24 hours after receiving the vaccine...

I have to edit my post on H1N1 vaccine. Exactly 24 hours after receiving the vaccine I got awfully sick, with chills, nausea, muscle aches. Fever? naaah! But I felt feverish though. Prior to getting the vaccine, the nurse told us that we might experience the flu like symptoms, I didn't believe that because I was okay until around mid afternoon yesterday. My two boys were having muscle aches and chills too, but they were fine compared to what I felt. Anyhow, I'm much better now.

Got the vaccine! Finally..

After all the hype and the scare of getting the Influenza A H1N1 Vaccine, I finally got it last night in Allancroft School. The vaccination clinic in Allancroft is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.*
The coupons or tickets are available from 6am to 11am. The time that you need to come back is specified in your coupon. I went there around 6:45am, then specifically asked for a 6:30pm schedule so my husband can get it too.

The process goes like this: Go to Room #1, a person will hand you a number, then when your number is called, you have to-> #2 line up on the corridor -> go to Room #3 , to register with your medicare card, then you will be given a form to be filled up. The form is basically a consent form plus basic medical questionnaire. -->Go to Room #4, the interview room. A nurse will ask you about certain medical conditions that you might have and tell you about the possible side effects of the H1N1 vaccine. --> #5 Line up on the corridors outside Room #6, which is the vaccination room. After the vaccine, you will be asked to go to Room #7 to wait for 15 minutes. You will be asked to wait for 15 minutes to see if you have any allergic reactions, e.g shortness of breath, rashes, or headache after receiving the vaccine.

On top of that, the way they organized the procedure is actually great. The place didn't look crowded, and the nurses were very accommodating, well what can I say, they're Canadians!

Possible side effects of the H1N1 flu shot
The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:

* Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
* Fever (low grade)
* Aches
* Nausea
Credits from SOURCE

The vaccine itself didn't hurt at all. I got scared for nothing, LOL. My 4 yr old son didn't even cry after receiving the vaccine. He was just telling everybody that the man put a hurting crayon in his arm hahahha. The next day, my arm feels sore but that's about it. No fever, no chills, no nausea, Thank heavens! Please refer to post

*If you're from the Montreal West Island, please refer to the schedule, it has to be respected or you will be turned away.

Still with the H1N1 vaccine

As the day of my scheduled vaccine draws near, the hesitation within me grows bigger. The H1N1 scare plus the vaccine is still a very very touchy subject. Opinions and feedbacks on the vaccine are currently divided. Most of the people I know don't want to take it, which makes me believe that maybe it's not really necessary, but upon hearing the news of several "healthy" people dying in the United States and Canada who contracted the disease makes me think twice. Yes, I am scared. Not with the needles though! the thought of the vaccine being new to the market and with no sufficient studies, that was what I am afraid of. We absolutely have no idea if there will be any side effects. On the other hand, I don't want to get the bug too. Luckily, here in Canada, the H1N1 flu shot is available free of charge for all residents. We just need to show any of the photo IDs (RAMQ card, driver's license, passport, school id etc).

On my previous post, I've mentioned that my parents are visiting until some time in January 2010. My parents, especially my father, are more than willing to receive the H1N1 flu shot, but the problem is that they are not eligible since they are presently in tourist visa. Tourist visa holders are not covered by medicare. People without medicare are not eligible for the H1N1 vaccine. Therefore as sad as it may sound, they cannot get the vaccine. Today, I emailed Service Quebec to ask if it can be available for a fee, hopefully it will. I'm waiting for their reply.

Anyway, people who couldn't get the shot should be extra careful and must follow extra precautions on preventing to get the virus. There are ways..

How can I avoid catching H1N1 flu (swine flu)?

* Wash your hands properly and often. Learn all the steps to proper hand washing.

* If you aren't near a sink, use an alcohol-based cleaner to wash your hands. Use enough alcohol-based cleaner to keep your hands wet for a minimum of 20 seconds. Rub your hands together as the cleaner dries. Make sure you rub the cleaner all over your hands. Don't forget to rub between your fingers, the backs of your hands and under your fingernails. Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it when you can’t wash your hands in a sink.

* Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hand. If you cough up phlegm (mucus), spit it into a tissue, throw the tissue away, and wash your hands properly right away.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

* Stay at home if you are sick. If you have flu symptoms, call your doctor or health-care provider. Depending on your symptoms, they may tell you stay home or to come to the clinic or hospital.

* Use a regular household disinfectant to wash common surfaces every day. Make sure you wash:
o counters, taps and sinks in your bathroom and kitchen
o bedside tables
o children's toys
o computer keyboards
o desks and tabletops

* Wipe surfaces with paper towels that can be thrown away or cloth towels that can be washed afterwards. Use soap and water to clean the toys and objects that young children may put in their mouths.

* Stay away from people who may be sick..

* Stay healthy: get enough sleep, eat healthy food and exercise.

* If you have a long-term lung disease like asthma or COPD, take extra steps to protect yourself.

For more information please click on SOURCE

and don't forget the DECISION CHART

Is it flu? or just another cold?

This time of the year, in connection with the rise and fall of the temperature, has always proved to be the worst when it comes to our health. It's the season when colds, gastroenteritis, flu and now the H1N1 flu become an issue. We have to be extra vigilant. As a healthcare worker, we are urged to be vaccinated against the seasonal flu.

Last week the Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine were launched Canada-wide to fight against this kind of flu. Information were posted in several canadian news website to know when and where to be vaccinated. Our schedule falls on November 6. I'm still hesitant to get it since it's new and we don't know the side effects after a month or two. But, after hearing news of death of people contracting the disease, I'm positive that I want to be vaccinated. Yesterday my sister in law gave me a self care guide on H1N1. The guide itself is available HERE but I would like to post the DECISION CHART that for me is quite helpful for everybody and it comes handy when we or somebody close to us become ill. Let's educate ourselves. It's better to be well informed.