Flu Shots - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#46 10-29-2009, 11:40 AM

Nope, I don't do flu shots.

Zeus · #47 10-29-2009, 12:09 PM

Ah, the Internet...Purveyor of Fine Frauds since 1990 something.

Everyone loves a conspiracy theory it seems. Furthermore, the Internet is enabling people to attempt to self-diagnose complex medical issues - and there is often no way to ensure that the information sourced on the Internet is from a proven, valid source. It is easy to create and populate a webpage with medical information and make it look credible. I got an e-mail from a friend that cited a forwarded 'warning' e-mail about vaccines from a 'respected doctor'. A visit to said doctor's website found out he was also peddling his 'Brain Healing Pills' containing natural supplements. No comment.

Vaccines are the ONLY reason we aren't still talking about friends and family dying from:

Tetanus (Lockjaw)
Diptheria
Smallpox
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
...and the list goes on.

These diseases have been held back (they are still out there, not extinct by any means) solely due to mass immunization efforts. This is a fact, not debatable.

The mythical link between mercury (thimerosal) and autism is just that - a myth. That one study that *attempted* to establish a link has been debunked and for good reason. It was not solid science. There has never been a proven link between the amount of mercury, as thimerosal (a preservative in certain vaccines) , and the causation of autism. The media jumped on the article and it's been perpetuated since.

There is more mercury in a can of tuna than in a vaccine (which averages 5-50 micrograms). Have people stopped buying tuna?

As far as H1N1, yes most healthy individuals will fight it off like any other seasonal flu. However, what is worrying about this particular strain is that it can very quickly overwhelm the respiratory capacity of an otherwise healthy individual and kill them within hours. Why this happens is not understood - this strain is new and there has not been enough time to study it. A young 13-yr old boy was killed in Toronto recently by H1N1. He was playing hockey and got the flu. His temp went down, was feeling better and kept playing in the tournament, then he died overnight. He had zero health issues prior to infection. Same with another young teen in Cornwall, Ontario. Zero underlying health issues...rapidly overwhelmed by the virus and was killed.

The response from the world's medical community on this pandemic has not been well orchestrated, and information has been disjointed. The media at large has not helped in this regard, often presenting somewhat sensationalized viewpoints. Vaccination clinics are being run far past capacity.

So it is safe to say there are plenty of problems with how things are being done both in terms of disseminating the proper information, as well as getting the vaccine out to the population at large.

However, this is really a first run at a new global pandemic scenario in the information age, where every tidbit of information from labs to hospitals in every city anywhere is being thrown out for mass public reading and interpretation - often without the appropriate background information for perspective.

The result is a lot of confusion and anxiety and people aren't sure what to do.

My wife has been vaccinated but we're still waiting. She's a doctor and hence on the front line at the hospital, so she was vaccinated early. I've been getting e-mails from friends asking what to do. My sons and I will get vaccinated as soon as we can.

Bottom line - get vaccinated, IMO (and no, it is not a medical opinion, just my own).

Fitz · #48 10-29-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus

There is more mercury in a can of tuna than in a vaccine (which averages 5-50 micrograms). Have people stopped buying tuna?

Pregnant women are advised to avoid tuna.

Vaccine manufacturers have a duty to provide a safe product. If there is any risk involved, it should be up to each individual whether the risk is acceptable. The link between thimerosal and autism has not been proven but neither has the genetic cause that the pharmaceutical interests like to promote.

Zeus · #49 10-29-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

Pregnant women are advised to avoid tuna.

Vaccine manufacturers have a duty to provide a safe product. If there is any risk involved, it should be up to each individual whether the risk is acceptable. The link between thimerosal and autism has not been proven but neither has the genetic cause that the pharmaceutical interests like to promote.

The vaccine manufacturers have done so, this vaccine was developed in conjunction with the WHO and has been tested in over 50,000 people. The worldwide response has been quite impressive when you consider the timeline has been - in medical/scientific terms - tight.

Vaccination is not enforced, it is fully an individual's choice.

However, the more people that 'opt out', the greater the risk for niche populations to exist for the virus to infect, thus forming and sustaining outbreaks.

Thimerosal isn't added as a 'cop-out' or due to some malicious, self-serving intent, it is required to preserve the vaccine.

Point about the tuna being most people, children included, will readily eat tune salad, tuna sandwhiches without even giving it a second thought. As an apex predator, the tuna will have accumulated mercury from the bottom of the food chain up to its prey and finally residing within the tuna's tissue.

A controlled amount is used in a vaccine and then it becomes an issue.

Mistress · #50 10-29-2009, 02:07 PM

I don't do flu vaccines.

Hatterasguy · #51 10-29-2009, 02:36 PM

I'm young, I'll leave the shots to the old people, and people in poor health who really need them.

Fitz · #52 10-29-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus

Point about the tuna being most people, children included, will readily eat tune salad, tuna sandwhiches without even giving it a second thought. As an apex predator, the tuna will have accumulated mercury from the bottom of the food chain up to its prey and finally residing within the tuna's tissue.

A controlled amount is used in a vaccine and then it becomes an issue.

I don't know about Canada, but try buying a mercury thermometer in the US. Too dangerous for the landfills, but according to you, safe for infants in controlled amounts.

The amount used in vaccines became an issue when such wise institutions as the AMA and WHO recommended increasing the number of vaccines infants and children received in the early 90s, and thereby increased their exposure to mercury.

SwampYankee · #53 10-29-2009, 03:49 PM

I never get them, but I did this year for no particular reason for the first time. We were going to hold a clinic here at work but they had to cancel at the last minute due to supply problem so I figured WTH? IMO it's a must for my almost 7yoS with Down syndrome since he's especially susceptible, and the other kids have gotten them since.

Since 2 of them appear to be dealing with the pig flu now (oldest son and said almost 7yo) I don't suppose there's any point in getting that vaccine at this point. Just hoping like hell he doesn't end up with pneumonia!

tankdriver · #54 10-29-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhjenkins

Just had a fire sprinkler system inspector in here today who had H1N1 a few weeks ago along with his wife, son & daughter.

He said it was "just like any other flu - sick a few days, then fine".

Don't get me wrong, if you're at either end of the age spectrum, have a compromised immune system or some other medical condition, it could be serious.

If you're healthy, though, it's not really anything to worry about.

My 7yr old niece got it. Sucked for a couple days longer than reg. flu, then she was better.

Kuan · #55 10-29-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I'm young, I'll leave the shots to the old people, and people in poor health who really need them.

Don't worry. We can't get it even if we want it.

Zeus · #56 10-29-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

I don't know about Canada, but try buying a mercury thermometer in the US. Too dangerous for the landfills, but according to you, safe for infants in controlled amounts.

The amount used in vaccines became an issue when such wise institutions as the AMA and WHO recommended increasing the number of vaccines infants and children received in the early 90s, and thereby increased their exposure to mercury.

Many substances are toxic at various levels. It's not as simple as saying 'yes' or 'no'. It's not according to 'me', it's according to a worldwide consortium of respected, educated and diligent doctors and researchers who have performed studies under strict conditions to evaluate toxicity, side effects, safety, etc.

In Canada, thimerosal is only used in a very select few vaccines. Many infant and children's vaccines do not contain any thimerosal at all.

Zeus · #57 10-29-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

Don't worry. We can't get it even if we want it.

Supply issues? I haven't been following the US issues...

My sons and I just got vaccinated this afternoon. They've worked quickly to improve clinic access and screening. Clinic was very well run, staff exceptionally friendly and helpful and I was impressed by the technology on hand. Our Ontario health cards were swiped into the database during admission, and at the needle station, our info was already there on the PC waiting for the nurse. Received a printout immediately after vaccination containing all pertinent info including vaccine name, company (GSK), date and time, any further action, etc.

Chas H · #58 10-29-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I'm young, I'll leave the shots to the old people, and people in poor health who really need them.

Us old folks are at less risk for some forms of flu. The current scare, H1N1, is more of a threat to people your age. If you get sick and pass the disease on to others that might die from it, are you a murderer because you refused to be innoculated; or just irresponsible?