"Swine flu is not very different from normal flu

[midnight]

The vaccine - as Johannes Löwer, president of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, has pointed out - can also cause worse side effects than the actual swine flu virus. Dr. Wolfgang went on to say, "Swine flu is not very different from normal flu. On the contrary if you look at the number of cases it is nothing compared to a normal flu outbreak.”http://www.examiner.com/x-19331-Las-Vegas-Diet-and-Exercise-Examiner~y2009m8d26-A-case-against-the-H1N1-swine-flu-vaccine-Part-1

My family was encouraged to get flu shots for years to help protect our family members with asthma. We did for many years. Then there was a shortage. So only family members with asthma received the shot.

So this flu vacine H1N1 might also meet with some shortages. Some are already making the elderly concerned. But I can't help but turn my concern to why it is that anyone would take this vacine. Why in the world would they subject themselves to possible paraysis? A side effect some in our military experienced in the 1970's before it was taken off the market.

Sadly, with slick marketing and a dose of FEAR, they will get many to go along with this. All I ask is let the consumer know what it is they are consuming. "The law gives pharmaceutical companies complete immunity from lawsuits due to deaths or complications from vaccines. It goes on to protect the government from similar legal actions as well. So, basically by accepting any experimental vaccine you have no recourse if any problems arise from the injections." You add this risk with the fact that many Americans have limited to no medical insurance and the American consumer is in sad shape.

[S_E_Fudd]

1. It is different...

While it is true that the mortality rate is no higher, perhaps less, it is a virus that has not been seen before and needs to be taken seriously.

Vaccination and education are the two primary weapons that can be ued to limt its impact. Ironically it is the young who are more susceptible. Folks over 60 have some immunity.

As far as side effects go, there is a far greater chance of complications from catching the virus than there is of contracting some rare debilitating side effect from the shot...

I for one will be getting the vaccine as soon as possible, as will my family...

[timeforpeace]

16. BS. The normal flu kills a hell of a lot more people, that's for sure.

[NickB79]

2. If the virus is little different from a normal flu virus, and we get normal flu vaccinations yearly

With few complications, why would the swine flu vaccination be so much more problematic?

BTW, when you quote someone online it is generally considered poor form to not supply a link.

[midnight]

9. Nick I posted a link for you.

If you or those you love, feel comfortable with complications of paralysis, then that would be your choice. Some of our soldiers who were the last to be inoculated with this vaccine did not have that choice. It is just a consideration that those of us who witness this tragedy want to keep others apprised of.

[NickB79]

11. Oh geez, trotting out the Guillain-Barre scare card again?

"In 1976, vaccination with the swine flu vaccine was associated with getting GBS. Several studies have been done to evaluate if other flu vaccines since 1976 were associated with GBS. Only one of the studies showed an association. That study suggested that one person out of 1 million vaccinated persons may be at risk of GBS associated with the vaccine."

http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/about/qa/gbs.htm

Since GBS is also associated with having influenza itself, you have a higher risk of paralysis if you forgo the vaccination and take your chances getting the actual flu.

Yes, my pregnant wife and myself are comfortable with 1-in-1,000,000 odds and will be getting the vaccine.

[midnight]

14. Nick it is so wonderful that you and your wife have that choice.

My husband was a marine and didn't have a choice. We lost two of our children. But I wish you and your wife well, and hope that your experiences will be better. Our children that our living have been through many many surgeries. A risk I feel neccessary to pass on.

[pinto]

17. I'm so sorry for your losses. Understand how you could have strong feelings about vaccinations.

From what I understand, this vaccine *is not* a 1970's retread. Technology and oversight have made a lot of strides since then.

Everyone has a choice, as you note. And everyone ought to weigh their own risk / benefit comfort zone on a vaccination.

For me, my choice is clear. I have AIDS. H1N1 could be big trouble for me. I'm choosing the vaccination.

Take care.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

18. How did you lose two of your children?

[Mojorabbit]

3. It is different but it looks to be a moderate pandemic so far

H1N1 flu spreads at ‘unbelievable’ speed: WHO
August 29th, 2009 SindhToday

Paris, Aug 29 (Xinhua) A (H1N1) flu is spreading at an “unbelievable” speed, with “a very severe form of disease” attacking the lungs of healthy young people, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan has warned in an interview published by French daily Le Monde Saturday.

“Sixty percent of the deaths cover those who have underlying health problems,” Chan said, adding that the remaining 40 percent of the deaths are young adults in good health “who die of a fever in five to seven days”.

“This is the most worrying fact. Up to 30 percent of people in densely populated countries risked getting infected,” Chan noted.

The WHO announced in a statement that the A (H1N1) pandemic virus is now the dominant influenza strain around the world.

“All governments must prepare for the worst,” Chan stressed, adding that intensive healthcare services were required.
http://www.sindhtoday.net/news/1/46652.htm

The above article is a bit over the top but the two points
40 percent dead are young adults with no previous health problems
A more severe form in some who die w/i 5 to 7 days

I am keeping my eye on what it does this fall.

[midnight]

12. This data is interesting. You may want to read this article.

Still, the overstock and the previous inaccuracy of the database raised the possibility that someone could have taken a sample outside the lab with no way for officials to know something was missing.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/17/AR2009061703271.html

[stray cat]

4. CDC estimates 36,000 in the US die from seasonal flu per year

and this is with current levels of immunization. This H1N1 is unlikely to be worse than that so factor in perhaps another 36,000 to be somewhat conservative as some may get ill with both seasonal and H1N1 leading to more severe disease. One is unlikely to get any protection from being ill with one strain of the flu than the other. Both together or one after the other when your immune system is wiped out would not be good.

S0 maybe 70,000 deaths in the US this year from flu in general -

The vaccine is similar in the way it is made for seasonal flu and H1N1 but to different antigens - why not at least treat it with the respect we give seasonal flu?

[S_E_Fudd]

5. Likely to be higher...

Though the mortality rate is no higher, a significantly larger number of people are likely to be infected, making total deaths probably around 90K or so. Unless of course vaccination programs prove to be effective earlier, or the virus peaks later...

[midnight]

6. CDC which is putting together a $4.8 million multimedia campaign

Vaccinations will be voluntary according to the CDC which is putting together a $4.8 million multimedia campaign to get the word out that people should get the H1N1 shot if it is available as well as a regular flu shot.

[pinto]

7. Good. That's a part of their job. Promote a vaccine for those most at risk.

fwiw, I will get both. I routinely get the annual flu vaccine, will add the H1N1 this year as I'm at risk to complications due to other health factors.

[midnight]

13. Choice and transparency is what this post is about.

[elocs]

8. Fear is used because it works. Fear was also used in the 1976

mass swine flu inoculations, but this time we are supposed to believe them. My opinion about scare tactics have not changed since then.

[lapfog_1]

10. Before you dismiss this one

Read up on infection rates...

AND, read up on WHO is dying from this one. Hint, it's NOT the usual flu victims.

Read all of the articles here for starters...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/swine-flu

[midnight]

15. Thanks, I will bookmark and get back to you. It looks like a

alternative for this h1n1 might be a herb? I will be looking at that one.

[HuckleB]

19. This is not 1976.

And I'm seeing that fear is being used to try to convince people to avoid the vaccine in a much more vehement way than it is to promote the vaccine.

[Robb]

20. Indeed.

I would argue health officials have not adequately ramped up the fear, actually. The geographical spread speed of H1N1 is alarming.

I will be getting the vaccine as soon as I can, as I am caring for an infant and have no wish to be a vector.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[hedgehog]

22. I think the quote from the Paul Ehrlich Institute is taken out of context.

It doesn't take much research to find that the Paul Ehrlich Institute is proud of its history developing and testing vaccines.


"The fundamental information has been supplied by the H5N1 vaccine," said Susanne Stoecker, a spokeswoman for the Paul-Ehrlich Institute, the federal body responsible for approving the use of vaccines. "It is a well-known flu vaccine with which we have decades of experience."

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4541082,00.html