Are You Getting the H1N1 Vaccine?

Are You Getting The H1N1 Vaccine? - With the news going back and forth with facts on whether or not the H1N1 vaccine is safe, how are we supposed to make a decision on what's the safest road to take? "MSNBC has stated that 57% of people will line up to get the vaccine." (www.msnbc.com) That leaves 43% of the population who aren't planning to receive the vaccine. With the percentages being so close, it seems that no one can get any peace of mind in knowing if they are making the right decision to receive or not receive the vaccine.

Seeing as the Drug Administrative Board just approved the H1N1 vaccine a couple of weeks ago, and have plans to start releasing the vaccine in the middle of October, people are getting more anxious about their decision on whether or not to get the vaccine. The H1N1 flu vaccine is made up of two separate vaccines, one being the H1N1 vaccine and the other being the seasonal flu vaccine. Health care professionals are suggesting that certain types of people get both vaccines, while others should be ok with just one.

Statistics are showing the people over the age of 65 are less likely to catch the H1N1 flu due to the antibodies they built up in 1977 during the last outbreak. (http://www.pandemicflu.gov) While, a senior citizen would be a far bigger concern to a health professional if they actually contracted the flu, many are speculating if it's necessary for them to be on the top of the list to be vaccinated or not. Other people, who should be concerned with getting the vaccine, "are those who are allergic to eggs, since chicken eggs are being used in the manufacturing process."
(www.fastertimes.com). Another reason people are being skeptical of receiving the vaccine is due to the rumors of the vaccine side effects being worse than contracting the actual H1N1 flu itself. The final popular reason folks are nervous about getting the vaccine, is due to the theory of the vaccine causing "Guillain Barre Syndrome, which is rare neurological illness with symptoms ranging from mild muscle weakness to complete paralysis. While most people recover, some people die from the illness. Triggers for the disease include infections, most commonly by a bacteria called Campylobacter" (www.fastertimes.com)," which is one of the most common causes of diarrheal illness in the United States." (www.cdc.gov)

Therefore, people can't out rule the good from the bad. Looking at the situation from a top view, both ways can theoretically end badly which is scaring people away from making a decision on this issue. If the vaccine were to be proven more likely to have fewer side effects and less chances of ending up with a potentially deadly syndrome, more people would be waiting in line to get the vaccine. The statistics in the news should be focusing on what the chances are for someone to contract the H1N1 flu versus having a negative side effect or ending up with a neurological syndrome. Getting down the brass knuckles of why people are shying away from getting a vaccine that could save a large portion of the population, would be a really logical move to make right now. Hopefully, we can get information fast enough in order to ease our comfort in knowing that we are all making the right choices for ourselves and our families.