Breastfeeding and H1N1 Vaccine for Moms

[j-ly]

Any thoughts on this? I'm pretty sure I wan't to get the vaccine for myself to protect my ds, who is 4 months old and therefore not old enough to get the vaccine himself, but does anyone have any reasons why I should not if breastfeeding?

[MrsClanger]

Are you high risk? Diabetes? Heart? etc? Therefore get the vaccination. If you aren't in any high risk groups (nursing, medical staff etc) then I personally wouldn't get the vaccination. And as far as I am aware it wouldn't give ds any other antibodies other than the ones you are already giving him.
Hope this helps!

[j-ly]

Thanks for your feedback. I know the bug is in our community now, and it's more a case that if I take the vaccination, I can reduce the risk of contracting it and passing it along to ds. Had a long chat with our local health unit, and these little guys have 0 defences against this scary virus, so I think I'll be lining up with my arm out--very soon!

[PaulsMom]

I think that you're making the right decision.  In my community, people who care for high risk individuals who can not get the vaccine themselves are in the high priority group so I think that you shouldn't have any problems getting the vaccine.  You may want to consider getting the vaccine that does not have the adjuvant in it.

[mom of 2 ds]

I've been thinking of getting it for my son as he is in higher risk of getting it in school, he has asthma and my ds is 4 WEEKS old.  But I never thought of getting it myself.  Now that I read this, I am seriously thinking about it since I have to go back to work in less than 2 weeks and I work inside a mall.  Too many people go in and out of our shop.  And although I manage the lab in the back, I'm still exposed.  Can anyone help me decide?  I'm a little afraid of getting it and exposing my baby to it. Does anyone know the risks involved with exposure to others if you are vaccinated?

Thank you,
Cristie

[tanya032009]

J-Ly- I'm in exactly the same boat as you are, 4mth, EBF DS. Our public health called to set up a time next week for both me and DH to be vacinnated, in hopes that we will not contract H1N1 and therefore reduce the risk of passing it to our little trooper. Thats standard protocol here. My Dr. also told me that it's super important to keep breastfeeding, as you know, it boosts their little systems! He just seems so little, I am hoping and praying he can escape this whole thing!

[PaulsMom]

In general, I think that vaccines are a good way of preventing the spread of disease in addition to the common sense strategies (e.g. hand washing, sneezing into your sleeve, etc). I'm planning on getting the vaccine and will also get DS vaccinated once we are both over the colds that we currently have.  Last year, DH and I both got the annual flu vaccine in November since DS was too young to receive it.  We felt that by protecting ourselves, we were reducing DS' exposure to the flu virus.  

HTH

[Intransit]

Im debating about getting my ds (in school)vaccinated, since I have a 10 day old....and don't want her getting it either!
Hard to decide..

[j-ly]

Hi all, haven't checked in for awhile.  Hope everyone is still healthy and happy.  My husband and I did get the vaccine 2 weeks ago, no ill effects and knock-wood that everyone will stay flu-free!  We're sticking pretty close to home these days, again to minimize exposure for DS and also limiting visitors to those who have been vaccinated.  A little hard-core I know, but doing what I can to keep him well...Counting the days until flu season is over!!!!

[vannmama80]

They only discourage you getting the vaccine if you are breastfeeding and get the live virus. The shot which is an inactive virus is fine. My pediatrician recommended it because my LO is under six months. He said some of the antibodies will transfer to my LO, but that it will really protect me from bringing it into my home. Of course, my provider does not currently have the shot, only the flu mist...so I'm still waiting!