Just Say No to the H1N1 Vaccine

I have decided not to have the H1N1 vaccine for several reasons. First, the vaccine went on the market in a relatively quick manner with limited testing. When other drugs have entered the market in this manner, they have proven to be either less effective than the trials suggest or more dangerous they were expected to be. Clinical trials have their limitations. They cannot possibly account for all circumstances. This is why, when the drugs hit the market they can have unforeseen negative outcomes.

Besides not knowing if there are serious side effects associated with the H1N1 vaccine, the effectiveness of the vaccine has yet to be proven outside of the lab. Why risk the possible risks of getting the vaccine if I don't know if the vaccine will give me the protection that it promises? According to the Center for Disease control, the H1N1 flu virus is very different from the other forms of flu. If it is so different, how can we be sure that the vaccine, which we are assured is processed in the same manner as other flu shots, will work in the same way as the seasonal flu shot does?

According to the CDC, if you get the spray form of the vaccine, there is a possibility that you could actually spread the H1N1 virus to another. Should I put other people in danger? This strain of flu has proven deadly to young children. What if I get the mist form and then I find myself sitting on a bus near a newborn child, will I unwittingly infect this innocent child?

The flu is spreading rather rapidly through my state at the current time. It takes at least two weeks for the shot to take effect. Will I really be protected at all? Every day you come in contact with people or objects that may be carrying the virus. Think about it. You go to the grocery store and you get a shopping cart. Did the person before you have the flu? You stand in line at McDonalds, is the person next to coughing because they have asthma or are they getting over the flu? I heard on the news recently that the H1N1 virus is still present even after most of the symptoms have gone away. Why risk taking a shot when the side effects are still to be determined and the effectiveness hasn't been proven when it may already be too late anyway?

I am sticking with taking some precautions such as washing my hands frequently and staying away from people with the flu. I will leave getting the H1N1 flu shot up to those convinced that it is safe and effective