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It’s an age old question many parents struggle with, and with the latest H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine, many parents are again asking – do you trust the vaccine and risk possible adverse reactions in your children or do you hold off?

We’ve all heard the horror stories of vaccines gone wrong. Rightly or wrongly many assume they’re safe, but this latest swine flu vaccine rushed through testing and now available – do you think it’s safe for your family, and would you get vaccinated?

Tanya Munro from Springfree tells “Personally I’ve always had vaccinations, and have in the past always vaccinated my children – it’s almost what’s expected of parents and non compliance of such tradition is generally shunned by the medical and educational fraternity.

I always held this opinion. That is until my son had his MMR vaccine a few years back and overnight his personality changed. Faced with a lifelong ASD diagnosis, it turns out my family is one of those horror stories you read about. Now I know some skeptics will point towards research showing no links between vaccination and Autism, but they haven’t lived our lives and seen the complete personality change and impact it’s had. Coincidence or not? I know my view.”

So, what’s yours. Do you have a horror story to share? Would you trust the H1N1 vaccine?

Obviously it’s a choice each family has to make for themselves, and I’m in no way going to influence your decision. Do your own research and make your own choice is my recommendation, and it’s one which is shared by CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton.

“If you are at high-risk for serious complications of influenza, then if many people get H1N1, your risk of getting sick is probably greater than your risk of having a rare side effect. And the possible benefit may be life-saving for some people. You have to weigh the risks of getting influenza, and the risk of possibly dying from it.”

The risk of death from H1N1, Ashton said, is roughly 1 in 1000 people. She said you should weigh that risk against getting vaccinate, which, however safe the vaccine may be, the risk is never zero.

“People need to make those difficult decisions for themselves with good education and information from reputable sources,” Ashton said. “I respect both decisions. Ultimately it’s up to the patient.”

In Australia the H1N1 Vaccine is available from 30 September nationally from GP’s and healthcare professionals.

Blogged: Tanya@ Springfree Trampoline Australia
Monday 19 October 2009