On The Band Wagon, I Will Jump: Swine Flu Vaccine

Alright, here we go:

I am not getting the H1N1 ("Swine Flu") vaccine for myself OR my children.

Yup. You read that correctly.

Can we just move on now? No? FINE.

Conner has asthma triggered by respiratory infections. We've covered this before. I stumbled upon a great Q&A link about asthma and respiratory illness the other day. Here's a summary: respiratory infections cause inflammation (this is the asthma talking), that inflammation (or airway constriction) causes fluid to back up into Conner's lungs... which in turn means a common cold can last 3 weeks and eventually turns into phenomnia.

The more severe the respiratory illness, the more problems that can occur. A cold can last close to a month, RSV lasted 3, the flu can put Conner in the hospital and cause perminent damage.

ALL of those sound like reason why I should get the H1N1 for at least Conner, right?
But no.

First, I have to say I have never gotten myself or the kids vaccinated for the 'regular' flu because I do not condone injected children (or anyone for that matter) with KNOWN carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Check this site. It's one of many... but it breaks down the vaccine into it's known components. One of which is Formaldehyde. Also included:

• Polysorbate 80 - can cause severe reactions. caused male infertility in lab mice.
• Triton X100 - a strong detergent
• and...
• Mercury 

Explain to me why it is people FREAK OUT about not using mercury thermometers or carefully disposing of energy saving lightbulbs (that contain mercury), but it is SOMEHOW OK to INJECT this into our CHILDREN?

Yeah.
Hell no.

And then there's the arguement of "but it's only a small amount...". Right. Except? You want me to inject this into my kids, in the form of TWO seperate shots (twice the cancer causing agents and toxins) every single year. By the time they can formulate their own opinions about chunking cancer into their tiny bodies on a yearly basis, they will have had - at most - 32 doses (age: 16, two shots a year). That is not "a small amount".

Forget the possible (maybe exaggerated) paralysis. (Although, I am under the belief that if anything? The media is down playing the serious side effects of this vaccine. Oh, the puppetry. Sigh)

Want all the side-effects with less hype (did not say "none". note that), here's the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety_qa.htm

I would never give my kid candy from Halloween I didn't check. I'd never let them ride in a car with someone who's had their license for 2 seconds. Why would I give them an injectable medicine that hasn't been tested?

Call me crazy. I'll be the Crazy Lady With Children Who Do Not Have Cancer Or Paralysis.

Also worthy of note? About 4 weeks back my mom, myself and the boys came down with a mid-grade (sometimes high) fever, chills, tons of congestion, vomiting, and aches.


Back in February, I had the 'regular flu'. People? I wanted to cut my body off of my head. It hurt so much. The boys both had it too, and Conner had it the worst, but he had medicine and survived. Yay! My mom did not have the regular flu.
And then we all get sick with 'flu-like symptoms' and she is the worst. The achey-ness was there, but no where NEAR what I went through earlier this year. It took some debate, and almost 2 whole weeks to feel "normal" again - but we are all close to being sure we had Swine Flu. *insert creepy music and evil laugh here*

I was on the fence about the boys before, and after that? I am just so not going to feel guilty about loading them up on some hyped up vaccine when I very well believe they have already had the disease.

I do believe some people should get it. I don't really draw the line anywhere, and still consider that it's a personal decision and based solely on individual circumstances.
Will you get it?
What about your kids?
Please leave your thoughts in the comments section.