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Is the H1N1 vaccine safe?
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In Albany, and across the country, some scramble to get the H1N1 vaccine, while others fight against mandatory vaccination requirements, leading everyone else to wonder whether the H1N1 vaccine is safe, or not.
Proponents of the vaccine claim that it is exactly the same as the seasonal flu vaccine already in wide circulation, except that the H1N1 strain has been added. Many scientists, doctors and representatives of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) claim that taking the vaccine should be no different than taking the seasonal flu vaccine. According to the CDC, asthma sufferers and pregnant women are at highest risk for contracting the virus, followed by adults ages 25-49. The CDC recommends that all pregnant women get vaccinated, even though vaccinations during pregnancy are generally not encouraged. (Those concerned about potential links between autism and preservatives, like Thimerosal (approximately 49% mercury), may request the preservative-free version of the vaccine.)
The vaccine’s opponents, however, are concerned that the vaccine has not been properly tested, and is not being monitored as stringently as the seasonal flu vaccine, due to high demand, short supply, and rapid production that may overlook essential safety protocols.
In the printed October 8th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), we find a study showing that over half of the H1N1 infected adults and children examined were affected due to underlying medical conditions, with very few “healthy” individuals displaying dangerous reactions. Furthermore, some who believe the H1N1 virus is not as communicable or dangerous as previously thought, indicate that mass H1N1 vaccination could pose a greater threat than the virus itself.
The primary reason that the CDC recommends all pregnant women get vaccinated is that pregnancy suppresses the immune system, and neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems can occur in babies born to women immunologically stimulated during pregnancy. However, opponents claim that receiving the vaccine may actually lower a mother’s immunity further, making them more susceptible to infection, and could itself cause various fetal malformations in the later stages of pregnancy, or autism showing up after birth.
With each side making a compelling case, who do we trust, and how can we make the best decision for ourselves and our families? The first step is to take precautions to stay healthy, keeping your immune system strong. Second, if you are considering the vaccine, the more you learn from credible sources, the better you will be at arriving at the decision that is best for you. Unfortunately, medicine is not an exact science and there are never any guarantees, but, hopefully, with time, further research and statistics will make our choices easier.
For more info:
In addition to visiting the CDC and NEJM websites, you may also want to research this issue through the American Medical Association, the National Vaccine Information Center and the Vaccination Risk Awareness Network Inc. (VRAN) online. (additional links provided in the side-bar on the left side of your screen)
(Need help working through your decision process? Work with your coach.)
For local vaccination clinics this week and beyond:
Tuesday/Wednesday November 10-11 - Kids Shot Clinic for Schenectady residents 6-mos-5 years old
Friday November 12 - Saratoga Public Health Department public H1N1 clinics
Sunday November 15 - Albany County Department of Health public clinic for high risk groups at the Times Union Center (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Call 447-4505 Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m for appointment.
For additional access to vaccinations, check first with your primary care physician, and continue to monitor the Albany County Department of Health vaccine locator page.
* Click here for a Canadian take on making the vaccine at home!
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