This week the FDA approved the 09-10 seasonal flu vaccine. It, unfortunately, does not contain the strain of influenza that is causing the worldwide pandemic we have come to know as H1N1 swine flu, swine flu, novel H1N1, pandemic flu and a whole host of other names. A vaccine is being developed to fight the pandemic flu, but it will require a seperate shot.
Although many people are concerned about the current flu pandemic and the possibility that the virus will become more severe in the fall, many also remember the mass swine flu vaccination program in the US in 1976 that unfortunately did more harm than good.
Of course we hope that lessons were learned from that experience and the vaccine will be safe before it is administered to millions of people. The current situation is different as well because we know that the current swine flu is indeed a pandemic. In the 70's, only a few people came down with swine flu, it was just the possibility of a pandemic that scared the government into creating and administering the vaccine.
It also seems that the people who are most significantly affected by this flu pandemic are not the same as those who suffer from complications from the seasonal flu. So the recommendations for who needs it may end up being different.
The pandemic flu vaccine is still being produced and may not be available until October or later. So you have a little time to make your decision. But if you have thought about it, do you think you will try to get the swine flu vaccine? Or do the memories (or stories) of 1976 have you questioning it's safety and value?
I’m having problems with so many drugs that even my doctor is reluctant to let me have the swine ‘flu vaccine.In June this year I had a near fatal reaction to a change in medications.Now I’m on the most basic of treatments. I worry about being given anything for pain other than paracetamol ( I’m sure some of the very powerful painkillers,eg. morphine would kill me) I have reflux disease which is very poorly controlled by Gaviscon, I take a thyroxine drug as half of it had to be removed in case It was cancerous. I have OA, FMS and CFS. so I get a triple whammy of depression– for which I take duloxetine. But things are getting worse and I don’t see mt GP until Dec7th and a specialist for CFS and also hyperparathyroidism on Dec 18th. How do I get my husband/son/friends believe that I’m ill when to them I look really haelthy. Is it a case of what you can’t see doesn’t exist. I don’t feel supported by friands or family. Everything that can go wrong does so I can’t get better . Is it any wonder I feel like I’d be better off on my own or even dead ??????
Margaret – Have you looked at the About.com on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia? It sounds like the issues you are dealing with are sort of overwhelming at the moment. You should check out the Community Forum on the CFS/Fibro site, I think you will find some great support there. And if that is not for you, there are lots of other online communities that you could look into to get support if you aren’t getting it at home. Hang in there, you are definitely not alone!