[BishieAddict]

Here in Canada, they are holding free vaccination for the regular flu shot and the H1N1 vaccination. Monday was the first day the shots were being offered for where I live... and I heard that there were such a huge turn out, that people had to be turned away (because the clinics closed).

I got the regular flu shot, but I haven't got the H1N1 one- and am probably not going to (at least for this week the line ups are way too long). It hasn't been through the official trials in Canada yet (though there has been studies of it in other countries).

So I'm curious what other countries offer and has anyone been vaccinated? What are your thoughts about this flu bug in general?

[My Sweet September]

No....I don't like vaccinations for viruses my immune system can fight.

[~ BunnyliciouS ~]

Nope, not planning to.
I've never had any flu shots, and have never gotten sick. *knock on wood* So why bother getting the swine flu shot.

just wash your hands regularly, carry around anti-bacterial gel, and don't touch your face (mouth, nose, eyes) w/ your hands.

[Meenuh]

Eh... I dunno cause my parents were saying that we have to get it but I don't want to. Especially not such a new vaccine like the H1N1. I've never gotten regular flu shots so I kind of doubt i'd get the H1N1 shot.

[Malice_Kaiser]

I considered getting the vaccine ONLY because I live in a dorm, but in the end I decided against it. H1N1 is just another variation of the flu. I don't plan on panicking about it any time soon (read: or ever).

And then Obama had to go and declare it a "national emergency"... More like "national overreaction."

[jawa]

http://www.vibrationalhealthcare.com/vacinate.htm

I believe that vaccines are dangerous and cause many problems: - dyslexia – neurological disorders – immune system disorders - cancer, etc". I believe that there is little if any evidence that vaccines achieve what they are designed to do.

Pharmaceutical Doctors insist that the vaccination programme stopped the epidemics of childhood disease from re-occurring.".....isn't it obvious we do not have epidemics any more since we started the vaccination programme...."

The data used by the Pharmaceutical Doctors seems so compelling; the graph (left) shows the history of the measles disease in China. Add to this graph: a statement that “vaccination was introduced to China in 1965”. You could be forgiven to immediately think “YES” vaccination must have altered the course of the disease.



This is typical of the use of “half truth” by Pharmaceutical Companies.

Yes it is true that measles reduced around 1965, markely…Why?



If you look at a book “China's changing population By Judith Banister”.

Pages 62:....describes “Barefoot Doctors” paramedic style trained staff throughout China, improving hygiene and maintaining medical standard. This system of health was initiated in the early 1960’s before the measles vaccine was available, the "Barefoot Doctor" health system was completed by late 1960’s.

From the early 1960's:

* Government laws to force hygiene and food standards.
* Barefoot Doctors supplied with Chinese Medicine tools (acupuncture needles, etc).
* Barefoot Doctors maintain a higher standard of record (which would account for a seemingly high increase in reporting of meales pror to the introduction vaccination ).
* Why a strong increase in measles within a few years of introducing the vaccination?, has the process of morbity increased because of the vaccination? or is the increase representative of vaccine damage!

Interestingly this same improvement in health and hygiene across China can also be compared to the same re-education of the populous and improvement of water purity, clean food and introduction of sewerage through the Western world in the mid 1800’s. Both societies improved their health and hygiene, and both societies experienced disease eradication or reduction.

[aubrei]

i dont want to walk backwards for the rest of my life.
ill be fine without it.

[PocketOtaku]

Not feeling well for a week > Possible long term side effects.
In my opinion anyway...

[evolution_]

Yes.

I've been reading about it, and it seems that in Canada at least, the flu has hit young women the hardest, which is a category I fall into. Also, there was just a story about a young boy who died within 3 days of getting ill from H1N1. He was a healthy, athletic kid who played hockey and honestly, he's probably more physically fit then I ever am. The doctor they went to see said he had flu-like symptoms, but sent him home anyway and the next day he wad dead. )=

Also, my family was on vacation this summer when both my sister and mother fell ill. They went to the hospital and were diagnosed with H1N1 and while they're fine, they were pretty sick and out of it. My mom had a hacking cough that lasted for weeks.

I do believe however, it's a personal choice and if you want to get it then get it. The media has reported cases of people dying from the flu, but so far there have been no cases where people have died from the vaccine, they've only developed medical issues that are "suspected" to be caused by the vaccine. No other vaccine I've taken growing up has ever effected me adversely so I'm not too worried.

[BishieAddict]

interesting. I wonder if this is because of Soompi's demographics, but no one so far has selected yes. I was talking to an ex-nurse today and she thinks that the media is blowing things out of proportion... and like what ~ BunnyliciouS ~ posted, she advise washing hands, not touching the face.

She also said that ppl are panicking here, which resulted with those huge line ups at the clinics, we should give priority to those that are most vulnerable (little kids, seniors and pregnant ladies, and those with chronic illnesses )

edit: oh I see evolution's post. Yeah that 13 year old hockey player was what scared me into thinking of getting vaccinated in the first place.

[snaeha_dalis13]

I think it's overhyped. I got the vaccine anyway though coz I'm travelling to a developing country and rather not get sick on my holiday D= I've never had a regular flu shot before but my immune system is pretty weak >.>

And remember, if you get sick you can pass it on and cause someone else problems.

This might be of interest -- http://www.newscientist.com/special/swine-...anger-your-life

[charat]

i have H1N1 right now. its not that bad unless your hella old or hella young. anyone in between just experiences a normal flu. and they dont give you the H1N1 vaccine if you're over 18 and under 65 anyways. (in california anyways) I'm immune to it after i completely heal anyways, so i don't need a flu vaccine. i went to the doctors and they said "here's some motrin, hope you feel better". its really not that bad. i was over it in 2 days with a slight cough after. i guess the cough is why i still have H1N1.

[LiIy]

I agree with the fact that it's overhyped. The people who've died of H1N1 were either very young, very old or they had AIDS or some other underlying medical disease.

There's been some cases of swine flu at my school, but I'm not too concerned. It's really not that big of a deal, it's just like the flu.

[Rainie]

H1N1 shots have just started at my university today (I'm also from Canada btw). There's only a few clinics in my city, and most of them were full on Monday. The first two-three days are offered to the old and the young, the line is already 2 hours wait. And I will probably be getting it because I have a poor immune system and always seem to get sick from other people. However, I'm still unsure since I don't think there's enough tests done on it right now. What if there are bad long term effects that we don't know yet?

[PDURRR]

probably not unless it was free

[AiMango]

What if there are bad long term effects that we don't know yet?

yea thats what i was thinking. when the news first came out about how they found a vaccine, i was so surprised. they found a cure so fast? : S

im not really prone to getting flus in the first place, but i DID just get my first fever in like 12 years.. but i dont think ill actually get the vaccine

[sp4078]

Probably, my roommate is freaking out b/c one of our roommate seems to be down with H1N1. She made me buy antivirus or whatever and tell me to get vaccine.

I'm kinda in between. I never have regular flu vaccine before. I'm freaking out here b/c of her more than the flu itself.

[itsfate0604]

I don't plan on getting it at this moment. It's only been a little over half a year since the H1N1 influenza started and to already have a vaccination so fast for it seems to rushed for me. It doesn't seem like there's an adequate amount of time since the vaccine was made to truly test it out for its side effects and any other effects it can have on people. So unless the flu gets worse around my area, or more study has been done, I won't be getting the shot at this moment.

[Hemera]

i got the vaccine yesterday. i was hesitant about getting the shot because it felt like the people who developed it were rushing to meet a deadline. kept questioning, did they test it thoroughly?

but then i thought about crowded school, crowded classrooms, stressful schedule, and living with my mom who doesn't currently qualify for the vaccine (at least since yesterday) but is both anemic and has a weak immune system

[x kisekiboshi]

i was set on getting it, but i actually heard that the shot has some dangerous side affects. that kinda steered me away :x