Vaccinating The Nation

By drodriguez Aug 17, 2009

As we all gear up for the new school year, health officials are busy getting ready to introduce the new H1N1 flu vaccine to the public. It is being reported that the vaccine should be available some time in October. School age children, health care workers, and pregnant women will be some of the first in line to receive the swine flu shots. Many schools around the country will double as vaccination centers, some offering free shots, to make sure as many children as possible are inoculated against the virus.

Schools are also taking extra precautions by encouraging parents to keep their children at home when they are at all feverish. Newsweek reports that schools in Minneapolis have installed tamper-proof soap dispensers in all restrooms to make sure children have the chance to wash their hands.

Though the original swine flu outbreak has been considered relatively mild, government health officials are preparing for the worst. They are considering the possibility that the virus could become more serious and widespread with the onset of winter.

With pregnant women and young children first in line to get the swine flu shot, some people are left worrying about the safety of the new vaccine and whether it has been tested long enough to get effective results. A recent Reuters article discusses some of the concerns people have about the new vaccine.

One of the top concerns is rooted in the public's memory of reports from 1976 when the U.S. government began a massive nationwide immunization against the swine flu of that time. Though the swine flu of 1976 never spread further than a military base, several hundred cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome were reported after receiving vaccinations. Guillain Barre Syndrome is a rare neurological disease that can paralyze a person and in some instances lead to death. More people suffered from this disease than those affected by the actual swine flu.

Do you trust that the new swine flu vaccine will be safe?

Will you be taking any extra precautions this fall to guard against flu?

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Comments

by joy9281 | TOLEDO, OH

Nov 25, 2009

i work in health care and i still refuse to get the vaccine. no one can tell me this this vaccine is safe. i would rather deal with getting h1n1 than risk taking the shot and having complications.

by maribel | whittier, CA

Nov 14, 2009

I have a 6 year old and I want the best for my child i don't know if i want my kid to get vax. I would wait until i know that the vax is safe to take.

by simplicity738 | Vista, CA

Nov 05, 2009

I'm not sure whether I'd get this one or not...we'll see...

by momagarry | MILWAUKEE, WI

Oct 29, 2009

Interesting video mamasunny

by tif_ki | Sebring, OH

Oct 02, 2009

the video above is extremly insightful. thanks for sharing.

by tif_ki | Sebring, OH

Oct 02, 2009

this is an interesting blog. I dont like giving my kids any vacs that arent routine. i was pretty upset last year that my peditrician made me feel like a fool for not giving my kids the seasonal flu shot so i caved in and they got the shot (or mist) (i have 2 in school and one toddler). I wont even get gardisil for myself at my dr. recomindation. I wasnt worried about h1n1 untill my childs school principal said at a pto meeting that the county board of health expects the virus to spread to every single school in the county. over all we are a healthy family. i was actually considering it but i think i may just change my mind. I deffantly want to keep my family safe. can i trust my peditrician? or will they just force that on me like they did the flu shots?

by momagarry | MILWAUKEE, WI

Sep 29, 2009

I am 29 weeks pregnant and yesterday I received the regular flu shot yesterday.

by vickie1962 | CHICAGO, IL

Sep 25, 2009

I agree with you about the vaccine that the goverment is saying is okay.It scares me to dealth knowing that they don't know if it work or not.

by vickie1962 | CHICAGO, IL

Sep 25, 2009

I agree, i've heard so many stories about the vaccine that it scares me dealth knowing that the goverment don't know if will work or not.It gives you something tothink about.

by mommymomo | daytona beach, FL

Sep 25, 2009

I do not think it should be mandatory! I do think, however, you have the right to choose. I feel as though people should be more aware of handwashing! We are our own responsibility, we need to ensure we take the neccessary precautions to protect ourselves and our family in any way possible! I also feel, as weith any optional vaccination, the said vaccination needs to be given to those at higher than average risks first.

by blake2020ca | sault sainte marie, MI

Sep 25, 2009

I ama needlephobe to start with so i do not get flu shots and have never gotten them for my children so i will not start now.. And i do not trust the swing flu vax so we will just double up on our hand sanitizer and start using a shopping cart cover for my daughter.

by pjkrotz | Haverhill, MA

Sep 23, 2009

I am torn on this issue as well. I have two small children. My youngest son is 1 and he has a history of breathing issues (specifically when he gets sick) due to asthma. On the one hand, I want to do everything I can to protect him and my daughter from being sick. On the other hand, I worry that this is a new vaccine and we don't know how safe it is. He has a well baby check next week, so I think I am going to talk with his pediatrician and then make a decision on whether or not I will get it for my children.

by Lilmonster311 | Brunswick, OH

Sep 20, 2009

I do not want to get the swine flu shot. They dont know the side effects and that scares me. I think more people would die from the swine flu shot than it would save.

by tmosier00 | Springdale, AR

Sep 18, 2009

No to H1N1. A co-worker's daughter is a lawyer with emphasis in evironmental law. I hear all the things that the scientists discuss that don't make it to the press (not suprised). I highly advise not getting this swine flu vaccine!

by koopac7 | PAW PAW, IL

Sep 18, 2009

I WILL NOT be vaccinating myself or my children for this. Now, I don't ever tell those who vaccinate they are wrong at all. It is a personal choice. I have just done way too much research on the topic of vaccines, I won't be doing them again. My children are not vaccinated, and I don't plan on letting the government ever tell me to do so. There is a whole lot more behind vaccinations than people think. I am deffinitely NOT a fanatic, but Im just very skeptical, and at this point educated. I am not a conspiracy theorist or anything, but I do believe there are other motives behind mass innoculation (money, kickbacks etc...) Just look at the law suite that went down with Pfizer recently... makes one wonder...