Flu Vaccine Update for the 2009/2010 Season Thursday, September 10, 2009 With the threat of H1N1 flu, the government is recommending everyone begin their regular flu shots earlier this year, as in right now. The available brands are virtually identical to what they were last year (and the year before) as far as manufacturing and ingredients go (including mercury). Full details on how each flu vaccine is made, what the ingredients are, and the possible side effects are available in The Vaccine Book, although published in 2007, the flu vaccine info my book has changed very little, you can click here for any updates to The Vaccine Book. The most important thing for infants, children, and pregnant women is to MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING A MERCURY-FREE FLU VACCINE. Here is a list of this year’s available flu vaccines with updated info on mercury content: FLUZONE shot This is the only brand approved for all age ranges, from young infants to adults. It comes in four different formulations: Pre-filled syringe for infants 6 through 35 months (contains ½ dose) – NO mercury. Pre-filled syringe for children 3 years and older and adults – NO mercury. Single-dose vial for children 3 years and older and adults – NO mercury. Multi-dose vial for infants 6 months and older, children and adults – contains the full dose of mercury (25 mcg of thimerosal). Infants 6 thru 35 months would get a ½ dose of this form, all others would get a full dose. FLUZONE is the only brand of flu shot approved for young infants and toddlers. BEWARE – the multi-dose vial has the full dose of mercury. You have to make sure you are getting a single-dose pre-filled syringe or vial, NOT the multi-dose vial to avoid mercury. FLUMIST nasal spray An alternative to the flu SHOT for young children is the FLUMIST nasal spray. There is no mercury in this formulation. It is approved for children 2 years and older and adults through age 49. FLUVIRIN shot This shot is approved for children 4 years and older and adults. It comes in two formulations: Pre-filled syringe – has a trace of mercury (see below) Multi-dose vial – has the full dose of mercury FLUARIX shot This is only for adults 18 years and older. It only comes as a pre-filled syringe with NO mercury (this is new this year: in past years, there was a trace of mercury). FLULAVAL shot This is only for adults 18 years and older. It only comes as a multi-dose vial with the full dose of mercury. AFLURIA shot This is only for adults 18 years and older. It has two formulations: Pre-filled syringe with no mercury Multi-dose vial with the full dose of mercury WHAT ABOUT THE H1N1 VACCINE THAT’S COMING OUT IN OCTOBER? Click here to view my previous blog on this. I will be writing an updated H1N1 vaccine blog when the safety research is finished and I see what the vaccine ingredients are. TIMING THE FLU VACCINE WITH OTHER VACCINES Because the flu vaccine is so reactive (likely to cause fever and flu-like side effects), I prefer to avoid giving it with other reactive shots (like MMR, Hep B, Chickenpox, or the H1N1 vaccine). I recommend at least one month between the flu shot and any of these. I would place the priority on the flu shot over the MMR, Hep B or Chickenpox; delay any of those until it’s been at least a month after the flu shot. I do think it’s ok to get the flu shot with any other vaccine on the same day. The teenage vaccines (Tdap, Meningococcal, and HPV) are also fairly reactive, so it would be better to get any flu shots at least one month apart from any of those as well. As for the H1N1 vaccine, I won’t be recommending that anyone get it at the same time as the regular flu vaccine. So, if you anticipate that you or your child will likely be getting an H1N1 vaccine in October or November, I would get the flu vaccine now (if you are going to get it). Another option, wait until November or December, 1 month after you’ve gotten the H1N1. The flu is unlikely to hit until that time anyway. Keep in mind that infants and children 8 years or younger need 2 doses of the flu shot the first year they ever get it. So, if this is your child’s first year of flu shots, you need to plan ahead and not get any other reactive shots during those two months. NASAL SPRAY VERSUS THE SHOT? The nasal spray is a great alternative for anyone who wanted the shot, but can’t find a mercury-free version. It seems that the nasal spray works a little better, but causes flu-like side effects more often. It also shouldn’t be used in anyone with asthma or a history of wheezing. The shot seems to not quite work as well, but may cause fewer side effects. I have a slight preference for the nasal spray, because it’s a more natural form of vaccination (it is given nasally, which is how the flu is naturally contracted). WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRACE AND FULL-DOSE MERCURY? In trace mercury vaccines, mercury is added to the manufacturing process as a preservative, but is then filtered out at the end before being put into single-dose syringes or vials. A full preservative isn’t needed because this vial or syringe is only opened and used once, then discarded. The amount of mercury in vaccines that are labeled “trace” is less than 1 microgram. I believe that this amount is completely harmless (as opposed to the full dose). In full-dose mercury vaccines, the mercury is not filtered out. The preservative is needed for these large 10-dose vials because many doses are drawn out, and the solution needs to stay sterile during that process. The amount of thimerosal in these large vials is 25 micrograms per dose (any infants through age 3 getting a Fluzone shot from the multi-dose vial with mercury would only be getting a half dose, so each shot would be 12.5 micrograms). WHY NOT JUST MAKE ALL FLU SHOTS WITHOUT MERCURY? The challenge is space and money. The five different companies that make the flu shot have to scramble every year to make enough. It costs more money and takes up more manufacturing time and space to put single doses of the flu shot into syringes or single-dose vials, compared to putting 10 doses into larger vials. In order to accommodate the demand, manufacturers have to make most of their product “in bulk”. In the future I hope that more companies will change to mercury-free formulations, or the almost-as-good trace mercury formulations. INFANTS AND PREGNANT WOMEN – JUST SAY NO TO MERCURY The debate over whether or not mercury in the flu shot is enough to cause harm continues to rage on, with no clear resolution yet. I believe it is prudent in the mean time to avoid giving any full-dose mercury shots to children under 3 and to pregnant women. What should you do if all you can find is a full-dose version? Just say no, and tell your doctor why. Maybe if enough patients do this, doctors will order and demand more of the mercury-free version for next year. For kids 2 years and older, get the nasal spray instead (this can’t be given to pregnant women). NEW FLU SHOT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS YEAR? The ACIP, AAP and CDC have decided that it would be beneficial for all children to get a flu shot every year until age 18. Previously the recommendation was for all children until age 5. They don’t know whether or not to push the new policy for THIS year, or wait until next year, because they don’t know if there will be enough flu vaccine to go around to immunize every child and teenager. They don’t want to make a new policy unless they have enough vaccine to cover it. But whether it goes into effect this year or next, it is now believed by medical experts that it’s best to get a flu vaccine for all children and teens every year. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO GET A FLU VACCINE, VISIT www.TheVaccineBook.com YOU CAN VIEW THE PRODUCT INSERTS FOR THIS YEAR’S FLU VACCINES YOURSELF AT http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Post-MarketActivities/LotReleases/ucm162050.htm Labels: Vaccines and their diseases posted by Dr. Bob Sears @ 11:45 AM   46 Comments: At September 13, 2009 4:55 PM ,  Sarah aka "Elliemae" said... Dr. Sears- I am a breastfeeding mother of a nine week old. Based on the CDC's information the FluMist vaccine is not contraindicated for nursing mothers. So I went ahead and got the FluMist vaccine. Then I realized it was a live virus so I became concerned. The FluMist PI says it's not reccommended and nursing mothers should use "caution" due to close proximity and uncertainty about the virus passing thru breastmilk. Now I'm really scared my daughter will get the flu from my vaccine shedding. What do I do? She's a healthy baby but doesn't take a bottle yet. So I don't know how concerned I should be. P.S. her dad just got over the H1N1 virus. Thanks!   At September 13, 2009 7:31 PM ,  Sarah aka "Elliemae" said... P.S. I've been wearing a mask when I nurse her. Is this helpful or futile?   At September 15, 2009 10:50 AM ,  Anonymous said... Dr. Bob- I am chelating from mercury and aluminum toxicity - mercury is dangerous. It should always be ascertained if there is a family history of reactions to vaccines or chemical imbalances. My family has such a genetic predisposition and I always had reactions to vaccines. I had all of my vaccines in the late 60s and early 70s plus a lot of penicillan shots for chronic ear infections. Apparently I have held on to every bit of mercury I ever encountered. Not one pediatrician that treated my daughters found that to be a concern when I told them. My youngest child had a reaction to her 2 month MMR, but the doc said oh, it's no problem. She just finished chelating for mercury in her thyroid. Mercury needs to be removed from our lives period - not just from vaccines.   At September 15, 2009 11:08 AM ,  Anonymous said... I just read this about flumist: A cause for significant concern is the vaccine’s most prevalent side effects: "runny nose" and "nasal congestion." It has been documented that the live viruses from the vaccine can be shed (and potentially spread into the community) from recipient children for up to 21 days,[8] and even longer from adults.[9] Viral shedding also puts breastfeeding infants at risk if mother has been given FluMist.[10] Is this in effect CREATING an outbreak of flu??   At September 15, 2009 12:48 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr Sears - Does a breastfeeding mother who gets the flu shot pass on flu immunity to her baby? Thanks   At September 15, 2009 2:36 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr Sears - I have delayed vaccinations for my children and want to start doing them again. I am concerned about whooping cough. It has been going around where I live. My son in 16 months old and daughter is 4 - they have both had one vaccination for DTaP. Do they have any immunity? Also I was considering to do a flu shot this year. In your opinion which would you do first - DTaP of flu? Thank you Paula   At September 15, 2009 7:33 PM ,  Anonymous said... Here is some info the CDC sent me when I contacted them (take it for what it's worth): The risk for H1N1 transmission (spread) through breast milk is unknown. However, with seasonal flu, reports of a condition called viremia, in which the virus enters the bloodstream and has access to the rest of the body, are rare. This suggests that the risk of the flu virus crossing into breast milk is also probably rare. Sick women who are able to express (pump) their milk for bottle feedings by a healthy family member should be encouraged to do so. Sick women who don't have anyone to help with infant care while they are ill should wash their hands often, and practice good hygiene habits when coughing or sneezing. Women with flu-like illness are advised to use facemasks when feeding and caring for their babies. A mother who is taking antiviral medications (drugs that fight viruses) to prevent or treat H1N1 infection can still breastfeed. In addition, there are steps mothers and caretakers can take to protect their infant from the spread of germs that cause respiratory (breathing tract) illnesses like novel H1N1 flu. * Don't cough or sneeze into your baby's face while feeding him or her, or any other time you and your baby are close. * If you are ill or coughing and sneezing, consider wearing a mask. * Wash adults' and infants' hands frequently with soap and water, especially after infants place their hands in their mouths. * Keep infants and mothers as close together as possible. Encourage early and frequent skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their infants. * Limit sharing of toys and other items that have been in infants' mouths. Wash any items that have been in infants' mouths thoroughly with soap and water. * Keep pacifiers (including the pacifier ring/handle) and other items out of adults' or other infants' mouths prior to giving to the infant. * Practice good hygiene habits when coughing or sneezing. The novel H1N1 flu vaccine is currently in production, and may be ready for the public in the fall. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available. This is because younger infants are at higher risk of flu-related complications and can't get the vaccine. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus. For more information about Pregnant Women and Novel Influenza A (H1N1), please visit the following websites: Pregnant Women and Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus: Considerations for Clinicians http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinician_pregnant.htm Human Milk Banking Association of North America http://www.hmbana.org/   At September 15, 2009 7:54 PM ,  Sarah aka "Elliemae" said... Thanks for that info! I hadn't read that before. It's very frustrating because the medical community isn't giving consistent advice. My doctor told me if I got sick to put my baby on formula, two seperate nurses at her pediatrician's office told me two different things, the CDC, Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins all give conflicting info about Flumist and breastfeeding and the lactation consultants say to nurse come hell or high water. Very confusing. So, I wore a mask the first few days and now I'm counting on my body to produce milk with antibodies for my babys protection. Go with my instinct.   At September 16, 2009 7:01 AM ,  christina said... Hi Dr Bob, Do you have an update on your opinion/recommendation for the H!N! vaccine? Would love to know if the ingredients/side effects have been listed yet. thanks christina   At September 16, 2009 11:18 AM ,  Anonymous said... Dr.Bob - a couple questions: 1. do you recommend nursing mothers ensure they're getting a mercury-free version of the flu shot as well? 2. My pediatrician's office states that anyone older than 36 months cannot receive a preservative-free version of the flu shot. Is it safe to assume if it's not preservative-free, that it contains mercury? My daughter will be 3 at the end of November, and I had planned on getting her the first dose in late October and second one at her 3-yr checkup, but now I'll be pulling ahead this schedule since they refuse to give her a preservative-free version once she's officially 36 months. Really appreciate your guidance on these 2 issues. Thanks, Christina   At September 16, 2009 3:47 PM ,  Sherry said... Dr. Bob, Last year, I let the my OB-GYN convince me that I needed a flu shot at my 2 week postpartum (c-section check-up), to protect my newborn son. They told me their brand of flu shot (Fluvirin) did NOT contain mercury and I referenced your book and thought they were correct. Unfortunately, I didn't check your website updates until after the fact and then I found out it had the full amount of mercury. I have been nervous ever since. Can you tell me how much of that mercury would have been passed on to my 2 week old son through my breastmilk? It was the Fluvirin Novartis brand, multi-dose vial. How concerned should I be? Is receiving a flu vaccine with the full amount of mercury while breatfeeding just as dangerous as receiving it while pregnant? Your advice on this issue would really help put my mind at ease, it's the not-knowing that has stressed me out for 1 year since I made this mistake and I have not been able to find anyone else that can answer my question! THANKS!   At September 16, 2009 7:12 PM ,  Dr. Bob said... Sorry the delay in answering - i was away. No, the flu shot in a nursing mom does not protect a baby. Flumist in a nursing mom - I can't see how the virus would go INTERNALLY to a baby thru the breastmilk, BUT yes, the virus can be shed from the nose to any baby (whether nursing or bottlefeeding). Other than that, i don't know any more details other than what it says in the PI for flumist. But your worry about transfering the virus to the baby would be the same whether you were nursing or bottlefeeding in my opinion. I like your idea about wearing a mask. AND I've always thought women should continue to nurse thru any flu illness. DTaP vs flu shot? I could go either way. Yes, nursing mom's should go mercury-free. According to the blog, you CAN get a mercury free flu shot for adults, children and for infants. It is fluzone brand - also some of the other brands have mercury-free forms for adults. Not sure why your ped is saying that. I would say that getting a mercury flu shot while pregnant is worse than while nursing. That's in the past - so you can't change it.   At September 16, 2009 7:28 PM ,  Dr D., Psy.D. said... Dr. Bob, I have a 7 month old and recently moved to Michigan from CA. All of my CA friends and doctors are against giving a flu shot to young children/infants. All of my MI friends and doctors think it is a MUST to give a 7 mo old the flu shot. My gut feeling is to avoid giving her the flu shot; however, I am met with a great deal of pressure here in Mich. In my eyes there are too many chemicals in the shot (even the Mercury free/half dose version). I have read 'The Vaccine Book,' and your updates on the website. They mainly focus on mercury (which I would never give) as the issue, but I need more guidance. Could you help me sort through this issue?   At September 17, 2009 8:52 AM ,  Anonymous said... Dr. Bob, Do you agree with the following article? Dear John, I have seen more children and adults with influenza-like illness: 104 degree fevers, muscle soreness, sore throat and negative tests for strep, than in any summer I can remember. I haven't used the "flu swab" to test anybody, but I'm sure that many if not most of these sick people had Swine Flu. They all felt miserable, and they are all feeling just fine now. Preventing outbreaks of this "novel H1N1" influenza may be a mistake of huge proportions. Yes, sadly, there will be fatalities among the 6 billion citizens of the planet. Tens of millions of cases of any illness will lead to morbidity and mortality, but this is completely (tragically) unavoidable. The consequences of not acquiring immunity this time around, however, could be really terrible and far outweigh a mass prevention program. Here's my rationale for not using Tamiflu: If (if, if, if) this virus circles the globe as the rather innocent influenza it now appears to be, but mutates and returns as a very virulent form of influenza, it will be quite wonderful and life-saving to have formed antibodies against its 2009 version. These antibodies may be far from 100% protective, but they will help. This is incredibly important but being ignored in the interest of expediency. In 1918, it appears that influenza A (an H1N1, by the way) did this globe-trotting mutation and killed millions. The times and state of medical care are not comparable, but a milder parallel occurrence is possible. Perhaps this happens every 100 years or so, perhaps every three million. Whenever possible, we should form antibodies against viruses at the right stage of their existence and at the right stage of our lives (For example, chickenpox in childhood and EBV/mono in early childhood. There are many other examples.) Getting many viral illnesses confers lifetime immunity, and very few vaccines do. Tamiflu is a very powerful drug with little proven efficacy against this bug, and with its major side effect being tummy upset. I'm not using it at all. Psychiatric side effects are also possible. I also won't be giving the flu shot to the kids and parents in my practice unless there are extraordinary risk factors. I anticipate giving none at all this year. I doubt that there will be any really large problems with the vaccine, but I also doubt any really large benefits. As I said, I think that this year's version of this particular H1N1 is as "mild" as it will ever be and that getting sick with it this year will be good rather than bad. The chances that a new "flu shot" will be overwhelmingly effective are small. I consider this, and most seasonal and novel influenza A vaccines, as "experimental" vaccines; they've only been tested on thousands of people for a period of weeks and then they'll be given to hundreds of millions of people. Not really the greatest science when we're in that much of a hurry. Yes, one can measure antibodies against a certain bacterium or virus in the blood and it may be associated with someone not getting sick, but there are very few illnesses common enough or enough ethics committees willing enough to do the right tests. That is, give 1000 people the real vaccine and 1000 placebo shots, expose all of them to the disease and see who gets sick. Seriously. I know it sounds terrible. Best, Jay Gordon, MD FAAP http://www.drjaygordon.com   At September 17, 2009 9:13 AM ,  Anonymous said... Thousands of people die every year from flu complications... And millions died in previous decades from diseases before vaccines became available. If you choose not to vaccinate your children for the rare posibility of a side effect take care to adopt preventive measures. Keep them from large crowds, know symptoms that require an urgent visit to the doctor, wash you hands, cover your cough, keep away from sick people and, if in daycare, advocate for others around your child to get vaccinated (a bit of hypocrisy but ...).   At September 17, 2009 11:20 AM ,  Anonymous said... Dr Sears, Thank you for the info... Under the Fluzone shot section, you mentioned "BEWARE – the multi-dose vial has the full dose of mercury. You have to make sure you are getting a single-dose pre-filled syringe or vial, NOT the multi-dose vial to avoid mercury" What is multi-dose vial? sorry, not sure what to ask the pediatritian to make sure it is a single-dose.. Thank you for your time   At September 20, 2009 10:09 AM ,  Leroy said... Dear Dr. Sears, I was wonderng what your take on my particular situation would be. I am a type 1 diabetic. I have four children who live with varying medical conditions that make them fall into the high risk category for the flu. My oldest (8yo)is a type 1 diabetic, my middle two (both 6yo)also have type 1 diabetes, in addition one of them has multiple congenital heart defects (which he has undergone 2 open heart procedures for), celiac disease and thyroid disease. My youngest has fared best medically though he has RAD (he is only 18 mos old). My husband has RA and is currently undergoing treatment with Embrel. Sufficed to say, viruses have the capacity to turn our household upside down. I walk a very thin line of fear from the little I know, without enough knowledge to elay my fears, and my children's pediatrician has been unable to advise me in a way that would provide peace of mind with my decisions. I have become fearful of vaccinations because I believe (without getting into the logistics of my reasoning) that, in my family at least, vaccines have played a role in the onset of our diabetes. As a result I am fearful of vaccinating my youngest. I homeschool my kids, but they do interact with other children on a regular basis, so the potential for exposure is definitely there. I am also awaiting the arrival of your book on vaccines. In the meantime, I guess I am seeking advice, or maybe direction, as to where I could look for hopefully settling information about both this years flu vaccine and the upcoming H1N1 vaccine, with specific reguard to my youngest child, but also effects for my older children. Also, I have read information out of the UK about an increased risk of developing Guion Barre with their H1N1 study from the spring. Are we looking at the same vaccine for use here in the US, and thus possibly similar effects?   At September 20, 2009 10:12 AM ,  Leroy said... p.s. this is Leroy's wife...just noticed that it said leroy...and my talking about my "husband" in there might raise an eyebrow. I was just on his account.   At September 20, 2009 10:55 AM ,  Catherina said... Leroy's wife - I would strongly suggest that you discuss flu vaccines for your family with your local health care provider, because s/he knows you all and knows on which medication you are. Generally, the recommendations peddled on the boards are for HEALTHY children and your situation is quite special, so please get advice from your own health care provider. All the best   At September 20, 2009 11:25 AM ,  Catherina said... Anon (third post from top). I hope you are not being charged to badly for the chelation, because it looks like someone is taking advantage of you. MMR is not given at 2 months, it also does not contain any thimerosal (and never did).   At September 20, 2009 11:36 AM ,  Catherina said... Sherry, one thimerosal containing vaccine will not have elevated the mercury content of your breastmilk significantly. Please do not fall for the fear mongering.   At September 20, 2009 12:34 PM ,  Lenny said... Catherina, I am sorry, I am afraid I was unclear about what I was asking for here. I was NOT seeking specific reccomendations for myself or my children, rather, while waiting for my book, I wanted information or direction to reliable (hopefully unbiased) information reguarding this years upcoming vaccines. I am aware that I, and my children, are unknowns to Dr. Sears, and that he could not concionably (sp?) give me specific advice as non-patients. I also did mention that I have talked with our local health care providers to no avail, thus leading me to search for information on my own. The problem is that there is soo much biased, and unqualified information out there that it is hard to determine whether or not I a simply reading opinions or something with some scientific/clinical basis. I chose to give all the information I did as a sort of barometer for Dr. Sears to maybe send me in the direction of case specific information. BTW as far as medications go...we take insulin just like the rest of the world (including all healthy adults...we just have to take it through an injection, as opposed to our body naturally making it, like yours does). I really hope that I have clarified what I was seeking here, as I certainly did not want to appear as if I thought I could just jump online and have a doctor tell me what I need to do. Thanks   At September 20, 2009 1:01 PM ,  Lenny said... P.s. Again, for clarification....I don't know why it switched to my husbands nick name now....but this is the same person...Leroy's wife...and I forgot to mention..my name is Jessica, just so if you choose to respond...you don't have to refer to me as "leroy's wife" probably should have started this whole thing from my own account...just did't realize he was logged in.   At September 21, 2009 4:05 AM ,  Catherina said... Hi Jessica, thank you for clarifying. I am sorry that your real life doctor is unwilling to discuss. Are you stuck with that person?   At September 22, 2009 8:43 AM ,  Anonymous said... Dr. Sears: Have you come across any published research about the H1N1 vaccine and prevelence of guion barre syndrome? If yes, please provide a link. I am very interesting in learning more information about this possible complication to the vaccine.   At September 23, 2009 8:50 AM ,  Stacy A said... I apologize, I posted this by mistake on your H1N1 page... Dr. Sears, thank you for your posts and updates to your book. You have made it possible to make more informed choices and have shed light on very confusing issues. I saw your response to the Tdap vs Flu vaccine (above) that you could go either way. My question to you is Dtap and the Flu vaccine. I have a 15 month old who has not yet received the flu vaccine. Can he receive both the Dtap and Flu vaccine on the same day, or is it better to space those out a month as well? If so, do you recommend Flu shot now, next month Dtap, next month second dose of Flu vaccine? We will be flying in the month of October. Thank you so much!   At September 24, 2009 9:37 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr Sears, CVS pharmacy has Thimerosal flu vaccine for kids. Is that ok? I have a 3 year old. Thank you   At September 25, 2009 2:29 PM ,  worried said... I just received the Shot (Fluzone from the multi dose vial) and it lists H1N1 as one in the ingredients of 3 as well as the full dose of mercury. Why we not shown on government pages that this vaccine for reg flu 2009/2010 has the H1N1 vaccine in it? I was not aware of Thimerosal or that it has H1NI vaccine in it. I have the actual package and insert. Should I be concerned now that it is after the fact??????????   At September 28, 2009 1:26 PM ,  Catherina said... worried, the H1N1 contained in the seasonal flu vaccine is not the same as the pandemic "swine flu" H1N1 virus (confusing). The viruses have longer names (usually including the region in which they were first isolated) to tell one H and N from another with the same number. No need to be worried here.   At September 29, 2009 2:41 PM ,  Cindy said... Jessica, I'm in the same situation as you and am interested to hear what Dr. Sears has to say about it. I have type I diabetes, my 2-year-old daughter was just diagnosed, and I have an 8-month-old son who I'm trying to decide if we should go ahead and vaccinate. Like you, I'm worried that vaccinations may have played a part in my daughter's diabetes.   At September 29, 2009 5:17 PM ,  Alex said... EGG ALLERGY My 11 month old suffers from a severe egg allergy. Please advise if an egg-free vaccine (ie, Optiflu made by Novartis) will be available.   At September 29, 2009 7:06 PM ,  {goodies} said... Hey there. I have a 5 year old with Asthma. I do not want to give him any flu shots (he has not received one since he was a baby) But I'm scared this time....I'm trying really hard to get him all the nutrition that he needs in his lunches and dinners plus he's taking multivitamins and I'm about to get him the Fish Oil from you guys....But I'm just so scared. The media isn't helping. Is there anything else that I can do? I feel like I'm clammering for answers!!! I'm sure I already know the answer, but....I'm just flat out scared. Thanks. :] Allison   At September 30, 2009 6:02 AM ,  Anonymous said... I read recently, I think it was last week, that there is new unpublished research which shows that people who had the flu vaccine last year and who choose to have it this year are more predisposed to get the H1N1 virus. Additionally, I think this article said that the governement was recommending that only the elderly and most at risk get the flu shot to mitigate this problem. Is there any truth in this information?   At October 1, 2009 1:09 PM ,  Anonymous said... I am fourteen weeks pregnant and I had the fluvirin filled syringe dose. I realize that this has 'trace' mercury in it. I am concerned now that I have put my unborn baby at risk. Do you consider this safe in pregnancy??   At October 5, 2009 12:21 PM ,  Anonymous said... How long does a child who has received a flu vaccination/shot shed the flu? I do not give my boys this shot, and they have gotten the flu from a child I babysit after he's gotten the FluMist. How long should we avoid contact?   At October 7, 2009 6:56 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr Sears - My 24 mo. old (large for her age 30 lbs, 38 in) was accidentally given a full dose 0.5 ml of the Fluzone from a multi-dose vial. She has tolerated this well. How worried should I be?   At October 8, 2009 3:10 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr. Bob, From your previous reply you said the antibodies from flu vaccine would not cross to breast milk. Would that mean it may be more beneficial for breastfeeding mom and baby to forgo the vaccine, in the event the nursling gets the flu? If mom and baby got the flu then baby would get antibodies from the mom to fight flu better than getting the vaccine ... is that correct? Thanks for your reply.   At October 10, 2009 9:13 AM ,  Amber said... Dr Bob, Will getting a flu vaccine kind help or hurt my daughter? I have a breastfeeding 9 month old. She is with me nearly 24 hours/day every day so it's very likely that if one of us encountered an ill person, the other would. We don't plan on giving her either flu vaccine but should I get them? Getting a vaccine could prevent me from getting the illness which would be beneficial in caring for her. However, if we are exposed then it'd be likely she'd get it and I wouldn't. Would this make my milk less useful to her in terms of flu-fighting antibodies?   At October 10, 2009 10:41 AM ,  brenda said... My son is 1.5 years old. My son is constantly breastfed. He also has some organic food along with Goat's milk. But, the majority is breastmilk for ANTIBODIES and vitamins. PLEASE PLEASE if you are breastfeeding do not give him the any FLU vaccine or inject yourself with the Flu vaccine. Breastfeeding will provide great antibodies. I am not Dr. Sears but I speak through great experience. Eat right, BREASTFEED and eat organic and you and your child will be just fine. NO FLU OR SWINE FLU VACCINES!   At October 16, 2009 12:17 PM ,  Leroy said... Cindy, I know you must be very frustrated. I have been researching the links between Type 1 Diabetes and vaccinations for about 3 years now. I want answers but can never find anything conclusive. The truth is that most people vaccinate....including persons with Type 1 Diabetes and those with family histories, and thier vaccinated children, more often than not, don't develop the disease. We are a strange family...according to my kids Endo. At least by the way of statistics. However, I truly Believe there is a link. The question is, is that link to individual vaccines and a particular set of circumstances, or is it (what I tend to believe) to the overwhelming strain placed on a young and possibly genetically predisposed immune system, when so many different "fake" (for lack of a better word) disease attack it at once. When thinking of the mechanisims by which this disease presents itself (autoimmune response and confusion) it just makes logical sense to me. All I can say is...I believe there is something to it. The studies I have read about that have looked at and dismissed this idea were biased at best, and not to a scale that I would be compfortable accepting a complete dissection of any links. I have no real advice for anyone, but to inform yourself, check the legitimacy of resources, and keep looking. I pray your little one never has this to deal with either way.   At October 17, 2009 3:20 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr Sears- I have a 6 month old who recently got her first seasonal flu vaccine. She got a high temp. of almost 103 and was very lethargic. So I am very concerned about the side effects of the H1N1 vaccine. My Daughters pediatrician says that the H1n1 virus is the same as the seasonal flu just with the swine flu strain in it. Is this true? Also I have heard that they should switch off between the seasonal and swine flu vaccines. Is this true? and if so is it safe for a 6 month old to have 4 flu vaccines? Also do you know how 6-8 month olds are handling the vaccine?   At October 21, 2009 6:24 AM ,  WuWei said... THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT RESTRICTING FREEDOM OF INFORMATION, AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN THE CDC. ALERT: Special Swine Flu Update http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/21/Special-Swine-Flu-Update.aspx Source: articles.mercola.com Urgent and vital information you need to know about the massive amount of disinformation that the media has recently escalated as best demonstrated by 60 Minutes segment on Swine Flu which aired this past Sunday. Pat   At October 30, 2009 2:31 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr Sears: You are a plague upon this country. Your pathetic attempt at something that doesn't even remotely resemble modern medicine should result in the loss of your license to practice.   At November 3, 2009 1:47 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr. Bob, I realize you have too many questions to answer! But if you happen to answer some more, here's my concern: It's a good thing that some H1N1 vaccines are being manufactured without mercury... howver... they are IMPOSSIBLE to come by. Our pediatrician said they won't have any. It's november and they don't even have the preservative one! My husband and I can get the flumist somewhere else when it is available, but most non-doctor venues won't vaccinate kids under 2 even if they have the preservative free kid version. What to do??   At November 10, 2009 1:24 PM ,  Anonymous said... The San Francisco Chronicle has a great one on how the early polio vaccine harbored a virus now feared to cause cancer in humans. Look, we really do not know WHAT they put in those shots. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/07/15/MN193825.DTL More people are reporting that they are having miscarriages after the flu shots, I just heard of a case myself, but try and get that out of the mainstream media, good luck on that one! Also, here is a great video of why there is such a push for this vaccine and the scare tactics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R005vkMmk1s   At November 10, 2009 1:24 PM ,  Anonymous said... The San Francisco Chronicle has a great one on how the early polio vaccine harbored a virus now feared to cause cancer in humans. Look, we really do not know WHAT they put in those shots. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/07/15/MN193825.DTL More people are reporting that they are having miscarriages after the flu shots, I just heard of a case myself, but try and get that out of the mainstream media, good luck on that one! Also, here is a great video of why there is such a push for this vaccine and the scare tactics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R005vkMmk1s   Post a Comment << Home   The 12 Childhood Vaccines Vaccine-preventable Diseases Boost Your Child's Immune System FAQs Parents Who Choose not to Vaccinate Current Outbreaks and Epidemics Vaccine Discussion Forum Read Dr. Bob's Online Interviews Updates & Corrections to The Vaccine Book Find a vaccine-friendly doctor near you Alternative Vaccine Schedule American Academy of Pediatrics 2007 Vaccine Schedule Vaccine News Vaccines and Autism Vaccines and their diseases

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