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Parents Leery About H1N1 Vaccine

'Uncertainty' dominates as families mull shot

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2009 10:34 AM CDT

(Newser) – Concerned over unforeseen effects and unconvinced that the H1N1 virus is really anything worse than a case of the sniffles, some parents are leaning away from vaccinating their kids against it, the Los Angeles Times reports. “It's a different brand of flu, but it is still the flu,” says one mom. “I'm really more concerned about the long-term effects and lifelong damage it could do.”

Federal officials are thought to be planning a wide-ranging vaccination campaign, and “complacency is a big challenge,” says a CDC director. Others worry that “there's so much information out there," notes another mom, that "You don't know what's right and what's wrong." Some epidemiologists support widespread vaccination of schoolkids to help restrain the flu’s spread, but parents plagued by “uncertainty” could prove a roadblock.

In this photo taken Aug. 28, 2009, lab workers check chicken eggs that are being used to develop H1N1 flu vaccine at Shanghai Institute of Biological Products. (AP Photo)

Charlie Houley, 8, of Annapolis, Md., receives a shot of a trial vaccine for the swine flu from nurse Peggy Hughes, right, during a visit to Annapolis Pediatrics in Annapolis, Aug. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Board certified family nurse practitioner Marguerite Clohisy administers a Fluzone seasonal flu vaccination to Ann Marie Maida at a CVS pharmacy MinuteClinic in Chicago on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Jassy

Sep 14, 2009 9:04 AM CDT

Hmmm, did somebody say measles? This is not the Spanish Flu of 1918 not nearly as deadly. Unless one has a compromised immune system to begin with this H1N1 virus is about as deadly of the yearly strain of flu. I don't get that flu shot either.

Toon

Sep 14, 2009 5:47 AM CDT

Its a hard choice, I am rarely a first adopter, being willing to miss out on the benefits to wait and see what the downside is but the flu is coming and the risk of not vaccinating is probably worse than the risk of vaccinating.

Circusdog

Sep 14, 2009 4:44 AM CDT

We have it too good in this country....People against vaccination...google some measle pictures. See what the flu did in 1918... Get the shot and stop your whine.

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Parents Leery About H1N1 Vaccine

'Uncertainty' dominates as families mull shot

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parenting • children • vaccination • vaccine • flu shot • swine flu • H1N1 virus

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Concern high and building, but 60+% don't plan to get a shot

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Supplies running low, manufacturers can't make more

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But expect long waits around the country amid high demand

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Older kids, like adults, get effective H1N1 inoculation from just 1 dose

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Parents Leery About H1N1 Vaccine

'Uncertainty' dominates as families mull shot

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

parenting • children • vaccination • vaccine • flu shot • swine flu • H1N1 virus

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Vaccine Scarier Than Swine Flu: Poll

Concern high and building, but 60+% don't plan to get a shot

Swine Flu Vaccine Could Cure All Flu for Life

Those who've been hit with virus seem immune to other flus

Shortage of Seasonal Flu Vaccine Looms

Supplies running low, manufacturers can't make more

Swine Flu Vaccine Starts for Kids

But expect long waits around the country amid high demand

Little Kids Still Need 2 Swine Flu Shots

Older kids, like adults, get effective H1N1 inoculation from just 1 dose

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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