Whether to Get the H1N1 Vaccine

Reader Comments
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go to
flu.gov
for flu shot locations !!!

Anon of CA 7:10PM December 12, 2009

How do i find where to get flu shot. I am diabetic and can't find it any where near my home in No. Long Beach.

Gloria Ansite of CA 11:48AM November 14, 2009

Not everyone choosing not to get vaccinated is a science-handicapped ignoramus who just doesn't believe in all this fancy vaccine mumbo-jumbo, although admittedly many fit this category. I'm a statistician with a modest facility in the biological sciences. Vaccines are not about what is best for an individual, they are about what is best for a population. And what is best for a population usually means mitigating some measure of overall sickness to prevent a decline in productivity.
The fact is that the active immunity one's body builds after having been exposed to a virus is stronger than the immunity it builds after having been exposed to an innocuous version of that same virus. This strategy is rolling the dice if your immunocompromised or otherwise vulnerable. If you are healthy, its called paying the piper for a stronger immunity later. As stated, this is an individual strategy which incurs a slightly higher risk for a slightly bigger payoff. This is H1N1 we're talking about, not Ebola. While I agree that the majority of the public choosing not to get vaccinated are using bad logic, it doesn't translate into their decision being right or wrong.
You are hard-pressed to appeal to people's civic responsibility to get vaccinated for the benefit of others if it might be suboptimal for themselves. The very reason everyone always demands a vaccine to begin with is their own self-interest. The clash between individual strategies and population strategies is what arguably makes civilization unstable in the long-term (ecological destruction is a perfect example).
The statistics quoted are meaningless, which I know because I'm a statistician. As for voting. . . . now that was a waste of time. You vote - at most - once per year at the polls. You vote every single day with your dollar. Guess which one has been the only true force since the dawn of civilization. Hint: it's the one that people curiously DON'T regard as their civic duty. What unconscionable business practices do people support with their two dollars after they swing by the voting booth to put in their two cents?

JL of DC 1:08PM November 08, 2009

This is all in the bible my brothers and sisters. Read it and u will know what the H1N1 is really all about. one advice i will give you is to not take the vaccine.

wise of AL 9:22AM November 05, 2009

i really think that people should get the vaccine but then again i think they shouldn't. the vaccine looks like it hurts because it goes up your nose and you can tell this because they way a child's eyes react to the pain. but u should get it because it would keep you from getting the swine flu.

Cecebaker of MT 9:37PM November 04, 2009

The H1N1 vaccine contains Thimerisol only if dispensed from multidose vials. You can request the vaccine with no Thimerisol, and it will be dispensed from single dose vials. If your provider does not have it available in single-dose vials, find another provider.

Randy of GA 9:48AM November 03, 2009

Whether to Get the H1N1 Vaccine? This is a good question, and one that should be decided by the individual... not have it decided for you. The shots are Dangerous if they contain Thimerisol... Any vaccine containing Thimerisol carries a risk of injury or death... This shot is inactive, but potentially dangerous, and more so to Children than Adults.
The Inhaleable vaccine on the other hand is a Weakened version of the Live H1N1 Flu Strain... in which people young and old will breath directly into their Bodies. Though they may become sick afterwars, and ultimately be protected... Those people will ultimately SHED the Virus to others, making their Family Members, Co workers or Classmates sick.
One sure way to spread this virus, is to take the inhaleable, and give it to the masses.For those of you who wish to argue this point, you need to first Educate yourselves. This is an absolute FACT. Some will argue that those NOT Vaccinated must not care about the rest of the World getting sick... Here's my rebuttal. If I don't get Vaccinated... And you DO... Then YOU are safe, If I get sick... Right? Simple enough. However... If you get Vaccinated w. the Inhaleable... YOU... Can inadvertently make thousands of People sick... Get the Idea?
I other words... "Whether to Get the H1N1 Vaccine" Is a question better answered by the Individual or the Parent... Rather than the Government making this decision for us.

Scott of NH 8:51AM November 02, 2009

R. Myers, Malia and Sasha got the shot last week.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/10/obamas-daughters-get-the-h1n1-vaccine.html

L. Hadley of IA 12:07AM October 28, 2009

Please do not use the word "immunized." Vaccinations are just that, vaccinations. They do NOT necessarily make you immune to the virus.

Janet of WA 9:19PM October 27, 2009

I am getting the vaccine for my four-year-old on Thursday. I have done my homework, talked to doctors, and the Health Department. Many people have fears unrelated to the flu, just a general distrust of the government. I am getting it for him because his cousin just spent 4 days in the hospital with H1N1. The FluMist spray does not contain Thimerasol or preservatives. This is what he will be getting. I may get the shot for my 1 1/2 year old if they soon come out with a Thimerasol free, which is scheduled for November.

MissO of OH 3:21PM October 27, 2009