As More and More Come Down with H1N1 Symptoms, People are
Still Unsure About the Swine Flu Vaccine
With only days left before the arrival of the first shipments of H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine, Americans are divided about whether or not they will receive the vaccinations, not to mention whether they will allow their children to receive it. Most are concerned about the comparative safety and risks of the swine flu shots. But how many will or won't seems to vary widely depending on who's asking.
Different H1N1 Vaccine Surveys Receiving Vastly Different Results
There have been at least four major surveys conducted on the matter in the last few days, and each of them found widely different results. One, released on October 2nd, conducted by Harvard School of Public Health, indicated that as many as half of adults intend to get the vaccine, and nearly three quarters of parents will get it for their children.
This is a sharp contrast to a survey released earlier in the week, which showed only about a third of people intending to get the vaccine themselves, and about the same number intending to have their children have it. Yet a third survey's results fell squarely between the two. Another said that some 87 percent of people thought healthcare workers should be required to take the vaccine, while among those same healthcare workers, only a little over a third intend to do so.
Why do So Many Intend to Avoid the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccinations?
The top reason people intend to not get the vaccine themselves appears to be worries about side effects from the vaccine itself. This is most likely due to how quickly the vaccines have been rushed through development and testing. Close behind that worry, is the belief they would be unlikely to come down with a serious illness from swine flu, and finally because they feel they would be able to treat the H1N1 virus with medication if they did become ill.
Among parents, worries were slightly different. Although the top concern – side effects of the H1N1 vaccine – is the same, it is followed instead by a fear their children might get some other illness because of it, and then by a distrust of health officials to provide accurate information about the risks involved.
Should People be Getting the Vaccine?
Although only a doctor can say for sure how high each individuals' risk is of catching the Swine Flu, or how severe the illness might be if they do catch it, statements from the CDC have indicated that "it is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care." Each person must decide for themselves; but, save for those who are at high risk for complications, there is little, despite urgings to the contrary, that gives any really compelling reason to get it — or, for that matter, not to get it.
For more on the possible risks and side effects of the swine flu vaccine, be sure to read What are the possible side effects of the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccinations?
For more information on H1N1 Swine Flu, see:
- Swine flu symptoms and treatment, for information about what the symptoms are and some ideas on how to deal with them
- What to do if you have H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms, for more in-depth advice on dealing with swine flu symptoms once you have it
- Worries grow about misdiagnosis of H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms, and how they should be treated, for a look at the dangers of dismissing symptoms that may be something more serious than swine flu
For more on natural antivirals and ways to prevent and treat Swine Flu, be sure to read:
- Natural Ways to Prevent Swine Flu
- Natural Treatment for H1N1 Swine Flu Symptoms
- Natural ways to boost immune system health, for a broad look at natural ways to increase immunity
- Top Ten Overall Immune System Booster Foods, looking more specifically at immunity builders in the diet
- Natural Antiviral Alternatives for an overview of foods, herbs, and essential oils that have natural antiviral properties
To stay informed about new Natural Health articles as they happen, be sure to Subscribe to our email notifications at the top of this page, or follow the Natural Health Examiner on Twitter.
Comments
"..save for those who are at high risk for complications, there is little..that gives any really compelling reason to get it.." According to a WHO report, "Worldwide, around 40 per cent of severe cases are now occurring in previously healthy children and adults, usually under the age of 50." H1N1 is putting healthy young people in the ICU on respirators and even killing them. No one can predict who the unlucky ones will be. You aren't safe just because you are healthy, at any age. Even if you believe you won't become seriously ill, don't you want to protect others near you who may not be so lucky? According to the CDC, during the first 19 days of Sept. in the US, 1379 people died of H1N1 and 16,174 were hospitalized. 19 days. Those numbers are likely lower than the actual number. And it's not even flu season yet. At least 50 children have already died. The usual death rate is 50 -75 for the entire flu season. Don't blindly believe what the anti-vac fear-mongers are saying.
I definitely think there's reason to be concerned with this Swine Flu vaccine. It's been so rushed to produce, there's no proof it will even be effective, and there's plenty of reason to think it may be harmful (ask some of the people who were paralyzed by the 1976 swine flu vaccine.) Thanks for writing to help inform people!
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