Nope, it's not the latest in Reality TV.
Per the attached article from the Associated Press, "The government and vaccine makers are seeking thousands of volunteers, from babies to the elderly, to roll up their sleeves for the first swine flu shots - to test whether a new vaccine really will protect against this novel virus before its expected rebound in the fall."
Per the attached article from the Associated Press, "The government and vaccine makers are seeking thousands of volunteers, from babies to the elderly, to roll up their sleeves for the first swine flu shots - to test whether a new vaccine really will protect against this novel virus before its expected rebound in the fall."
Ready to do your bit for Uncle Sam? Apparently (and I quote) "the studies will track the typical vaccine side effects - redness, swelling, fever, allergic reactions - and any unexpected immediate reaction." I'm assuming said unexpected immediate reactions include... say... death? So, shall I save you a spot in line?
i'm so upset about this! that is RIDICULOUS to use people as guinea pigs! I think vaccines have gotten a bit out of control, they were created to help people from fatal diseases, not the flu. I think your body makes antibodies from viruses such as chicken pox that benefit you later in life. I've heard that people who get the vaccine for chicken pox when younger have to get it every 10 years to keep it going, or else, if they don't have it, they could get the chicken pox and it could be so severe they could even die. So a few weeks of calamine lotion or death?? anyways, its just scary how much money is being made from these vaccines because people are being made to feel fearful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Nikki. It does seem there's a real rush toward getting the swine flu (h1n1) vaccine out with minimal safeguards... and even potentially mandating vaccinations of school kids. Honestly it's hard to know who to trust any more. One probably ought look at who stands to benefit from mass vaccination programs, e.g. the companies making the vaccines and their shareholders.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, right now they are estimating that as many as 30% or almost one in three people will catch swine flu this autumn/winter. Fortunately symptoms thus far have been pretty mild, and they expect about a 0.1% to 0.35% fatality rate, if it doesn't mutate. Using the smaller more conservative estimate that means as many as 6.8 million people may die world-wide and about 307,000 in the US alone.
I definitely would not want myself or my family to be used as guinea pigs (guinea swine?) though once the vaccine is tested there may be certain high-risk segments of the population that might be wise to consider the vaccine. As long as the swine flu doesn't mutate, the rest of us ought to be in pretty good shape, even if we are among the 1 in 3 people who catch swine flu. I really wish I had a crystal ball sometimes.
As one who doesn't even vaccinate to begin with, the idea of experimental vaccinations on baby volunteers is awful. I wonder who would risk their babies' or childrens' lives as part of thsi program. It makes me think really bad words!!
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Julie (Rokit_Sientist). I thought we outsourced that testing years ago to India or somewhere? Okay, before somebody freaks out, I'm just kidding. But seriously, testing on babies and children? At least adults can make their own choices.
ReplyDeleteI suppose some are hoping to get a jump on immunity to the swine flu (H1N1) if unlike you they WANT to get a vaccination anyway. They suspect the vaccine will not be available until well into the time the spread (should it happen as predicted) really takes off this fall.
And of course, even when available it may be limited to a select group. Anyway, I'm just guessing that's their reasoning (if "reasoning" can be used in this situation). You won't see me queuing up with my wife and baby to be a "guinea swine!"