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An Inside Look At H1N1 Vaccine Production

November 1, 2009 5:00 PM

In November 2009, "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley reported on the manufacture, distribution and safety of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

An Inside Look At H1N1 Vaccine Production
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by josephinechon November 17, 2009 3:59 AM EST
My view about the H1N1 swine flu vaccine is still dangerous. After researching about the different outcomes of this swine flu shot, it still scares me. Instead of getting the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, I would rather stick to regular flu shots. I think this video didn't really convince the audience to get the H1N1. People are still complaining about this swine flu shot. Overall, I have learned more evidence to why I will not get the H1N1
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by gzammito November 17, 2009 2:17 AM EST
I am still very skeptical about getting the H1N1 vaccination. Even though they didn't mention anything about it in the "60 Minutes" report, I have heard stories in the news of people dying from the vaccine. To me, it feels like the vaccine was rushed. I like to see what other people think about important issues such as this one, and when I found out that 40% of people surveyed said that they would not take the vaccine, this just added to my doubt concerning the reliability of the vaccine and the possible side effects. In addition, I feel that some people have immune systems that just can't handle any amount of the Swine Flu, no matter how small, even if there's is only the presence of the flue from the vaccine. I believe the best way to avoid the flu is to keep doing the normal things such as washing my hands constantly and continue to stay away from infected people.
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by doug camerlengo r:04 November 15, 2009 8:43 PM EST
Throughout the entire interview i felt like the reporter was biased against the vaccine. Every question he asked seemed negative and as if no matter what the answer he would not be happy. Despite the answers of the companies working as hard as they can and that there have been no true long term negative side effects. All doctors seem very for the vaccine but it is hard to tell if it is genuine or out of self-interest. With the surveys it is hard to believe because we dont know the background of the question or interviewees. Overall i still do not have a strong disposition to either side, so for now I will abstain from the vaccine.
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by onili November 15, 2009 4:16 PM EST
I actually went and got the h1n1 flu vaccine already. The reason I received it was because my mother is a nurse and she is privy to alot of information regarding the flu and viruses in general. I have went to the doctor and received flu shots many times before so it wasnt much different for me this time. I think the only question I still have after watching this video is why exactly was the original number of expected vaccines cut down? so many times and so much? Originally we were supposed to receive 120 million vaccines and that was cut down to 17 million which is a big difference. Also, I know that the eggs are necessary for the incubation and breeding of the virus but I hope those eggs never get mixed up with other eggs that are shipped out to the market; that would be a huge mistake. I noticed the majority of students in our class raised their hand when asked who was not going to get the shot and I think thats sad because I feel this response is due to lack of correct education and hopefully this video will provide some needed information. Many people are concerned that if they get the shot they may also get the virus or end up with some other ailment and while this is possible, it is rare and in the end you'd be better off getting the shot with the risk it may have adverse affects on you than not getting it and catching the flu and it potentially kills you. Main point: if you've taken flu shots before without a problem and your not allergic to eggs: get the shot.
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by batu232 November 11, 2009 11:43 PM EST
I was thinking not to get the vaccination. But I changed my mind when I've been to the math midterm. I couldn't focus on the exam because almost everyone were coughing and sneezing. Everyone is sick and the virus is very spreadable. If you are a university student like me in a big university and participating to lecture classes with 200 people and If you want to live with peace you have to get the vaccination because everyone is sick! Only a few people washes their hands as directed or uses sanitizer and as a result everyone is getting sick easily. You can't prevent the illness if someone with the illness sneeze/cough next to you without covering his mouth (not with hands, with elbows!) or event talk to you. So it is better for you to get the vaccination if you are a university student. By the way, H1N1 is spreadable but not very dangerous. Some of my friends had the flu in my dorm building but they got better in a week after the symptoms by resting and having tons of liquids. I don't know why the media is causing a panic on the public using the swine flu because it is not that bad if you rest. I guess it is all about selling the vaccination to the world to earn money.
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by Aswand44 November 10, 2009 10:46 PM EST
I thought this was a very informative video. What I liked most about it is i felt like I was getting some truth. It wast just simply saying get the vaccine and all your worries are gone, but it explains that not only have many people run out of the vaccine, but it also talks about how there have been may people who have just chosen not to take the vaccine
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by rmsfelice November 10, 2009 5:20 AM EST
I'm educated in both science and engineering and right now unemployed, so I have plenty of time to read the literature on H1N1. Both the scientific sites like CDC and NIH, the intermediate non-scientific sites that seem to sincerely try to help with information and the alternative sites which generally harp on negatives and scare people into not getting the vaccine.

In summary: in the US, if you took or knew people who took the seasonal flu vaccine in the past without harm, then the H1N1 made the same way is probably just as safe. I would take it without hesitation. In Europe, where I live, this choice is not available - the 2009 formulation is not like the seasonal flu formulation. As a result I've been reading everything I can get my hands on from regulatory agencies, from package inserts for vaccines that use the same processes and/or components. That's what everyone needs to do - use the internet to it's proper and fullest extent and read the available information. Then make an informed choice.

MUST READING for H1N1: the weekly update from the CDC.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

Here you will find the most illuminating information -
- hospitalizations and deaths per week
- mortality vs expected rates for this time of year
- the fact that this flu has had two outbreak peaks in 2009 already
- the most recent outbreak had greater fatality than any of the last 3 seasonal flus, at least for children
- information on resistance to anti-virals (we are down to 2 antivirals with H1N1, seasonal still has 3 effective)
- only 14 of 5,528 cases tested were NOT H1N1

Even though there is missing historic data and the fact that the clinical trials are incomplete for the EU vaccine, I will probably still trust my husband (yes, a scientist) and get the H1N1 vaccine, with reservations. I also know people with small children and I would hate to infect them if I can avoid it. My mother lost a brother and my father lost a sister to the 1918 version, and I am sure my grandparents would gladly have taken the risk of a vaccine to save their babies.

BUT PLEASE - TAKE THE EFFORT TO READ THE FACTS FOR YOURSELF, especially the CDC site! Note that the virus is starting to mutate, and some few resistances are being seen with the remaining 2 antivirals. Read read read the DATA, then decide your course.
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by Raven101able November 7, 2009 12:58 AM EST
The following is my RANT:
Welcome to the "New World Order". This Pandemic is just the sort of "Planned" attack on our security needed to institute "Marshall Law" if in fact, Obama's administration decides to make this vaccine "Mandatory"!
If that occurs then most citizens will not accept their "Ordering" us to get the shot (or inhaler). Civil unrest and subsequent rioting will spread across the Nation faster than the Plague! Shortages of 'Essential Services", Food, Water & electricity & Fuels will further disrupt the Corporate flow of Trade. Google search: "international swine flu conferrence pdf" and read the "Break outs" on this scenario. Do not take my word, see for yourself. also, search "PNAC". Remember that "Posse Commatatus was suspended by Bush and was not reinstated by Obama as he promised he would do, "once elected President". He extended the "Patriot Act" as he promised he "would suspend it, if elected President"! We are sleeple and deserve what is coming to us, for not making a Stand against this Tyranny!
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by Raven101able November 7, 2009 12:16 AM EST
This Pandemic? was created in a Lab in Austria and then sent to Labs in 18 different Countries. WHY?
It combines 2 strains, not just 1! WHY did these people combine these deadly strains? Is it to make $$$ for the makers of the vaccine? Population control? Is this our next 911 Event so the government can take the few remaining constitutional rights away, by causing more FEAR! There is not enough data about this vaccine to justify administering it in such quantities. I mean, 1/2 the population of the USA? here is a bit of info if you are not too lazy to see for yourself, what the World leaders have planned for America and the rest of the planet. Google search the following: "international swine flu conference pdf". Also check out H1N1 vaccine ingredients at the same time.
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by AnnEinKC November 6, 2009 10:46 PM EST
When Dr. Oz was on Jimmie Kimmel Live in Oct. 2009 he gave him a flu shot and shook it up first saying, "You want to shake it up incase there is MERCURY in it as a preservative" [emphasis mine]. Mercury at any level can wreck havoc on human health, but it is commonly used as a preservative in vaccines. Beware.

Additionally, I want to know where the live virus that they shoot into the eggs comes from. I am NOT lying when I tell you that many of the vaccines used on children originated in aborted babies.

Finally, Scott Pelly says that you have a 99% chance of only having MILD flu symptons even if you get H1N1. Some people hypothesize that the immunizations will cause a mutation of the H1N1 virus that will be even more virulent and there won't be a vaccine for it.

For the mercury risk alone, I would avoid the vaccine, but also because the risk is very small and there are too many risky unknowns about the vaccine, including the long-term and cumulative side-effects of vaccines.
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