The Debate Continues For The H1N1 Vaccine

With the rising numbers of confirmed cases, rise the numbers of paranoid individuals lining up for their shot of reassurance in hopes of protecting themselves from the deadly H1N1 virus.

Fifty million doses of the vaccine are currently being doled out across Canada; however supplies are quickly becoming scarce. Experts say the vaccine “will afford powerful protection against the generally mild, though occasionally lethal, pandemic bug.” However, despite the vast amounts of people rushing to get vaccinated, many fear the vaccine itself to be more deadly than the bug.

“I don't believe in the flu shot," said a typical posting on a Canadian news website this week, which went on to suggest the vaccine could have the same effects on pregnant women as Thalidomide. "I refuse to be a guinea pig."

Many seem torn between thoughts that the government took too long to begin vaccinations or that they reacted too quickly without rigorous testing on the vaccine. Many Canadians fear that the adjuvant (oil, water and vitamin E mixture) might create dangerous auto-immune reactions. This very real fear likely stems from the ongoing controversy about the possibility that the adjuvant-based anthrax vaccine may have played a part in the various auto-immune reactions of those suffering from Gulf War Syndrome. At least pregnant women and children will be offered a non-adjuvant version due to lack of testing on those groups.

Statistics show that the more knowledge we have, the more likely we will not get vaccinated. Currently 49% are not planning to get vaccinated compared to only 38% who had not planned to back in July of this year.

“According to the Ipsos-Reid survey, 34 per cent of Canadians aren't certain it is safe and 29 per cent believe they could get sick from the vaccine itself. Similarly, the Harvard survey found that 30 per cent of those opposed to the vaccine fear side effects, while 28 per cent believe H1N1 isn't sufficiently serious to warrant vaccination.”

Should society feel morally obligated to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of the virus and avoid possible deaths? It seems that a large percentage of the population feel the answer is no. For one, the anti-vaccination movement thrives on individual tragedies to build and maintain their following. For many, news reports can repeatedly affirm “that H1N1 has been responsible for at least 88 deaths, 1,500 hospitalizations and 300 critical care admissions in Canada this year -- but that pales in comparison to the story of one child ostensibly devastated by a vaccine.”

Are our benefits really outweighed by any risks of this vaccine?

Some interesting facts to consider when making your decision…

• 399,232 - Number of confirmed H1N1 influenza cases, as of Oct. 11. (WHO)


• 4,735 - Number of reported deaths associated with H1N1 influenza, as of Oct. 11. (WHO)


• 774 - Number of people who died in the United States from SARS in 2002-2003.


• 700 - Minimum estimate of deaths worldwide each day related to the seasonal flu.


• 403 - Cost of vaccine, in millions of Canadian dollars, shared 60-40 by the federal and provincial governments.


• 300 - Number of pigs, in thousands, slaughtered in Egypt in April 2009, as a precaution against swine flu, even though no cases had been reported there at the time.


• 250 - Number of people, in thousands, (ranging up to 500,000) worldwide who die each year from seasonal influenza, according to the World Health Organization.


• 200 - Number of body bags ordered by the nurse-in-charge on Manitoba's Wasagamack First Nation reserve, in preparation for a potential second wave of the swine flu.


• 98 - Percentage of intensive-care unit H1N1 cases in Canada that had a co-morbid condition such as high blood pressure, smoking and substance abuse.


• 50 - Number of doses, in millions, of H1N1 vaccine purchased in advance by the Canadian federal government.


• 50 - Percentage increase in sales of hand-sanitizer in August 2009 over August 2008 in the United States.


• 32 - Average age of intensive care unit H1N1 cases in Canada.


• 11 - Percentage drop in the global pork trade as of August 2009.


• 0 - Number of studies that show adverse side effects from adding adjuvant to flu vaccine.

Let the paranoia begin…

POST-GAME HANDSHAKES
In the first week of October, the B.C. Soccer Association issued an email edict directing teams to stop shaking hands after a match.

DELAY OF PREGNANCY
On July 19, Britain's Department of Health issued a statement recommending that "it may be sensible for those trying for children to consider delaying conception whilst the pandemic is going on."

PARISIAN PECKS
In September, French schools, companies and a Health Ministry hotline began telling students and employees to avoid the cheek-to-cheek ritual as a precaution against cross-contamination.

TRAVEL TO MEXICO
According to Mexico's National Chamber of Passenger and Tourism Transport, the month of May saw a 30% decline in international visitors to Mexico, leaving the country's top 15 resorts with occupancy rates as low as 20%. On May 1, the government of China suspended all direct flights from Mexico to Shanghai.

STATE OF EMERGENCY
On April 28, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, pictured, declared a state of emergency over the H1N1 outbreak. Maine Gov. John Baldacci and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland followed suit on Sept. 2 and Oct. 7 respectively.

COMMUNAL CANDY JARS
On Oct. 14, California's Novato Fire Protection District posted a statement to its Facebook page advising people to "limit the handling of food items from 'community' containers such as cookie and candy jars."

A HOLY PROBLEM
On Sept. 29, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said a number of archdioceses had issued flu guidelines to 5,000 parishes. The guidelines included emptying holy water fonts, and avoiding sprinkling holy water on the faithful.

FASHION CRIME?
On Oct. 22, an unidentified male sporting a surgical mask robbed a Bank of Montreal in Leduc, Alta. He slipped a note to the teller demanding an undisclosed amount, then fled on foot.

Some important questions anwered: H1N1 Vaccine Q & A

Sources:
A vexing vaccine
A 'medical narrative' may help persuade Canadians to take the H1N1 vaccine
Gulf War syndrome

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