KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and SportsBoy nearly dies after getting H1N1 vaccine

Boy nearly dies after getting H1N1 vaccine

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC DT) -- A four-year-old Rochester boy is recovering after nearly dying after being vaccinated for H1N1.

Dad Cadmar Akara says his preschooler started showing symptoms shortly after getting the shot Tuesday afternoon from the Mayo northeast Family Clinic.

His parents though don't want their situation to stop others from getting the vaccine. 

First, Mecha Akara said he felt weak and that his head and stomach hurt.

Dad is a nurse and gave his son Motrin.

It wasn't until Mecha threw up a number of times later that night that dad said he knew it was serious.

Mecha also had the shakes, a fever around 99-degrees, and eventually became unresponsive.

Dad then performed CPR.

Akara says, "I looked up this vaccine a little bit before the kids went in for that and it said it was very safe and they've had flu shots before and they said it was a similar vaccine and they've never had this kind of reaction to the flu shot."

Centers for Disease Control says the H1N1 vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious allergic reaction --- but the risk of causing serious harm or death is extremely small.

Signs of a reaction include hives, weakness, or difficulty breathing.

"We've taken no shortcuts in terms of safety and we're constantly monitoring any potential problems with the vaccine," says CDC Director Thomas Frieden.

Doctors say, four-year-old Mecha did suffer a seizure.

Cadmar credits his medical background for saving his son's life.

Cadmar Akara hopes his story reminds parents to fully investigate the vaccine to see if it's right for their child.