Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

So why are we all having this jab when its not been tested?

19 replies

bethan37 · 11/01/2011 08:50

I keep coming back to this question in my mind. I have my jab booked but feel so upset about this one niggling fact. It has not been tested yet long term in pregnancy. Infact they are looking for people for trials, are we the testers?

Gives me the serious willies! ;(

OP posts:
Sirzy · 11/01/2011 08:53

It's no different to the normal flu jab. Every year they predict the 3 strains which are going to be the problem and vaccinate against them. The only difference is this year one of the strains is the swine flu.

Original poster
bethan37 · 11/01/2011 08:55

The swine flu joab has not been tested though...

OP posts:
Original poster
bethan37 · 11/01/2011 08:56

oops jab

OP posts:
Honeydragon · 11/01/2011 08:57

I guess its two birds with one stone.

notsureatall · 11/01/2011 09:53

But the swine flu jab is just another flu jab isn't it?

bubbleymummy · 11/01/2011 10:13

No, the swine flu jab from last year was different to the usual seasonal flu jab.

Sirzy · 11/01/2011 10:44

The swine flu jab is part of the seasonal flu jab this year along with two other strains of flu.

The flu jab is different every year, the only reason some people are more concerned this year is because it has the swine flu in but it is as safe as ever from the research I have done. Ds is having his tomorrow and if I had any doubts he wouldnt be

Moulesfrites · 11/01/2011 10:50

Swine flu is just another strain of flu, and as it is one of the current strains around, it is included in the seasonal flu jab.

Last year it was given as a separate jab because it emerged out of season.

Although the seasonal flu jab has not been given routinely to pg women before, it has been given to pg women who have other conditions eg asthma etc.

I had mine in oct and am now 38 weeks. Glad I did it.

bubbleymummy · 11/01/2011 11:50

In case people are getting confused, the swine flu jab from last year was different to the normal seasonal flu jab - it contained an adjuvant. It had never been used before or tested on pregnant women (because they can't test vaccines on pregnant women - although they can still give them to pregnant women without having tested them Hmm.) This year, swine flu was included in the seasonal flu jab. However, due to shortages of the seasonal flu jab some doctors are using last year's swine flu vaccine again. It only vaccinates against swine flu whereas the seasonal flu vaccine also contains two other strains of flu. Swine flu seems to be the main strain circulating this year so the idea is that they can at least vaccinate against the main strain.

Original poster
bethan37 · 11/01/2011 14:35

I have found out the name of my vaccine and will look into it but a conversation with my nurse about it and I beleive that it hasnt been properly tested on pregnant women.
Yes lots of pregnant women had it this year and last and were fine. I expressed my concerns for 5 or so years down the line and my nurse said oh yes we dont have a crystal ball and cant tell if there are long term effects yet. This is my worry......

OP posts:
meltedmarsbars · 11/01/2011 14:37
Hmm

Because it is very difficult to run clinical trials on a short-term vaccine on pregnant women! - you'd need to assess the baby's health, and most are not born before the flu season is over.

meltedmarsbars · 11/01/2011 14:39

other thread here

Original poster
bethan37 · 11/01/2011 15:00

Thanks for that so horrible isnt it. Wish we could have access to the figures of deaths and those in hospital.
I totally get why there is no info on pregnant women but it just isnt resassuring is it. Just hate for us all to be here in years to come online about the effects of it.

Thanks for all chatting about this with me, iit is all helping ;)

OP posts:
bubbleymummy · 11/01/2011 15:04

bethan, I totally understand your concern. There is no way of knowing what the long term effects will be. I think it is very difficult to weigh up the risk of the disease (which is still quite small when you put it in context) against an unknown risk which may or may not be higher!

Original poster
bethan37 · 11/01/2011 15:10

Exactly, what a position we are all in!
At the moment I am staying in, avoiding kids groups, people with colds are not welcome at ours until they are over it and cleaning everything i am hoping that decreased access to people and hygine will help. Just went to shop and wore gloves throughout then put them in the wash. I would laugh if it wasnt so serious. If i knew this were to be overor to peak now i think i would definately just sit it out for a few weeks and be a recluse until its blown over, its on a couple of months after all and i will have a clean house (i dont work by the way)

OP posts:
larus · 11/01/2011 15:22

I think people are having the jab because swine flu can be fatal.

PuraVida · 11/01/2011 15:27

risk from a vaccination, not that different from ones used safely and routinely for years v risk from complications associated with swine flu for me / my unborn child

the vaccination wins

Original poster
bethan37 · 11/01/2011 18:24

How is it not that different then? It is different?...

OP posts:
Original poster
bethan37 · 13/01/2011 12:21

Just an update really, I found this ling explaining exactl how vaccines work and doubled with that information, a recent death in my area and friends with flu I had my jab today. Do feel happy about it but will stay in for a week or so whilst it starts to work.

www.abpi.org.uk/publications/publication_details/prevention/section4.asp

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread