Swine Flu Parties

I thought this was interesting. I have heard of chicken pox parties. Although, according the the CDC the swine flu is more deadly than the chicken pox. So I guess I shouldn't compare. What do you think about swine flu parties?

FROM NBC: IMAGINE TAKING YOUR FAMILY TO A PARTY WHERE THE SOLE REASON FOR THE GET TOGETHER IS TO SPREAD THE SWINE FLU VIRUS.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING, BUT DOCTORS HAVE A WARNING.

AS PARENTS ACROSS AMERICA SCRAMBLE FOR THE H1N1 VACCINE, OTHERS ARE TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

GATHERING WITHOUT MASKS AND NOT WASHING THEIR HANDS - THEY'RE COMING TOGETHER TO SPREAD THE GERMS.

(SOT: Dr. Mark Sawyer, Infectious Disease Specialist)
"We first heard about parties like this back in the chicken pox era."

DR. MARK SAWYER, AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAYS THERE IS SIMPLY NO LOGIC BEHIND THE GATHERINGS NOW KNOWN AS SWINE FLU PARTIES.

(Dr. Mark Sawyer, Infectious Disease Specialist)
"To me it's one of the craziest things I've ever heard of actually."

THE REASON FOR THESE PARTIES, DESCRIBED PLAINLY ON THE CDC WEBSITE - IS TO BECOME INFECTED WITH WHAT FOR MANY PEOPLE HAS BEEN A MILD DISEASE, IN THE HOPE OF HAVING NATURAL IMMUNITY TO A VIRUS THAT MIGHT CIRCULATE LATER AND CAUSE MORE SEVERE DISEASE.

(Dr. Mark Sawyer, Infectious Disease Specialist)
"The trouble with influenza is your natural immunity really isn't that good, that's why we continue to immunize people every year because the influenza virus changes over time."

MEANING SOME PEOPLE WHO GETS SWINE FLU THIS YEAR, COULD ALSO GET A RELATED VIRUS NEXT YEAR. SAWYER ALSO SAYS JUST BECAUSE YOUR NEIGHBOR HAS A MILD CASE - DOESN'T MEAN YOU WILL.
(Dr. Mark Sawyer, Infectious Disease Specialist)
The reason one person gets very sick and another doesn't isn't a function of the virus, that's a function of the person's immune system and any underlying conditions they may have."

SAWYER SAYS GOOD HANDWASHING, GETTING THE VACCINE, AND STAYING AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK IS STILL HIS BEST RECOMMENDATION FOR BATTLING SWINE FLU.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Kids need one dose of H1N1

This really annoys me. A study just came down last week saying kids definitely need two doses of the vaccine. So which is it? I don't think anyone wants to give their child an immunization he/she doesn't need-especially a controversial one like the swine flu vaccine. Here's the new contradicting story!

FROM NBC: A new study on the h1n1 vaccine suggests children may only need one dose instead of the recommended two. But experts say -- don't cancel that second appointment for your kids just yet. The research from Australia finds a single 15-microgram dose of the h1n1 vaccine gives strong protection to more than 92-percent of children between the ages of 6-months and 9-years old. Current U.S. recommendations call for two doses for kids 10 and younger. And the dosage given to kids under age 3 in this study was 15-micrograms. That's double the 7.5-microgram dosage licensed for children in that age group in this country. Experts say it's much too soon to change guidelines based on this one study.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Kid's Swine Flu Vaccine Recalled

FROM NBC: H1N1 vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pastuer has issued a recall for 800 thousand doses of pediatric vaccine, however they stress it is *not* a safety issue. Sanofi routinely tests its vaccine after it has been distributed to doctors. During one of these tests they found the potency of the vaccine for children six to thirty-five months had dropped below the recommended limit.

Further tests found four lots, or roughly 800 thousand doses, were affected. Most of the vaccine had not been administered. Children who did receive the vaccine do not face any increased health risks -- and are likely still protected from swine flu. A spokesman for Sanofi Pastuer say no action is needed other than returning unused doses. Experts say this should not impact vaccine supply.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Not sure what to get your loved ones? Give a Skin Dimensions gift card! Surprise your loved ones with the choice of massages, facials, bareMinerals makeup, manicures, pedicures or let them choose products from a selection of over 25 national and international brands of skincare. Gift cards available in any denomination. Purchase at Skin Dimensions Day Spa, Skin Dimensions Boutique or online.

Preservative Free H1N1 Vaccine

There are a lot of pregnant women with concerns about the H1N1 vaccine. Here is one of the emails I got this week.

Hi, I am 9 months pregnant and live in Peoria... did we get any doses of the H1N1 vacine without the thimerosal?

The CDC says only 12 percent of the H1N1 injectable vaccines are preservative free. However, it doesn't sound like any of the vaccines obtained by Peoria County are preservative free. I haven't gotten a clear cut answer on this, but most of the time I have been told the injectable vaccine DOES contain thimerasol (mercury.) (at least in Peoria County)

The nasal mist vaccine does not contain thimerasol. It carries a live, attenuated virus. Pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems cannot take the live virus. What a nightmare for a lot of pregnant women. Many would like to avoid injecting themselves with a known neurotoxin like mercury while they are pregnant. I am not saying the small amount of mercury in the vaccine will hurt the fetus, but I can understand why pregnant women would want to avoid it. Many pregnant women won't even take Tylenol.

The Peoria City/County Health Department says they are giving out 1,000 doses of the vaccine at each clinic this week. So if you want to get the shot before they run out, get to the clinics early. However, you don't have to be at one of the first clinics of the week. They won't be running out before Friday. Also, the health department is supposed to get another 5,000 doses at some point.

If you want your child to get a mercury-free dead virus, you are out of luck. Most kids, unless their immune systems are compromised, will be getting the live nasal vaccine. "Mom or Dad don't feel comfortable with that" will not be accepted as a reason to give your child a shot instead. The nurses are asking a series of questions. Your answers will determine which vaccine you get. You do not get to choose.

The PCHD says some doctor's office will be getting the vaccine for their patients. However, there is no list available to the public.

It sounds like we will see a lot more people getting seriously ill from the swine flu at the same time more concerns are raised about the vaccine. Did anyone get the vaccine today?

Oh and it looks like we aren't the only ones having trouble getting a preservative free swine flu vaccine. Here is an article out of Atlanta.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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