[Allergy & Asthma Corner]

 

My, what a difference a season makes. About 2 months ago I was being asked, multiple times daily, “What do you think about that Swine Flu Vaccine?” Now, I am mostly being asked: “Are you going to get the Swine Flu vaccine? When will you get it?”

The media has continued to showcase the devastating impact the H1N1 virus can have on the young and the pregnant (justifiably so in my opinion). We are hearing reports of slowed production and availability of the H1N1 vaccine, as reported cases of flu illness soars.

Most flu like illnesses are being attributed to the swine flu because it is too early to suspect seasonal flu syndrome. Furthermore, in cases where nasal/throat swabs are being analyzed, H1N1 is still the prevalent culprit.

Many doctors have run out of seasonal flu vaccine and await shipment of more supplies from the pharmaceutical companies. H1N1 vaccine is not as available as hoped by this time (late October).

Pregnant women, young children and people with underlying medical problems are at higher risk of poorly tolerating the flu, especially H1N1 currently (seasonal flu hasn’t officially arrived to date).

Here is some information to assist you in getting seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccination:

Seasonal Flu vaccine: Here is a PDF of sites in the Chicago area

H1N1 vaccine: Egg Allergic and Been Turned Down for the Flu Vaccine?

See this Link: Click Here

Do you know your answer?

I’ll give you the reasons why I’ll be getting it when it becomes available.

1)    H1N1, unlike any other flu virus, appears to be hanging around as possibly a perennial (throughout the year) virus. Up to now, flu season was from December to March in America. Such a potentially lethal virus may have more chances (because of having more time, and rapidly spreading) to mutate into an even more lethal infectious particle.

2)    The fact that the early version of this virus in Mexico was so highly contagious and lethal is of concern. Seems to me it would not be difficult for H1N1 to convert to a more fatal brand.

3)    H1N1 has been spreading through many U.S. college campuses for the last 2-3 months. The college kids may be bringing it home over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

4)    I am concerned that as H1N1 spreads through major cities, there will be a sudden surge of people looking to be vaccinated which means the vaccine supply could run short. If you vaccinate early you don’t have to worry about being in the crowd of vaccine seekers that may already be sick.

5)    I feel more at ease about the H1N1 vaccine because unlike the swine flu vaccine of 1976, this one will be made the same way as the past year’s seasonal flu vaccine. Furthermore, there will be no added adjuvant (immune enhancer, often used in Europe, and used in the 1976 swine flu vaccine, according to one report I read).

6)    I have not missed a seasonal flu shot in 18 years. I last had the flu 19 years ago and felt like I was going to die. I NEVER want to feel like that again. Despite my exposure to hundreds of coughing children and adults, I have not had a severe case of the flu since getting the vaccine. Nor have I had any significant problem from the flu vaccine.

7)    Finally, although I am not a high risk person based on personal health, I do not want to miss even 2-3 days of work because of an infection that can be prevented. I also do not want to spread H1N1 to others because of not knowing that the early sniffles, sore throat or headache (in Mexico only 30% of people with swine flu had fever early on) are because I have the flu. I just don’t want to be sick, from H1N1 or seasonal flu.

So, those are most the reasons I’ll be sticking my arm out for another flu shot this year (already had the seasonal flu vaccine). I left out, that I feel obligated as a healthcare provider to follow CDC and HHS (Centers for Disease Control and Dept. of Health and Human Services) recommendations (they recommend those that provide healthcare to children and other high risk patients get vaccinated to both H1N1 and seasonal flu virus).

I know many people have fears about a new vaccine that has not been extensively studied and utilized in trials. It comes down to balancing the fear of the vaccine against the fear of a potentially dreadful flu syndrome that has already reached pandemic proportions.

Good Luck with your decision.

J. Thompson, MD