Should your child get the Swine Flu (H1N1) vaccine?

October 16, 1:40 PMBaby and Toddler ExaminerDarby Herrington

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Feeling stressed and uncertain about the H1N1 vaccine?  You are not alone.  Now that flu season is here, parents are finding themselves inundated with fear-driven information about the virus and the vaccine.  But many still do not know the answer to their question:  Should my child get the H1N1 vaccine? 

Since babies and toddlers (all children under the age of 5) are in the high risk category for severe and possibly life-threatening complications from the H1N1 Influenza A, their parents are especially worried.  

The risk of contracting the H1N1 virus and the attack it could unleash on a young child's weaker immune system is worrisome.  That concern is first and foremost, but parents must also consider the potential for the virus to spread to other family members (which may include infants or elderly relatives with even weaker immune systems), for missing significant time at work and for being subjected to an effective social quarantine for at least a week to ten days.  None of that sounds too good.  Any one of those factors, let alone all of them combined, may be enough to convince parents to get their children vaccinated. 

But what about the risk of harmful side effects from the vaccine?  Among other ingredients, the vaccine contains thimerosal, which is a preservative that is metabolized to ethylmercury.  Ethylmercury is generally considered to be not as harmful as the widely studied methylmercury, but due to uncertainty with its use and side effects, the FDA has applied the same guidelines to ethylmercury as are followed with regard to methylmercury.  Although vaccines containing mercury have been widely publicized as being linked to autism, there are studies and reports on both sides of the argument which render all of the findings inconclusive.   In other words, no one on the planet can tell a parent with 100% certainty that thimerosal (and vaccines in general) cause autism.  No one on the planet can tell a parent with 100% certainty that they do not cause autism either. 

Despite this (and because of this), big strides have been made in the last decade to eliminate mercury from vaccines.  The influenza vaccine (for all strains, including H1N1 and the seasonal flu) is one of the few remaining vaccines that still contains thimerosal.  (For a list of vaccines and their content of thimerosal, click HERE.)  However, the nasal spray or mist flu vaccine is thimerosal free and there is also a single shot H1N1 thimerosal free vaccine available in limited quantities. 

Another concern is the risk of developing a serious neurological condition known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).  Following the vaccination against a swine flu pandemic in 1976, it was found that use of the vaccine was linked to GBS.  Naturally, people are concerned that the same may occur as a result of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.  There are many arguments about whether or not this will happen, but it is all conjecture at this point.  The reality is that with any new vaccine, no one knows with certainty what may happen.  Studies can only occur after the vaccine is given. 

Parents are painfully aware of the fact that by vaccinating their child they are allowing a foreign substance to be injected into them.  No parent wants to do that.  Ever.  Parents who choose to vaccinate usually do so on the recommendation of their pediatrician after a weighing of risks and many factors.  The problem is, the H1N1 vaccine debate has physicians on both sides of the fence voicing their loud opinions.  Unbelievably, parents are hearing doctors on television and on the internet say "Don't let your family doctor convince you to get your child vaccinated."  Well, Doc, if I shouldn't listen to my own doctor, why should I listen to you? 

So where are parents supposed to turn?  The news, the media and even parenting and social networking sites are not helping allay parents' concerns.  In fact, they are making them worse.  There are heated debates, blogs, comments, tweets and status updates sparking not-so-informed and not-so-friendly remarks.  Parents are being attacked and labeled as 'stupid' and 'irresponsible' for both vaccinating and not vaccinating their children.  Quite honestly, it is a mess. 

The best thing a parent can do is get informed.  Research and weigh all of the factors, taking into account the amount of trust you have in the individual or organization providing the information.  Below are a some resources to get parents started.  

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a morass of information for those inquiring, such as:  Key Facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine, Questions and Answers: 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine, H1N1 Flu and You, What to do if you get symptoms, Background on Swine Flu, General Information About 2009 H1N1 Vaccines, General Questions and Answers 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine Safety, and the list goes on.  The CDC also provides a weekly report on the spread of influenza across the nation, in which States the virus is local, regional or widespread, and the number of deaths in the nation as a result of influenza and H1N1.  

Howard LeWine, M.D. of Harvard Medical School addresses the concerns in his helpful article, "Top 10 Worries About the Swine Flu Vaccine".  

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides facts about the vaccine and testing in "Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine Safety Monitoring" and common concerns in its "Questions and Answers".    

Sadly, whether parents can truly trust their child's well-being in the hands of any of the individuals, physicians or organizations opining about the H1N1 virus and vaccine is seriously in question.  The only thing that is tried and true during times like these is this:  Go with your gut. 

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