Washington Unplugged

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Unplugged: H1N1 Vaccine Dangers

August 12, 2009 11:00 AM

Sharyl Attkisson, CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton and NVIC's Barbara Loe Fisher discuss the possible dangers with the H1N1 vaccine. Plus, 'Unplugged Under 40' profiles chef and restaurateur Spike Mendelsohn.

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by houchengfu November 14, 2009 2:58 PM EST
Injecting vaccine is a passive action that mostly brings you an adverse reaction. So please be kindly suggested to do exercise often to improve your constitution and protect you from getting H1N1. Of course keeping your hands clean and being far away from crowded place are advocated.
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by Sboehm4 November 13, 2009 3:15 PM EST
Yeah like i would believe that. The H1N1 isnt anymore deadly then the common cold. More people a day from a virus and your going to tell me that this is anymore dangerous. Its all a political scandal to get people scared. If they started taking about strep throat being dangeous everyone would be scared about that too. Man you people make me laugh. Just another thing for everyone to worry about besides terroists and our president. No one even knows the ingredients of what there putting in it for all you know it could be dangerous. I heard they put antifreeze and other harmful things into it. My option wait for them to prefect this so called amazing vaccination beacuse we dont know the effects of it.
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by ccmom21 November 13, 2009 6:40 AM EST
As the mother of an autistic child I am not normally in favor of vaccines. However, as the mother of two children who both suffered serious cases of H1N1 I would recommend people move away from their conspiracy theories and civil rights issues. This is a serious pandemic. My 18 year old son had the secondary infections from H!N! with lesions on his lungs. After weeks of missed school, hospital tests, he is finally better, but his health will be forever impacted by this flu. My 6 year old autistic daughter lost 14% of her body weight, became severly dehydrated, and was hospitalized as a result of the flu. For those that say diet and healthy lifestyles can prevent this flu - thing again. We eat healthy, wash our hand, use hand sanitizer, clorox wipes all over the house. If your children go to school it will be impossible for you to prevent them from exposure to this virus. So unless you plan on living in a bubble for the next 6 months, or until it appears this pandemic subsides - get the vaccine. I almost lost 2 children to H1N1. It was the scariest time of my life.
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by StefRN November 12, 2009 5:18 AM EST
Eat your fruits and veggies, exercise, take your vitamins, and STOP stressing yourself out! If we take care of our bodies we should be able to fight the flu! I am a nurse and I have never recieved a flu vaccine, and I have never gotten the flu and I am exposed almost everyday. I eat a healthy diet, I exercise, prevent stress, and take my vitamins daily. I am not saying my way is the only way, people have to make their own educated decision. This is a personal decision I have made by doing my own research. I just really want people to research the vaccine before they line up to get it. For me the risk are greater than the benefits.
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by credibility_problem November 9, 2009 11:16 AM EST
Notice also, when you take a vaccine what you are doing is simulating a bacterial or viral infection in an effort to teach your immune system to recognize that pathogen.

It's well known that people who get many vaccinations can suffer from various immune-related disorders, such as over-sensitization, allergic reactions and so on, and some toxins induce similar effects.

As the doctors say, messing with the immune system should always take place under a doctor's supervision and people should be prepared for adverse reactions, even if they are rare.
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by credibility_problem November 9, 2009 10:56 AM EST
For once, we have some good medical news coverage that isn't pandering to some financial interest or other - how refreshing. Thank you very much, it's appreciated immensely.

Shame on the CDC and NIH for ducking the interview, as well - they know this is a little odd, just as the Asian bird flu panic of 2005 was a little odd.
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by ccc55 November 6, 2009 5:35 PM EST
Clearly none have you have ever worked in an ER. This strain of influenza is doing new things that no one could have predicted and no one knows how to prevent. Not to mention there isn't a technical pattern.
Instead of being paranoid of a vaccine we should all think about how this can benefit the country as a WHOLE, not just think of ourselves all of the time.
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by mursch November 6, 2009 5:34 PM EST
What is the deal with people these days? Why is it that anything the government does is instantly labeled a "conspiracy"? Is it because of TV shows like the "X-Files" or something? Come on people! We're not living in a comic book here! There is no shadowy government plot to install tracking devices in our blood stream! H1N1 can be deadly (and yes, so can the "regular" flu, but H1N1 has been killing young and healthy people too, which the normal flu usually does not do). Are there risks associated with getting vaccinated? Sure, there always are. But the data collected so far says the risks associated with getting H1N1 outweigh those associated with getting the vaccine. Do what you want, but I don't want to get H1N1, so I'm taking the shot. I'll let you know if the aliens come to abduct me tonight.
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by whatever121318 November 6, 2009 5:03 PM EST
we all really need to stop with this h1n1 stuff. people get the flu every year and die from it every year. and siging a waver it deffinately our of the question..i wouldnt ever take that stupid vaccine, not to mention who knows what that shot could do to u in a few years down the road. i seriously fell bad for all the people who are geting the vaccine. another thing is i think this is all really a practice to see how we could react to something else that could also be against our civil rights. i would take my chances of geting the flu over geting something else that could be even more harmfull to my body
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by FreedomFtr November 5, 2009 10:27 PM EST
Hmm...ok, those of you that prefer not to research the dangers, or choose to buy the government line in spite of many 'regular' doctors saying this vaccine has been rushed out without proper testing...how do you feel about your civil rights being taken away? This vaccine was also mandated in NYS for healthcare workers, then withdrawn when the flurry of lawsuits hit...Then follow the interesting money trail..the people tied to this vaccine AND the mandate all have direct links to profiting from the sale of the vaccine...ok, ok...maybe they just had forethought? I'm sure.. And remember the waiver they have you sign when you take a vaccine? The one you don't bother to read...well, it tells you there is the possibility of all the dire consequences you have been hearing..and are they rare? Well, not all that rare...turns out, if you have any condition which CONTRAINDICATES having the vaccine, you are at a MUCH HIGHER RISK of experiencing aforementioned reactions...rare? Well, you then have to appear before a committee with your lawyer and medical records to prove your reaction was due to the aforementioned vaccine..some people just give up rather than fight to prove the reaction - even though the pharmaceutical companies (and govt)know it is a possibility. Are there many people without reactions? Of course. Those with strong constitutions may be strong enough to not have bad reactions. Great for them. Or they may be so mild, that you don't even connect your symptoms with your vaccination. BUT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE AT HIGHER RISK, DESERVE THE ABILITY AND THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO BE TESTED ON. And please, use some common sense...if the govt has actually removed thimerosal from MANY products...where there's smoke...there's fire...and thimerosal isn't the only problem with this vaccine...there is also squalene, which is known to be linked to many auto-immune disorders, including the Gulf War Syndrome...what? Aren't sure you want to experiment with that yourself? If you look to alternate news sources, including National Public Radio, you are more likely to hear unbiased information and can START your research in a place that doesn't have any way to gain from the use or non-use of a product. It is to your benefit to diseminate the News, not to be led...
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by Steelcitygirl76 November 3, 2009 8:47 PM EST
While I can appreciate the fact that our society is trying to protect our youth, there are many other ways to keep your children from getting sick and from contaminating others. Common sense is one great thing to use. If your child is sick, don't send them to school to make other children sick. As far as vaccines, my two oldest children now have heart murmurs as a result of getting pertussis from our so called safe vaccines. One had to be in a hospital at 3 months old due to a cough so severe that it put a strain on his little heart and he developed a hole in it as a result. At least this is what the doctor said after the fact. As a parent, you know what is best for your child, mine will not be taking the vaccines for H1N1, I'll let the Gitmo detainees be the guinea pigs for that. Just remember, Ritalin was allegedly a great solution for ADHD children too. When we succumb our parental tuition to the expertise of the medical community we are allowing them to make major decisions about the well being of our children. If it feels wrong, it likely is wrong. Ultimately, nobody should be passing judgment on either side of the fence and I am hopeful that all of our children and loved ones are healthy and get past the scare quickly and without incident.
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by skbee1980 November 3, 2009 12:22 PM EST
People die from the regular flu every year. This flu doesn't seem anymore dangerous than the non-H1N1 type. I'll pass on the vaccine.
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by kindieteacher November 2, 2009 7:44 PM EST
I am a teacher who had 2/3 of my class get the swine flu a month ago. All of them are fine, even the ones with asthma. I think we have over reacted to this flu. It has passed through my school and we all seem to be doing well. Is it a media event? A pharmacy event?
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by safemode55 November 1, 2009 4:09 PM EST
Fast track vaccine, Unlicensed componants, No thank you I'll pass. I'll take my chances with the Flu.
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by ebusinessnow November 1, 2009 11:55 AM EST
I respect both sides of this debate (for vaccines / against vaccines)...but the proof is in the pudding IMHO...

I took the flu shot for 3 years in a row...and got the flu twice during those 3 years...

Haven't taken it since (about 5 years)...and didn't get the flu once.

Setting aside the mercury debate for a second... this is pretty "go, no go" for me.
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by Healthharbor October 31, 2009 10:53 PM EDT
To find a flu shot near you, go to http://www.healthharbor.com/tools/affordable-vaccine-finder and you can do a zip code search.
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by Healthharbor October 31, 2009 10:52 PM EDT
To find a flu shot near you, go to http://www.healthharbor/tools/affordable-vaccine-finder and you can do a zip code search.
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by inquiringmind77 October 30, 2009 10:38 PM EDT
i am not a doctor or a nurse or even involved in the medical field in any way shape or form. i do read a lot though. i research everything i possibly can on the internet. about the h1n1 vaccine.. ive seen the good and the ugly: the good i read about is nothing really less than plenty of people getting the vaccine already and they are fine. the bad/ugly i see is merely our own fear of it.
here are 2 facts that i found to be true
1. h1n1 is of pandemic proportions and people have died from it.
2. noone has died from the vaccine but so far it has protected lots of people from the virus
vaccines are made to protect us against sometimes deadly illnesses.
people report links to autism among other scary "reactions" to vaccines.
nw here comes my opinion: suppose in rare cases the vaccines do cause terrible side effects or reactions... that is horrible... it may be the case...... BUT if everyone stopped getting these vaccines against dangerous or potentially fatal illnesses,, life expectancy would drop to 30! seriously people! lets use our heads and our technology. h1n1 vaccine is new,, yes,, BUT H1N1 VIRUS CAN KILL YOU!! IT HAS KILLED PEOPLE. I for one am not willing to take that risk. i have gotten every other vaccine our experts have created and i am fine and better yet - i am protected against all of the fatal diseases they were made to fight!!!
lets touch on mercury, - - there is mercury in the fish you eat. will you stop eating it ? there is potentially more lethal doses in our own oceans then in this little .0## oz vaccine.
do your research! its not like lethal amounts of mercury are being injected into you.. cmon now... i think our medical experts know better than that...
please.. just make informed decisions..
take care.. stay healthy
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by Thinking4real October 30, 2009 4:36 AM EDT
We all have to ask ourselves the following questions. What is happening to society, when they stop questioning things? It is very healthy & VERY smart to take the time to STOP & really think. Truthfully this H1N1 vaccine has been thrown at us quite quickly & it is a very serious thing because we do NOT know the long term side effects such as 5,10,15,20 or more so years down the road, Do you? So wether anyone wants to face the truth or not, the FACT is if you really truly look at the whole picture this H1N1 vaccine is being tested on us. We the humans of this world will tell the end result of wether or not this was a good thing or a bad thing. Here's another question, how concerned should we be when we see people are lining up without a second thought to receive this vaccination? If they have done there research & that was there final decision then great, no problem, that is their choice. However, if they haven't done their research, why not? Why wouldn't they? That's what scares me. What scares me even more, is this question, why is it that so many people are willing to be a guinea pig? Do they even realize that's what they are? You have to sign a waver before receiving this vaccine, what does that tell a person? Does that not say there could be UNKNOWN NEGATIVE RESULTS in itself? Not to mention with this waver once you sign it, it leaves no one responsible for the outcome if it should go sour. No one wants to be responsible for anything anymore, & yet we should have trust in our leaders when they refuse to be held responsible for something there pushing on to civilization as a whole? One has to ask another question? Would we leave our new born child or any of our children with a babysitter that made us sign a waver saying they are not held responsible for anything bad that happens to that child? My hope & guess is that the majority of us would not because that would show signs towards this sitter of possible carelessness, we'd feel a sense of worry, & a question of trust would enter our minds, not to mention irresponsibility. My point in question from that example is, how much trust & security can you have in something or people who do not want to be responsible? If every thing with this H1N1 vaccine is such a wonderful life saver & there is no need to worry then why the waver? Also if this really truly is the best thing why are their so many doubts from 50% of the population if not more? It's a very frightening thing & once anyone ask themselves these questions & truly takes the time to think about it the truth is there to be seen. I think a lot of us would feel more comfortable if we knew what the end results were to this vaccine YEARS down the road not a month down the road, &if we were not the ones being used to see the results, maybe that's selfish, but some of us have responsibilities to protect our children & to be there for them. And with so many unanswered question, & so many unknowns it's beyond a tough decision. Just my opinion. Good luck with your decision.
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by kamikazejonez October 29, 2009 10:59 PM EDT
Okay. Biochemist to the rescue.

First off, the hysteria over thimerosal demonstrates the general public's lack of chemistry knowledge. Thimerosal is _not_ mercury. It's a compound that _contains_ mercury as part of its molecular structure. Simply because mercury is a part of the molecule is not the same as ingesting pure molecular mercury (the liquid metal stuff).

As an example, common table salt is composed of two highly toxic atoms when they're alone: sodium (a metal) and chloride (an ionic gas). If you ingest sodium or chloride by themselves you will die. Chlorine gas was used to kill soldiers in WWI and WWII. But when these two compounds, sodium and chlorine, are combined they make table salt, and salt is essential to all living organisms.

I doubt you thimerosal naysayers would call for a ban on table salt because its contains "toxic chloride."

Second, the mercury that's taken in from vaccination is quickly expelled. IT IS NOT MOLECULAR MERCURY. It passes through you the same way alcohol does after you get drunk. The mercury in thimerosal does not linger in the body. It's not the same as the mercury you find in mercury thermometers.

Finally, there's been no link established between mercury and autism. We don't know what causes autism. The fact that the statistical occurrence of autism is the same in every single population across the world indicates that autism is a genetic disease and not one caused by chemicals. If this were the case, populations with high exposure to mercury (industrial societies, such as the US) should have a much higher rate of autism than those not exposed to mercury. We don't see this at all. Instead, we see the same portion of any population with autism _across the board_. In other words, tribal natives in Papua New Guinea have the same percentage of autism cases as the population of New York City. If mercury causes autism, we should see a higher percentage of New Yorkers with autism than we do in Papua New Guinea -- but we _don't_.

There's a reason why scientists don't take mercury-causes-autism claims seriously: these claims have zero biostatistical backing.

And any crackpot can write a book. Publishing's not concerned with truth; it's concerned with book sales. Before jumping on an anti-medicine bandwagon, please learn your chemistry first instead of nodding to pseudo-scientific paperbacks.
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