H1N1 Vaccine – Just The Facts
While the government is not suggesting duct tape and plastic sheeting, we the people are being fed a steady diet of updates about the vaccine, the supposed lack of one, the suggestion that there might not be enough, what is wrong with it and who should get it first. And what about face masks?
Is there H1N1 vaccine?
Why yes Virginia, just like Santa Claus it does exist. The drug company Novartis is manufacturing the vaccine (Fluvirin) and anticipates having enough doses for those that choose to receive it. However, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) states on its website, “We do not expect that there will be a shortage of novel H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable.”
What are some of the side effects of the vaccine?
No one vaccine is completely safe for everyone. Period. While I scoured the Internet for reliable sources about the side effects, no one site proved reliable enough for me to pass along to you (No, I don’t count Craigslist or websites that use 666 in their URL as a reliable sources). So I will encourage you to do your own research about the side effects and I will do the responsible thing and not spread rumors.
Who should get the vaccine first?
According to the CDC pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants aged over 6 months, health-care and emergency medical services personnel, children and young adults aged 6 months–24 years, and persons aged 25–64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
Some people over 61 ½ years of age have been identified as having an immunity to H1N1. I said some, not all.
I keep hearing the phrase “novel H1N1” virus. What does “novel” mean?
In this case it means new. Because H1N1 is a novel virus, it spreads quickly because we have not developed antibodies to it yet. Though the human race has seen H1N1 before, we have not seen ‘this’ strain of the virus.
Will wearing a surgical mask help or will I just be paying homage to Michael Jackson?
Masks may help in some settings. Not the best or the worst in preventing the spread of the disease. I get old fashioned about this stuff and recommend the following:
- Regular, thorough hand washing
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Stay home when ill
- Ask your health-care provider about being vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 flu when the vaccines are ready
Stay healthy!
- Aunt B
