By: henry

henry — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:19:01 +0000

There is an underlying assumption in much of the postings about both the HPV and the H1N1 vaccines that we are dealing with a homogeneous population. We forget that there are large numbers of disenfranchised Americans without access to “routine” health care (like pap smears). There are also large numbers of Americans who live in poverty and crowded living conditions. If one looks at the data from the H1N1 outbreak in Boston, an unsurprising finding leaps out. In large cities such as Boston, the poorer black and Hispanic communities have a much higher morbidity and mortality than average. Likewise, here in Washington State, we have seen a very high rate of severe illness from H1N1 among the native American population living on reservations. Among the pediatric population, we also see a disproportionate effect on children with chronic heart and lung problems and with neuromuscular conditions. Finally, there is a higher risk to pregnant women. While I do not endorse mandatory vaccination for all, I think it is very much a case of throwing out the baby with the bathwater to condemn these vaccines out of hand. It is one thing to disagree with the marketing and profiteering that has become the American way, quite another to disavow any benefits from the vaccines. After all, there is a reason that our infant mortality rate approaches that of a third world country.
The latest statistics coming in from the US H1N1 pandemic show that young children are indeed very susceptible severe infections with H1N1. The number of children requiring intensive care and ventilator support is higher than with the seasonal flu. Most areas of the country are already stressed for pediatric intensive care beds during the peak RSV season. With the added burden of H1N1 acute respiratory distress syndrome, we are very likely to see a shortage of intensive care beds for children, at least on a regional basis. While it may be true that the vaccine may have little to offer healthy adults, there is great potential for harm in making blanket recommendations against the H1N1 vaccine. People with young infants, people living with pregnant women, people caring for children with chronic debilitating health conditions are all candidates for H1N1 vaccination. Unlike nursing homes, these high risk individuals often have limited contact with potential carriers of the virus and thus might well benefit from immunization of their close contacts.

By: Amy Philo

Amy Philo — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:34:34 +0000

I bet they are sorry that they even asked you to give up half your time now. Add some fuel to your fire…

Comments on: More On Flu Shots

By: henry

By: Amy Philo