H1N1 Vaccine Questions

[PD]

Dr. Steve,
there is a lot of hysteria out there about the flu, especially H1N1.
I hear rumors daily about bad things that could happen if you get the vaccine, and I also hear mad hysteria about what will happen if you contract H1N1.

can you give your opinions on the idea of getting these shots, both for adults and kids?
the risks/rewards kinda thing, and the fact/fiction.

Thanks.

[Dr Steve]

Dr. Steve,
there is a lot of hysteria out there about the flu, especially H1N1.
I hear rumors daily about bad things that could happen if you get the vaccine, and I also hear mad hysteria about what will happen if you contract H1N1.

can you give your opinions on the idea of getting these shots, both for adults and kids?
the risks/rewards kinda thing, and the fact/fiction.

Thanks.


Sure! I'll hit some of the high points and we can debate from there.

H1N1 appears to have a 0.4% mortality rate. The dystonia that happened to that lady on youtube is estimated to occur 1 in 1,000,000 vaccines (and is probably less because you'd therefore expect 350 cases in the US if everyone got vaccinated and we've never seen anything like that to my knowlege).

Severe, catastrophic things will happen to a small number of people who have the vaccine. some of these will be related to the vaccine itself, some of these will be coincidences. However, the vaccine (if it works) will save lives. If you don't get the viral syndrome, you can't die from it.

So what we're looking at is a smaller number of people being affected from potential complications of the vaccine, but a much larger number of people NOT DYING from the virus itself.

The H1N1 vaccine was made in exactly the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine, so it should be as safe as the seasonal vaccine (unless there is some weird immunologic effect like the swine flu vaccine of 1976 had); what they haven't had time to test is whether it will confer immunity to those vaccinated. it was rushed to market to deal with the pandemic and that data will have to be generated on the fly.

If you're 2-49 and healthy and don't care for someone with an immune disorder, you can forego the shot and have the "attenuated virus" called "FLUMIST". this is a LIVE vaccine...they've messed with the viral genetics to make it less virulent. it may cause a mild flu syndrome, or it may cause no symptoms at all. Either way it confers better immunity than the shot does.

I'll try to stay on top of the H1N1 story as time goes on and get you some updated statistics.

I was required to take the shot due to being over 50 and being in health care. I am happy to say I had no ill effects.

your pal,



steve