Reasons to get/ or not get the H1N1 vaccine

dlpetey · November 6th, 2009, 03:51 PM

I've looked through some of the posts on the H1N1 virus so I know some of this has been beaten to death already but I was wondering what peoples reasons were for getting the vaccine or not getting the vaccine.

My wife was freaking out this morning, fearing that she is not doing everything she can to safeguard our kids since they haven't be vaccinated. My feeling on the matter is that I don't really trust the vaccine. It seems that the H1N1 virus is a nasty bugger, but IMO it has been blown out of proportion by the media and government. It's like a shinny new toy that the media can scare us with to get us to keep tuning into their programs. I'm not saying that this isn't real but it's being made to sound worse that it is.

I'm on the fence about this, but my main reason for not getting the shot so far has been that I don't feel there has been enough time to study the effects of the vaccine and I don't really trust the government (no matter who is the face of it) to be able to account for the unintended results of a rushed, max vaccination. I just can't wrap my head around allowing my kids to be the lab rat used to test this out.

I'm asking for an educated, informed response from people who are willing to look at the facts of the situation. Please don't just repeat the fear driven media response. Thanks.

**GroundZero3** · November 6th, 2009, 03:55 PM

I decided to not get it because im not worried if I do get it.

Also this puts it into perspective for me at least

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony_j15

Just to put things in perspective

TheButteView · November 6th, 2009, 06:01 PM

The Flu virus kills on average about 36,000 people, US citizens, each year. That puts it high on the list on annual killers. While the H1N1 virus is not expected to have a higher death rate, you are now dealing with two serious strains of flu and adds another 30,000 to the annual total. I get the annual flu shot every year, never and complications. And have had good success against battling the flu. The H1N1 vaccine is not different the seasonal flu. many fear this but it is the exact same process, the flu strain is grown and administered the same, but the same suppliers. In fact, if this virus surfaced earlier than April of last year, this H1N1 strain would have been incorporated with the regular seasonal flu shot. You would never have noticed. But since production on that had already started, the CDC ordered a new vaccine from drug suppliers.

The media runs with if it bleeds it leads, they are there to fill ratings and digging deep to try and find controversy. It really bugs me to see some talking head grilling a CDC spokesman to try to find some story. IT IS THE GODDAM SAME VACCINE. There are two new flu vaccine methods in development. They are looking for a way to control the avian flu which does not yield well in the current production. But with all the FDA requirements and hoops and testing that has to be done, look for it in about 5-10 years. You might be able to catch it in Europe or Canada.

My philosophy is if I can get a shot to keep me from a miserable 1-2 weeks, than I am in . Same for my kids. I had no issue giving my kids both shots.

All my facts are supported by the CDC. You have to trust someone and I'd start there. They do seem interested in keeping people well and healthy.

surreal · November 7th, 2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

I'm asking for an educated, informed response from people who are willing to look at the facts of the situation. Please don't just repeat the fear driven media response.

Then you better move along, I doubt you'll get that here...

Theophylact · November 7th, 2009, 10:17 AM

The H1N1 vaccine is made in exactly the same way, and in the same facilities, as the standard seasonal flu vaccine. There are no unknown hazards associated with it. There's less of it than expected, because this strain of the virus grows unexpectedly slowly and so took longer to produce a vaccine from.

For diseases that are quite rare and not very contagious, there is a reason to avoid vaccination. In the extreme case, say an extinct disease like smallpox, the vaccine can't possibly save any lives, so only side-effects are possible.

Flu is not one of those diseases; it's pandemic, it's contagious, and it's non-trivial. Some few people will have a bad reaction to the vaccine, but that's the tradeoff for saving many lives. Your risk is far higher in not having the vaccine.

Chuckiechan · November 7th, 2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

My feeling on the matter is that I don't really trust the vaccine.

Your attitude will change when one of your kids clock a temperature of 105, and you are trying to get them into see a doctor.

You and people who think like you, are using urban legend to endanger your children, yourself, and the people around you. The only reason we are relatively safe here in the US is most rational people STFU and get the vaccines for all communicable diseases. You are not magic. It is because of the vaccinations of others that gives you the sense of invincibility.

If it was up to me, I wouldn't allow them in school without the shot. I presume you are aginst innoculations against Pertussis, Diptheria, Plague, Mumps, Measels, Chicken Pox, and other diseases?

dlpetey · November 7th, 2009, 04:24 PM

I would like to thank you all for your responses. Most were very well thought out and had good information. As for Chuckiechan I will kindly ask you to "STFU". I don't appreciate your useless condemnation that is mean spirited and totally without basis. I have a legitimate concern and asked a simple question. Apparently you don't understand the sentence "I'm asking for an educated, informed response from people who are willing to look at the facts of the situation. Please don't just repeat the fear driven media response. Thanks.", can't read, or are to dense to be helpful instead of just shooting your mouth off.

The implication that I should STFU and not ask questions of those around me as to the well fair of my children appalls me. I could make the same knee jerk response as you and assume that you are a mindless drone, blindly following everything that you are told to do without checking your facts. I am not against all innoculations, and have done my research on those vaccines to make an informed decision. It worry's me that two doctors in the office I take my children have different responses as to the vaccine themselves.

Please think prior to opening you mouth or allowing you fingers to type, although I don't agree with most of you opinions, normally you at least have thought out responses. Consider using that same skill when someone asks legitimate question.

Chuckiechan · November 7th, 2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

"I'm asking for an educated, informed response from people who are willing to look at the facts of the situation. Please don't just repeat the fear driven media response. Thanks."

Why not ask a public health official instead of trolling the internet looking for someone to buttress your hunch? The "fear driven media response" is what? Get the shots or not? Ask a nurse. Forget CNN and Fox.

I guess your freedom to ignore vaccinations is a good enough reason to spread disease around people who disagree with you.

I guess I just can't relate to the "Me" generation.

Take my new advice then. Don't innoculate your children. Take them around to crowded places and don't miss the play areas. Certainly, keep them in school when they don't feel well. And above all, do not ask a health professional. They are only trying to kill your kids to make an extra dollar. Think of all of the Christmas cheer you will be spreading around. God help you if your are responsible for another child's death.

So go ahead and bitch me out, and while your at it, be a public health menace. It's all about "you" anyway, isn't it.

dlpetey · November 8th, 2009, 12:10 AM

Again, I ask that you read the post prior to sooting your mouth off.

"It worry's me that two doctors in the office I take my children have different responses as to the vaccine themselves."

I did ask a health professional and got responses that differed. I have talked with several people who work in the health care field and some share my concerns. Again I ask how is it wrong to make an informed choice or at least know what the down sides are? Not only have I gotten mixed messages from the health care community, it has only been recently that the vaccine has become available. So please unless you have something constructive to offer to the discussion go tell those around you at home that pretend to listen to you how the big, bad person on the internet is asking scary questions and "killing children".

The Real Bingo · November 8th, 2009, 12:37 AM

It comes down to you. I'm not getting it because I'm someone who won't take medicine unless I have to. Even if I get sick, I don't want meds. I try to deal with pain or discomfort or sniffles, etc., without medication. I don't want the flu shot for this reason. Not to mention that, with the finite supply, there are more people out there needier than me. It'd be like me going to the soup kitchen...that ain't right.