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H1N1 nasal spray vaccine

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Posted 10/29/2009 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
In my area, the H1N1 vaccine shot is only available for pregnant women, babies 6 months-2 years, and a few other groups.  I didn't qualify.  However, I also supposedly didn't qualify for the nasal spray vaccine (which *is* available) due to having a chronic illness.  I really wanted to get vaccinated ASAP, as it's pretty active in my area at the moment, and I'm worried about getting flu and then flaring.  I asked my sister (who is an MD, specialist in pediatric nephrology) what she thought about me getting the nasal spray, and she thought that since I was in remission and not on any immunosuppressants, that I should be ok as my immune system shouldn't be compromised.  She said I should ask my GI as well, though.  So I called him on Tuesday and heard back from him yesterday morning that it was fine, for the same reasons my sister gave.  Anyway, I got vaccinated yesterday, and will let you all know if I have a negative result.  Just thought I'd share for those of you who are in the same boat I was....

 

Posted 10/29/2009 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
yes, please do keep us posted! My son was vaccinated for H1N1 yesterday. His GI, also, said the nasal would be fine since he's not on immunosuppressants and in remission, but they gave him the injection anyway.
I'm not on a list yet to get it, but when my age group makes the list, I'll be there!
Posted 10/29/2009 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, definitely let us know! I'm on the fence about the H1N1 vaccine, and even more on the fence about the nasal sprays
Posted 10/29/2009 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
It's only contraindicated if your immune system is suppressed, which yours wouldn't be because you're not taking any drugs that suppress the immune system. The mist should be fine for you. People on immunosuppressants or biologicals shouldn't take it.
Posted 10/29/2009 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, Judy, that's why I thought I'd be ok (and why I wanted to let others know, in case the info they have says the same thing). All the stuff on my county's health deparment website says people with chronic health problems can't have it. So I just lied and said I didn't. ;)
Posted 10/29/2009 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Fruitgirl. I asked my infusion nurse yesterday and she said that I shouldn't get the live one (mist) while on Remi, but I should get the dead virus (shot) except that they have been running short on the shots. I'm so on the fence about getting this; just when I've decided what the heck, I'm not going to get the shot -- more news comes out about how widespread it's getting. Fact or newsworthy is the question?
Posted 10/29/2009 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Newsworthy. They really have no idea how widespread it actually is. Here, if anyone comes into an office with any flu related symptom they are told to assume H1N1, lol. It can't be tested in office anyway.
Posted 10/29/2009 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
I'd agree with that, Dr-A. But one of my coworkers and his baby tested positive for it (I guess they tested b/c the kid is so young), and another coworker's friend's child (how's that for confusing?!) did as well. So I know it's active in my area!
Posted 10/29/2009 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
I am on prednisone which I guess is an immune-suppresant?? So, that means I shouldn't have the mist, I should have the shot, right? Also, I heard if you had the seasonal flu shot that you shouldn't then get the H1N1 shot, you should get the mist. Anyone hear that? I wonder how long I need to wait between shots. I believe I got my seasonal flu shot about a month ago.
Posted 10/29/2009 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, if you are on prednisone, you shouldn't get the mist.
I haven't heard that you should get the H1N1 mist if you got a seasonal flu shot...that doesn't make any sense. My son, who is too young to get mist (you have to be at least 2 years old), got both the seasonal and H1N1 shot. They were separated by about two weeks, but I don't know if there is any suggested waiting period.
Posted 10/30/2009 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, it says that if you got the seasonal mist you have to wait 4 weeks to get the H1N1 mist. Here's the link to a website that has a table that explains it.

http://www.deancare.com/dhs/flu/
Posted 10/30/2009 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Just to let everybody know that viruses are not "alive" or "dead", unlike bacteria. They can only reproduce once they are inside a cell. I do believe vaccine's are made with viruses that have been modified so they can't enter a cell, or reproduce in a cell, can't remember which it is.
Posted 10/30/2009 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
For ease of reference, vaccines are commonly referred to as "killed virus" or "live attenuated virus", at least in the US.
Posted 10/30/2009 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I can understand the waiting period between the mists, since they are live attenuated viruses.

And, so far so good...no symptoms of anything!
Posted 10/30/2009 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I myself have gotten the seasonal shot and the H1N1 shot. I had 2 things going for me because 1. Im on remicade and 2. I work for a health care facility and they were giving the mist and shot out. 

My 2 boys ages 6 and 1 got both shots also. I think that if you aren't on any immunosuppresants then you should be fine getting the mist. Here at the clinic I work at...they are really strict about giving the mist to anyone with any condition...no matter if its bothering them or not.

I live in WA state and they are pretty much out of it at alot of health places as of right now.

Posted 11/2/2009 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey lovemyboys, I live in WA state too...luckily, my county's health department had some when I was looking for it!

Well, here I am now 5 days post vaccination and I'm still fine. I imagine that if something bad was going to happen as a result of getting the mist, it would have happened by now.
Posted 11/2/2009 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Also, if you have asthma, they recommend the shot and NOT the nasal mist.
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