Pregnant and Allergic to Thimerosal

[Anonymous]

I am 31 weeks pregnant and allergic to Thimerosal (preservative in H1N1 vaccine). Does anyone know where I can get the preservative free H1N1 vaccine in DC, MD or VA?

[Anonymous]

There is none available - you have to wait until they are shipped.

[Anonymous]

I was at the Wilson HS clinic this afternoon, and was offered (without even having to ask) the thimerosol free vaccine. However, I didn't see the package to verify whether it actually was, or whether it may have been the Novartis version that does have trace amounts. I think you can ask though and explain the allergy.

[Anonymous]

What they have at Wilson is the Novartis vaccine, which does have a trace amount of Thimerosal. Maybe you can ask your doctor if your allergy will be set off by a trace amount?

[Anonymous]

Why not opt for the mist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not opt for the mist?

Pregnant people cannot take the mist.

Just curious OP, how did you determine you were allergic to thermisol? Bad reaction to a vaccine or is it a mercury allergy in general? Do you have a hard time eating sushi/tuna?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not opt for the mist?

Because she is pregnant and there is a small (very small) risk of actually getting the flu through the vaccine.

OP, if you can't wait, what about taking the shot at your allergist? You know, like people that are allergic to eggs.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP -
Most contact lens solution has (or had, I had lasik 10 years ago) thimerosal. I was highly allergic to it when I wore contacts. But it most have been an eye reaction because I have had the flu vaccine (every year) and H1N1 vaccine and have never bother about asking about the thimerosal free option and have never had any kind of reaction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What they have at Wilson is the Novartis vaccine, which does have a trace amount of Thimerosal. Maybe you can ask your doctor if your allergy will be set off by a trace amount?

I am allergic to thimerosol and even though in 3rd trimester in winter my allergist said absolutely no to shots with any thimerosol. So I went without. Fortunately, today 5 years later thimerosol free shots are easier to get, just not the H1N1 yet. I found out I was allergic after skin patch testing to determine what was causing skin sensitivities. I had had Hep A and B shots (for travel but back then they had thimerosol in them) and I strongly believe it caused my resulting skin allergies.

Good luck to OP and don't take a shot with thimerosol if you're allergic.