Swine Flu/H1N1 Vaccination - Yes or No?

[Delphinus]

Hesitant to weigh on this one because I don't think the debate will ever end, people will want to believe what they want to believe and that's really the end of it, isn't it ..

I don't always get my flu shot every year. Sometimes I get flu, sometimes I don't. FWIW, I got my H1N1 shot already on Monday. Had sore arms for most of yesterday, other than that I still appear to be here this morning, at least for now.

This is what I think people need to consider:
- H1N1 is different from other flu's in that otherwise healthy people are dying from it, and not just the usual high-risk groups (infants, eldery, infirm, or otherwise compromised people). Ordinary, average, HEALTHY people are dying from it. Yes, not many, but that's not the point. The point is it's targeting different people.
- If the people who have died, would not have died had they been vaccinated, then does that not favour vaccination?

Don't listen to arguments like "I work in the health care industry and I'm not getting it" (or for what it's worth, arguments like "I work in the health care industry and I am getting it"). Good for you for whatever industry you work in, but it doesn't matter as that's totally irrelevant. That's like me saying "I write software for a living and I don't have any antivirus on my PC."

Do your own research.

To me it is about prevention and risk mitigation. That's part of the problem facing the health-care crisis right there: too many people think in terms of "oh well, if it happens, we'll just deal with it" instead of focusing on prevention, in general.

Peace...

[Ron99]

Originally Posted by Myka

I absolutely will not have the vaccine. It hasn't been out nearly long enough for anyone to know any long-term side effects. I'm not at any greater risk than the average person, and I'm generally quite healthy so I have no worries.

Well you see, that's the the exact misconception everybody has. There are no side effects that are any different then the seasonal flu vaccines that have been used for years. There are no unknown long term side effects. It is all media fear mongering pulling all the rare but known side effects of flu vaccines out of the closet. If you have had a flu shot before there is nothing different about this one.

[Ron99]

Originally Posted by Myka

I absolutely will not have the vaccine. It hasn't been out nearly long enough for anyone to know any long-term side effects. I'm not at any greater risk than the average person, and I'm generally quite healthy so I have no worries.

Also, if you do catch H1N1 are you willing to completely isolate yourself so you you don't risk passing it on to somebody at greater risk of serious complications?

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by Myka

I absolutely will not have the vaccine. It hasn't been out nearly long enough for anyone to know any long-term side effects. I'm not at any greater risk than the average person, and I'm generally quite healthy so I have no worries.

They haven't substantially changed the way they make flu vaccines in 30 years, how much more information could you possibly need?

Originally Posted by Ron99

Also, if you do catch H1N1 are you willing to completely isolate yourself so you you don't risk passing it on to somebody at greater risk of serious complications?

Welcome to my world. My Girlfriend was here for the weekend and we both started getting sick Sunday night. She's a teacher and had half of one of her classes missing on Friday and there are a few confirmed cases in her school. Monday morning I made some calls and let everyone know I would be out of action until I knew what was going on.

I'm feeling better today and never developed a bad fever so I don't have H1N1. I'm glad I decided to stay home though.

[VFX]

Originally Posted by midgetwaiter

They haven't substantially changed the way they make flu vaccines in 30 years, how much more information could you possibly need?

H1N1 as some of you have stated is different from regular flu.

This is a strain that we have not seen before & hence it's more contagious as virtually nobody has a natural immunity to it.

Therefore it stands to reason that the H1N1 vaccination is also different from regular flu vaccinations as it uses H1N1 in it's make up, albeit in a deactivated form (not a dead form as some people have suggested).

There has been questions raised about the vaccine in regards to it's speed to market & to 'mistakes' that have occurred along the way. These have been well documented & anyone with access to Google can find them.

Also, regular flu vaccines do not contain the same adjuvants as most H1N1 vaccines. For example, in Canada, we are mostly using GlaxoSmithKline's vaccine. This contains their AS03 adjuvant. Because of this, it is not widely used in the US & GSK are having to await regulatory approval on their non-AS03 version of the vaccine.

So no, flu vaccines have not changed that much in the last 30 yrs, but if people think they have ALL the information they need, they might be wrong.

The facts so far are:

1 - Risk of catching H1N1 - Minimal (5.26% of Canreefers so far)
2 - Risk of dying from H1N1 - Very small percentage of Minimal.
3 - Risk of contracting serious complications from taking vaccine - miniscule.

I guess you just choose your own risk level.

However, that still leaves too many questions about the true origins of H1N1, the speed at which the WHO have escalated the pandemic levels, & the worldwide vaccination program being 'forced' down our throats by the government & the media.

Just look at the polls so far

- 37.72% - No
- 16.67% - think there's something sinister going on.

Over 54% of Canreefers can't all be stupid right?

.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by midgetwaiter

They haven't substantially changed the way they make flu vaccines in 30 years, how much more information could you possibly need?

I haven't had a vaccine since the Hepatitis C triple vaccine in grade 6, so I'm not exactly on the vaccine bandwagon. Call me ignorant, but enough other people will get vaccines that I have little to worry about. I haven't even had a "regular" flu in several years. I don't get sick very often. I had a cold last March though.

[Reef_kid]

I believe that everyone should be getting this vaccine , as a biochemist/micro with most of my training in immunology. The H1N1 is getting worse . A person is infected for up to 48 hours befor symptoms. And hits hard! For 7 to 14 days... In which you infecouse and creatibg viral protiens untill your immune system can act..and often peole with compromised immunity are dieing .. By not getting the vaccine your not just putting yourself at risk but you kids family parents... (I don't want to be the one that spreads it to my 1year old nephew or your 80 year old grandmother on the bus that could kill them) the immunology is ty well understood and safe. Sadly that information is not own to the public 90% of the time and that causes the media hype and fear. The general seasonal flu is taken care ofby our immune system however H1N1 is hitting hard. As a science person it's my "strong and personal " opinion that everyone should be vaccinated because it's our responsibility to look after our health!! And the people we love !! If you do get sick stay home... Don't go to the. Doc unless you must.. Drink lots of electrolyte and rest.. For fever ice packs, and tylonal or ibprophan .. Do not over dose on tylonal though.. If your fever is 103 or higher call 811 bc nurse hotline Please stay healthy our fish depend on it

[pinhead]

Originally Posted by rjengen

we just take the time to research all of the facts that are now out their due to the internet.

Unless you are visiting the sites of universities, hospitals, governments or scientific journals, I would be very suspicous and skeptical of information I found on the internet. Anyone can form their own organization, anyone can set up their own website and say whatever they want.

This link http://logisticsmonster.com/2009/10/...ccine-dangers/ has been mentioned as a source of information.

This is from the impressive sounding "4th International Public Conference on Vaccinations (sponsored by the Nat’l Vaccine Information Center) in October, 2009" http://www.nvic.org/default.aspx

Sounds like a scientific conference and a research facility but a little digging would show:

National Vaccine Information Center was founded in 1982 by Barbara Loe Fisher. She formed the Centre after her son suffered convulsions at the age of 2 1/2 and was left with learning disabilities and ADD. She claims this was a result of a vaccination.

Her education is bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Maryland and she was employed by the New York Life Insurance Company.

Some of the exhibitors at the conference were E-HolisticHealth.com; Homeopaths.ca; Homeopathy Center of Houston;


This information is from someone with no background in science, who has done no real research and is supported by businesses who believe in crap - Homeopaths

Get your advice from the experts. Don't listen to the opinions of people who do not have a background in science or have no expertise in this field.

I would not ask my insurance agent about repairing my car. Why would you listen to them regarding your health.

[midgetwaiter]

I often wonder what will happen to these anti vaccine nuts if they manage to convince a parent to not vaccinate a child that ends up sterile from the mumps. Try and fix that with Oil of horsesh*t tea.

[Ron99]

Originally Posted by pinhead

Unless you are visiting the sites of universities, hospitals, governments or scientific journals, I would be very suspicous and skeptical of information I found on the internet. Anyone can form their own organization, anyone can set up their own website and say whatever they want.

This link http://logisticsmonster.com/2009/10/...ccine-dangers/ has been mentioned as a source of information.

This is from the impressive sounding "4th International Public Conference on Vaccinations (sponsored by the Nat’l Vaccine Information Center) in October, 2009" http://www.nvic.org/default.aspx

Sounds like a scientific conference and a research facility but a little digging would show:

National Vaccine Information Center was founded in 1982 by Barbara Loe Fisher. She formed the Centre after her son suffered convulsions at the age of 2 1/2 and was left with learning disabilities and ADD. She claims this was a result of a vaccination.

Her education is bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Maryland and she was employed by the New York Life Insurance Company.

Some of the exhibitors at the conference were E-HolisticHealth.com; Homeopaths.ca; Homeopathy Center of Houston;


This information is from someone with no background in science, who has done no real research and is supported by businesses who believe in crap - Homeopaths

Get your advice from the experts. Don't listen to the opinions of people who do not have a background in science or have no expertise in this field.

I would not ask my insurance agent about repairing my car. Why would you listen to them regarding your health.

Good information. I didn't even bother to look up the conference or organization as the video had nothing of any actual substance in it but was a collection of sound bites assembled to frighten people and make vaccines look bad. But nobody actually cites any actual research or really even mentions anything specific. Just lots of general nonsense.