I’ve been getting more and more frustrated with the lack of proper science and factual discussion in the current H1N1 panic.  With a family that has high risk members with weak immune systems that any flu could be deadly the lack of immunizations has me concerned.Read More Below...

Over at Facebook a poll shows over 69% of people polled will not take the vaccine.  While one could argue that this is due to people not being panicked about the virus and feeling healthy.  However, the comments would suggest the reasons  based on ignorant assumptions.

• Paranoia of  side effects – Side effects to exist and no vaccine is 100% safe but the risks are greater. One person commented that people they know who took a flu vaccine got the flu.  This is what happens when you get a vaccination it is designed to cause your body to produce anti-bodies to battle the actual disease. As your immune system is working you do feel rundown and sick.
• Creation of a super virus – A vaccine does not attack the virus but rather allows your body to create anti-bodies that fight the virus.  So if you get the vaccine or the virus you will be creating the anti-bodies to kill the virus.  So the super virus will be created regardless, however the sickness caused by the vaccination is much easier on the body than the virus.  People who worry about a super virus assume that a vaccine works like an antibiotic, which simply kills an infection without allowing the body to defend itself.  This allows people to become reinfected and can cause super bugs as the antibiotic is not as effective as a persons immune system once it has created anti-bodies.
• Autism – Where is the evidence?  While cases of autism are rising, the use of thimerosal (the mercury containing element) has dropped.  If the cause was thimerosal shouldn’t autism cases have also dropped? Studies have even shown how safe vaccines are in regards to autism.
• Use of a live virus – There are 2 forms of the vaccine, one has a live but weakened virus and the other inactive virus.

I did see an VERY interesting article over at Wired titled, “An Epidemic of Fear: How Panicked Parents Skipping Shots Endangers Us All” which is an excellent article on how the irrational panic about vaccinations are going to end up causing more problems than good.

I would appreciate your feelings on vaccinations and how I can make this a more effective post to help dispel some myths.