Thursday, November 4, 2010
I didn't die
So I didn't get the H1N1 vaccine last year and I didn't die. They are offering it again this year with two other vaccines in this years flu shot. Is it even still around?
Monday, November 2, 2009
H1N1 Vaccine indicision
When it comes to the H1N1 virus and vaccinations, I'm not so sure what to do. As a nurse I feel that it is my duty to promote vaccinations. The government which pays my wage, wants all of us to get this new, not fully tested vaccination.
I have this uneasy feeling. It seems that the whole issue has been sensationalized. Is it propaganda at work? And Why?
This H1N1 or swine flu virus is not new. It was around when vaccinations did not exist. Many people died. The H1N1 virus of 1919, is estimated to have killed approximately 3 to 6 percent of the world's population. Much like the virus of 2009, it's most serious cases targeted the young and healthy.
So I understand it is a dangerous virus. I also believe that my family had the virus in the first wave. If we already had the virus, should we get the vaccine? Is it safe to get if you already have an immunity? Does it make sense? Are those with a naturally acquired immunity more likely to suffer serious side effects from the vaccine, such as Guillain-Barre or ADEM? Why can I not find the answers to these questions? Even when I receive answers to my questions who am I to believe? Our government has passed a law that we can't sue these vaccine manufacturers if the vaccine causes serious side effects. This doesn't provide me comfort.
It seems that the government has the desire to vaccinate us all. People are rarely being tested now. It is assumed that anyone presenting with flu-like symptoms have the H1N1. How can we collect any useful information about H1N1 if we don't keep track of those who've had it and how they reacted?
A pandemic is occuring in an era when we have the ability to collect endless amounts of data and to learn so much. How will we ever find out if having the yearly flu vaccinations makes those who got sick with H1N1 worse, or not? Does allowing ourselves to get sick help teach our bodies how to respond to disease? Did people who had a mild case of H1N1 get a natural immunity. Is a natural immunity better then one that develops from a vaccine? If there is a shortage of vaccine, why don't we test all those people who think they may have had it before sticking them with the manufactured virus that hasn't even been completely tested.
So many questions. So few answers.
My goal this week is to find out if a having a teeter done to test for immuntiy to the virus is possible.
If not, why not.
I have this uneasy feeling. It seems that the whole issue has been sensationalized. Is it propaganda at work? And Why?
This H1N1 or swine flu virus is not new. It was around when vaccinations did not exist. Many people died. The H1N1 virus of 1919, is estimated to have killed approximately 3 to 6 percent of the world's population. Much like the virus of 2009, it's most serious cases targeted the young and healthy.
So I understand it is a dangerous virus. I also believe that my family had the virus in the first wave. If we already had the virus, should we get the vaccine? Is it safe to get if you already have an immunity? Does it make sense? Are those with a naturally acquired immunity more likely to suffer serious side effects from the vaccine, such as Guillain-Barre or ADEM? Why can I not find the answers to these questions? Even when I receive answers to my questions who am I to believe? Our government has passed a law that we can't sue these vaccine manufacturers if the vaccine causes serious side effects. This doesn't provide me comfort.
It seems that the government has the desire to vaccinate us all. People are rarely being tested now. It is assumed that anyone presenting with flu-like symptoms have the H1N1. How can we collect any useful information about H1N1 if we don't keep track of those who've had it and how they reacted?
A pandemic is occuring in an era when we have the ability to collect endless amounts of data and to learn so much. How will we ever find out if having the yearly flu vaccinations makes those who got sick with H1N1 worse, or not? Does allowing ourselves to get sick help teach our bodies how to respond to disease? Did people who had a mild case of H1N1 get a natural immunity. Is a natural immunity better then one that develops from a vaccine? If there is a shortage of vaccine, why don't we test all those people who think they may have had it before sticking them with the manufactured virus that hasn't even been completely tested.
So many questions. So few answers.
My goal this week is to find out if a having a teeter done to test for immuntiy to the virus is possible.
If not, why not.
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