mutation of flu vaccine advice
- It is a pandemic. Very dangerous. Everyone must get vaccinated.
- What, half of you don't want to be vaccinated? You are bad citizens.
- There is enough vaccine for all.
- Vaccine is here. Ready, set, go get it.
- Oops, running out of vaccine. Only at risk people and NHL hockey players should be vaccinated right now.
- OK, we're stopping all clinics. At risk people can get their vaccines next week.
- Ordinary people, if you get the flu, no big deal. You will be sick for a few days, then fine.
Here is an interesting article.
posted by Theresa at 3:56 PM
23 Comments:
Well, I'm getting one, 2 of my nursing students (out of 6) have probably had it.
PLus, I have to roll out story about when I got the flu, felt awful, but recovered. Then gave it to Mom who devloped Pneumonia and said she felt sicker with that then the cancer treatment.
Tp put in perspective. Vaccine is safe-there will be some people who react and there is a very small possibility of developing something bad like Guillame Barre-but likelihood is similar to the same small percentage of people who would have developed it anyway-from something like food posioning. And a greater proportion would develop Guillame Barre from actually getting the flu. and there are always people who say, 'oh got the flu shot, devloped autism', but just because one event precedes another-does not mean they are related ie Richard came home from work. I felt urge to vomit, does not mean Richard causes me to vomit.
Also-given that it is a pandemic that just developed-to be honest-it is quite amazing that they were able to develop vaccine as quickly as they did and that they will have enough to vaccinate the country. Of course, as with other flus, healthy people will most likely be feeling terrible for a few days and then recover, but people at risk-from chronic disease, immmunocompromised, diabetes, asthma have a increased risk of having serious complications. And there isthis small though worrisome percentage of people who do not meet criteria for immunocompromised who get the flu and dvelop serious complications ie-pneumonia, needing respirator. And of course, most disturbing death.
I went to see my doctor last week-she asked if I was getting muy shot. Of course, I replied, as ssonj as I can. She had seen 6 people that day with flu symptoms and said she was feeling worried about this.
Because it's a pandemic-more people will get it than other flu types-which menas more people will get sick and more people will die. As before, most who will die are at risk, which is sad, but because this is a strain to which humans have no real resistance to, sadly some otherwise healthy people will die too. And given the nnumbers of people who will contract the flu (I think, but don't quote me-30% of general pop) that means greater proportion of people wil die form this than from seasonal flu.
All this being said, I have not read the article and will read it when I don't want to kick the writer in the head. But when I do, I wil respond.
I'm a nurse, did you think I'd disagree with actual clinical trials/scientific evidence? Though writer may be great-I question the medical evidence that they are promoting when world agencies such WHO, and Health Canada are advising otherwise.
I will get off soapbox now.
But only for now.
Lisa's initial response...."For God's sake I'm a nurse, I have to retaliate!" RW
From the Cochrane Library:
Plain language summary:
There is not enough evidence to decide whether routine vaccination to prevent influenza in healthy adults is effective
See: http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD001269/frame.html
Listen, is this related to this particular pandemic? Because that statement is true of regular influenza=that's why healthy people are not eligible for that vaccine. This however is pandemic strain of new virus.
Previous comment is from Lisa FYI. Also, looked at your citation-refers to regular influenza years where they make a calculated decision on what strains will make their presence in Northern hemisphere based upon what strains are prevalent in southern hemisphere (as that is where most flus come from). Does not refer to this situation where they know the exact strain.
More rebuttal?
LW
I guess it doesn't matter anyway, since Alberta is not allowing me to get a flu vaccine.
Also: did you work a night shift and are therefore hyper about this?
ALL Albertans are eligible for the vaccine-- and there is not really a "at risk" list anymore. Anyone that wants the vaccine can get it. Keep in mind that supplies are still coming in so the clinics will go on for some time to come. The vaccine is probably still safer than getting the H1N1 Flu. (by the way- pandemic only means wide-spread, not necisarily stronger or more deadly. Go get em, Lisa! -BA
PS--I would imagine anyone travelling outside the country (or for that matter anywhere by air)would be considered "higher risk".
The eligibility of Albertans to get the vaccine is as much a political move by government as it is about a pandemic: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/11/01/calgary-h1n1-vaccine-health-minister.html.
Vaccine won't be available until after I'm back from UK anyhow: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/10/30/calgary-alberta-swine-flu-h1n1-supplies-lines.html.
International travellers aren't on the priority list yet.
All vacine clinics in Alberta are closed till further notice. According to the Edmonton Journal this morning and CBC news. Anyway I wouldn't have 6 hours to wait in line any time soon.
No night shift-just have too much to do also equals hyperness. Ask Richard.
as much as i would like to blame AB gov't for allowing all people to get vaccine, all provinces are doing same-just when you get it depends upon which province-in BC they are rolling out to 'at higher risk' pops 1st, then to general public later.
I am happy to know that you support my health care opinions Betty Anne. We can save the world together!
wow, that 1st post was quite the post, wasn't it?
All that was inside me just waiting to come out.
I am just thinking about the part of the Atlantic article (did anyone read it) where it said that in 1997 and one other year the flu vaccine that was developed was developed for a different strain than the flu that actually arrived. Mortality rates did not change those years even though effectively no one was vaccinated for the right strain. I'm just quoting facts. I don't disagree that certain people need extra protection but I object to being manipulated into a frenzy about this whole pandemic thing. Someday something will happen when we really need to take action and a lot of us will say, "Yeah, yeah, heard all that before. They always make a big deal out of everything."
Plus I don't want to be saved by someone. I'll make my own decisions about my health.
I did read the article -- and actually the part that I really noted was Cheney's financial interests in Tamiflu, and the subsequent stocking up on Tamiflu by US gov't.
I think the thing that is difficult about the H1N1 is that I think that real pandemic emergencies are probably 20/20 hindsight. I imagine their predictive models (note graduate level vocabulary) are pretty undeveloped. There are so many factors (communications, possible under-/over-reporting of cases by individuals and medical staff, uptake of vaccine, effect of global travel) that it is really difficult to be able to say: this will happen for SURE.
It takes a lot to get people moving on things, so they push heavy on the communications about H1N1, assuming fewer people will take action. Suddenly, more people hear the message and show up for the vaccine so they run low.
It's also a hot topic right now, fueled by some panic -- people are not en masse taking preventative measures against heart disease, although I believe it's #1 killer in Canada. I suspect some of it has to do also with influence of friends / family: are you getting the vaccine? Yes, I am. You better.
Not that I want Mom to suffer. But I promise to wash my hands incessantly during our trip.
the above comments from me were NOT me - lisa was using my machine. I think people shud make up their own minds and just do what is right for them. Normal hand washing is ok by me. Al.
What surprises me about the whole thing is the no. of folks who said they would not have the shott, then lied cheated and knocked down the neighbors to get it!!
I heard BC s #1 doc say that people really object to being told what to do more that the actual procedure - true?
They are starting the sidewalk behind my house today - will be glad to leave town and the racket.
I guess Tim has not had any news about his test, eh?
Kindly I will be watching for handwashing. And also have my own personal bottles of hand sanitizer.
And I plan on saving you Theresa should you require it. While accpeting that you will make deicison on own health.
Yes, I agree, media is contributing to hysteria-which does not need to happen.
Part of reason for wanting so many to get vaccinated is actually the 'herd immunity' (actual term), whereby if the vast majority of people get immunized-even though they would most likely be fine contracting the disease-the rest who do not get immunized will be protected. This is the reason for so many public health vaccination programs. Heart disease is a disease with multiple factors difficult to control. Influenza is caused by virus and vaccination will protect (though there will also be some who might still get the disease despite vaccination as with seasonal flu, flu viruses mutate so quickly which is why they have new vaccines every year for seasonal flu)
Pandemic planning is a relatively recent public health stategy. They don't know exactly how this thing will play out-frequently educated guesses and looking at how previous pandemics have moved.
They did predict this particular pandemic fairly accurately and are now into the 2nd wave of the pandemic.
Doesn't mean they will predict the next one as accurately, but they will have increased knowledge based upon the information they learn from this one.
Lisa I thought you believed in people making their own decisions to do what they think will work for them. Or is that only in the mental health field?
is Grace following this conversation - she could get a short course on Bossiness in Nursing 101
Nurse, thy is hypocrite! Of course, people need to make own decision! But as a nurse need to be making sure is informed one!
People need to make own decision about flu vaccine. I wouldn't force anyone to get it. But also am more likely to be bossy with own family.
Much to their everlasting regret
Fine, I'll get the dang shot.
No pressure.
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