H1N1 vaccine controversy

[NDN_Outlaw]

I have heard from differing sources that a growing number of individuals and Canadian First Nations/ US Reservations are refusing to accept H1N1 vaccination due to a belief that the vaccine is dangerous and may have complications worse than the actual H1N1 flue. I would hate to see people die because they refused the vaccine. Is there any real cause for concern with the H1N1 flue vaccine ?

[Superdog]

So far from what I've seen the claims of fear are not true.  There was a case recently of a woman who suffers from a nervous disorder that was triggered by her vaccination, but the disorder could've been triggered by any vaccination and it was a preexisting condition she had before.  That's definitely a cause for concern, however, much of the fear about vaccinations in general and the connections to autism are turning out to be bunk.  Just got my regular flu shot a week ago and I'm waiting for the H1N1 to become available here.

But it's a personal choice...if people are scared it's up to them to weigh their own risks, just check the facts (not highly opinionated theories) and from what I've seen it weighs heavily on the side of being safe.

Superdog

[critter - a white non-ndn person]

Well, I won't be getting any flu shots for myself, but if I had children, I probably would. I work with a group of moms and this discussion came up. Some were concerned because their children have existing conditions, however, it all came down to IF your child got the flu and the worse happened, would you be OK with the decision you made not to get the vaccine?  Other discussion was from mom's who stated that if the whole family came down with the flu, she would be needed to take care of them, and how could she if she was sick too? 

I personally have not seen or heard of any really adverse side effects of the vaccine. If I had children who have no other existing conditions, I'd get them the vaccine.  If my child did have some other condition, I'd bring it up with my doctor..  but for me, the choice would still fall under that discussion of If my child got the flu, and the worse happened....  well, I'd get the vaccine.

[NDN_Outlaw]

I had an aunt who swore by WD40 as an effective treatment for arthritis. When I asked why she pointed to the label where it said, "frees stuck joints". Not to belittle her. The chemicals in WD40 may very well have been absorbed into the skin causing untold damage.I worry when personnel medical opinions become widely accepted. On the other hand I had an older relative who developed breast cancer but adamently refused to go to hospital. We found out later that as a child she saw family and friends sent away with tuberculosis who never returned. She came to believe based on her experience that hospitals were not places people went for healing but places they were sent to die.When we tried to get her to the hospital she refused, believing as we later learned, that we wanted to sent her away to die. She did  not want to be discarded. She eventually went to hospital but by that time it was too late and she died. Yet another needless death.

[Defend the Sacred]

I'd say look at your family history. If your related-by-blood elders and relatives do fine with flu shots, it's less of a risk. If your whole family just gets sick from them, there's your answer.

I'm not firmly in either camp re vaccines. I do think there's every reason to be cautious and think about it carefully before just doing it.

@NDN_Outlaw - I'm sorry about your aunt.

[Ric_Richardson]

Tansi;

After lengthy discussions with my wife, I will be getting the H1N1 shot, when they are here, next week.  After dealing with a lengthy health issue, this past few months, I would be considered "at risk" healthwise.

I would strongly recommend that each individual consider all the information that they can get, before making a decision. Also, consider that body bags are being sent to all areas in our region, to be prepared for the worst case scenario.  With many of our northern communities, we are a long ways from health facilities which also may not be adequately staffed to deal with a severe outbreak.   

I am going with the prevention model, in order to be able to possibly help others who get sick.
Ric

[debbieredbear]

I was at the doc's today and they gave me both kinda shots. I have asthma so they say I need it. i have never been bothered by them. OTH, my friend had H1N1 and did ok. She has a healthy immune system and so did not get real sick.

[Sizzle Flambé]

I get the seasonal flu shot every year, got this year's already, and plan to get the H1N1 shot when it's available.

Not only for my own health – I used to get knocked down by the flu for a week or two each year before I started taking the shots, and now I don't — but also to keep from spreading it to other people. I'm contributing to "herd immunity".

[uktena]

It's discussions like this that remind me how sensible people are around here.  On almost any other board, you would have immediately had the discussion polarized into the "vaccines cause you to grow an extra arm" camp, and the "vaccines are whizbang wonderful modern technology and everyone should have one" camp.  Then it would degenerate into who could call the other side the worst names.

I myself almost never get the flu, so I don't feel like I have any reason to get one, but what I tell people when they ask is:  if you're in a high-risk category, yes; if you seem to come down with the flu every year, yes;  if neither of these apply, use your own judgement.

[NDN_Outlaw]

I'm a diabetic, as most NDNZ over fifty, are in this vicinity. I will be getting vaccinated. Last week a traveling Elder told us not to get vaccinated. He said the Red Lake Tribal Council in Minnesota are refusing to allow health workers on the reservation due to concerns the vaccination is worse than the disease. A bunch of my people, based on what he has said, are now refusing to get vaccinated. His warning is now being circulated among our communities. I respect this man's spiritual gifts but I can not agree with him. My old dad barely survived the Spanish Flue epidemic of 1918. People forget how devastating this disease can be. I'll email Red Lake and White Earth to know more.Perhaps there are also people on this board from these communities or others who have been also advised not to become vaccinated. Debunking rumors may just save lives. This topic fits this board well because it deals with claims and rumors that may very well be fraudulent. This man is a good friend but I can not agree with him as some blindly believe so.

[critter - a white non-ndn person]

Well, I can't remember the last time I got the flu.  Which is why I'm not getting the vaccine.  I have thought of it though.. maybe I should.  But, the first flu shots that came out like 20 years ago, my dad got one and ended up with the flu after the shot.. I don't think the vaccines are the same any more, that issue has been resolved?  I don't really know, but considering I am like my father in other ways blood wise (allergies) I don't really want to get the flu shot.  Now, my dad does get the shot every year, and he does not get sick from the shots at all.  It was just that one time, way back when...... 

[Ric_Richardson]

Tansi;
MacLeans, a Canadian national news magazine has reported that the H1N1 strain has affected Aboriginal people much more than the national averages for other groups.  In the July 20, 2009 issue, they state that the national infection rate was 24 per 100,000 people, while Manitoba First Nations had an infection rate of 130/100,000 and Nunavut had 1,070/100,000 people.

The article, entitled "People at Risk" is an interesting read and offers some serious insights into possible reasons for the higher rates of infection, among Canada's Aboriginal people. 

Food for thought!
Ric

[Defend the Sacred]

Tansi;
MacLeans, a Canadian national news magazine has reported that the H1N1 strain has affected Aboriginal people much more than the national averages for other groups.  In the July 20, 2009 issue, they state that the national infection rate was 24 per 100,000 people, while Manitoba First Nations had an infection rate of 130/100,000 and Nunavut had 1,070/100,000 people.

The article, entitled "People at Risk" is an interesting read and offers some serious insights into possible reasons for the higher rates of infection, among Canada's Aboriginal people.

Do you have a link, Ric? I am vacillating. Some of my relatives died in the Spanish Flu epidemic, and I remember the Swine Flu scare in the seventies, when my mother got vaccinated (I didn't). I get the flu a lot, but my family tends to get sick from the vaccines. So I'm as confused as most people about this. My M.D. has advised me not to get it. My acupuncturist friend hasn't decided. Some of my friends have been enthusiastically vaccinated, others won't go near it. *shrugs*

[Ric_Richardson]

Tansi;
I am not very computer literate, so will give the web address that is listed in the magazine.

MacLeans magazine is at www.macleans.ca and there is also www.macleans.ca/search for searching their archives.  This story was listed in the "health" section of the July 20th, 2009 issue, Volume 122, Number 27, July 20, 2009 and the story is is entitled "PEOPLE AT RISK".

The hotel where my wife is staying in La Ronge, Saskatchewan, right now, has implemented many new standards for helping to prevent the spread of this virus, since the owner's daughter had died from H1N1.  Up here, we really do have to take this very seriously.

Many people are also using Traditional Medicines to help with maintaining a strong immune system and for prevention of the worst.  We have chosen to use both Traditional and modern approaches to dealing with this and I will get the shot, as soon as they are available here.

Ric

[Ric_Richardson]

Tansi;

I had a problem finding the article, through the archive web address, but did find it, when I went to www.macleans.ca and used the "search Macleans" area, by typing in "People at Risk".

Ric