Swine Flu and H1N1 Vaccinations

My daughter in law's sister lives in Turkey (she's Christian) told us that none of the Muslim's will be be getting the H1N1 shot because it is made with pork.

Juanita wrote:well heres the deal wrap, nobody knows what causes GB syndrome, and this H1N1 vaccine is new, so really they arent sure if the risks are the same exact percentage statistically the same as the seasonal flu shot.. but there is a risk with both shots, and according to news reports now, it is rare. Im not saying you shouldnt worry about it, of course you should always be informed of any risk, im just saying that if youve already gotten a flu shot in the past and not worried about it (we all have a comfortable level of worry) than just compare the current numbers of GB with H1N1. Of course its going to be very hard to find cases, as their arent that many H1N1 shots given out right now. the truth is, we dont really know the true frequency for H1N1.

im very sorry to hear about your MIL critter.

I completely agree with you. There just isn't enough data yet.

I am probably over reacting, but I started to get a sore throat Mon night, by Tues, it had gone to my head, horrible headache, sore throat, just want to sleep. Not sure of fever. I know your not a doctor but could this be thet H1N1? No trouble breathing, just my throat, nose and horrible headache. Thanks!

p.s. I thought the H1N1 and the regular flu shot had eggs in them...NOT pork. :scratch:

Wrap wrote "p.s. I thought the H1N1 and the regular flu shot had eggs in them...NOT pork"
I thought that that post was written as a joke, meaning Swine flu ----swine are pigs and pigs are pork and pork is a nono for many Eastern religions, thought it was a funny joke, was it serious?

Sorry to hear you are ill.

I have done NO research on the shot.......just repeating what an American in Turkey said. She claims that there is something in the shot that comes from pork. Maybe she's all wet. IDK!

TerryRose wrote:Wrap wrote "p.s. I thought the H1N1 and the regular flu shot had eggs in them...NOT pork"
I thought that that post was written as a joke, meaning Swine flu ----swine are pigs and pigs are pork and pork is a nono for many Eastern religions, thought it was a funny joke, was it serious?

Sorry to hear you are ill.

:lol!: Terry Rose, you are probably right. It was a joke. Too sick to "get it". :pale:

he intranasal H1N1 vaccine produced by MedImmune, LLC contains a weakened strain of the swine flu virus, an antibiotic, sugar, an emulsifier, an amino acid, monosodium glutamate, and hydrolyzed porcine gelatin. Porcine gelatin, or pork gelatin, is made from the leftover parts of a pig after slaughter, and is used in many products as a stabilizer.
MedImmune Intranasal Swine Flu Vaccine

The MedImmune Intranasal Swine Flu Vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2009, for adults, and children ages 2 and up.

The intranasal vaccine is intended for inhalation only, and cannot be injected. This vaccine contains a live version of the swine flu virus, which has been attenuated, or weakened, in the laboratory.

Concerns about Pork Products

Both Islamic and Jewish religions forbid the consumption of pork products, and strict vegetarians avoid the use or consumption of any animal products. Pork is not considered a 'kosher' food by the Torah, because the pig does not chew its cud. Eating swine is also forbidden in the Quran.

Each individual makes personal choices about the degree to which they follow vegetarianism, Judaism, or Islam. The risk of becoming infected with the swine flu may be high enough that some consumers would choose to take the vaccination despite the presence of pork products. Without the knowledge that this product contains porcine gelatin, however, these consumers are unable to make an educated choice.

Read more at Suite101: Pork Products in MedImmune Swine Flu Vaccine: Intranasal H1N1 Vaccine with Living Virus Contains Porcine Gelatin | Suite101.com http://islamic-beliefs.suite101.com/article.cfm/pork_products_in_medimmune_swine_flu_vaccine#ixzz0YbWlXFOV

:thanks:

but technically, they are not "eating it"

Thanks for clarifying that there is indeed a pork product in the vaccine. What I wonder about is, why there is a flavor enhancer (MSG) in a vaccine?

by Juanita Today at 9:21 am
but technically, they are not "eating it"

It's still going into their body and that's a no no!

TerryRose wrote:Thanks for clarifying that there is indeed a pork product in the vaccine. What I wonder about is, why there is a flavor enhancer (MSG) in a vaccine?

So many people get really really sick from MSG, this makes no sense to me at all.

My thought on the MSG...it is a preservative...so maybe it is used for that. Weird, huh?

MSG is probably a preservative

It is a sodium, so maybe that is its intended use, but, in foods, it is not used as a preservative, but as a flavor enhancer. It is curious to me that it would be chosen as a preservative in a vaccine. Sugar is also mentioned and I could ask the same thing about that, but sugar also can be a preservative (for example, jams and jellies, etc.). Do you think, because the nasal mist contacts the sense of smell that it is flavored up so that it wouldn't be objectionable? Are the same ingredients in the shot form?

Handed someone my debit card, she sneezed and handed my card back to me, WET. Disgusting.....then I went to use the sanitizer next to the register and thought of all of the germs that must be on top of the sanitizer pump. Help, I am turning into Howie Mandel!!!

----or Howard Hughes! LOL. I had to attend several Holiday performances at crowded schools this past week, all around me, shoulder to shoulder, kids and adults sneezing, coughing, sliming. At times, I tried not to breathe until I passed the imaginary cloud of germs someone had just made. I don't fear Swineflu at my age, but I just don't want to be a carrier to my family if I come down with it. Had a few days of feeling like I was fighting something and then nothing--phew! Watched the last episodes of Monk last night and I think I am much like him now. LOL, Critter.

PS---for my grandkids who count on me being at their performances, I will brave anything, LOL!

I can see you walking thru an imaginary cloud of germs. I admire you for sitting next to coughing, sick people for the love of your grandchildren. They are so lucky to have you so involved. Glad you warded off whatever you were trying to come down with. I would rather have Howard Hughes money than Howie Mandel, that is real money. He could afford to be a germ freak. I will practice 'not breathing' thru the germs next time someone hacks on me!

TerryRose wrote:It is a sodium, so maybe that is its intended use, but, in foods, it is not used as a preservative, but as a flavor enhancer. It is curious to me that it would be chosen as a preservative in a vaccine. Sugar is also mentioned and I could ask the same thing about that, but sugar also can be a preservative (for example, jams and jellies, etc.). Do you think, because the nasal mist contacts the sense of smell that it is flavored up so that it wouldn't be objectionable? Are the same ingredients in the shot form?

hmm so i went ahead and googled this, at first i thought it was a preservative but i couldnt find anything on MSG being used that way, ever definition is "taste enhancer" i think MSG is probably being used as a flavor enhancer for this vaccine because you do swallow what gets into your nose, and because if they wanted a preservative they would just add sodium chloride, UNLESS they dont want the chloride in there. anyway, there are LOTS Of chemicals that are stabilied with sodium, this sodium, that sodium, most of the time for a chemist, its the sodium that is extra and its the molecule that is the focus. glutamate might be used for something, and most likely for taste, like i said, unless chloride is a problem.

as for sugar being a preservative, no way, thats for taste. remember, sugar is the universal food. the best way to get bacteria to grow on something is to add sugar! jellies are preserved because they are boiled and jarred, or put in the fridge.

CritterFan1 wrote:Handed someone my debit card, she sneezed and handed my card back to me, WET. Disgusting.....then I went to use the sanitizer next to the register and thought of all of the germs that must be on top of the sanitizer pump. Help, I am turning into Howie Mandel!!!

THAT IS NASTTYyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

shit i would have told her to get out the spray bottle and clean it off! HELL NO

"as for sugar being a preservative, no way, thats for taste. remember, sugar is the universal food. the best way to get bacteria to grow on something is to add sugar! jellies are preserved because they are boiled and jarred, or put in the fridge."

I don't agree that sugar is not a preservative, Juanita. Without sugar, real fruit would go bad, boiled or not, in the fridge in a few days of time. Also, a natural ingredient candy would not be preserved for months without the ingredient of sugar. All syrups, which are mostly a form of sugar, last for months and months only because they are a sugar syrup. Sugar in cooking tends to preserve things that would go bad in maybe 24 hours sometimes if sugar was not used in them.

ahhh i see

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Sugar_a_Preservative

well good to know!

yes, good to know, Juanita---thanks for the link that explains the action, somewhat, of sugar in food preservation.

Sunday, December 6, 2009 - Updated 5h ago



Food Network host and former “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” co-host Ted Allen says America must swear off dips for the holidays!

“In these times of H1N1, individual canapes are a better idea,” said Allen, who advises hosts and hostesses to scale down fave recipes and serve them during the cocktail hour - just not in a communal bowl.

“Think about a dish that you already know how to cook and then try to miniaturize it,” he said.

And if you’re in a pinch, try Ted’s easiest pre-dinner treat.

“Buy puff pastry, sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese or herbs, bake it and cut it into strips to make cheese straws,” he said. “That’s really easy to do and it has the advantage of making your house smell amazing!”

I got my H1N1 shot yesterday. The restrictions have been lifted. It is my understanding another huge outbreak is expected in February through March of 2010.

Thanks for the heads up, LM.

Any side effects, LM? They are offering them at Walgreens.

No but your local health department is giving them away free. It was not as bad as the regular flu shot. My arm is hardly sore at all. No side effects for me, Sassy or Katie who had two of them. Kids under 10 need two. Swing flu is here to stay it is not going anywhere so please if you can get a shot.

LMAO, SwinG flu. Yes, it is swinging from person to person.

If you are on Medicare, you can get it at no charge.

They are offering at Walgreens but will not give it there to kids under age 9. Thanks for letting us know that kids under 10 need two shots.

I am a chicken, have made it 56 yrs with no flu shot, scared to death.

lindamarie wrote:No but your local health department is giving them away free. It was not as bad as the regular flu shot. My arm is hardly sore at all. No side effects for me, Sassy or Katie who had two of them. Kids under 10 need two. Swing flu is here to stay it is not going anywhere so please if you can get a shot.

:lol!: How about if I stick to H1N1. :lol!:

Okey dokey, but I actually like the Swing dancing flu. Although I doubt there is any dancing involved.

Critter, with all you've been through, I say don't even leave the house!!!!!!!!!

I got the "Swing Flu" shot today. I'll let you all know if I develop GB syndrome or start dancing

Oh, perish the thought, Wrap! Do not develop GB!----you cannot afford to do that!

I had to take the chance. I think the chances of getting GB are slim to none compared to getting the swine flu and die. Sorry to be so blunt, but I have an autoimmune disorder so I can get this H1N1 easily. No worries!! Thanks for sending good thoughts my way!!

Excellent wrapitup. Your right and better to take your chance with the vaccine vs H1NI, the "swing flu" We would not want to turn in to a bunch of "Tigers".

Wrapitup wrote:I got the "Swing Flu" shot today. I'll let you all know if I develop GB syndrome or start dancing

Glad you are immunized!!!! What would happen to VH without you??

you guys turned swingers now?

they swing with swine!!

Situation Update
The U.S. Public Health Emergency for 2009 H1N1 Influenza expired on June 23, 2010. On August 10, 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee declared an end to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic globally. For information about CDC’s response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, visit The 2009 H1N1 Pandemic: Summary Highlights, April 2009-April 2010. Internationally, 2009 H1N1 viruses and seasonal influenza viruses are co-circulating in many parts of the world. It is likely that the 2009 H1N1 virus will continue to spread for years to come, like a regular seasonal influenza virus.
Vaccination
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. The U.S. 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine will protect against an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus that emerged last year to cause the first global pandemic in more than 40 years and resulted in substantial illness, hospitalizations and deaths. Seasonal 2010-11 vaccine has begun shipping from manufacturers and CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a 2010-2011 flu vaccine for the upcoming season as vaccine is available.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Sassy was swapped this morning. They suspect this is what is already going around Iowa.

Hope she doesn't have it...when w/they get the results?

Idon't know when the results will be back. Cyra cannot have a flu shot until she is 6 months old. I thought the one last year would protect Cyra since she was still in the womb when Sassy got her shot. I hope we hear soon. Mean while even though I get the shot free at work I am taking Katie to the Health Department for a shot early this year. Like tomorrow. I will get mine as well. Always remember the flu shot wears off in 6 months if anyone is planning on getting their shot any time soon. A person will need a booster shot later if they get it early.

I heard thru the grapevine to wait till Oct to get the shot as the powers that be have not fine tuned the new 3 in one. But, don't know if there is any truth to that.

I cannot have the shot as long as I am being infused w/IVIG. Have to have it done every 3 weeks for 3 months. If it gives me a 4 day migrane like it did the last time, no way I will deal with that!

I would appreciate a link for the power to be saying that. I don't want Katie to have an ineffective shot. Thank you.

I heard it from a friend that is good friends w/a doctor. I have not looked online, but highly doubt that the manufacturer would put that on the web.

Man what to do? Katie has to get 5 shots in November. For school. I would like to get one shot out of the way before that. We thought we had it rough as kids. Infants at 12 months get 4 or 5 shots. Then again at 5 or 6 yrs of age for school.

They started distributing the flu shots as early as August. Personally, I like getting mine in Oct. It is supposed to offer immunity for UP to 1 year. Some MD's believe that immunity fades over time and will offer a booster if the shot is given too early. Flu season generally runs from Oct-March. I know our Schools here will be offering School-based clinics in Oct. to give School age kids their vaccines. Let us hope it is a mild flu season.

Thanks Cherylz always appreciate your posts. I get mine free at work. Infants get two 1/2 injections in their first year. Poor Cyra. She is being exposed to a really nasty virus right now.

Can Katie not follow under the category of having the vaccine sprayed into her mouth ( or nose) not sure. I am too old, wondered what age they start doing it that way?

Noah had that done last year when he was 3.

LM, is or was Cyra sick? If so, what were her symptoms and did you or Sassy take her to the doctor?

Thanks. Am very worried about my Quinnie.

Sassy and Cyra were sick last week. The week before both my Son's and Husband had it. Katie and I did not get it. Symptoms were a fever, sore throat, running nose and a horrible cough. I know Quinn is very ill. Please let us know what the Dr said today and how he is doing.

He was diagnosed with asthma. He now is on steroids twice per day even if he has no symptoms. He also has a bilateral ear infection; pus in both ears and bronchitis.

He was great in the car and at the doctor's office..go figure. He has been so lethargic and cranky. Poor baby. DIL was at work but my son put her on speaker so she could hear. The doc said cig smoke is the absolute worse thing for asthmatic babies - even 2nd hand smoke - even if you smoke outside. The smoke gets on your clothing and skin and the baby gets sick. She told Andrew he either needs to wear a smoking jacket that he keeps outdoors and away from Quinn or better yet..quit smoking.

I will be watching Quinn tomorrow. He cannot return to damned daycare until he has gone 48 hours w/no fever. Also, he was put on antibiotics.

p.s. I hate it that he goes to daycare. I don't think he is physically ready but what can I do?