Do you think the swine flu vaccine is safe? Are you going to get it this fall?
By sandi109
@sandi109 (160)
United States
August 24, 2009 5:44pm CST
There is so much concern now about the swine flu which ravaging the world. In summer, where you normally do not see cases, there have not only been people getting sick, but many dying. We have had another person die today in Maryland. My aunt who works as a nurse in Massachusetts has seen several deaths, all in young adults between the ages of 25 to 49 which I find really odd. Being overweight seems to also increase your chances of getting sick. When I get a mild case of the normal flu I normally come down with pneumonia very quickly so this concerns me. There is a vaccine coming out, it's suppose to be available in mid October. But I have heard horror stories about the swine flu vaccine that was distributed back in 1976. Some developed neurological problems, paralysis, even death. The medical establishment knew about these risks but didn't tell the people. Do you think the swine flu vaccine that is being developed now is safe? Are many of you considering getting it? Do you think there is anything to be concerned about, or do you think this is a different time and that some people are just overreacting to past issues? Should we ignore the past problems? Is there a hidden danger? I'd like to know some of your opinions on this issue.
7 responses
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I say that I wont be getting the vaccine as of now, but things might change my mind from now & then.
Right now I havn't heard any more scare stories about the swine flu. As of right now my state is swine flu safe... I hope... if not, there hasn't been anything on news about it.
I guess I'll cross that bridge when its time.
I will continue to wash my hands every 10 minutes & the schools are being extra safe & teaching the children about hand washing & germs.
Thats all we can do right now....
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
26 Aug 09
I'm in Oklahoma. The last I heard we only had a couple of cases & that was when it was really bad all over. It came & left here. I been trying to watch the news & read up on this so I can be aware more. I hope it doesn't spread down this way like it did in some of the other states.
@sandi109 (160)
• United States
26 Aug 09
I hope it doesn't spread very quickly and that the cases are mild. I am looking into taking herbal products to help increase the strength of my body's immune system. If everyone is extra careful, maybe we can keep slow the spread of this virus. That's about all we can do.
@sandi109 (160)
• United States
25 Aug 09
Which state are you from? I was just wondering since the northeastern part of the US seems to be having an awful lot of cases. I guess it isn't surprising since New York was one of the states to have the first outbreaks. I don't plan on getting the vaccine, but I am going to continue to research things out, and if it looks like there is more danger involved in not getting the vaccine, I might take my chances. It's hard to say at this point. I just wish they would do more human testing on this vaccine before administering it to the public. Thanks for your comment.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
25 Aug 09
No, I do not think it is safe, and no I am not going to get it. But I'm an older person, so they don't care if I get it or not at this point. The vaccine has not been tested and it's been run through much too quickly. I don't trust the manufacturers and I sure don't trust the government to give us the truth about the flu.
The "regular" flu still kills a lot more people every year than this flu is killing. I think the panic is a made-up thing to keep the herds in their place. And the money in certain pockets.
Well... you asked. 
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I will not be getting the vaccine. I do not believe that it will be as safe as they say it is. I will continue to do all the other things they say to do like to stay away from crowds, and to keep washing my hands. i also try to keep my iminune system in good shape so it can fight off all the different germs, and viruses. I have not had the flu, or a cold for years.
@sandi109 (160)
• United States
25 Aug 09
You are so lucky! I wish I could say the same. It is interesting, but there is a genetic component I have heard about. Some people go their whole lives without catching one single cold or suffering with the flu despite the fact that many are sick around them. I learned this in college. I myself have not had the flu in about 7 years. The last flu I had was really mild but I still went into pneumonia so I am very worried about the swine flu. I wish I could get a prescription for an antiviral medicine so if I get sick I would be easily covered. That would be great. I get at least one or two colds a year though, but that's not that bad. I am on the fence about getting the swine flu vaccine. I don't know if it's worth the risk or if even a risk exists. It's scary.
@MistyWood (349)
•
25 Aug 09
In the UK the government is saying that all "Keyworkers" must have the vaccine... I fall into this category - but I don't want the vaccine and I can't see that I can be made to have it...
My reasons are as follows:
* It is a live vaccine that has been incubated in eggs - I have an allergy to feathers and as such I have ALWAYS been told to avoid vaccines incubated in eggs.
* It is being rushed through - the standard testing phase is not being carried out with this vaccine, they are trying to persuade us it is safe with no proof... Why do other vaccines need years of testing before the general public are allowed them - and then this one is forced on us?
* It is the flu - yes a nasty flu, but the flu none the less, any fit and healthy person should not be killed by this virus and let's face it that is what it is a virus!
Of course it is personal choice, weigh up the pros and cons... but I know I am NOT having it!
@sandi109 (160)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I don't think any person should be forced to have the vaccine against their wills. I find this whole illness very fishy. Normally diseases can only be passes among animals of a certain species. In other words, you don't have to worry about your dog licking your plate and you getting sick, because bacteria and viruses that make a dog sick will not make us sick. That has always been the rule. All of a sudden we are seeing outbreaks of diseases passed from animals to humans. How is this happening? Originally these strange illnesses which spread to us humans could not be passed human to human. Now they are. Why is this happening? Makes you wonder, doesn't it. In an earlier comment, I gave the links to a program done in 1979 on CBS which deals with all the problems that came from the vaccine in 1976 and all the hidden dangers. It is very interesting. I don't know if you are allowed to provide the same link in more than one comments, otherwise I would type it out again. Thanks for your comments. I hope you are not forced to get it for this is wrong!
@potofgold4me (14)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I wont be getting the vaccine this fall! I'm not sure if it really think its safe, that's why the FDA has a set of rules to determine what is safe "enough" to be given or administered to humans. But it is only the first vaccine and I believe there is bound to be problems, and perhaps unforeseen side effects. It is the quickest thing they could come up with, you know?
@agirnow (157)
• France
24 Aug 09
I plan on getting the vaccine... I hadn't heard of any of the things you mentioned about the old vaccine or even that there was another one in the 70s. I will talk to my doc, but he wouldn't give me anything that would damage me, I've been seeing him since I was very young. I work as a teacher in France and they say that 1/4 of all kids in the south of France has the flu. I get really sick when I get the flu... last year I was sick for 4 months straight. I can't take the chance to work with a whole bunch of kids who may have been exposed or who might be sick without protecting myself. Plus, I am in that age group that is so worrisome.
