H1N1 Flu Vaccine - to get or not to get

As a pharmacist, health care professional, consumer, and father this question has to be answered. Here's my thoughts on the subject.

Exposure
Let's consider the H1N1 vaccine. The biggest question is: what's the risk of exposure for the person? For children we have to ask if they are around many other children, ie school, preschool, or daycare? For adults, the same applies, but usually relating to the work environment.

Right now 97-99% of flu cases are H1N1. Do you know any one whose had the "flu" this season? If so, you probably were exposed. As some studies have suggested, 60% of population will be exposed to H1N1 before the H1N1 Vaccine is available to all the public.

Risk from Vaccine
The H1N1 is being manufactured and given the same as the seasonal flu vaccine. So it would seem that the H1N1 is equally as safe as the seasonal. However, personally I think I would rather just wait and see how mass immunization goes before I get the vaccine.

Convenience
How convenient is the vaccine available for you or you family? It's not really convenient to take 4 children into the doctor's office to get shots that will hurt (they could get the Flumist nasal spray that won't hurt). But if you do this, you're back to exposure. Actually exposing all your children to the other patients who do have the flu. Is there a county health clinic offering it where you have to wait 3 hours to get vaccinated? Is that worth it?

Bottom Line
Personally, I'm not getting the H1N1 Vaccine even though I will be exposed to it, even though it should be safe (and I did get the seasonal vaccine), even though I can conveniently get vaccinated at work. I recognize it seems hypocritical after what I just said, but I just can't shake the unknown question of what side effects the vaccine may produce which will be seen with mass vaccination.

My 3 oldest children it either. Our 6-mos old is due for her shots the first week of November, so she'd be getting the others ones anyways. I still haven't decided for her yet.

If a young child has any respiratory problems like asthma, then I would recommend getting the H1N1 Vaccine. Other wise you may just want to watch and wait. I would recommend keeping a close eye for any symptoms (fever, soar throat, aches, chills) and taking them to the doctor if symptoms appear. If it's a young child, then I would treat with Tamiflu. If it's an adult or older child, you'd have to weigh the cost of the prescription vs the 1-2 day-shorter symptomatic period.

We all want what's best for ourselves and our families. I hope these thoughts might help you make your decision.