Swine Flu Vaccine Dangers
The CDC is reporting that 36 states have widespread H1N1 swine influenza. In the past two weeks, this number has grown from 25 states. The swine flu is expected to be widespread in all 50 states by the end of the month. Click here to see the CDC Map.
The H1N1 vaccine has arrived in cities, and has been given mainly to children. It will be widely available in shot form or nasal spray. 75 million doses will be available by the end of the year. Check with your doctor about where you can get it.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) claims that they have not seen any serious side effects in studies, and that it has generated a good response. The CDC recommends a flu shot for those who may experience problems if they got the swine flu these groups include: pregnant women, caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months, everyone between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, and people ages 25 to 64 with existing health problems.
As with any flu shot, you are being given a small dosage of the actual flu, and some people get flu like symptoms for a few days after getting the shot. Some people feel like they have the full blown flu after they get the shot. The decision to take the shot is up to you. If you have specific questions about what is best for you, your doctor can help you decide.
The Department of Health and Human Services will post availability listings for the vaccine on Flu.gov. Certain groups will be required to take the vaccine including military and specific state government health care workers, but there are no penalties if someone doesn’t get it.
The CDC has reported that some H1N1 shots will contain the preservative thimerosal, and others won’t. Your doctor will know what your shot contains. Some people have expressed concern about thimerosal for children because it’s mercury-based, but the CDC states there is no scientific evidence the preservative is harmful.
Click here for an article from the Holistic Health examiner about why you shouldn’t get the flu vaccine.
The CDC recommends that most people get the regular flu shot and the H1N1 (swine) shot as soon as they are available.
The states that do not have widespread swine flu yet are: Montana, Utah, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, West Virginia, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont. Click here for the H1N1 map.
Sources: Flu.gov and CDC
AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
