Another H1N1 question.. vaccinate toddlers????

I know there have been some previous posts about this, but I have a 2yr old and a 1 yr. old and am NOT vaccinating for H1N1.  I dont like the idea that there is thimeresol in the vaccine, although I know there are numerous studies that disprove the link between thimeresol/mercury and autism, it is still scary to me.  So being that mine are so young and not even in school and my apprehension w/ a new vaccine Ive decided against it.  My family/sisters all have school age children and are adament about vaccinating and are "horrified" that I wont be vaccinating and think this is a mistake.  I know there is an option for a thimeresol free vaccine but I am still relucatnt.  What do you think?

My 18 month old has a well check-up tomorrow and if they have the H1N1 vaccine, he as well as his 5 yr old brother(who btw is not in school yet due to late b-day) will be taking it. I know that alot of people have only mild cases but what if they were to get a severe case and possibly die. I can't risk that.

On a side note, my healthy, 52 yr old uncle is just now getting over a severe case of the swine flu. He lost 17 lbs in 4 days from diarhea and vomiting that is associated with it. Really makes you think......

I too am very leery of thimersol, which is why I did not give my son the regular flu shot ever.  He is now 2.5 years old, and I am leaning towards getting him the H1N1 vaccine.  I had to ask myself, do the risks of the H1N1 outweigh the risks of the flu shot?  In this case I think they do because I think it is more likely that he could have a bad case of the H1N1 flu.  Also, I am more comfortable with im getting it at 2.5 than 6months....I guess I feel like the risk of autism is less now that he is a bit older. 

crystal-light:

My 18 month old has a well check-up tomorrow and if they have the H1N1 vaccine, he as well as his 5 yr old brother(who btw is not in school yet due to late b-day) will be taking it. I know that alot of people have only mild cases but what if they were to get a severe case and possibly die. I can't risk that.

On a side note, my healthy, 52 yr old uncle is just now getting over a severe case of the swine flu. He lost 17 lbs in 4 days from diarhea and vomiting that is associated with it. Really makes you think......

This is my reason for getting the vax for my 6 yr, 3 yr and 10 month olds.  It's not so much the "flu" that I am worried about, but rather the "complications" that can result from the flu.  And you just don't know what will happen...  No one does.  Do you think that crystal-light's healthy uncle thought he'd get so ill???  I doubt it.  

My kids are really thin.  All of them.  My baby is not even on the growth curve for weight (16 1/2 pounds at almost 11 months of age).  There's really no "reserve" there for him if he gets diarrhea and vomiting.  Dehydration would be absolutely devastating for all of them.  I'm not willing to chance that at all.  I was conflicted for a while but I feel quite good about my decision to get the vax now. 

 I just got confirmation from my Dr that my kids did indeed have h1n1. It is going around my area and in their school like crazy. I have not heard of one kid being seriously ill. My kids had fevers, coughs, colds and sore throats for 4-5 days. It was so managable and a heck of alot easier than some of the stuff that has gone through my house. You just have to watch when their fevers get high. There has been no vomiting or diarrah associated with the illness in my kids school. Main symptoms are cough, fever and sore throat.

I was planning on getting the vax for my kids (VERY HESITANT THOUGH) because of how horrible this illness was made out to be. I am so glad that I now don't have to and like I said before it was so managable and they are now exposed naturally.

If you don't feel comfortable with getting the vax then don't. I do think that pregnant woman should though.

I have a 16 month old and for some reason I thought under 2 were not allowed to get it?

My older 4 are getting it at school tomorrow and I'm not sure about my 3 year old yet.

peaches78- under age 2 cannot get the nasal spray h1n1 but they can have the shot

crystal-light:

peaches78- under age 2 cannot get the nasal spray h1n1 but they can have the shot

 Oh, ok that makes sense.  Thanks!

I still havent decided.. Im so nervous if they do get it, then I'll be so upset that I didnt do my best to prevent it.  As fas as me, Im pregnant, but wont get vaccinated.  Im going to talk to OB Monday about it.   I wish I could just have peace of mind either way.  I dont even like getting  the regular flu vaccine.

Got my 4 year old son and 18 month old DD shots on Thursday.  I was hesitant and did a ton of research, which let me feel 100% confident with getting them the vax.   I determined after the research that the vax was allowing me to have a tool to protect my kids further from things that they don't have to experience, and felt that it was my job to take advatage of this as their mother.   So, I fully support getting it, however, I have some pregnant friends and mommy friends who aren't getting it for their kids, and I think that is 100% fine decision for them.   To me the minor side effects of the shot and the huge benefit greatly outweighed the a week long, potential very dangerous sickness for them.   However, I am a pro-vax person.    We still have about 25 days to wait until we get the 2nd dose.  Dh and I will be getting it for ourselves as soon as possible.   Good luck