Would love to hear your opinions on this.

I for one am all for this vaccine. I think a killed vaccine virus (not the nasal spray) is a wonderful thing. I do not understand the big d&^* deal about the H1N1. If they had gotten it made a little quicker last season, it would have been in the combined "normal" flu vaccine and no one would have been the wiser. However, now everyone (gen public) thinks it is the devil. People don't want to get the vaccine - they think it could cause more harm than the actual flu. How - I'm just not sure. Do we blame the Jenny McCarthy's of this world? And why does everyone think autism comes from the flu vaccine? Haven't studies debunked all of that?

Would love to hear opinions and thoughts...

People are stupid. Seriously. Look at the recent studies that show that 95% of doctors plan to get the flu shot for themselves, but something like 40% of moms will get it for their kids. Disconnect, much? A lot of doctors also won't take the time and effort to educate patients about it... I spend probably 5-10 minutes with each patient who declines it, to find out what is holding them back and try to debunk their myths and fears. It's a big time investment, but I believe in the shot, so I do it. Plenty of people don't have that time to spend, which is another whole issue.

You know what is completely frightening to me? I have a friend who is slighly "crunchy" read - misinformed - said her military doctor (she's a spouse) said the flu vaccine would do more harm than good. She praises this review! Ugh. It makes me so angry to hear things like this! It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to go through medical school and not learn the correct information about vaccines and how a killed vaccine won't hurt you. This friend is pregnant and her doctor advised her AGAINST getting the vaccine. I really do get angry about this kind of stuff!

Oh dear. There is even some evidence now that getting the flu while pregnant puts your baby at a higher risk of schizophrenia. Plus pregnant women are at a much higher risk of getting seriously ill from h1n1 than the general public. Argh! They even make thimerosal-free vaccines if mercury is a concern.

I was first in line to get a flu shot. I'll be darned if I take the flu home to my babies.

I totally learned that in Psych last phase! It's why winter births are associated with higher rates of schizo, because moms contracting the flu for some reason correlate with having schizophrenic children.

Yes yes! I feel like a raving lunatic about vaccines, but there is just so much misinformation out there it just boggles my mind. Ugh.

I spent part of my career in the Pharmaceutical industry and let me just say that the cause for concern IS somewhat real.

And while it's probably libel for me to name any company specifically, let's just say that it will be a cold day in hell before I EVER take flu mist.

I do not get angry or frustrated about this. I have found that the patients who already trust and know me are willing to accept my recommendations about vaccines and other things. However, with those that I do not have that basic trust with, it is almost a waste of time to try and talk them into it. It is similar to the breast feeding/bottle feeding thing, people pretty much have their minds made up before they see me. If people have questions, I will spend time addressing those. If they do not have questions but decline the vaccines, I supply them with websites (cdc.gov, aap.org, vaccineinformation.org) and have them sign a vaccine waiver. After all, it is up to the patient to accept or decline whatever portion of the medical care we offer.

That's a really good perspective on things, kpzr! I think it is all the news articles like this one http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/10/20/california.whooping.cough/index.html?hpt=T1

And then of course, all the studies showing the mortality rates from flu for pregnant women etc. etc. And all the false beliefs about it etc.

I just let it all get to me too much.

Path - the flu mist is supposedly more effective for the non-immunocomprised pop from my understanding, but I'll have to claim ignorance on the pharm makings behind it. All I know is the killed vaccine is pretty much harmless. It's the one I always get anyways. I've never had the mist, although I hear a rumor it is the most frequently given in the military. I may get it in the future (as long as I'm not preggo again)!

I get so mad about the vaccine naysayers, I can't even talk about it. I should take a page from kpzr's book and learn to live with it! If you're interested in the whole vaccine-autism "controversy", I highly recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/Autisms-False-Prophets-Science-Medicine/dp/0231146361.

I've been a Scientist for over ten years now, and did lab research the 10 years prior to that, including research in infectious diseases which I'm back to doing now. In other words, I KNOW good "science" when I see it so with that said, take it at your own risk. Maybe this is a an "I'm not an MD" thing which is perfectly cool!