H1N1 - Swine Flu Vaccine

[yankee-in-france]

Just read in the French news that 2/3 of the people do not favor the H1N1 vaccine which I find strange but ... how do you feel about it?


ETA I voted yes. I'm a scaredy cat.

[resigned]

Yes, bring it on.....

[Hannie]

I voted no.

My mom did get a letter from the doctor that she can get it next month, she asked me what to do. I said it's up to her and that she'd better asked the doctor all the info about it and she can always decide to do it or not after that...

[sarge]

The pharmacist who gave me the regular flu shot said that he had been to a CDC meeting that week and people my age have immunity to H1N1.

We do want the babies and the teenagers in the family to be immunized for H1N1. We don't have any vaccine here yet.

[AC]

The pharmacist who gave me the regular flu shot said that he had been to a CDC meeting that week and people my age have immunity to H1N1.

We do want the babies and the teenagers in the family to be immunized for H1N1. We don't have any vaccine here yet.

That is weird, Sarge....because I thought folks of all ages were passing away from this virus.

[Heli]

There needs to be a vaccine against over zealous media and politicians. The pandemic is one of fear not H1N1 that's been around for many, many years.

Australia in their winter had approximately 270 deaths from H1N1 in a population of 12,000,000. Hardly an escalation of the virus' impact that was seen in the spring. Why would we expect anything different in our winter?

[Hannie]

There are thousands and thousands of people dying from flu every year. I still have my doubts about all the hoopla about this one. I know people die from it, but I wonder who are the big winners here, the pharmaceutical companies or what?

I also think it's weird there seem to be so much secrecy around the people who did die of this H1N1 flu. The majority had underlying conditions, but they won't specify what those underlying conditions are...so why not?

[Heli]

There's certainly big money for a lot of people in the medical and pharmaceutical fields when this propaganda of fear is perpetuated.
There's contradicting information everywhere about H1N1 and the vaccine.
That underscores the fact that much of this is speculation and best guess information.

I've never had a flu shot in my life and I honestly don't think I've ever had flu. If I have, it was a very, very long time ago, perhaps in childhood.

I reject putting all kinds of substances in my body whether it's medications or vaccine after vaccine each year. Now we're supposed to have two separate flu vaccines this year. Sooner or later our bodies will have more man-made junk circulating in it than oxygen and naturally occurring substances.

[AC]

I agree, somewhat about the scare tactics.....but, I'm just not sure what to believe. I'm not going to get a flu shot either, but I did get a regular flu shot for my kid as she has asthma and it has been recommended for years. This time of year is usually very hard on her with the asthma and so far, she has not had any symptoms. Now, she did have that fever (virus) that folks have been getting and was down with a fever for 4 days. I was told by the doc, that this was not the H1N1 virus....so what to believe, I certainly do not know.

[Hannie]

There's certainly big money for a lot of people in the medical and pharmaceutical fields when this propaganda of fear is perpetuated.
There's contradicting information everywhere about H1N1 and the vaccine.
That underscores the fact that much of this is speculation and best guess information.

I've never had a flu shot in my life and I honestly don't think I've ever had flu. If I have, it was a very, very long time ago, perhaps in childhood.

I reject putting all kinds of substances in my body whether it's medications or vaccine after vaccine each year. Now we're supposed to have two separate flu vaccines this year. Sooner or later our bodies will have more man-made junk circulating in it than oxygen and naturally occurring substances.

I've never had the flu , nor a flu shot. I never had any child diseases either, neither did my brothers...

[Heli]

I agree, somewhat about the scare tactics.....but, I'm just not sure what to believe. I'm not going to get a flu shot either, but I did get a regular flu shot for my kid as she has asthma and it has been recommended for years. This time of year is usually very hard on her with the asthma and so far, she has not had any symptoms. Now, she did have that fever (virus) that folks have been getting and was down with a fever for 4 days. I was told by the doc, that this was not the H1N1 virus....so what to believe, I certainly do not know.

I would certainly not presume to question your doctor, but the seasonal flu is not here yet and that is the consensus of all reports. If anyone develops flu-like symptoms it is H1N1 that is responsible. It's the only flu virus that's out there right now.

The important thing is, your daughter has recovered from whatever it is she had.

[AC]

I would certainly not presume to question your doctor, but the seasonal flu is not here yet and that is the consensus of all reports. If anyone develops flu-like symptoms it is H1N1 that is responsible. It's the only flu virus that's out there right now.

The important thing is, your daughter has recovered from whatever it is she had.

I know, Heli......I can't help but wonder if this doc was mistaken. Although, I do have a question about this H1N1 virus......if a person does get it, will they ever get it again? I have a friend who said he would rather get it now and be over with it in case the "strain" becomes stronger in the future. I don't know if that is the case with this flu....because I've known folks who have had the flu more than once.

[Heli]

I know, Heli......I can't help but wonder if this doc was mistaken. Although, I do have a question about this H1N1 virus......if a person does get it, will they ever get it again? I have a friend who said he would rather get it now and be over with it in case the "strain" becomes stronger in the future. I don't know if that is the case with this flu....because I've known folks who have had the flu more than once.

My understanding is that all influenza viruses mutate over time, hence that new flu vaccines need to be developed every year.

Swine flu has been around for many decades, first appearing in 1918. In 1976 there was some overblown concern about swine flu that ended up being nothing more than a few military men at For Dix dying from a strain of H1N1.

I'm not an expert in virology or immunology by any stretch, but I believe as any given virus mutates and changes, any immunity we may have by virtue of having had "the flu" is not guaranteed. The virus changes and we may not be fully immune to it. Just to make life interesting there are many different types of flu virus.

I think it's all a crap shoot and each of us makes the best personal decision we can based on our acquired knowledge and then pray.

[yankee-in-france]

I've never had the flu , nor a flu shot. I never had any child diseases either, neither did my brothers...

I don't think that I've ever had the flu either, but this year I did take the regular flu shot and would take the swine vaccine because I'm traveling to the States on the 19th ... lots of exposure in airports and airplanes and little kids. You're still delightfully young and I didn't do the shots then either, but now that I have matured, shall we say, I'd like to continue maturing.

I heard the same, Sarge, about the over 65 but I cannot come up with any time that I was exposed to the flu and didn't get it. They also say that if you're over 65 and get it, that it is more serious, so who knows.

[Eliza]

That is weird, Sarge....because I thought folks of all ages were passing away from this virus.

That is indeed correct. The worst of the H1N1 could be Jan-March 2010 if the Pandemic follows the course of other Pandemics like 1957 or the Spanish Flu.

A hundred children have died in the US. Most with underlying, pre existing conditions. Hundreds if not thousands of folks of other age groups have perished, many of those that were physically weakened.

The reason older folks, and sick people, can't take the flu mist is that it is made with live virus and the virus, if used in the elderly, could result in giving them the flu, in my opinion. The jab is made from killed virus and elderly should be vaccinated. The misnomer, that the elderly have immunity, was propogated by the main stream media. If you hear it enough times....

Wave 2 is now sweeping the N hemisphere. Wave 2 will sweep the S hemisphere in 6 months or so when their winter flu season will be upon them. My view.

[Heli]

The southern hemisphere has had their winter and Australia for one, has had 270 deaths from H1N1 in a population of 12,000,000.

[Eliza]

The southern hemisphere has had their winter and Australia for one, has had 270 deaths from H1N1 in a population of 12,000,000.

Pandemics, circulate in multiple waves.

The southern hemisphere, has experienced only it's first wave.

If folks in the southern hemisphere have as much resistance to taking the jab, as folks in N. America, the subsequent waves in the southern hemisphere could be much more severe than the initial wave that moved like lightning through S America and Australia.

Africa, is at great risk not really having experinced the full wrath of an actual 'first wave.' The virus was slow in developing in countries where folks don't do a lot of traveling. This virus was spread by the "jet setters."
Kids on "spring break." The "Cancun crowd."

Make no mistake, the southern hemisphere will indeed have another winter very soon in spite of what Al Gore claims.

Pandemics take place over 2-3 years and this pandemic may last years.

Just my view.

[AC]

That is indeed correct. The worst of the H1N1 could be Jan-March 2010 if the Pandemic follows the course of other Pandemics like 1957 or the Spanish Flu.

A hundred children have died in the US. Most with underlying, pre existing conditions. Hundreds if not thousands of folks of other age groups have perished, many of those that were physically weakened.

The reason older folks, and sick people, can't take the flu mist is that it is made with live virus and the virus, if used in the elderly, could result in giving them the flu, in my opinion. The jab is made from killed virus and elderly should be vaccinated. The misnomer, that the elderly have immunity, was propogated by the main stream media. If you hear it enough times....

Wave 2 is now sweeping the N hemisphere. Wave 2 will sweep the S hemisphere in 6 months or so when their winter flu season will be upon them. My view.

Thanks for jumping in here, Eliza....I was hoping you would. Regarding the flu mist....my kid was not allowed to take it because it is a live virus and with her asthma, they would not allow it. Now, this was just the regular flu shot...but I'm sure it is the same for the H1N1 Virus.

So, I would assume that if one has any breathing problems, what so ever, they should not take that mist.

[yankee-in-france]

Yo, Eliza, where are you? We have a question.

[Eliza]

You're welcome.

It is really up to individuals to stay informed about this virus and also any health issues or health crisis folks are involved with.

Doctors are so overwhelmed, they can't keep up with everything. With compuerized files, the docs normally only look back, in your file, perhaps your last three visits and only at a glance.

I'm not a fan of computerized records.

It's up to you to let them know what meds your taking and what your conditions are every visit. Same for your kids. At best, docs forget.

Remind them that they were supposed to check your blood sugar or triglycerides if they forget. Remind them about your allergies. Ask them about what you read on the internet if it was from a reliable source. Don't let them rush out of the room. It might be six months or more before you have their attention again.

If health care reform passes, we'll be lucky, very lucky, to keep our doctors and at best, might see them once a year. The elderly may be headed to medical homes run by nurse practitioners as opposed to the hospital.

Rant over. Many folks are rejcecting the mist for their kids. It was another bad idea. I guess HHS Queen Sebelius thought it would make the vaccine more palpable for the kids. Bzzzt. Bad bad idea.

Last week, in Loisiana, HHS sent 80,000 doses of mist to the authorities there. 76,000 doses went unused as parents refused the mist for their kids. They chose to risk infection and wait for the shots. Perhaps Obama should donate the mist to WHO instead of our injectible vaccine. He won't though as I believe the mist has to be refrigerated.

To answer your question, no one, with any condition that has physically weakened them should take the live virus, especially Asthma.

[Eliza]

Yo, Eliza, where are you? We have a question.

Here!

[yankee-in-france]

I understand a person's reluctance to taking drugs or being jabbed with a vaccine. I'm 65 and you can probably count on less than two hands the number of antibiotics that I have taken in my life and that's the truth. I am totally opposed to that type of treatment .... unless really necessary.

My DIL is totally opposed to innoculations such as the measles, the mumps, and the new vaccine for cervical cancer (females). She believes that it is better for a kid to actually suffer the diseases (not the cervical cancer). I think that every generation has had to make decisions. For me as a child, polio was the big thing, and I remember my mother's reluctance to my receiving it, and my Dad, bless his heart, overruled her and said she gets the vaccine. Chances are I would have never contracted polio, but maybe I would have and then where would I be.

I also understand why people think that the danger of this flu is contrived/exaggerated for the benefit of drug manufacturers, etc., ... maybe it is. As I said, if I wasn't coming back to the US next month, I might not do it especially if I was 20 years younger , but I enjoy life so I'm a chicken and I'm opting for the jab ... if I can get it before I leave.

As always, thank you, Eliza, and everyone, just be well, love and be happy.

[Eliza]

As a child, in a large metro public school system, we had no choice but to take the vaccines. Polio, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, smallpox, just to name a few. T-B tests. The smallpox vaccination, had many side effects and left a nasty scar. I had a pediatrician that thought outside of the box and he gave the smallpox vaccination on the underside of the arm so my scar isn't visible.

I've known several people that had the polio, including an uncle. He had a wretched life. Walked with two "braces" and his lower body was like a noodle.

I also had uncles that were sent to sanitariums after developing T-B. They survived but eventually died prematurely.

I am a very strong believer in vaccinations. With all of the travelers and immigrants, a strong documented vaccination program should be absolutely mandatory in my view. Silly to drop our guard now. Pandemics have a much greater effect on mankind than carbon footprints or global warming.

[Hannie]

Is that smallpox vaccination the one that leaves a nasty scar on your arm?

If so my mother didn't want that on me and she told them to do it on my back, and I don't even know where it is because it's gone no scar nothing...

[olympic]

voted "no"