Comments on: The 411 on H1N1 http://doctorfisher.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/ Health News and Advice from a Family Physician Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:06:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jody B http://doctorfisher.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Jody B Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:38:23 +0000 http://drdave.socialmediawisdom.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/#comment-47 Thank you, Dr. Fisher. After reading up most of the night, I am leaning toward having my children vaccinated. My doctor is not giving the vaccine, and many of the doctors we've spoken to are not giving it. This concerns me. Is this vaccine really any different than the changing seasonal flu vaccine that is given every year (as far as safety goes)? Thank you, Dr. Fisher. After reading up most of the night, I am leaning toward having my children vaccinated. My doctor is not giving the vaccine, and many of the doctors we've spoken to are not giving it. This concerns me. Is this vaccine really any different than the changing seasonal flu vaccine that is given every year (as far as safety goes)?

]]> By: David Fisher, MD, MPH http://doctorfisher.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/comment-page-1/#comment-46 David Fisher, MD, MPH Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:03:13 +0000 http://drdave.socialmediawisdom.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/#comment-46 Jody-<br />Great question. Unfortunately there is no way to know for sure if your baby has an egg allergy. Egg allergies are not common, and if there is an egg allergy there would likely be a mild reaction like a rash. None of this is without risk which is what makes it so difficult. I am vaccinating my children because I believe their risk of getting H1N1 and having a serious infection is higher than their risk of having a reaction to the vaccine. They will likely be exposed to H1N1 this season, so one way or another, their bodies will make antibodies to it, and I would rather they make their antibodies ahead of time through a vaccine, then wait until they are also fighting the illness itself and feeling sick. Jody-
Great question. Unfortunately there is no way to know for sure if your baby has an egg allergy. Egg allergies are not common, and if there is an egg allergy there would likely be a mild reaction like a rash. None of this is without risk which is what makes it so difficult. I am vaccinating my children because I believe their risk of getting H1N1 and having a serious infection is higher than their risk of having a reaction to the vaccine. They will likely be exposed to H1N1 this season, so one way or another, their bodies will make antibodies to it, and I would rather they make their antibodies ahead of time through a vaccine, then wait until they are also fighting the illness itself and feeling sick.

]]> By: Jody B http://doctorfisher.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Jody B Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:51:44 +0000 http://drdave.socialmediawisdom.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/#comment-45 Dr. Fisher,<br />I am on the fence about vaccinating my two girls, ages 6 months and 3 years...have been gathering information the last few days.<br />About the egg allergy, how would I know whether or not my 6 month old is allergic to eggs? Our pediatrician said she can not eat eggs until she is a year old. Your thoughts? Dr. Fisher,
I am on the fence about vaccinating my two girls, ages 6 months and 3 years…have been gathering information the last few days.
About the egg allergy, how would I know whether or not my 6 month old is allergic to eggs? Our pediatrician said she can not eat eggs until she is a year old. Your thoughts?

]]> By: David Fisher, MD, MPH http://doctorfisher.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/comment-page-1/#comment-44 David Fisher, MD, MPH Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:01:31 +0000 http://drdave.socialmediawisdom.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/#comment-44 Stephanie-<br />The regular flu and H1N1 shots can be given simultaneously- no need to space them out as long as they are given in different arms.<br /><br />The regular flu shot can be given anytime- no need to wait. I would go ahead and get the flu shot now if you have access. Stephanie-
The regular flu and H1N1 shots can be given simultaneously- no need to space them out as long as they are given in different arms.

The regular flu shot can be given anytime- no need to wait. I would go ahead and get the flu shot now if you have access.

]]> By: Stephanie http://doctorfisher.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Stephanie Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:46:10 +0000 http://drdave.socialmediawisdom.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/#comment-43 If someone is getting both the regular flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine, how do those need to be spaced out from one another?<br /><br />And what is the recommended window of time for getting the regular flu shot? If someone is getting both the regular flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine, how do those need to be spaced out from one another?

And what is the recommended window of time for getting the regular flu shot?

]]> By: David Fisher, MD, MPH http://doctorfisher.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/comment-page-1/#comment-42 David Fisher, MD, MPH Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:50:35 +0000 http://drdave.socialmediawisdom.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/#comment-42 VWang-<br />The H1N1 vaccine is also made using eggs, so I would not give it to your children if they had a previous reaction. Looks like you are in for lots of handwashing this winter.<br /><br />Anonymous, the vaccine won't be available on a mass scale until probably early November, possibly late October. VWang-
The H1N1 vaccine is also made using eggs, so I would not give it to your children if they had a previous reaction. Looks like you are in for lots of handwashing this winter.

Anonymous, the vaccine won't be available on a mass scale until probably early November, possibly late October.

]]> By: Anonymous http://doctorfisher.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Anonymous Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:56:10 +0000 http://drdave.socialmediawisdom.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/#comment-41 Will the vaccine be available at every doctor's office around the country immediately in October? Will the vaccine be available at every doctor's office around the country immediately in October?

]]> By: VWang http://doctorfisher.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/comment-page-1/#comment-40 VWang Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:56:50 +0000 http://drdave.socialmediawisdom.com/2009/10/the-411-on-h1n1/#comment-40 Thanks for the info! Should children that have had a reaction to previous flu shots (and whom have a slight egg allergy) still get the H1N1 vaccine? Thanks! Thanks for the info! Should children that have had a reaction to previous flu shots (and whom have a slight egg allergy) still get the H1N1 vaccine? Thanks!

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