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Sunday, January 17, 2010

to H1N1 vaccine or not?

We are headed to Mexico next week for a holiday we'd planned before we found out we are having a baby.

I'm looking forward to a few days of rest, sunshine and beach time, but a little nervous about H1N1. I asked my RE at my last appt, and he gave me a quick "go ahead" saying the risks of the vaccine were far less than what would happen if you got H1N1. Reading up on the internet, it doesn't seem as easy an answer.. some say to avoid the one with preservatives... others to avoid the one with thermasol... and those that are vehemently opposed to the vaccine in the first trimester. All of this leaves a girl very confused!

I travel internationally for work quite a bit and know that I should take the vaccine. But do I take it now (before this Mexico trip) or wait until I'm done with my 1st trimester in mid Feb?

Have any of you ladies taken the vaccine? Thoughts?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had the normal flu shot, but not the h1n1. I had a friend (not pregnant) get extremely sick after having the h1n1 shot. But she is allergic to eggs and apparently that is partly what made her sick. I would say trust your RE over the internet. But that is just my opinion. Have fun on your vacation! :)

Jill said...

I had the H1N1 vaccine at 6 weeks and it was highly recommended by my doctors. I absolutely do not believe it is more dangerous than any other vaccine and agree with your doc that the benefits far outweigh the risks, especially for this specific flu. This is my opinion of course and I am NOT a doctor but I do have education and work in the fields of biology/chemistry/immunology. If you are pregnant they will have a special single dose for you that will not contain preservatives or thimerosal. They are reserved solely for pregnant women.

Have a great vacation!

pregnant in Manhattan said...

Thanks ladies.

I've called several pharmacies around me and none of them have the thimerosal & preservative free version!! Unreal, considering it's NYC. I'm going to keep trying.

Crunchy Baby Mama said...

Yeah.. I'd be soooo scared to get it, especially in the first trimester. That's gotta be a tough decision. Good luck!