This article offers some guidelines for individuals making the decision of whether or not to get the H1N1 flu vaccine. The vaccine became available in the US in an intranasal mist form, known as FluMist, on Monday, October 5th. Every state has ordered the vaccine and has developed its own vaccine delivery plan, but unfortunately the demand for the vaccine is greater than the current supply. Regardless of this, it is recommended that health care workers, children, and those who care for babies should be given this form of the vaccine. FluMist is safe for people ages 2 to 49 with no underlying health problems, but should not be given to pregnant women. Other priority groups should be vaccinated once the injectable form is available. The article stresses the safety of the vaccine and its ability to protect against the virus even if it should mutate. It also encourages people to take the opportunity to be vaccinated, although there are no federal mandates requiring it. However, people in the military are being required to be vaccinated, as are health care workers in New York.
Although the safety and benefits of the vaccine is being stressed, there are still unknown risks involved. Because of this, I think that the decision to be vaccinated should be left in the hands of the individual, especially in the case of health care workers. I can understand requiring military personnel to be vaccinated, since they are government employed. The article is very informative and its good to know that people's questions are being answered. However, I think that it is understandable for people worldwide to continue to be hesitant about being vaccinated.
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/06/h1n1.vaccine.questions/index.html
3 comments:
I totally agree with you that it should be left up to the individual if they want to get it or not. I don't think it has been tested enough and it was rushed too quickly. I know I wouldn't put it in my body. I think it's wrong they are forcing some people to take it.
I also agree with you that it should be left up to the person on whether or not they want to be vaccinated. I think that it is wrong for them to force the military to be required to be vaccinated. I am unsure if this vaccine with be successful because of how fast they were able to produce a vaccine for this virus. I know that I will not be getting vaccinated.
I agree with the ability to personally decide whether or not you want this. I do not think that anything risks or not should be mandatory when it comes to health. I would like to see everyone be healthy and take the necessary precautions to stay that way. If you feel that one of the precautions you should take is get vaccinated then no one should judge you. I do think that a vaccine should be available to everyone whether they are planning on using it or not. Me personally I have not ever taken the flu shot and have never got the flu, even a minor case. I can see where people that are high risk and or people that work in places where they could be a source of transmitting the disease should be strongly encouraged to take it but that is the furthest extent. After strong encouragement you cross the line and violate people’s rights to choose.
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