GSK, The Flu Shot, and Me

I went on a trip to Philidelphia to tour the GlaxoSmithKline vaccine plant. My flight, hotel, cab fare and meals were covered expenses. The opinions represented in this post are all mine and were not compensated in any way.This is a VERY long post, and yet I feel strongly about it and would really appreciate if you would take the time to read it in it's entirety.

I've been writing my main blog for about 8 years now. Maybe a little bit longer, for I remember writing about my 8 year old when she was a baby and mentioning how quiet she was. Yeah, as if THAT continued. I've met some really phenomenal people while doing this awesome thing called blogging, and I've had some amazing opportunites offered to me. I'm not one of those bloggers who makes an enormous amount of money from blogging, doing reviews or selling ads. I've been really lucky to go on some awesome trips and luckily, one of those opportunities presented itself this past week.

When I was a child, I vaguely remember the topic of vaccines coming up, but not ever in a questioning kind of manner. More of an "ugh, why do I have to do this?" type thing. When I had my first child, I remember being scared of vaccinating him, especially as I had friends who were solidly and adamantly in the anti vaccine category. My mother was emphatic in her thought that I absolutely should vaccinate, and my husband was equally adamant.

And so I vaccinated all six of my children, on schedule and fully. Except for the chicken pox. I'll get to that discussion in a minute.

When my children were diagnosed with asthma, it was repeated to me over and over that they needed the flu shot. I got it for them faithfully every single year. We never got the flu, and I wondered if maybe it wasn't such a big deal. No one likes a shot. Maybe I'd avoid it this year,I thought to myself last September, as $25 a pop times 8 of us is $200, and that money really would help with groceries or christmas.

And then last year occurred. My family was hit with the H1N1 and it was brutal. Each one of my children was seriously ill for more than a week and one of my daughters missed school for two solid weeks. This experience - which ended up with a couple of them diagnosed with pneumonia - colored my vision about the flu and how it wracked my children. It was the hardest hit we've ever been with any illness. I will never avoid the flu shot again.

I was offered a trip to Philly to tour the GlaxoSmithKline plant to see how vaccines are manufactured and hear what they had to say. I will admit to a healthy bit of skepticism - after all, I'm sure that they would never say anything wrong about their product - and just because I DO vaccinate my kids on time and with the vast majority of the recommended and required vaccines - doesn't mean that I'm a sheep. I have read the manufacturer's inserts for many of the vaccines. I have researched, probably more than is healthy, the mercury/autism debate, thanks in part to my daughter and her spectrum diagnosis. I worry about overloading the delicate immune systems and wonder each and every time that each shot may not do what it is supposed to do.

In preparation for my trip, I asked my mother her reasons and history for vaccination. Here are her words:

As a child growing up in rural Missouri, I was not vaccinated. My parents refused to allow the school to
give us the vaccinations, not even tetanus and we all stepped on plenty of rusty nails! I was never told why but was probably a mistrust of the government. When I was in 6th grade, I signed my mother’s name to the sheet and received the smallpox vaccination. I don’t remember her ever noticing my scar. As a child, I had whooping cough, both measles and mumps as did my brothers, sisters and probably all the children in our little one room country school. My mother told us that they all had Small pox when
they were growing up and were quarantined because of it but also told us that they snuck out at night
because they had to work! When I applied for nurse’s training, I had to have up to date immunizations and got them without an argument from my parents. There was never a question about whether I would
vaccinate my children. I had taken care of children in my ped’s rotation who had whooping cough,
or measles and several times a year we, as student nurses, then later as nurses would be exposed to someone who had TB, so my children were vaccinated.

We were taken to the vaccine packaging and filling plant early Friday morning. After a long ride through some of the most beautiful countryside of Lancaster County, we arrived at the plant. We were greeted warmly and after grabbing some (more! There's never enough in my book) coffee, we sat down to listen to the first part of the presentation. Do More, Feel Better, Live Longer is their new motto, and it is one that they are definitely committed to spreading globally. Each and every person that spoke to us was passionate and animated about their work.

I am an avid reader and I've read many books detailing the history of disease and the evolution of vaccinations and antibiotics, and it fascinates me. As recently as 100 years ago, families lost members, even babies, to diseases that we just don't think about any more. Plagues and flus transformed the structure of society in ways that I almost cannot comprehend. Entire populations were wiped out by diseases that I would not recognize if I saw them today. Mothers routinely died after childbirth and only the hardiest babies survived.

i know that there is another side to the discussion. I've studied the vaccine debate in detail, and my heart breaks for those who have suffered disfiguration and those families who have lost members due to vaccine trauma. I do believe that there have been issues and problems. Nothing is ever free from strife.

But for us, I believe in vaccines.

 We learned the process of vaccines coming to market - how detailed the research is, how incredibly demanding and consuming the FDA regulations are, and the many steps necessary to bringing a vaccine into public use. I was struck by the fact that each person who spoke to us was excited about their work and passionate about helping people. One of the speakers - and I'm so sorry, I didn't catch a name, because the cold that my hubby was so gracious in sharing had begun to take root and the cold medicine I had taken was making me a bit sleepy - had been a pediatrician. He left that job to work for Big Pharma. THAT was how strongly he believes in vaccinations. (Edit to add: His name is Len. :) )

We heard about babies who have recently died from pertussis, even though they had been partially immunized against pertussis - for it isn't a complete vaccine until they have done all the courses. And adults are the number one carriers of the disease, because no immunity is life time and most adults are lax about getting their boosters. Tetanus we hear about because of the rusty nail connection, and many women of child bearing age are screened for rubella in the first trimester of their pregnancy and immunized - but but have you been encouraged to update your childhood immunizations?

 Over and over, we heard about stringent guidelines for cleanliness and levels of sanitation that must be followed. After all, these substances are being injected into the bodies of people around the world. One stray hair, one speck of dirt, even something as small as a label not applied correctly - and the entire lot could be destroyed.

A box of sample vials - no medication, but this is what the box that your doctor receives looks like.

We were gowned up and taken on a tour of the plant. No cameras were allowed, and for this I am grateful, for the world has no need to see me in a hair net, booties, lab coat and lab glasses. I saw stations where people sat for hours every day, holding the finished vials up in front of white paper and then black, to inspect them for defects, chips and flaws. I saw a company that follows ridiculously stringent levels of sanitation. I even saw the line shut down briefly for an error in labeling. Rather than just relabel the vials, they were discarded.

I was impressed. I didn't get the idea, either, that they were putting on a show because there was a group of bloggers present. In fact, it seemed at times that we weren't welcomed, by the looks on the faces of some of the employees we saw - but, you know, we DID look like aliens in coats and goggles.

On the way back to the hotel - and then straight to the airport, for this was the shortest trip I've EVER been on, just 25 hours - we discussed vaccines at length. The best part of any of these trips is the opportunity to chat with some of my favorite blogging pals and to meet new idols. And people way smarter than me. Hearing the stories that other people share is what makes these trips for me.

I am a believer in vaccines and the lives that they save. My kids are getting their flu shots on Saturday. I hope to be well enough - for this truly EVIL cold that my husband so kindly shared with me morphed into a whole entire bunch o' gunk in the lungs, as befitting an occasional asthmatic - to join them.

Will you be getting a flu shot? What about your other vaccines - are they up to date?

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Kiddo has gotten his flu shot. Hubby and I haven't yet. We were always vaccinated. Mom had a cousin who had to spend time in an iron lung due to Polio so I'm pretty sure that was part of her insistence on vaccinations. When we went overseas to Africa, we got lots of shots. We also saw lots of babies die from simple things easily prevented.

I need to get my shots updated however.

[Lauren]

I did get my flu shot this year, and both my kids have been vaccinated. Just working on convincing my stubborn husband now... I think I'm up to date on my other vaccinations, but I'll have to check - thanks for the nudge!

[Bridget]

Great post, Carmen!

This is one bloggy circuit I wish I'd been on!

We're all slated to get our flu shots this week. (My husband is really on my case to get it done!!)

[becky dunnell]

i got my flu shot (as usual) and am grateful this year's shot includes h1n1 so there is not a second vaccine needed.

i know my tetanus is within the timeline they suggest because i had it in 2005 before a mission trip -- not sure if i am "due" for any other vaccines...

[Rox]

I get a DTaP every 10 years, which not only covers tetanus but also pertussis (whooping cough). Thank God; a baby died in CA from it last week, and they knew her mom was the carrier.

Like you, I believe in vaccinations, and I end up arguing with people over the flu shot more than the ever-controversial MMR. I give the flu shot to my kids, without hesitation, every year, and I get it myself. Because I didn't get the H1N1 vaccine in time last year, H1N1 attacked my lungs, leading to pneumonia, and I've now lost 1/3 of my left lung to scarring. When people throw stats at me about how the flu vax doesn't cover all of the viruses, and all the complications that may happen, and how likely their kid would be the one to die, I say: Look at me. I almost died. I may need a lung transplant someday. And it's from the flu. I was a perfectly healthy 30-something woman. If you think it can't happen to you, you're wrong -- because look at me.

They don't listen anyway.

I'm grateful to you and to the other bloggers who took the time to be well-informed. I respect everyone's right to choose whether or not to vaccinate (with optional things like the flu -- I actually don't like the opt-out for the main vaxes, but that's another thing...) -- but I don't respect the amount of misinformation being perpetuated. It's nice to see some of the record set straight.

[Headless Mom]

We don't get flu shots but we've all been vaccinated for the regular stuff. Hubby even got the whooping cough booster in the spring. I'm a big believer in vaccinations!

[Erika]

I definitely vaccinate. I have been known to request a spacing out of some shots for my kids when they have been cheduled to get 4+ shots in a single check up. I got boosters when I started college and I have gotten flu shots the past few years. Added bonus - last year my son was able to get a nasal spray flu vaccine and my baby got a drop under the tongue in place of one of his shots last time. The pediatrician told me that they are trying to move away from injections whenever possible.

I have heard the autism/vaccine debate (who hasn't?) but I believe that while these children may very well have been affected by their vaccinations, they are also genetically predisposed to have an increased sensitivity to the vaccines. I am very fortunate in that my children have not been adversely affected. I always worry about the non-vaccinated children with the airport scenario - if you are in an airport and you come into contact with someone from another country who was not vaccinated and is a carrier for an awful disease, you could be in serious trouble!

I also think there needs to be more research done on autism, period. For something so widespread it seems like there is not a whole lot of research going on. Off soapbox now! :)

[Emily C]

I'm a believer in vaccinating.

But I don't get the flu shots for my kids because of a freakish and crippling (chronic disease) reaction my husband had to a flu shot when he was younger.

That being said, I'm glad when my friends get flu vaccines for their kids, and I'm considering getting it myself this year.

[jess]

I was always a proponent of vaccines, I got them when I was in grade school and I made sur emy son got them. Funny thing though he got the chicken pox right before the vaccine came out and he passed it on to me, since I never had the chicken pox. between the both of us I missed a whole month of work. It wouldn't have been so bad if we were home in the states but I was stationed overseas with the hubby and there was nothing to do. I couldn't go outside because of infecting someone and my husband was gone for 6 months!!! UGH

I dont do the flu shot. Never had, I figured once I get the flu and feel how bad it is I might rethink it. My son can get one if he wants.

[Karen at A Glimpse Into My Reveries]

I, too, gave serious, serious thought to whether or not to vacinate my babies after reading all the literature and being scared by all the possible, though rare, side effects.

I mentioned my concern to my grandmother who was a (by then retired) registered nurse and a dietician. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said if I had ever held a baby in my arms as it died of whopping cough, there'd be no doubt in my mind as to vacinate.

This advice was from a woman who spent a year in an iron lung because of polio, who was never supposed to be able to breathe on her own again, much less learn to walk again, return to school, or be able to bear children!

In our family, we vacinate!

[Jennifer]

My MMR lapsed apparently 4 years ago and I picked up German Measles somewhere along the way (we had been on vacation in the Outer Banks, NC when I became sick). I wouldn't wish the illness I had on my worst enemy. I was sick as a dog for two straight weeks - couldn't get out of bed, rash all over my back, arms, neck & torso, fever, chills. I had four small children to take care of and a husband who had to go back to work. Thank God I wasn't pregnant or exposed to somebody who was when I got sick and didn't know what I had! I know this discussion is about children, but for those of you who are older than 35, you may want to get yourself a booster shot. They don't last forever!

[LizP]

We are/have vaccinate/d the kids for the regular stuff. And my husband insisted we do H1N1. But we're not too keen on the flu shot. I had never had a flu shot then in 2005 I did and I was never so sick! My mom (who is 76) has to have flu and pneumonia shots. I had a tetanus and something else booster in 2008 when I was in the hospital after my 2nd baby. So I am somewhat up to date.

Thanks for the indepth reporting!

[mary]

i do shots too. and now the flu shot! my niece died from H1N1 in June of 2009. She did have another medical condition; she was pregnat. They saved the baby but not her. It was heartbreaking. SO YES we get the flu shots!!

[A Simple Twist of Faith]

Thanks for the reminder, I need to schedule vaccinations for my girls and me this week. Unfortunatley, my husband doesn't think he will NEVER get sick. suallu

[Wendy]

We do all the shots, including the chicken pox. I have never had the chicken pox, so the last thing I want is one of my kids to come down with it and give it to me. We are going tomorrow to get the flu shot. And if you knew my daughter (age 14) and her fear of needles, you would realize how big of a deal that is in this house. She will scream and cry more than anyone I have ever seen. Which is truly why she gets the flu mist, but God help us when they run out of it.

[Kait]

We vaccinate but we did it on a delayed schedule. I just don't like the thought of pumping everything in to my kid at once. We've never done the flu vaccine because, honestly, we've just never thought about it. With Tall Child's newly diagnosed asthma and her tendency towards spending all winter sick, I think it might be a good year to look at that.

[Megan]

I've never had the flu. I get a flu shot because I work at a hospital and it's mandatory unless you have a medical or religious reason to get an exemption. I agree that it should be mandatory for health care workers. However, I almost never get sick. I get a cold that sometimes morphs into a sinus infection or bronchitis about once every nine months. In college, I worked at an elementary school and got sick several times the first year and almost never again. I'm not an expert on the immune system, but I do think it's natural and good for a person to get sick occasionally. I would *never* advocate for a parent to skip the MMR series, and I also am a big believer in the meningitis vaccine. But wonder if giving healthy people with healthy lungs the flu shot and then using all these sanitizers and antibacterial products is really helping us. Seems like more diseases and allergies are just cropping up in their place. So, I wish I could just be allowed to get the flu one year.

[Liz Ditz]

Hi Mom!

You may not know that the promoters of infectious disease (AKA anti-vaccinationists) Joe Mercola and Barbara Lo Fisher declared Nov. 1-6 "Vaccine Awareness Week". Many science/skeptic bloggers responded with gusto.

As I often do, I compiled a list:

http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451ba6569e2013488a8f6fd970c

I've added your post.

Your readers might want to read a few of the posts.

[Katherine]

I HAVE to get a flu shot at my work. That started last year. But (and this sounds terrible) since we get them for free at work I have always gotten them. Last year I was worried b/c of all the hype. I actually didn't want to do it. But I did and it was all fine. Haven't done the kids yet, but one in particular NEEDS it due to reactive airway... thanks for the reminder.

[you are good]

you are good

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