Just got my H1N1 Vaccine

Hi all,
Just came back from getting the H1N1 virus shot. It is being given out by our local county health dept at various schools through out our county to high risk people (pregnate women, anyone 6 mos - 24 years old, 25-64 years olds with chronic medical conditions).
Today was the first day they started giving it out (5-8pm only)and it just happened that my area was 1st to give it out.

From the paper work thay gave me, it comes in 4 different forms. 1 live Flu mist (used for healthy young people) and 3 inactivavated (dead) vacines. I was given the "Novartis" form.

It states in the brochure that protection will generally build up over about 8-10 days & some people may not develope full immunity.

It appears that the differencce between the 3 dead virus vaccines is the early reactions you may get within 24-48 hrs, like some vaccines causes soreness, pain, swelling headaches, flu like symptoms etc.
Being that I have lung cancer and am taking Tarceva, they chose the "Novartis Vaccine" saying that it would/should not interfere with my active treatment. It's side-effects is a possible mild hypersensitivity like rash, local reactions at the injection site & flu like symptoms..
It has been 7 hours and no side-effects yet.

Anyway, I decided to get the vaccine because I am very prone to pneumonia and I just didn't want to take the chance.

I'll keep you informed if anything changes.
Wishing you all well.
Barbara

By prathergirl
Posted October 28, 2009 at 3:53 am
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Thank you for the information ! My husband hasn't been able to get one yet because he keeps being told they are out. I though his lung spec could help since he is in the priority group, but, no luck yet. He's on an antibiotic IV drip and couldn't even get the flu or pneumonia vaccine because of it. I'm afraid by the time the drip stops it will be too late in the season.

By slm-dem
Posted October 28, 2009 at 7:47 am
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My husbands pulmonologist/cardiologist told us yesterday to wait until later to get the h1n1 vaccine even though my hubby has no heart problems at this time. He does have lung cancer with brain met, treated brain met with wbr and gamma over the last 2 months, and emphysema. Seemed strange to me that he(doc) suggested waiting. What do u think?

By drawing3d
Posted October 28, 2009 at 9:14 am
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I just am wondering has ANYBODY done any research themselves - not just "asked" their doctor - but done any of their own research into this H1N1?? (before going out to get the vaccine or deciding to get it?)

By lucy56
Posted October 28, 2009 at 10:20 am
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Today will be the first day in my city (CANADA) for high risk its in only two locations not much parking and bus service sucks to one of them, its going to be a mess the hospitals ERs are backed up the ambulance are stuck at the hospital and not on the road because the can't leave the hospital until a nurse a can take over care of the people they bring in, its a big mess lm starting to think if this is so important that we get this than why can't they get their act together and get this out to us ( cancer clinic, Dr office, Malls after hrs, schools, ) by the time they get the ball rolling flue season will be over.

By MarilyninCal
Posted October 28, 2009 at 12:21 pm
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I've been told by my oncologist that I don't qualify in the first round, because of my aqe (70). Even though I am recovering from radiation and have a cough and lots of congestion in my lungs. I'm with Kaiser. The vaccine just arrived in the Bay Area this week and I'm considering going outside the Kaiser network to see if I can get it.

By Marylou1
Posted October 28, 2009 at 2:23 pm
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I saw my Oncologist today and because of this dang cold and inflammation I have had for almost this entire month, he does not want me to get any shots or vaccines.

He did however, put me on Prednisone, and it looks like I will be taking that until November 19th. I still have some congestion and still have some of those viral sores in the mouth, so I can understand that he doesn't want to add anything into the mix. Sure hope these RXs kick this cold in the butt.

Love to all,
Marylou

By miracle_b
Posted October 28, 2009 at 7:44 pm
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thanks for the info please stay in touch with me and let me know how it goes for u, me myself jst hearing things im still unsure rather to get it or not i havent yet asked my doc but i am i wanted to know if anyone got it and how they did first b4 i make my decision!

By deebeefran
Posted October 28, 2009 at 7:51 pm
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Consider yourself lucky.. In Tucson, Az you cannot be over 50 period... Only the young ones are qualifying..I even spoke to the VA and they dont know if they are getting it. Dianne

By doing-ok
Posted October 28, 2009 at 8:31 pm
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Hi all,
Well I did wake up this morning after getting the shot last night so I take that as a good sign. lol
I did not have any soreness, fever or any other side effects as yet.
Actually, I felt better than I have in days. I'm sure it's all in my head.

To answer to some of your questions and concerns...

slm-dem and drawing3d:
My oncologist suggested my getting it (but not the pneumonia shot-go figure?) but as I said, I am so prone to pneumonia and I am around young kids, and I haven't heard anything really bad about it yet, so I choose to take it.
No, I didn't do any of my own research on it.
By the way drawing3d, I live in Marion County.

MarilyninCal:
"They" say that if you are born before 1950 (?) that they believe that age group has some immunity to it but as time goes on and more vaccines are given and hopefully no bad side effects shows up, if I were you I would more than likely choose to get one too.

Marylou1:
Sorry to hear about your cold. That stinks :( and mouth sores too? Poor Marylou, I've been there and can relate... I hope you get over it real soon.
I am cutting myself back off of predisone
I have been taking 1-10mg 2 x day for over 6-7 weeks or so. To the point of fat cheeks and hoarseness. I have cut back to 1- 5 mg every other day and my voice seems to be getting better.

Miracle_b:
That's what we are all about here. Sharing and supporting. I'll keep you all informed if anything changes.

I am NOT advocating one way or the other in getting the H1N1 vaccine. I am just sharing.

Everyone stay well.
Barbara

PS: Has anyone noticed how many Barbara's there are here? Hum....

By ksep
Posted October 29, 2009 at 12:47 am
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I (the healthy one here) want to get a flu shot but in the past I had a reaction (which the nurse said was not a reaction) I immediately got a rash on the back of my neck. So, 2 Dr's have told me to not ever get one again. I read that you should not get one if you ever had a severe reaction (I don't consider what I had severe). Also my husband the patient got a regular flu shot but they they told him he didn't need H1N1. I would rather take my chances and have both if I can get them. I had the full blown flu a few years ago and it was horrid. But...for anyone who gets it call your Dr immediately and get Tamiflu or the equivalent. It helped me greatly. Kathy

By brooklynda
Posted October 29, 2009 at 6:28 am
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Dear Barbara: I had a call into my PCP to find out whether or not he thought I needed to get the H1N1, but no response for days. I called back yesterday and they have just been deluged with calls. No vaccine available right now.
It finally dawned on me (*duh!) to phone my Onc and when I spoke with his nurse she said I should get it, so I am now #3 on her list - when they get it in.
I kind of had a hunch that I maybe should get it because I've always been prone to respiratory problems - pneumonia, pleuresy and, of course, good ole lung cancer.
It has been good to get others' ideas on the subject.
Here's wishing us all a healthly, flu-free, cancer-free life!!
Blessings!
Brooklynda

By doing-ok
Posted October 30, 2009 at 7:19 am
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Brooklynda,
Glad to see you were able to get signed up for it.

From what I can tell, all of our vaccines are being given out only by our county health dept at various schools thru out our county. I live in Marion County (Central) Florida.

I heard yesterday that counties that helped (CDC?) by participating in the early trials during the development of the vaccine, would be the early ones to receive it once it was ready to distribute. I don't know if that is true or not.

There are several dates like 2 per week over the next 5-6 weeks, where that vaccine (shots) along with the mist will be given out for 3-4 hrs only on a first come basis with each site getting an allocated amount or until it runs out.

I am also hearing that people from surrounding counties where it is not available yet, are coming here and giving out false information to get them.

I am quite proud of our county in how they are handling the situation. They give out tickets to the people in line and when the tickets run out, that means that there are no more to be given from that location so people are not waiting for hours for nothing.

I've also heard that "certain" Walgreens & CVS pharmacies will have it but they do not know when.
As far as private Doctors, from what I understand, they would have had to request it months ago and not all Dr's of course has requested it.
I think it is going to be a real mess as the flu season progresses if they don't get on the ball and get more vaccine out there for all who wants it.

Stay well and have a great day all.
Barb

By stage1
Posted November 21, 2009 at 2:05 pm
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I have been doing alot of research and what I have found out is not good. First of all I have read that the vaccine actually supresses the immune system. It is really bad and the ingredients are horrible. I have also seen on different sites that there have been thousands of people that have had bad reactions and for some reason the news media is not reporting on this. Why???? This is unaceptable! My question is why some people are ok now after getting it and others are not so lucky. All I have learned from researching is that even though some are ok now after the shot, later on is when the problems will begin.
This vaccine is too new and has not been studied long enough. Why do they use these horrible ingredients knowing it is going to hurt us....?

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