Does This Stand To Reason? Flu Shots Q

[Raidra]

I've read a few articles lately that talk about preliminary data suggesting that people who get the H1N1 vax are more likely to come down with the seasonal flu, and that people who get the seasonal flu vax are more likely to get H1N1. That really intrigued me and got me thinking about all those people who get seasonal flu shots and then come down with the flu, even though officials swear you can't get the flu from the flu shot.

So, do you think that getting the seasonal flu vax, which only protects you against whichever strains are included, makes you more likely to get a strain of the flu that isn't included in the vaccination? Does it stand to reason that getting the H1N1 vax and the seasonal flu vax will make you more likely to get the flu?

I'm conflicted about what to do because I haven't ever had a flu shot, and I can't remember the last time I actually had the flu.. it's been years and years. Now I'm pregnant, and when I was pregnant last time, I had a cold and ended up in the ER with difficulty breathing, which a neb treatment fixed. So part of me says I should get the vax because of that history, but then another part of me says that if I've gone this long without getting the flu, and the vaccines might make me more likely to get a strain of the flu not in the vaccines..

Anyway. What do you think?

[Laurel]

I'm also really interested in what others have to say about this. Lots of different infoout there right now. I had a very heated discussion with a friend this weekend who tried to convince me the H1N1 vax would not work unless I also got the seasonal flu shot.

Would you mind posting links to the articles you have read?

[JBaxter]

How it was put to me is the seasonal flu shot/mist weakens your immune system just enought to pick up what ever else is going around ( while you are building immunities to whats in the shot/mist)and right now 95% of whats going around is H1N1. Its crazy around here. I probably have a 17yr old with it right now.

[Raidra]

Here's one article:

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/09/23/flu-shots-h1n1-seasonal.html

I can't find the other, but I'll look again tonight.

I'm just torn.. if I'm doing something right (in that I haven't had the flu for years and years), would getting the vaccines make me more likely to get sick when I probably wouldn't have otherwise?

[bubbaray]

I'm in Canada and this is a HUGE issue here right now. The study originated in my province and the head researcher is a big-wig at the BC CDC. Most of the provinces have either abandoned or delayed their seasonal flu vax programs as a result of that study. Last week the federal gov't (which has zero power in the area of health care, which is provincial jurisdiction) said that the study was flawed, but didn't provide any study to the contrary.

I was mildly freaked initially (b/c both DD#1 and I are high risk and had the flu vax last year), but now I'm trying not to worry. Neither of us will get the seasonal flu vax this year, mainly b/c its a poor match -- virtually all the flu that is here now is H1N1.

Interestingly, I was just at the public health unit getting my pneumonia vax (b/c I'm high risk for H1N1 and my specialist wanted me to get that vax) and the nurse there said not to bother getting the seasonal flu vax when it comes out later in the winter b/c its such a poor match. She also said, like I've been saying, that she has concerns about the vax (testing, adjuvants) and the fact that it is coming out too late to be of any use anyway (she said they aren't expecting to have it until close to Christmas).

[essnce629]

Interesting, but it makes sense. I remember reading before about this happening with another vaccine as well (Hib maybe?). Can't remember now, but it's talked about in the Dr. Sears Vaccine Book.

[lablover]

I've been with my DH for nearly 15 years and he has never been really sick. A cold here and there; maybe one or two stomach bugs that passed through the family, but he would be fine the next day. He went in for a physical last year and the doctor talked him into a flu shot (he'd never had one before). Within the week he was down and out with the flu. He was in bed for several days and non-functional. No one else in the family had it. I know they say you can't get the flu from the flu shot but it was just too coincidental, you know? So if the shot didn't directly give him the flu, I must have lowered his normal defenses and allowed the virus to take hold. All I know is he's never getting a flu shot again!

I feel for you, you have a hard decision to make!