The fear mongering on H1N1 flu has now become fear mongering about the H1N1 flu vaccine. Here are some facts:

* The vaccine does have some risks – the same risks as the seasonal flu vaccine. Except for the virus, it is functionally identical to the vaccine that’s given every year.

* The multidose formulation of the vaccine contains thimerosal, which prevents contamination. Some have accused thimerosal of causing developmental disorders in children, but scientific evidence doesn’t support this.

* The vaccine does not contain squalene, which has been accused – also without good evidence – of causing Gulf War syndrome.

* There’s no reason to believe that a vaccination would cause Guillain-Barre syndrome. GBS was associated with several hundred flu vaccinations in 1976, but there’s been no evidence of an association since then, despite close monitoring.

* While it’s true that a Navy vessel was prevented from deploying because of a flu outbreak, that had nothing to do with the vaccine, which hadn’t been developed at the time. And there were no deaths aboard the ship, as some e-mails claim.

* Vaccination is not mandatory for the public nationally or in any state, although New York requires that health care providers get vaccinated. Massachusetts legislation granting standby powers in case of health emergencies does not require vaccination or establish quarantine “camps”.

The rest of the four page article in Newsweek goes on to thoroughly debunk the most notorious and wide-spread myths about the H1N1 flu vaccine. It’s worth a read if, like me, you have people in your life prone to forwarding scary fact-free emails (or listening to certain news outlets and believing it all)^†.

Speaking of flu vaccine fear mongering, Glenn Beck had an entire episode on the subject. I haven’t watched it or read a transcript yet –likely won’t– but I have been hearing about it from the previously mentioned email forwarders in my life. I’ll probably end up having to watch it just so I can find out what they are on about. Read over some of Glenn Beck’s previous commentary on H1N1 and the vaccine, I am not inclined to believe I will see or hear too many facts from his show. Beck isn’t in the business of facts. Beck is in the business of making money for Glenn Beck.

On a somewhat tangential note related to the last link: We have a word for someone who stamps their feet and announces they are going to do exactly the opposite of what an authority figure tells them to do. We call them children. Most people outgrow that stage by adulthood, but apparently not everyone.

I’m not getting the H1N1 vaccine. Yet. I’m not in any of the high risk groups being the first reason for not getting it. The second reason for not getting it is that I don’t ever get any flu shots, and thus, I have antibodies for just about every form of flu imaginable. Seriously. My body kicks flu’s butt. Sure, it makes me a little sick for a day or two, but it’s never like having actual flu. I don’t really suffer too much (though I do whine anyway), and it’s never come close to killing me.

Also, I just don’t get shots unless I absolutely have to get them, because I have a serious needle phobia. It’s not actually a phobia. It’s not at all a conscious fear. The shot aspect of getting shots doesn’t actually freak me out (too much – no one likes getting shots). But … I will pass out right afterward, no matter what kind of shot it is. No idea why. Never have found a reason. I like to avoid things that make me lose consciousness, so I don’t get shots unless I’m significantly more worried about what will happen to me if I don’t.

But I am monitoring the situation, and there is some undefined trigger point at which I would willingly go get the new flu vaccine^††. That point is when the number of cases in my area and the severity of the symptoms reaches a point where, well, the word severe means SEVERE. Maybe this flu will be as scary as some would like us to believe. Maybe it won’t. By the time the shot is available for my particular risk group, I’ll make a determination on whether or not to get it. Personally, I think the new flu will be bad, but I don’t think it will get all THAT bad. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

I am suggesting that those people I know who are in the high risks group do get the vaccine. This new flu doesn’t seem to be killing too many people (yet), but it does seem to be causing more major problems for healthy children and young adults that is a little concerning. It’s a very early start to the flu season here in Central Texas, and if I were at high risk, I would actually be standing in line on day one to get the vaccine (fully prepared to pass out, of course) or to get my non-existent children vaccinated. The vaccine is as safe as the usual seasonal flu vaccine, so there’s no reason to fear it more than you do the disease it might protect you from^†††.

And as always, washing hands often, not touching the mouth, eyes or nose, and avoiding large crowds of tightly packed people can go a long way to insuring you don’t catch the flu or anything else.

1. † It’s interesting to note the Venn diagram of two sets of people in my life –those who forward fact-free fear mongering emails and those who tell me the news I read on the internet is 100% bullshit and lies– is nearly a 100% overlap. [↩]
2. †† Don’t even suggest getting the live virus nasal mist version either. Just … no. My body overreacts to every little thing. If I wanted to inhale a live flu virus –no matter how weakened– I’d go stand in a room with sick people. [↩]
3. ††† Also interesting to note the Venn diagram of another two groups of people in my life –those who refuse to take the H1N1 vaccine because they believe the lies about it and those who take prescription medications with pages long lists of horrible side effects and problems said medications may cause them– is nearly 100% overlap [↩]