The Swine Flu Shot a Waste of Time!

[KnottedYet]

Wow! Bonus to you for knowing H1N1 has been around before! I learned that by reading the aforementioned Flu.
It's a good book, reads like a crime novel.

We have had sooooooo much flu education at work, and we all have to read flu updates every day, and we're all educating all our patients all the time. Not a bonus to me, unfortunately. Just part of what is hammered into our heads.

I really want to read that book, Zen.

(oooh, one cool piece of trivia I learned recently: it appears that osteoporosis medications may kill off the H1N1 virus in vivo. that could be nifty if it turns out to be true.)

[Aquila]

Sarah,

I hope your son is doing better and continues to recover.

***

I get the flu shot partly for myself. I can't afford to be off work for a couple weeks, as one of my colleagues was a couple years ago. I work with young adults, and I know their handwashing isn't quite what it might be. I'm in a relatively low risk group (middle-aged woman, healthy), and I've never had the flu.

I'll get the swine flu vaccine when the people at higher risk have had opportunities to get it and it becomes available to the wider community. As I understand it, the swine flu vaccine is made with the same process that's been used for seasonal vaccines for years now; it's a proven method, safe and pretty effective for most people. Too bad they didn't know and have it ready to go to put in the seasonal shot because it would be less of a hassle for all of us.

But the other reason I get the flu shot is because it contributes to herd immunity. If we can get 90% or so of the community covered, we can reduce the chances that folks with compromised immune systems or other problems catch bugs. That means a lot to me. I want to help keep Sarah's son and others just a little safer.

One last word about vaccines: small pox. Okay, that's two words, but really, we got rid of a disease that used to kill a lot of people.

We have a chance to get rid of polio if we can get everything together. My aunt had polio in the 50s, and it still causes her problems. I'm grateful to have had the polio vaccine as a kid; none of my schoolmates got polio that I remember. What a change that was from my parents' generation!

[ny biker]

(oooh, one cool piece of trivia I learned recently: it appears that osteoporosis medications may kill off the H1N1 virus in vivo. that could be nifty if it turns out to be true.)

That would be awesome, since my father has bad asthma AND takes osteoporosis meds.

[Selkie]

My dad was disabled from a childhood bout w/polio (feet were different sizes).

In my early 30s, I had to get a polio booster shot before I traveled overseas, among other shots.

I get the flu shot because they give it to us at work---convenient, free, etc. I decided not to get the H1N1, if they have any left for the rest of us (not pregnant, no little kids/babies in the house, etc.) I figure that by the time it's available, I'll likely have already been exposed to the virus.

This definitely is one of those personal choices, so everyone has to do what's right for them.

[Zen]

This definitely is one of those personal choices, so everyone has to do what's right for them.

It essentially is a 'personal choice'. But if someone chooses not to be vaccinated then becomes ill and infects others exponentially what kind of choice is that?

[malkin]

Since I probably have H1N1 now, the question of getting the vaccine is moot.

[Tuckervill]

Feel better, Malkin.

Karen

[lo123]

It essentially is a 'personal choice'. But if someone chooses not to be vaccinated then becomes ill and infects others exponentially what kind of choice is that?

I struggle with this.. As a high risk person (severe asthma and taking multiple immunosuppressive drugs), I want everyone to get vaccinated. However, I also have the ability to be vaccinated, so long as it's not a live vaccine. So, I have some control over the situation.

Sfa, I feel for you. I really don't know how I'd feel if I were unable to get the vaccine and knew many would not get it because it doesn't affect them.


On the other hand, I support people's right to decide for themselves. I just wish more people would make the decision I like

[Selkie]

It essentially is a 'personal choice'. But if someone chooses not to be vaccinated then becomes ill and infects others exponentially what kind of choice is that?

Then those who got sick apparently chose not to get vaccinated as well.

As I said before, it's a personal choice. I respect that and try not to judge. Now what pisses me off is when someone who is sick comes into work and spreads it around. People where I work are TOLD to stay home if they have the flu. A lot of folks ignore this, however (everyone where I work has sick leave as a benefit, so it's not like they aren't paid if they are off).

[Tuckervill]

Then those who got sick apparently chose not to get vaccinated as well.

Or they couldn't be vaccinated, for whatever reason. Like their own personal medical history, or that they are not in the group that can get the vaccine (me).

Karen

[indigoiis]

Now what pisses me off is when someone who is sick comes into work and spreads it around. People where I work are TOLD to stay home if they have the flu. A lot of folks ignore this, however (everyone where I work has sick leave as a benefit, so it's not like they aren't paid if they are off).

Yes, this bothers me too. Nothing is so important that you HAVE to come in to work coughing, sneezing, spreading germs. I don't get that!!!

[Crankin]

I'm with Eden and Knott. I had the seasonal shot for the first time in my life about a month ago. And I have had the flu; to those who say they have a "flu" you shouldn't use the words so casually. Seven days in bed, 105 fever, and a recovery that took 5-8 weeks. I am sure i had pneumonia.
I am in a high risk category, with mild asthma and I cannot find a place to get the H1N1, especially since I need the single dose shot (I'm too old for the mist) with no preservative. At this point, I am wiling to risk the reaction to the mercury because I am pretty sure if I caught it, I'd be the one in the hospital with pneumonia and be dead.
I don't have contact with kids anymore and I was born in the fifties. But I do work in a psychiatric clinic 3 days a week and use public transportation/go to grad classes twice a week. I never was a hand washer until now. Now I am obsessed.
I guess I value my life too much to say I am not getting the shot. Short from staying inside my house 24 hours a day, I think it's the best protection we have. And this is from someone who has reactions to everything.

[NbyNW]

Nothing is so important that you HAVE to come in to work coughing, sneezing, spreading germs. I don't get that!!!

+1!!!!

My boss decided last winter that it would be okay to spread her germs around the office, and the next thing you know, the rest of us were dropping like flies, AND I had the worst asthma flare-up that I've had in YEARS as a result. Took months to start feeling well again, and most of the time was not up to the kind of physical activity I would have liked.

Re: whether to get vaccinated or not, I wonder whether those who don't get the vaccine (for whatever reason -- by choice, lack of availability, or contraindicated) might be few enough and not in contact with immune-compromised people that hopefully the risk is minimized enough to deem the vaccine successful in terms of controlling the spread of the virus? (Sorry about the poor sentence construction)

[Eden]

Then those who got sick apparently chose not to get vaccinated as well.

As I said before, it's a personal choice. I respect that and try not to judge. Now what pisses me off is when someone who is sick comes into work and spreads it around. People where I work are TOLD to stay home if they have the flu. A lot of folks ignore this, however (everyone where I work has sick leave as a benefit, so it's not like they aren't paid if they are off).

Some people, and these include the most vulnerable people like Sfa's son cannot get vaccinated. They rely on everyone else to get it to keep outbreaks from happening.

Not staying home when you are sick is of course stupid, but you are capable of spreading the flu virus a full day before you get any symptoms. This is by far enough time to have spread it to your co-workers - and remember flu can travel in the air, you don't necessarily have to touch a surface then touch yourself to catch it, so even the most diligent hand washing isn't an assurance that you will be safe. Do you know how many of your co-workers have vulnerable family members? Kids with asthma, elderly parents, partners in chemo? Vaccination works best when you protect the herd. If you prevent people from getting sick in the first place then they cannot spread the illness to the more vulnerable people.