To vaccinate or not to vaccinate
Autumn Beam
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: Op/Ed
The H1N1 vaccine has arrived on the campus of UNCW, but is it safe? As rumors are circulating of young, healthy people being rendered unable to walk normally after receiving the vaccine, it is no wonder that this is the question crossing the minds of many students on campus. Common fears include getting H1N1 from the vaccine, long-term complications from the relatively new vaccine, and the possibility of severe side effects including neurological damage. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) "expect[s] the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track record." Does this mean that our fears are unfounded?
The World Health Organization declared H1N1 a pandemic in June. Following the declaration, clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccine began in August of 2009. This left only two and half months between the trials and the October release of the vaccine. With such a short amount of time between the trials and the release of the vaccination, it seems plausible to assume that the long-term effects are largely unknown.
Head of the National Vaccine Information Center Barbara Loe Fisher warns against the fast timing of the H1N1 vaccine release. "This vaccine was fast tracked. It was tested on a couple thousand Americans, healthy adults and children by and large, very few pregnant women, very few children with chronic illness. And yet it's being targeted for pregnant women and children with chronic illness," said Fisher in a recent televised interview.
There is also a legal oddity in the worldwide push for H1N1 vaccination. Under a document signed in July 2009 by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, vaccine manufacturers are granted legal immunity from any lawsuits that may arise. Why is it necessary to protect manufacturers if the vaccine is adequately tested and deemed safe?
Combined with the possible link between receiving the vaccine and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious neurological disorder, one needs to think seriously about the risks and benefits of the vaccine before stepping in line at the next vaccination clinic. Research the issues surrounding the vaccine and decide for yourself if the added protection is worth the risk.
There are many ways to protect yourself from both H1N1 and seasonal flu without receiving the vaccine. Following a healthy diet and adding supplementary vitamins and herbs can aid in maintaining a healthy immune system.
The CDC gives the following advice:
-Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
-Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
-If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.
The World Health Organization declared H1N1 a pandemic in June. Following the declaration, clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccine began in August of 2009. This left only two and half months between the trials and the October release of the vaccine. With such a short amount of time between the trials and the release of the vaccination, it seems plausible to assume that the long-term effects are largely unknown.
Head of the National Vaccine Information Center Barbara Loe Fisher warns against the fast timing of the H1N1 vaccine release. "This vaccine was fast tracked. It was tested on a couple thousand Americans, healthy adults and children by and large, very few pregnant women, very few children with chronic illness. And yet it's being targeted for pregnant women and children with chronic illness," said Fisher in a recent televised interview.
There is also a legal oddity in the worldwide push for H1N1 vaccination. Under a document signed in July 2009 by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, vaccine manufacturers are granted legal immunity from any lawsuits that may arise. Why is it necessary to protect manufacturers if the vaccine is adequately tested and deemed safe?
Combined with the possible link between receiving the vaccine and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious neurological disorder, one needs to think seriously about the risks and benefits of the vaccine before stepping in line at the next vaccination clinic. Research the issues surrounding the vaccine and decide for yourself if the added protection is worth the risk.
There are many ways to protect yourself from both H1N1 and seasonal flu without receiving the vaccine. Following a healthy diet and adding supplementary vitamins and herbs can aid in maintaining a healthy immune system.
The CDC gives the following advice:
-Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
-Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
-If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Chaz
posted 11/19/09 @ 1:26 PM EST
This article does not answer the question of whether "To vaccinate or not to vaccinate". Instead it give neo-hippie drivel of vaccines are bad. The smallpox inoculation during the 70's were mandatory and people weren't freaking out like they are now, even though that vaccine had a lot more side effects. (Continued…)
Weezer
posted 11/20/09 @ 5:48 PM EST
Sooooo, do I vaccinate or not? Spray or shot? I'm waiting for the "opinion" in this op/ed. The story says just over 1000 students have been vaccinated - out of 14,000 total? Sounds like we have a long way to go before we're all protected. (Continued…)
Drew
posted 12/03/09 @ 4:52 PM EST
I'd like to see the evidence behind the statement "adding supplementary vitamins and herbs can aid in maintaining a healthy immune system".
One's immune system gets stronger only through exposure to disease, forcing it to develop new antibodies, which is how vaccines are intended to work. (Continued…)
Post a Comment