Flu vaccine fears persist

The National Institutes of Health has released results of a study that shows that the H1N1 vaccine is safe and effective in pregnant women. In an effort to allay fears, health leaders also announced the formation of an independent panel to monitor overall safety of the vaccine.

But fears persist.

At the St. Francis South Family Care Clinic, patients and staff talked about perceived risks of getting the vaccine. There, Mason Gossett got his H1N1 flu shot. The usually bubbly 3-year-old was quietly apprehensive. Perhaps with hopes of stopping the inevitable needle stick, he told his mommy he loved her just before getting the shot.

But his sweet gesture didn't deter his mother. She believes his short-term pain is the family's long-term gain. Mason has a 5-month-old baby sister who is too young for the vaccine. So Amy Kindred hopes keeping Mason healthy protects both her kids.

Kindred said she has no concerns about the vaccine.

"You hear worse of them dying from the H1N1 than from the vaccine," she said.

That's exactly the message internist and pediatrician Dr. Lisa Altuglu stresses. She strongly believes the H1N1 vaccine is safe. She said choosing not to be vaccinated is a choice patients have the right to make, but not a good one.

"By not getting the vaccine, you're making a choice also. You're making a choice that could cause you to contract a very significant illness that could potentially cause some life-threatening complications," said Dr. Altuglu.

But she admits fear is a factor for many.

"You know, I even hear some of our staff members say, 'I don't know if I want to get the H1N1 vaccine'," admitted Dr. Altuglu.

One of those staff members is nurse Michelle Harrison-Shaw. She's 35 weeks pregnant, which puts her at high risk of flu complications. But she's afraid to get the shot.

"Just cause it's a new vaccine," Harrison-Shaw said.

But every doctor with whom she works has assured her that the vaccine is safe. She said her colleges nag her daily about getting vaccinated.

Asked if she's going to heed their advice, she said, "I think I'm going to have to!"

Health leaders believe it's especially important for pregnant women to get vaccinated because the immune system is compromised during pregnancy, making pregnant women far more likely to suffer life-threatening complications from the flu.

For an explanation about who is included in the high risk groups, visit our special H1N1 page.