Last Sunday, I went ahead to get the H1N1 (novel influenza A) flu mist. Our local hospital was giving it to people who have ‘direct patient care’. Meaning healthcare workers like me who are 3-6 ft away of patients suspected with influenza-like illness. To be honest, I was having a dilemma about this. I wasn’t sure if this is ‘safe’ or not. To snort a live virus was not my favorite thing in the world, but if it could protect me from getting the H1N1 (also known as the swine flu or flu babi, as Indonesians say it), I’d do it.
I’d personally prefer the shot version, but only people in this group could have it:
- Over 50 years of age
- Pregnant women
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs
- People who have had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccination
- People who have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving an influenza vaccination.
- People who have a moderate to severe illness.
Others asked me, “Why would you do that? Aren’t you scared? I wouldn’t do that if I were you. This is new and still experimental. My body is my temple, I will never get anything weird into it.”
First of all, I have faith in nowadays’ medical breakthrough. I may not be religious, but I do believe in science. I understand it’s a clinical trial, but if I could partake in a scientifically controlled study to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the H1N1 vaccine, I would. Second of all, I would not be selfish -not wanting to try on a possible precaution- for the sake of my two kids who are the age of 7 and 8.
Back then when measles and smallpox were epidemic, could you imagine if nobody want to try to be vaccinated? Not saying that this H1N1 would be as scary as those two, but the number of deaths is rising. I bet a lot of people was also pessimistic when Emile Roux and Louis Pasteur were working on the first vaccine for rabies by growing the virus in rabbits. And not too many were very enthusiastic to be administered by the vaccination.
Hopefully the inoculation of novel influenza A (H1N1) will be as successful as Edward Jenner’s smallpox. If a milkmaid from the 17th century could do it, so could we.
My body is my temple, and I’d like it good and strong to last a long time.
**Here is more info from CDC about 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu**
Hi Din, long time no blogwalking.
Same here in NL about the priority groups. I have an idea that the attention here for H1N1 is less than let’s say before the summer. Let’s just hope it won’t be an outbreak. How are you doing so far with the shot? Hope you’re ok.
Yoyen, I was doing fine. Didn’t feel anything different. I know a person who did get a mild fever, but she told me it’s probably because that she has MS (Multiple Sclerosis).
In a few weeks it will be my turn also. I have some serious doubts about the seriousness of what’s usually called the “Mexican flu” over here. I can’t but agree with Lorraine.
But your post may help help to overcome my hesitation. I probably will be a good and obedient senior citizen. So if by the end of November I have stopped blogging ,you will know I’ve probably died of the vaccination and you may feel guilty….
Opa Jerry, the good and obedient senior citizen, may the vaccine work safely for you. I hate to have this burden on my shoulder if we found out later that you had ‘stopped’ blogging for that particular reason.
If one is unable to read from the box of both the seasonal flu mist and the H1N1 mist on how to administer the mist “not necessary to sniff” then one must guess we all should be following in blind faith and doing what one tells us to do even if it is wrong…but why do you want me to sniff the patient asked?
The healthcare worker replied because we do not want it to run or drip out…vs…crossing the blood brain barrier and dripping down into ones throat making them….ahhh
Also if one wanted to eat at a Chinese restaurant serving “MSG” without knowing it one would not have order there Flu mist and H1N1 mist for “take out” but at least at the Chinese restaurant the waiter gives out forchen cookies…