Poll: Vaccination And You

[Sulu]

Swine flu has been way over-sensationalized. The truth of the matter is that the regular flu can be much more damaging for the majority of us. So no, I won't waste my money on the vaccine.

Despite the fact that if swine flu mutates to become more deadly we're going to be in a world of pain? the problem with the media coverage is that swine-flu is NOT a problem now. It might be. Later. We need to make sure it ISN'T. Because if it IS. It will be BAD. How we do we make sure it isn't a problem later? By vaccinating.

Chicken Pox could mutate to be more deadly but we take that risk and let our children catch it

 

[KSarty]

But its not a vaccine.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. I vaccine doesn't STOP you getting the disease, it just amplifies your immune response if you get exposed. In most cases you'll completely annihilate the pathogen and won't develop the disease.

Yes, every year people do get the flu despite the vaccine. Maybe the virus mutates. (Hah! Maybe. Statistically, every single flu particle produced will have 1 mutation. So yes, the virus mutates) or maybe their immune system sucks. Doesn't mean the vaccine is worthless. Imagine how many more people would get the flu without the vaccine.

I realize the true definition of the word vaccine might not match what I think of as a vaccine. But I've never received a vaccine before that I had to go back the next year and get again. The fact that it is for nothing more than the flu just makes this even more useless.

 

[US Crash Fire]

I'm military. If they require me to have it, I get stuck.

 

[Aptspire]

My mother is a doctor and I got my lifeguard badge...
Do you really think I won't take it?

 

[Aunel]

sure, why not, kills the time between school and bed.

 

[Ruffythepirate]

Actually, the statistics show that less people die from swine flu than from regular flu.

 

[Xorghul]

So, I heard through the grapevine that in a matter of weeks the general public will be offered a Swine-Flu vaccine. You can refuse it if you want, but it's a pretty damn tough decision, especially for the likes of me, who doesn't exactly look forward to the prospect of being injected with something that I might not need.

What do the Escapers think?

Where's the "Maybe" or "I don't know" option?
Because I don't know yet. I want to know what side effects and dangers there is to taking the vaccine before I'll consider taking it.

 

[TotallyFake]

If it mutates, the vaccine doesn't cover it. That's why the common cold is still around; it just keeps forming new strains.

If it mutates then this vaccine will provide SOME protection. Which is a heck of a lot more than you'll have without it. Or would you prefer that we wait til it mutates and then let thousands die as we manufacture, test and distribute a vaccine?

Chicken Pox could mutate to be more deadly but we take that risk and let our children catch it

You're right. It is somewhat contradictory. Why dont we have....oh wait. We DO. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varicella_vaccine

I realize the true definition of the word vaccine might not match what I think of as a vaccine. But I've never received a vaccine before that I had to go back the next year and get again. The fact that it is for nothing more than the flu just makes this even more useless.

Because few disease mutate quite so fast as the flu. And it's not JUST the flu. Did you even read my post? It COULD become nasty. It COULD stay as something mild. It is NOT worth the risk to ignore.

 

[Xorghul]

Snipp the snippying snipper

Same as any other vaccine...you could potentially catch the disease you're trying to prevent yourself from catching. But the chance is fairly low, and even if you do get sick with it, the vaccine still did its job. Which is, of course, exposing your immune system to the disease to ensure that the next time you're exposed to it, your body will have a much easier time fighting it off and should be able to prevent it from inflicting you again.

So since my dad has already had the swine-flu(at least that's what he said, can't know for sure, now can we), and I didn't get sick, I'm probably already immune then, right?

 

[KSarty]

I realize the true definition of the word vaccine might not match what I think of as a vaccine. But I've never received a vaccine before that I had to go back the next year and get again. The fact that it is for nothing more than the flu just makes this even more useless.

Because few disease mutate quite so fast as the flu. And it's not JUST the flu. Did you even read my post? It COULD become nasty. It COULD stay as something mild. It is NOT worth the risk to ignore.

Allow doctors who I don't know or trust to pump something I know nothing about into my bloodstream? Or take the astronomically small chance that this insignificant strain of a disease I have a low chance of contracting in the first place turns into a mutated super-virus? I'll take my chances, and I believe it is well worth the risk.

 

[Sulu]

If it mutates, the vaccine doesn't cover it. That's why the common cold is still around; it just keeps forming new strains.

If it mutates then this vaccine will provide SOME protection. Which is a heck of a lot more than you'll have without it. Or would you prefer that we wait til it mutates and then let thousands die as we manufacture, test and distribute a vaccine?

A vaccine is used to make the body produce antibodies, an antibody is specific to the molecule it was made to destroy. They do this by usually stopping the molecule from attaching to cells. If this swine flu mutates then the antibodies will no longer inhibit it properly. Antibodies don't provide some protection, its either protection or no protection.

 

[Mr Companion]

Needles are one of two things that freak me out.

 

[Rascarin]

No, for two reasons;

1. I have an intense phobia of needles, and would rather get sick.
2. I've already had swine flu, so it would be a waste of time anyway.

 

[Ammadessi]

I was vaccinated for all the usual childhood diseases, but I have a healthy immune system and get sick roughly every 5 years, so I don't get the regular flu vaccine and I won't be getting this one either.

Edit: I am very pro-vaccination for children and people with compromised immune systems, I just don't personally feel that it's to my benefit to get one.