Boy recovers after rare reaction to H1N1 vaccine

By Kelley Luckstein

Four-year-old Mecha Araka tenses up. His eyes roll to the back of his head, and he is no longer breathing.

His father, Cadmar Araka, a Mayo Clinic nurse, calls 911 and starts delivering CPR. Mecha still isn't responding.

The scene unfolded Nov. 3 at the home of Cadmar Araka after his son received a vaccination for H1N1 and suffered an apparent febrile seizure (one caused by a high fever)…

Mayo Clinic Dr. Greg Poland, appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services to be on a nationwide H1N1 vaccination safety group, said similar reactions are very uncommon…

"None of that should dissuade people from getting the vaccines. It is safe and effective," Poland said.

Post-Bulletin by Elliot Mann, 11/11/09