Is everyone getting the H1N1 and H3N2 flu shots? Are they being suggested by your doctor?

bonjour comme Josée, je préfère communiquer en français. J'ai eu ma seule crise en février 2009. Les médecins pensent que c'est le virus de la grippe (influenza) qui a causé la crise. Le spécialiste en hématologie m'a conseillé de recevoir les vaccins de H1N1 et de la grippe saisonnière. Mais il ne sait pas si la vaccination ne pourrait pas déclencher une nouvelle crise. En attendant, je n'ai pas de traitement.

Both flu shots are mandatory for me at work (Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore). I got the regular flu shot Wednesday and so far no problems (I have gotten the regular flu shot every year for the past 15 or more years with no problems). The H1N1 will be available the 1st week in October. I might wait a few weeks to see how it goes before I get it and to spread out the time between the 2 injections.

I talked with my Dr. at Vanderbilt last fall about getting one, and she advised against it. She suggested that if I chose to get it she wanted me to check in the hospital for 2-3 days so they could monitor me, so I chose not to . Dan

Dan, what does your Dr. say about the H1N1 shot? And, Dr. Greipp, what is your recommendation?

I don't recall us discussing the different shots, just flu shots in general.

In general, the usual handwashing and other precautions are recommended for patients susceptible to influenza - all of us. Also, in my opinion, anyone with SCLS except young children should get a seasonal influenza vaccination. I am not recommending H1N1 vaccination for patients with SCLS. 1. Patients above age 60 may already be immune to H1NI because of the previous swine flu epidemic and vaccination. 2. There is a risk of live virus dissemination from H1N1 vaccination. 3. Theoretically an H1N1 vaccination could aggravate SCLS.

Thanks for responding Dr Greipp. I have concerns about the H1N1 vaccine. I think that it is going to be mandatory at JHH so I will use your info to decline.

My own personal internist (at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC) agrees with Dr. Greipp and has advised against my taking the H1N1 vaccine, since those of us in middle (or past middle) age are likely to have been previously exposed to the prior epidemic and either were vaccinated then or managed to survive it anyway. However, the yearly flu shot is another matter, and I've taken it every year, including just recently, without any ill effects.

12/24/09 Has anyone received the swine flu shot to date? Please update your topic if you receive the swine flu shot. I received the regular flu shot and had no CLS affects. I received the swine flu shot December 4th. I may have had a slight flu like symptom the first weekend, but not really sure. I have not had any real CLS issues since. *I do not understand the statements that "everyone our age" should be immune.* The records show that in 1918, the sine flu epidemic killed 50 million people world wide. In 1976, 5 cases at Fort Dix caused the alarm for 48 milion Americans to be vaccinated against the swine flu. I can not find info on the death occurances. There were very few cases reported. Since I was not vaccinated back then and was not in a flu area in 1976, I decided to get the swine flu shot. My decision was based on that if we (CLS patients) get the swine flu, we are probably in deep trouble. The swine flu shot (not the live virus mist) may cause CLS problems, but which could be the worst of the two.

I have received the vaccine against seasonal influenza on October 2009 then the vaccine against swine flu on November 19th 2009 without any problem. I believe that the people at risk should be vaccinated against both 2 types of flu as it is possible that an episode of SCLS is triggered by a viral disease. Claude Pfefferlé

I did receive the regular flu shot for the first time last year. And, i did have an episode the week of Thanksgiving, which was about 2-3 weeks after the injection. At the time i was on a steroid pack for chronic neck pain, so looking back we realized the steroid had actually thwarted the scls episode. But, i did get dehydrated, bloated in my belly area, felt like i had the flu, along with muscle fatigue. This year i have been waiting it out, since i didn't know for sure if it had triggered one. Well, this Thanksgiving has come and passed and no episode. i do however make my whole family do germ ex and hand-washing after going to public places and home from school. They are all very mindful of my immune system and try to stay away from other ill friends in order not to bring anything home to me. I also had considered the h1n1 vaccine, but because of last year's incident, i felt it was too risky.

Connor did not receive the seasonal flu shot to date, but did receive both H1N1 vaccines. He received them prior to his diagnosis. His second attack came one month after receiving the booster. Is that the cause I don't know.