[RissaRoo]

OK, I'm thinking about getting the flumist vaccine for H1N1. My son and I both have Celiac's, and he has allergies as well. You're only supposed to get the flumist if you are "healthy"...what exactly qualifies as healthy? Would Celiac's and allergies lower your immunity enough that a live vaccine would be a bad idea? I'd sooo much rather do the mist if possible, since it's painless and it has fewer chemicals. Any advice would be great!

[ravenwoodglass]

I think the best person to ask about this would be your son's doctor. He should know whether this is going to be safe for your son.

[tarnalberry]

Definitely talk to your pediatrician. Since it is a live (weakened) virus, you can figure some categories of people who shouldn't get it, but the "edge" cases really need to be determined on a case by case basis.

It is, by the way, possible (though I don't yet have any idea how hard) to get single dose vaccines, rather than the multi-dose vaccination if you are worried about levels of thimersol. The single dose version is "mercury free" (has 0.3ug of mercury) while the multi-dose version has some (25ug per dose). As far as I understand it, the H1N1 vaccine does *not* have an adjuvant in it (this year, at least), but I do not know about the seasonal flu vaccine (most vaccines have adjuvants).

[momxyz]

The single dose vaccines come in pre loaded syringes.

But no one with an egg allergy should get any form of the vaccine. The viruses used to formulate the vaccine are cultivated in eggs.....

[kimga]

It seems like your mom's intuition is telling you the answer, but you really want to do the best for your child. But, if you had to ask, they probably aren't.

Because they have a better understanding of brain and immune function, many of the physicians recommending against vaccines are neurologists and endocrinologists, not pediatricians.

If your child has allergies, that means that their immune system is compromised. It means that their immune system is attacking things that it shouldn't. It means that their endocrine system is tired from being 'on' too much and attacking things it doesn't need to. Atypically manipulating the immune system is an additional burden. Adding a 'shot' containing thimerisol, 25mcg of ethylmercury, is an additional burden. Adding a 'mist' of genetically modified live-virus is an additional burden.

A pediatrician will advise to get the vaccine, because the American Pediatric Association (APA) tells them to. Even though the vaccine manufacturers contraindicate vaccines for anyone with a immune issue, the APA recommends them anyway. The APA says that because the immuno-compromised get sick easier they need the vaccine more, but that's the opposite of what the manufacturers say is safe. The pediatrician will tell you that there is such a small amount of 'weakened' virus in the vaccine, anyone can handle it. But manufacturers say the opposite.

The term 'healthy' is left for you to decide. That's why you need to sign a release. That way, in case of injury or death, you take on all the financial risk and the child all of the health risk. Although in the case of H1N1, congress already decided that for us. In case of injury or death, no recourse is legal. You can't sue anyone, no one but you will be responsible.

Ask your doctor:
1 Does my child have immune system challenges?
2 Does the vaccine manufacturer contraindicate for this?
3 What other ingredients are known allergens?
4 Why is mercury considered safe when injected, but not when ingested?
5 To give you a copy of the study that shows how 25mcg of ethylmercury is completely metabolized and excreted for someone with your child's weight.
6 Do vaccine studies use those with allergies or only 'healthy'?
7 What are the signs of reportable adverse reactions?
8 How do I report them?
9 What recourse do we have if there is injury or death?

You are signing a legal contract - you have the right to know.