Message from Dr. Lincoln

This is an email from Dr. Lincoln to a friend with concerns about H1N1 and in particular the mist version. Please feel free to share with others as a message from Dr L

Some people do have concerning side effects from the nasal spray vaccines. Concerning in that they are bothersome and can make parents anxious but not dangerous or harmful in any long-term way to the person. The side effects are certainly nothing in comparison to the real flu. So seasonal flu - MUCH MORE IMPORTANT - as the strains that vaccine contain or more aggressive than the novel H1N1 strain. However any flu strain can be aggressive and it is impossible to know for sure who the flu will be aggressive for. Certainly young children, older Americans, pregnant woman, and people with chronic illness such as asthma are at increased risk for aggressive and sometimes dangerous flu infections. About 100 children die on our country every year from seasonal flu - and I believe the last count for H1N1 children deaths was about 100 in the world. So most children don't have serious flu BUT as a community I feel strongly all people should get annual flu vaccine to help protect those in our community who are the unfortunate ones that have bad disease. Everyone in our office is required to get annual flu vaccine and this year is required to get H1N1 vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be as safe and effective as the seasonal flu vaccine as it is made in the same way by the same manufacturers. So if you want to add a strain of flu to your protection I would get the vaccine. My family has gotten both and will so every year as I strongly feel that prevention is the best medicine. And the science is strong - vaccines prevent deadly diseases. The side effects are not common and are usually more of a annoyance than anything. But I understand concerns about increased side effects from the mist. If you prefer the injection the H1N1 injection will be available soon. The seasonal flu vaccine injection is available now at our office for all patients and parents.