to consider not immunizing ds against swine 'flu?

[deliakate]

And can we do a poll - who is and who isn't and what are the ages of your dcs?

DD 4.5 has been invited.

She's not having it. I hid the letter from DH so we didn't get into an argument a discussion about it.

2yo-not vaccinating.
Me-not vaccinating. (Not tested sufficiently on unborn children.)

DD (7) and I have had it anyhow. I was ok, having previously had 'flu. DD did require hospital treatment a few weeks later, but that could have happened with any 'flu virus. (Developed respiratory problems. All better now.)

Got my invite for DS (1yo) a couple of weeks ago and decided not to do it. By the date of mass injections, he had a high fever anyway so I wouldn't have done even if I had wanted to. I think it's a load of bollox tbh and just a way for a few people to make a load of money in a world recession - we're all paying for it though

Right, so I went on the French government sf pandemic website and here is the info:

Children under 15 -15% of total hospital admissions for sf
15-64-74% of admissions

Out of the 177 children admitted for sf 64 had no known risk factors ( except age).

That's for mainland France, total for the whole pandemic up til January 19th.

So, out of the whole country, just 177 kids admitted for complications.

Am still on the fence.

mankyscotslass - I'm really sorry to hear that and I don't envy you your decision one bit. But you are referring to reactions to the vaccine that are known about now - sadly these do occur and are a known risk.

What I'm really asking is what people think is going to happen 5, 10, 20 years down the line? I'm not aware there is anything new in this particular vaccine other than the particular flu virus. Why is it more likely to have long term health effects than any other vaccination (and I'm not aware that any of them do)?

25 children under 15 have died, 7 had no known risk factor.

I would think it's similar for the UK?

Fairly sure DD (age 3) had SF. She had 41+ temp at one point, but was able to get it down to 39 (with calpol and). She had a cough, off her food, had the aches... etc etc. BUT ot diagnosed... apparently what swept through our nursery was noro Erm... yes, noro... I don't think So.

Anyway Because it wasn't confirmed I accepted the jab. She was fine and only suffered a sore arm for a couple of days. Poor lamb tho had to have her pre school on nurophen es 3 weeks later (better to get them out the way...), and she has had no ill effects! If it wasn't swine flu before, then I don't want her getting it. She was ill enough with the flu-like virus.

DC's are 4 and 2 and we decided NOT to have it; even though the 4 year old is undergoing chemotherapy and is vulnerable to illness.

DH works for large pharmaceutical company (I won't name) and was adamant they shouldn't have it.

Did your DH give a reason Velvetbee?

My 16 month old has had it - there's no way I'd take the risk of him getting Swine Flu if it could be avoided. Did not want him being one of those healthy children who died from it.

Me 33 weeks pregnant, DD 4.5 and DS 2.5 all in excellent health - we will not be having the vaccination. Although, as a pregnant woman I reserve the right to change my mind at the drop of a hat

Am ignoring our letter wavering (usually confirmed immuniser)

I think have have a huge level of cynicism around the reasons all this vaccine is available - I suspect that it's knocking around because the gvmt over-ordered when things looked serious (perfectly sensible) and now that thing don't look as scary, and pregnant women have stayed away, they've got loads of vaccine to 'dump'...
I also feel that independent trustworthy advice is think on the ground atm. yes Ben Goldacre, I am looking at you.

I was all set to let ds (3.7) have it, but then he is always poorly (very runny nose, ongoing ear infection) and I just don't feel good about having him vaccinated when he's not 100 % well. Not sure if that is the right thing to do though.

FWIW, and putting my cards on the table, I too am wavering when it comes to DS (3.5). But this is not because I'm worried about long term health effects (although more info from Velvetbee would still be welcomed). It's more that I am dubious of the benefits of vaccinating at this stage in the flu cycle, bearing in mind that it will have mutated by next flu season and we'll have to go through this whole thing again.

I am pregnant and I had the vaccination. After a lot of thought I decided that the risks of swine flu to my unborn child were greater than any theoretical risk from the vaccine. Time will tell if I was right. These are impossible decisions to make.

I would say that if I was a healthy adult working with vulnerable people, as with those in the health service, I would have had the vaccine without a second thought. Do people really think the govt's trying to turn us all into mutants or something?!

A friend of ours son had it, he is now deaf, totally the day they found out, said friend went out with the lads, got very drunk and tried to get out of the car and fell. The responsible driver (drink free) put him back in and wanted to take him to hospital but he wouldn't have it. Dropped him home where he promptly fell asleep in bed. Got up next morning, fell and banged head .......dead He had suffered damage when he fell out of the car and the second bang finished him off. Sorry that bit was irreleveant really, just all very sad that his wife is now dealing with a 3 year old who is suddenly deaf and no DH sorry bit OT

Oh and no I won't!!! DS is 2.

I got the letter and posted off the slip only today saying my dd, age 3, will not be having the vaccine. We usually do all vaccines (well not chicken pox and flu etc.) but I wasn't too happy with this one. I don't want her to suffer with swine flu but I am not sure of the long-term safety of the vaccine. She doesn't have any health issues so at this moment in time I don't believe that there's a need to take a risk with it (the vaccine).

Nobody has answered my question! What do you all think the long-term effects of a flu vaccine, as opposed to any other vaccine, are going to be?

Why do people on this site hardly ever answer when asked to justify their sweeping statements?

DD 11 - kidney disease and Asthma. Offered the jab around October time and I refused!

DD8 - no health conditions so not offerd the jab as of yet. I doubt she will get it if offerd.

I have had my children immunised against everything else that has been offerd over the years! I am in eneral all for immunisation but this one just does not sit comfortably with me atm.

Am I correct in thinking Drs or med centres are being told to encourage a take up of the vaccine? Is it working on the same system as smears etc where they get paid a fee per jab given?

Maxybrown what a horrific story but it is really hard to tell if it is at all relevant. How old was the child, could he definitely hear before the vaccine, how soon did he become deaf and how long ago was this - ie is it possible that it is temporary.

Guillan-Barre is described as a illness brought on by and infectious process and occurs in 1-2 per 100000 people. Assuming this info is correct then the sufferers mentioned could have suffered from GB as a result of various infections eg swine flu if they had not had vaccine.

It is such a difficult situation and despite being pro-vaccines (really glad small pox is not still about) I don't know what to do for 5 month old ds. I just wish there was more balanced info out there.

I think I will get him vaccinated as I don't think I could live with myself if he suffered serious complications because I hadn't had him vaccinated.

Sorry should have said described on wikipedia - not exactly peer reviewed journal but just looking for a quick explanation.

yes he could def hear before. it does not seem to be temporary. He is 3.

My DS is vaccine free anyway. we have epilepsy and bowel disease in our family already. and DS bowel is already not great at 2.4

My Grandma is almost 84 and has had NO "childhood" illnesses ever