Each year, the flu hits and takes a substantial amount of lives. This year, we have a new flu known as H1N1 that seems to be getting the spotlight. There are conflicting stories in the media about the vaccine, and whether or not it is really going to be effective. I saw a YouTube video involving several doctors who are dead against the H1N1 vaccine and vaccinations, in general. They feel that before anyone submits to getting vaccinated, they should research and educate themselves fully.
An article from the Globe and Mail November 5 is encouraging people to get the H1N1 shot. The shot is not readily available for all Canadians until Christmas time. The hype is strong surrounding this super flu and its supposed antidote. The more focus in the media of the spreading virus and the lack of vaccine availability, the more people are panicking. I know someone who stood in line for 3 hours this week to get their 2 children immunized. I also know 2 other people who received the H1N1 shot and they reported that they came down with mild symptoms of the flu the very next day.
We all know that the pharmaceutical companies are capitalizing each year through drug, and vaccine production. We are so trusting of the drugs they provide. Is the H1N1 virus really more harmful then other flu viruses, or is this an opportunity for our government to team up with the pharmaceutical companies and take the focus off another really big issue? After all, there has been a record amount of scandal in Parliament this year.
It's hard to know what to do with so much ambiguous information floating around. Because of this uncertainty, I will not be taking the H1N1 shot. I will practice good hand washing techniques, eat healthy, get plenty of rest, and hope for a healthy winter.
It's hard to know what to do with so much ambiguous information floating around. Because of this uncertainty, I will not be taking the H1N1 shot. I will practice good hand washing techniques, eat healthy, get plenty of rest, and hope for a healthy winter.
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3 comments:
We, doctors,are known to be organized in the world. We have the World Health Organization (WHO) and Medical Associations in each country, province, and city. Here the problem seems that too much information is leading to disinformation. Science/research always requires "time" which we do not have for a crisis like this which seems to be another problem. The people of the world,however, has to decide on which health organizations would lead in such a situation. Even we can create one for a future crisis like this like WVW (World Virus Watch)?
Thank you for your insight Kaan. I thought we would have learned a fast hard lesson from the SARS crisis. I think this whole H1N1 situation has been handled poorly.
I was just vaccinated this morning for H1N1, I did it without hesitation or second guessing after encountering many people who have apprehentions about it, and there have been many....
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