EPPHD - I really value your thoughts because you are always so knowledgable about this stuff.  I'm with you, it's still too new.

Nesting.Away

We have been back since the 19th. I haven't noticed too many sick yet... but we know it will probably be here before we know it. I am thinking the same thing that it is just too new. I don't get the flu shot and do ok.. maybe a sinus infection here or there, but never really the flu. I feel like my PNVs have really helped with not getting sick. I was only out last year for procedures and appointments, first time in 5 years.

I dunno... i just feel like I need to be safe about it.

Yellow_Daisy

I am not a teacher but I am stressed about this.  I have a compromised immune system from RA, Hashimoto's Disease and the meds used to treat RA.  So usually I am considered a high risk patient and given access to vaccines even when there is a shortage.  I really think I should get this vaccine when it is available.  I won't start IF treatments until around March/April so I have time but (and it is a big but) I worry about long term side effects. 

I work in a small company less than 100 people and we already have one person out with H1N1 so now I am wondering what the odds are of others in our company getting sick and what my risks are. 

I tend to worry and over analyze things though because I get sick so much and so easily so I will probably debate this in my head until my doc says yay or nay.

MrsP71506

Haven't really thought about it either.  We have been back since the 19th and noone has been sick yet, but I have been better about washing my hands a lot more.  I guess I will have till October to think about it.