Hi there,
I'm going for Pandemrix this friday, even though I could have the celvapan vaccine in 2 weeks time.... I'm due to give birth in 4 weeks time so I didnt think I'd be protected enough with the Celvapan. Also, Pandemrix gives you a far higher level of protection than Celvapan and the immunity stays with you for longer, so I think its the better injection as far as protection is concerned, in addition, Pendemrix is being tried and tested in this country at a far greater level than Celvapan as thats what the majority of people are having and so far no reports of adverse reactions have been noted in pregnant women. See the various links on this website for references.
www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Swinefluinformation/swinefluvaccines/index.htm
Also, with regards to the mercury content, its a very low amount. Pandemrix contains 5 micrograms of Tiomersal which in turn contains 2.5mcg of mercury. The mercury is to prevent bacteria forming in the multidose vials. Single does vaccines don't contain mercury but they take a lot longer to produce. This vaccines was needed fast so it has been produced in batches.
It's a tiny, tiny dose. The average pregnant women ingests more mercury than this weekly through food. A 10 stone woman on average consumes 6 micrograms of mercury a week in her diet. In addition, the form of mercury used in the injected vaccine is flushed out by the body much more easily and rapidly than the mercury form which occurs in food.
For references, please see this article in a respected Norwegian newspaper, it is in Norwegian but you can easily translate it to english using the 'google translate function'
www.aftenposten.no/helse/article3322366.ece
Finally, one does not know how the swine flu will take off over the next few months, dec, jan and feb are traditionally the months when the normal flu takes off, who knows if swine flu will follow suit?
One thing I am sure about is that the swine flu can be very dangerous and harm both mother and baby, is it worth taking the risk?
Hope this helps!