World Health
H1N1 Vaccine Risks: What Are They?
Are there any risks associated with H1N1 vaccines?
According to the CDC, those at high risk for the H1N1 virus are children under 2, individuals over 65, pregnant women, individuals with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and HIV, and children under 19 on aspirin therapy. For the high risk group, the H1N1 vaccine risks may be worth the reward.
The H1N1 virus is more likely to claim the lives of one of the high-risk individuals than it is someone who is completely healthy. Pregnant women and those caring for infants under 6 months of age are suggested recipients of the H1N1 vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine risks may be worth it for those trying to protect their children from the virus.
POLL: Do You Think The H1N1 Vaccine Is Safe To Take? VOTE YES or VOTE NO
Win a gift card for your opinion
Another concern about the vaccine stems from a complications with a vaccine for a different type of swine flu back in 1976. The flu struck a military base in New Jersey, and the government launched a large- scale vaccination campaign. 40 million Americans were immunized, but the campaign was halted because over 500 people developed a paralyzing neurological condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome. The chance of this occurring again are smaller, according to the World Health, because “today’s vaccines are more purified.”
However, the full safety profile of any vaccine is unknown until it has been used on a large scale. Still, that’s one of the H1N1 vaccine risks that freaks people out. According to Dr. Jennifer Ashton, GBS is a “rare, neurologic disorder that has elements of an auto-immune condition in that some trigger (usually an infection or rarely a vaccination against an infection) results in a progressive weakening of nerves. GBS starts in the legs and works its way up the body.”
80% of GBS patients have a full recovery about a month after their onset of symptoms. 2 to 3 people can die of this disorder. What about season flu vaccine? Could seasonal flu vaccine increase H1N1 risk? Preliminary findings from a study by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control suggest those who took the seasonal vaccine could be more susceptible to H1N1. The revelation comes as flu season hits some B.C. schools hard.
POLL: Will You And Your Family Take The H1N1 Vaccine? VOTE YES or VOTE NO
Win a gift card for your opinion