Swine flu vaccine - recommendations in different countries?

[jms]

Firstly, the reason I'm interested in the swine flu vaccine is because my wife is pregnant in the third trimester and considered to be in a group with a higher risk of experiencing complications during/after a flu.

Normally, they never give the ordinary seasonal flu vaccine to pregnant women in Norway. But with this flu, the pregnant women in the second and third trimester are first in line (starting vaccinating during this month).

I understand the vaccine which is going to be used is Pandemrix produced by GlaxoSmithKline:

Pandemrix is a vaccine that is given by injection. It contains parts of influenza (flu) viruses that have been inactivated (killed). Pandemrix contains a flu strain called A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) v-like strain (X-179A).

http://www.emea.europa.eu/influenza/...pandemrix.html

It contains Thimerosal (50% Mercury) because it's delivered in 10 dose canisters (?), which is thought to cause MS, autism etc.

So, as many of you are from different parts of the world, what do they recommend in your country?

Should she/we take this vaccine?

All input appreciated.

Thanks!

[Dr Mordrid]

Most everyone should get it, but those who have compromised immune systems should get the killed virus vaccine and not the live virus vaccine.

CDC has recommended those who should be vaccinated first are pregnant women, people in contact with infants and adults under the age of 65 with underlying medical conditions.

[Jammrock]

I would say depends. Unless H1N1 is very common in your area and your wife is early in the 3rd trimester I would say hold off. No need to take the risk on a new vaccine unless there is a very good chance she will get H1N1. But I'm not a doctor so that's just my opinion.

[Dr Mordrid]

It's not really a "new" vaccine as the tech is the same as the for the "old flu". Same risk as any other flu shot.

Also note my admonition about live vs. killed virus vaccines. Killed virus means that only a portion of the virus's shell is used to stimulate the immune system - the virus is truly dead. Live virus vaccines use weakened viruses and so are more likely to cause an accidental infection.

[Technoid]

if its not normally risked with seasonal flu's I can't really see why it should be risked now.

the "swine" flu has been hyped to abnormal proportions

[Dr Mordrid]

Forgot to address Thimerosal.

The panic about autism etc. is BS, but in the US non-Thimerosal vaccinations are available.

[jms]

Do they recommend the regular seasonal flu vaccine to pregnant women in the US?

[Dr Mordrid]

Yes, very much so. Reasons;

it can protect infants who cannot receive vaccination. The mother can pass protective antibodies to her fetus, protecting it during gestation and after birth.

if the mother does get the flu she has a higher than average risk of getting pneumonia. Pneumonia lowers your blood oxygen level. This means the fetus may not receive the oxygen needed for normal development.

having the flu in pregnancy increases the risk of a miscarriage or premature birth.

women who have a fever during early pregnancy are more likely to deliver a baby with a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida.

That said, I'd ask for a killed virus vaccine for the previously stated reasons.

[jms]

As I understand, the H1N1 vaccine we're getting (Pandemrix) indeed contains a killed virus.

It's strange that different western countries have such different policies regarding giving vaccine to pregnant women. Here it's usually a big NO.

[Dilitante1]

I dont get them usually as all around me get sick as hell, but YMMV

I say as long as you dont look like this http://damagedgoods.co.nz/motivator1765c6656108af.html you'll be fine

[jms]

Forgot to address Thimerosal.

The panic about autism etc. is BS, but in the US non-Thimerosal vaccinations are available.

I read somewhere that the amount of mercury was equal to eating a small can of tuna. So, yeah, I guess that's nothing to worry about.

But what about Squalene? (Pandemrix contains this as an adjuvant)

[jms]

Well, we made the decision that both of us should take the H1N1 vaccine.

My pregnant wife (3 trimester) got hers today, but due to a very limited supply (~300.000 doses to a ~5 mill population) I can't get it until ca December...

[VJ]

In Belgium, it is recommended for risk-groups (elderly, youngsters, ...) and healtcare workers (doctors, nurses, ...).
Due to the strange package in which it is delivered to doctors (they are given small bottles with 10 doses, rather than individually packed things like is the case with regular flu vaccins), they hope to encourage doctors to vaccinate more people "as the bottle is already opened"...

Jörg

[jms]

In Belgium, it is recommended for risk-groups (elderly, youngsters, ...) and healtcare workers (doctors, nurses, ...).
Due to the strange package in which it is delivered to doctors (they are given small bottles with 10 doses, rather than individually packed things like is the case with regular flu vaccins), they hope to encourage doctors to vaccinate more people "as the bottle is already opened"...

Jörg

Sounds like the same we're getting. They said it was prodused in 10 dose canisters (?) because they then could produce a lot faster, which IMO makes sense.

We have 2 doses for each inhabitant coming our way, but they only deliver ~200.000 doses each week.

[jms]

Hmm, now we can get Tamiflu in Norway without a prescription, just walk into a pharmacy and pick it up. They've also lowered the price considerably to ~8$ a pack.

I fear this will lead to a shortage for those who really need it. Panic?