[Wiskedjak]

What's the general consensus here on the H1N1 vaccine? Are you going to get it? Are you going to skip it? Why?

Seems to me that the testing for this vaccine has been rushed and I think I'll wait to see how the first round of those vaccinated fair. Also, Canada has ordered all of it's doses in the adjuvanted version, while the US has ordered the non-adjuvant version. I'm curious as to why.

Thoughts?

[Cold Warrior]

I'll get it. Vaccines don't bother me. Even got them for small pox and anthrax (a series of 6 shots).

[Doofy]

Not a chance. No way, no how.

My pathologist buddy says "avoid". My tinfoil hat wearing buddies say "avoid". And my intuition says "avoid".

[cjrivera]

Got it.

[hyteckit]

Never gotten a flu shot in my life.

Don't plan on getting one.

[lexapro]

Absolutely will get it. The risks of H1N1 make getting a shot so much more pleasant. It's safe (as long as you're not allergic to eggs), effective and you'll totally avoid H1N1. Seems like a deal to me.

[CharlesS]

I think the H1N1 panic is overblown. It’s just a flu. You end up feeling like crap for a week or two, then you get better.

With that said, getting the flu sucks, so I’ll probably get the vaccine.

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak 

Seems to me that the testing for this vaccine has been rushed and I think I'll wait to see how the first round of those vaccinated fair.

It's made the exact same way the seasonal flu vaccine is made, so there's nothing new or experimental about it.

[AKcrab]

This thread should have been a Poll™

No flu vaccine for me; seasonal or otherwise.

It's possible I had H1N1 earlier this summer. For a while the state was considering all flu cases H1N1.

[The Godfather]

I'll get it.

[Rumor]

Nope. Last time I got a flu shot I got the flu (this year excluded due to prednasone taken).

[Captain Obvious]

It does not have a higher mortality rate than the seasonal flu so I don't understand why people are so freaked out about it. There were lines wrapping around the clinics in some out lying counties here. Its not worth waiting in line for 3 hours. If you are healthy enough to withstand that line you don't need the vaccine.

Maybe if I was old or sickly I would consider getting it but I will pass at this time.

People should just let nature thin the herd. It is how things are meant to be.

[Brien]

Not gonna get it. Never had a flu vaccine before, and IMO H1N1 is totally overhyped.

[PB2K]

i already have the flu (5 days now). but i wouldn't get the vaccine because I think I don't need it. It's just a flu

[hyteckit]

I think I got the flu the first time in my life. It lasted about 3 hours, the length of my nap. Woke up and everything was fine.

Maybe it was something I ate.

[osiris]

No, never. Partially because I rarely get the flu, and partially because everyone I know who has received the vaccine has gotten sick.

[turtle777]

Nah.

I'd rather get a pet pig.

-t

[paul w]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Not a chance. No way, no how.

My pathologist buddy says "avoid".

What reasons does he give?

[JCP21]

Im getting the swine flu vaccine before im ment to, it really helps having your dad as a doctor! [ - snip - ]

[The Final Dakar]

Why do you use a third party smiley in every post you make?

[design219]

I will when it's available for me. My kids got it, but they weren't giving to adults yet. My wife and I got the seasonal flu shots... always do.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by paul w 

What reasons does he give?

Bear in mind that the guy's Welsh and can talk indefinitely about any given subject (I think this conversation was about two hours - I only asked him for a yay or nay), as far as I can tell it's to do with how the virus will mutate around the vaccine. He went into virus cell structure and all that so kind of lost me halfway through. Basically, vaccination is pointless and possibly could be negative, depending on how the strain evolves.
The only people to have died of it here are those with serious underlying problems anyway. Just keep yerself healthy and there's no need to worry.

[ort888]

I've never gotten a flu shot in my life... and I almost never get the flu... and I fully believe that all this N1H1 Swine flu thing is just a bunch of overbown crapola...

...and all that said, my wife has been told by like 3 different doctors that we 100% both need to get both regular and H1N1 flu shots this year because of our newborn. So, uh, I guess I'm getting them. I'll let you guys know if I turn into a pig.

It's not that I'm opposed to the vaccinations, I've just never found the need to bother with them.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Bear in mind that the guy's Welsh and can talk indefinitely about any given subject (I think this conversation was about two hours - I only asked him for a yay or nay), as far as I can tell it's to do with how the virus will mutate around the vaccine. He went into virus cell structure and all that so kind of lost me halfway through. Basically, vaccination is pointless and possibly could be negative, depending on how the strain evolves.
The only people to have died of it here are those with serious underlying problems anyway. Just keep yerself healthy and there's no need to worry.

It's only pointless if the virus strain mutates, which is far from a given. This is true for the seasonal flu vaccine, as well. The seasonal vaccine is developed after virologists around the world try to figure out which flu strains will develop in the coming season, and then their three best guesses are included in the vaccine. They can be completely wrong, which happened four or five years ago.

Regardless, I'm not getting the H1N1 or the seasonal shot, but primarily because I am lazy and I don't work with high-risk populations.

[paul w]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Bear in mind that the guy's Welsh and can talk indefinitely about any given subject (I think this conversation was about two hours - I only asked him for a yay or nay), as far as I can tell it's to do with how the virus will mutate around the vaccine. He went into virus cell structure and all that so kind of lost me halfway through. Basically, vaccination is pointless and possibly could be negative, depending on how the strain evolves.
The only people to have died of it here are those with serious underlying problems anyway. Just keep yerself healthy and there's no need to worry.

So your anti-vaccination stance comes from on a rambling conversation with someone apparently unable give a concise, reasoned argument that you can understand and repeat? I'm sorry to say this sounds like a load of BS. Or maybe there were nuances I was missing.

And when you say vaccination is pointless, are you referring to ALL vaccination (including polio and the like) or just the seasonal influenza vaccines (H1N1 being in this category)?

[Atheist]

I doubt the vaccine is even available here in the DR but I haven't heard much about it in the news. Several of my co-workers back in DC have gotten it and they wouldn't wish it on their worst enemy. My understanding is that it's a pretty miserable experience. So yeah.. it's not necessarily gonna kill you any more than the seasonal strains of the flu but it will make your life hell. If I were working full time in DC I'd probably get the vaccine, especially since many in the office have gotten it. I've gotten the seasonal flu vaccine in the past and suffered no ill effect... but I haven't had a flu in decades (just the occasional cold).

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Atheist 

I doubt the vaccine is even available here in the DR but I haven't heard much about it in the news. Several of my co-workers back in DC have gotten it and they wouldn't wish it on their worst enemy. My understanding is that it's a pretty miserable experience. So yeah.. it's not necessarily gonna kill you any more than the seasonal strains of the flu but it will make your life hell. If I were working full time in DC I'd probably get the vaccine, especially since many in the office have gotten it. I've gotten the seasonal flu vaccine in the past and suffered no ill effect... but I haven't had a flu in decades (just the occasional cold).

My wife just had a co-worker die of it last week and my friend that's a nurse in the pediatric care unit at a hospital has had four or five kids die of it so far.

[Andy8]

What vaccine is being given for H1N1 in the states?

[RobOnTheCape]

My wife is an ER nurse, and while we've made a decision to not immunize our son(or ourselves for many years), we've decided to get the H1 dose for all of us(she was strongly urged to do so anyways).

[Atheist]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

My wife just had a co-worker die of it last week and my friend that's a nurse in the pediatric care unit at a hospital has had four or five kids die of it so far.

It's my understanding that H1N1 is no worse than seasonal flu in healthy adults (with regard to fatalities) but is harder on children and younger teens as well as pregnant women.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

Nope. Last time I got a flu shot I got the flu (this year excluded due to prednasone taken).

Flu shot only protects against what is believed to be the most common flu of the year. It doesn't (can not) protect against all forms.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Basically, vaccination is pointless and possibly could be negative, depending on how the strain evolves.

To be clear, vaccination against the common flu is arguably pointless. Vaccinating your children against small pox, cholera, polio, etc. should always be done. I hate Opera and her god damn new age crap about vaccinations, just ignore her.

Originally Posted by Doofy 

The only people to have died of it here are those with serious underlying problems anyway. Just keep yerself healthy and there's no need to worry.

Yep. I am getting H1N1 at least once because I know I don't have the antibodies for it. Shouldn't have to get it again.

[olePigeon]

From what I understand, the main issue with H1N1 is that symptoms don't manifest until about 24 hours after being infected (and being infectious.) So people are spreading it without even knowing they have it yet.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by paul w 

So your anti-vaccination stance comes from on a rambling conversation with someone apparently unable give a concise, reasoned argument that you can understand and repeat? I'm sorry to say this sounds like a load of BS. Or maybe there were nuances I was missing.

The conversation wasn't rambling. It was so detailed that I didn't understand half of it. This is a guy who if he burps and you ask him if he's OK will launch into a full-on info-fest about cell structures in your stomach lining. He's Welsh - they do that kind of thing.

Concise, reasoned argument: It's pointless.

Originally Posted by paul w 

And when you say vaccination is pointless, are you referring to ALL vaccination (including polio and the like) or just the seasonal influenza vaccines (H1N1 being in this category)?

Just the current H1N1 stuff.

I don't know any more since I haven't been paying attention. But if that's what this dude says then it's gospel as far as I'm concerned.

[screamingFit]

Take plenty of Vitamin D3 and you'll be fine.

I find the "OMFGWTF!!" reaction some people are having over the bacon flu to be both humorous and sad.

[Gregg]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak 

Seems to me that the testing for this vaccine has been rushed... ...

Would that be because there is a shortage after it was late in being available? Are you listening to the doctors on TV who are in a position to know about its development? They say it's been thoroughly tested. I'm not a doctor, but I pretend to be one on the Internet.

Originally Posted by CharlesS 

I think the H1N1 panic is overblown. It’s just a flu.

Just the flu kills 36,000 people a year in the U.S. That makes the odds small, but whatever happened to "better safe than... dead"?

Originally Posted by PB2K 

i already have the flu (5 days now). but i wouldn't get the vaccine because I think I don't need it. It's just a flu

Easy for you to say. I suppose you're young and have no underlying health issues. But, you have a flu! That might not protect you from getting another one.

Originally Posted by osiris 

... everyone I know who has received the vaccine has gotten sick.

Really? How many people do you know who have already gotten the H1N1 vaccine and then the flu? How many people do you know who have not told you they got the vaccine and are not sick with the flu?

Originally Posted by JCP21 

Im getting the swine flu vaccine before im ment to, it really helps having your dad as a doctor!

Not something to be boasting about. Can't he get in trouble for unauthorized vaccinations? It's supposed to be limited to the high risk groups at first for good reason!

Originally Posted by Andy8 

What vaccine is being given for H1N1 in the states?

Are you looking for a scientific answer? It's the vaccine developed specifically for H1N1. It comes as a nasal mist or a shot. Is that what you mean?

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

I hate Opera and her god damn new age crap about vaccinations, just ignore her.

I don't think it is Oprah spouting that stuff, it's her sometime guests. Suzanne Sommers, or some other female celebrity... anyone remember who it is for sure?

I found it. Jenny McCarthy... http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprah..._ss_20070918/1

[sek929]

I'd rather get inoculated against hysteria.

[MrsLarry]

Originally Posted by RobOnTheCape 

My wife is an ER nurse, and while we've made a decision to not immunize our son(or ourselves for many years), we've decided to get the H1 dose for all of us(she was strongly urged to do so anyways).

No vaccines at all? not even the old standards.. measles, mumps, polio? or just new vaccines, lke chicken pox and H1N1? I'm always curious to hear people's reasoning behind it. I've yet to pick a side, and am always interested in others' views on it.

[paul w]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Concise, reasoned argument: It's pointless.

That's not a reasoned argument, just an opinion (a conclusion based on something you admittedly only half understand).

[osiris]

Originally Posted by Gregg 

Really?

Yes, really.

Originally Posted by Gregg 

How many people do you know who have already gotten the H1N1 vaccine and then the flu?

Out of the 8 teachers that I know at a private school, 7 have grown sick with either stomach issues/nausea and flu-like symptoms. I know of no other people to receive the vaccine - most are refusing, some are post-poning.

Originally Posted by Gregg 

How many people do you know who have not told you they got the vaccine and are not sick with the flu?

That makes no sense as a question. I'm not Merlin.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by MrsLarry 

No vaccines at all? not even the old standards.. measles, mumps, polio? or just new vaccines, lke chicken pox and H1N1? I'm always curious to hear people's reasoning behind it. I've yet to pick a side, and am always interested in others' views on it.

The "other side" are people claiming that immunizing your children causes autism. This claim has been debunked over, and over, and over, and over again. There is no link between immunization and autism. None. Zero.

The original study was not peer reviewed before it was published by a local newspaper. After the study had gone under review, it was discovered that the doctor had falsified records and fixed the results. Despite the man completely making up the study, his sample size was only 12 children. That is way too small of a sample.

Unfortunately, the falsified study gained a lot of momentum. The number of immunizations plummeted to below 80% (we need at least 95% to ensure heard immunity.) To give you an example of how much that 15% changed, the number of MMR cases in Britain alone went from 59 to nearly 1,400 cases in just 10 years, resulting in the death of 2 children this year.

This sh*t should be gone! For all intents and purposes, these diseases were extinct for the past 50 years! Then Opera has some dumb on and we have kids dying from mothering smallpox.

Whatever you do, please immunize your kids.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by paul w 

That's not a reasoned argument, just an opinion (a conclusion based on something you admittedly only half understand).

No, that's the dude's opinion. And trust me, he understands.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

Unfortunately, the falsified study gained a lot of momentum. The number of immunizations plummeted to below 80% (we need at least 95% to ensure heard immunity.) To give you an example of how much that 15% changed, the number of MMR cases in Britain alone went from 59 to nearly 1,400 cases in just 10 years, resulting in the death of 2 children this year.

The cause of that isn't people refusing to immunise. It's people refusing to use the combined MMR vaccine. Nobody has a problem with three individual jabs (M, M and R), but the government won't let anyone have them on the NHS. To this day, Tony Blair still hasn't answered the question as to whether his kids had the combined or separates.

Edit: Google ad up there goes to here. Capitalism to the rescue!

[paul w]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

And trust me

Trust you? Who are you? Who is he?

"Hey my friend is a nobel prize winning research scientist in the field of epidemiology. We had a long conversation, much of which was over my head, but from what I gather we can get all the antibodies we need to fight illness from our babies poop. So yeah, I know it sounds weird, but we should be eating baby poop."

[paul w]

So what's the problem with the combined vaccination?

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by paul w 

Trust you? Who are you? Who is he?

"Hey my friend is a nobel prize winning research scientist in the field of epidemiology. We had a long conversation, much of which was over my head, but from what I gather we can get all the antibodies we need to fight illness from our babies poop. So yeah, I know it sounds weird, but we should be eating baby poop."

OK, don't then. I don't care.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by paul w 

So what's the problem with the combined vaccination?

Nothing.

[paul w]

I thought as much, but you never know when you're going to vital information from the friend of someone on an internet forum.

Edit: oh dear...

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

Nothing.

That's what they said about Thalidomide. And British beef about three weeks before all the cows started falling over.

YouTube - Agriculture Minister and BSE (May 16 1990)

[downinflames68]

Nope. I'll live. Probably.