Physicians should stand behind science of H1N1 vaccine

I am proud to tell you that I got my influenza A (H1N1) vaccine yesterday. I still find it baffling that many parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children, who by all measures, are among the highest-risk groups. I also find it puzzling that many adults, including pregnant women are choosing not to get vaccinated. The concerns, again, revolve around the usual vaccine conspiracy issues (made too fast, not enough oversight, too much mercury) and are coupled with a poor understanding of what H1N1 is and how severe it can be (And this is not a conservative or a liberal issue, see this article in Slate describing how both sides have found common ground in opposing the vaccine.).

The medical blogs are abuzz with this issue as well, and I think it's important that as physicians we stand up for the real science behind this vaccine and not just supposition or rumor (see this lay press summary of the risks of vaccines here — the author couldn't take her son to day care because he was getting treated for leukemia, and too many of the kids at the day care were unvaccinated).

Dr. Amy Tuteur is an obstetrician/gynecologist who posts to KevinMD.com and usually does not mince words. I generally love her stuff, though she certainly gets some irate comments! Here's another great post on why pregnant ladies ought to be rolling up their sleeves for the H1N1 vaccine. It is a no brainer, really. In her words: "One out of every 25 pregnant women who contracted H1N1 died of it. By any standard, that is an appalling death rate."

However, even if you want to be vaccinated or have your kids vaccinated, many of the highest-risk patients (those under 25, health care workers and pregnant ladies) likely will not be able to get the vaccination before the first wave of the H1N1 flu because of numerous manufacturing delays in making the vaccine. I don't think this means don't bother, because flu season stretches well into early spring, but it does serve to raise the anxiety levels of those who do want to be vaccinated.

Are you getting vaccinated? Are you taking your kids for the vaccine? If not, why not?