The Household Dillema

As the school season starts, the big topic in my little circle is the H1N1 vaccine. PapaJD says he couldn't live with himself if the kids get sick and we failed to do our best to prevent it. On the other hand, I couldn't live with myself if we shoot the kids with a vaccine that hasn't been adequately tested, harming them more than had they just come down with swine flu. We keep weighing the pros & cons while waiting for the vaccine to arrive here in town. In the meantime, I can't find a single parent who will be getting the two vaccine shots for their children. Every mom I speak with shares my concerns and will not be getting the vaccine. I've heard the following reasons for their decision:

• It hasn't been tested adquately for longterm safety or proper dosing.
• The H1N1 will arrive prior to the vaccine so why bother?
• The media warnings about H1N1 is overblown.
• The virus mutates, so even if you get the vaccine, whose to say you are innoculated?
• The concern over side effects outweighs the benefits of the vaccine.

At least there is time to continue to think about it. Word is that the mid-October timeline for the vaccine is now a best case scenario. I think I will stock up on sanitizer and over-the-counter meds while I take my chances.