Concerns - Thoughts About Safety of H1N1 Vaccine

The H1N1 vaccine looks to be getting questioned as to its safety from many sources. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report they believe that any side effects occurring after being vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine will be rare and mild. They also report that serious life-threatening symptoms caused by allergic reactions to vaccines are quite rare.

It is also believed by the CDC that the H1N1 vaccine will generally cause mild reactions similar to those caused by the regular seasonal flu vaccine. The only individuals who should not take the H1N1 vaccine are those who have a serious allergy to chicken eggs, or any other elements in the vaccine.

I am not afraid to be vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine. I try to have faith in our national systematic control over all vaccines and medical treatments that are prescribed, given or sold to the American public. It seems that getting the H1N1 flu would be a lot worse than getting a shot and having only a few mild reactions to that.

Another program that works with the CDC is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Together, they monitor the safety of all vaccines licensed for use in the United States. One program they both oversee is the Vaccine Adverse Event Report System (VAERS). It is believed by these two agencies that the benefits of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine will greatly surpass the risks. More information about VAERS is available at 'http://vaers.hhs.gov/.'

I have heard of some parents who do not want their children immunized with the H1N1 vaccine. They are afraid it will be harmful to the children in some way. It is a difficult truth to get across to some parents that with the H1N1 flu spreading at its current rate, this is the only way to go.

The biggest problem I can see with the H1N1 vaccine is that there is not enough of it available at present to vaccinate all those who should receive the vaccine first. That is not including those people who want to receive it as soon as possible. I called our local Health Department a few days ago, and they said they were giving the vaccine to children only for now. Since we have been hearing about the possibility of a pandemic of the H1N1 virus for several months, it would seem the manufacturers of the H1N1 vaccine would have started production of it sooner.

I and my husband have already been vaccinated for the seasonal flu. We do this each year as soon as it is available. I have never had any bad reactions to that vaccine, and I don't believe I will have any with the H1N1 vaccine.

Sources:
http://vaers.hhs.gov/
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety_qa.htm
Personal experience/opinions