I´m Sue from Germany and in 5th month pregnant. Here we have currently winter and the h1n1 flu is absolutely prevailing. Pregnant women should be get vaccinated but our vaccine (Pandemrix) isn´t recommended in the pregnancy because it contains thiomersal (mercury) and squalen (to boost its effect).
Now the government has ordered the vaccine Panvax, produced by an Australian company and already vaccinated during the last winter in Australia (so far I know it accurately).
I would like to know more about this vaccine, about our experiences, side-affects etc.
I´m very thankful for your answers, as I´m of two minds about the whole topic.
I´m afraid of the potential complications but I don´t want to hurt my unborn child.
If you look up Swine Flu Vaccine (as we call it) on here or on the internet and complications, Im sorry I cannot be of more help as I havent been in the situation, but wanted to let you know what its called in Australia. I hope you find the answers you are looking for. On a personal note, I wouldnt take it while pregnant but thats just my opinion.
It is H1N1. It's also just been introduced free for kids of a certain age too.
There are alot of people who I suppose would be going out & getting it, but there are also alot of people who won't be getting it as they believe it was brought out too quickly & wasn't trialled properly first.
I personally won't be having it, & neither will my children. I'm pretty sure H1N1 (swine flu) has done its rounds here. My sister had it & I think my mum & I had it. My children were around us, so if they didn't get it there's every chance they won't get it again. Hopefully breastfeeding my DS while I had it will give him immunity to it.
It does sound like the Australian version may be safer than your countries version, so if you were to have it, it might be the best way to go.
All I can say is find out as much as you can & make the decision thats right for you
I had the vaccine at 17 weeks. I'm not due yet but my beautiful girl is kicking away and seemed perfect on the ultrasound I had at 20 weeks. I was worried about taking it but I was also worried about the implications of getting swine flu (ie death for you or the baby, miscarriage). There side effects of getting swine flu for pregnant women are real and very serious.
It probably helped me that my dad works for the company that makes the vaccine and he gave me some reassurance. He also told me that although the swine flu vaccine hasn't been proven in the sense that there aren't years of real results, it is almost exactly the same as the normal flu vaccine which millions of women have had.
I was finally tipped by the fact that they think it will give bub some protection even after she is born. She is due just before our winter and so giving her some protection makes me feel good.
I had the swine flu vaccine a couple of weeks ago at 23 weeks pregnant. I haven't experienced any side effects and bub is kicking away beautifully. My dr recommended it and like Bridget in the previous post I was swayed by the fact that bub will have some initial immunity from it as my parents will be coming over from the Netherlands around my due date.
H1N1 Flu Vaccine for pregnant women
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