Tuesday October 27, 2009, 12:53 pm
Swine flu vaccinations: Mixed messages

Mon. Oct 26 - 4:46 AM

"THE WORLD’S dealing with a pandemic, but those on health care’s front lines — the very people the public looks to for advice during health emergencies — seem sharply divided on the merits of the primary weapon produced to combat swine flu, vaccinations.

When Dr. Robert Strang, this province’s chief medical officer, laid out plans last week for Nova Scotia’s largest-ever public vaccination campaign, the elephant in the room was the fact that perhaps half our health workers never get flu shots — and there’s no indication it will be any different for swine flu, despite its designation as a pandemic by the World Health Organization earlier this year.

Health care workers here, including doctors and nurses, aren’t abnormal in that regard, either. For many years in the U.S. and U.K., despite educational campaigns, appeals to professional duty and even financial incentives, fewer than half of all health professionals get annual flu shots.

The reason, say observers, is that many harbour perceptions and doubts mirroring those in the general public: the myth that flu shots give people the flu; the belief an individual is so healthy, he or she "never" gets the flu; or concerns, despite evidence showing otherwise, the vaccines aren’t safe.

This resistance persists in spite of studies that show high rates of flu immunizations within health care facilities work. They cut the incidence of seasonal flu, so deadly to people who are already sick.

In July, the WHO set three goals for swine flu vaccination campaigns: protect health care systems and essential infrastructure, reduce illnesses and deaths, and limit transmission of the virus.

The WHO’s first recommendation included the advice that "all countries should immunize their health care workers as a first priority to protect the essential health infrastructure."

Dr. Strang has said he’s not in favour of mandatory vaccinations for health care workers, but one wonders what will need to happen before such a step is taken here.

In the U.S., for example, a growing number of hospitals have made flu shots for staff mandatory. There’s been significant resistance, even lawsuits, but authorities seem to be standing firm that health care workers dealing with patients in a health care setting must — if vaccine supplies allow — reduce their risk of transmitting, or contracting, swine flu.

The WHO deems the severity of the swine flu’s threat as moderate. But health care workers have been similarly resistant to getting regular flu shots, despite the fact seasonal influenza kills hundreds of thousands of people a year, many times the number who have died of swine flu.

While Dr. Strang rightly recommends everyone get a swine flu shot, you can’t blame members of the public who wonder why so many in the health care field will likely refuse to take the same advice.

One is reminded of a time when cigarette ads asked what brand your doctor smoked.

The next pandemic may be deadlier than swine flu. The time to insist that health care professionals take scientifically backed precautions is now."


[and, on a personal note, though the headline for today's daily paper was "H1N1 innoculations ready today"--no beating around the bush lol--when my parents, in their 80's, went to get theirs, they were told they would have to wait til Thursday, because they hadn't yet received their supply.]

Fun and games always, this scientific medical establishment...

Namaste! xo

Tuesday October 27, 2009, 1:11 pm
As a retired Health Care Provider for 22 yrs I did have to get a mandatory flu shot every year. But I'm not getting them anymore. I just got over the flu & with rest & taking care of myself I'm still here & feeling great!!

Tuesday October 27, 2009, 1:39 pm
WHAT "PANDEMIC"???

How many deaths occur from influenza every year?...Way before H1N1...What's the difference?...

This "pandemic"...Is inspired by big pharma and buddies in order to make unheard of before profits from (largely untested) vaccines?...

"You're either with us, or against us"...I've heard that one before, haven't you? :-)

Tuesday October 27, 2009, 1:54 pm
The critical syllable in 'pandemic' is PAN--meaning ALL.

Which is also a critical syllable in the word 'PANic'.

It's just antics with semantics... and "follow the yellow brick road" ...

'Bravely onward, Dorothy!' xo

Tuesday October 27, 2009, 3:24 pm
"...or concerns, despite evidence showing otherwise, the vaccines aren’t safe..." show me a study that proves vaccines are safe or that they even work...

... bow to your corporation...

Tuesday October 27, 2009, 6:01 pm
I'm certainly not defending vaccines.
I had my liver shut down because of a TB vaccine given when I had mononucleosis in Jamaica~~ it came from the Hope ship, and they were just trying to HELP--but no one knew that T.B. goes to your liver if you have mono. Ignorance may be bliss in some cases, but in MY case, their ignorance caused me 30 years of terrible pain.

It wasn't PURPOSEFUL--these were good people, trying to save lives in the middle of an epidemic--but it ruined MY life.

Or maybe NOT--maybe that excruciating pain and ultimate starvation and death gave me a very vivid glimpse into the consciousness of those who are starving and/or malnourished--which is most of the world, BTW.

And I'm ALIVE--come "back from the dead, back to tell you ALL"....
but perhaps that wasn't what we were speaking about at ALL, not at all.
[apologies to T.S. Eliot, and to Mr. J. Alfred Prufrock]

Namaste! xo

Tuesday October 27, 2009, 7:23 pm
I am not gettin no dang shot...

Big Gorilly Hgs

Wednesday October 28, 2009, 12:54 am
I read yesterday that CBS News did a report on the 'pandemic' and the results may surprise some.
Swine Flu Cases Overestimated? CBS News-
http://www.care2.com/news/member/380135612/1287323
Sure makes one wonder how accurate the reports of H1N1 infection are?
No dang shot for me either Gorilly!

Wednesday October 28, 2009, 7:36 am
What I'm starting to notice is the H1N1 virus does NOT strike the usual 'flu victims--rather, it attacks the strong, young and healthy.

And while I suspect this is due to the overuse of antibiotics, it doesn't discard the fact that people targetted for vaccination are NOT the most susceptible.

This is a NEW one, folks, one that infects the 'healthy' while ignoring the seemingly weak and vulnerable.

We're going to a 'revolution in our minds' to conquer this one, friends. It's just not playing by the 'rules' lol.

Namaste! janetsol xo