I was waiting for this to happen

[knucklehead]

Someone I know was asking, on a message board, if "those people" that don't vaccinate their children are second guessing their decisions since the swine flu outbreak. How would you answer this? I want to respond intelligently and enlighten her but I'm not sure where to start.

She says she knows that there is no vax at this point for swine flu but was instead using it as an example of how fast diseases can spread. If people stop vaxing then according to her all the VPDs will run rampant.

I need help formulating a reply to this.

[Gitti]

There is so much to cover that I generally don't go into it at all. They need to start from the ground up and I guess the first thing they would have to do is think just a wee bit outside the box.

Ask her whether she would like a few sites where she can look around because the issue is not so simple that it can be explained in a few sentences. But those who don't vaccinate their kids or themselves, are not worried about any virus no matter what it is called.

[luminesce]

Yes, this issue is much too complex to refute with a snappy retort. In general, though, I find it appalling that so many people distrust our own immune system's ability to fight off disease. Even if something is "running rampant" it doesn't mean it is severe. Most people are recovering from "the swine flu" just fine - all on their own. Same thing for mumps, measles, chickenpox, etc. So it comes down to a risk vs benefit scenario. Which is riskier? Getting mumps or the vaccine? Etc.

[teale]

Point blank? Swine Flu is a perfect example of how diseases can mutate and change. So what if they make a vaccine for it, in a couple of years, something could happen and we could end up with Super Swine Flu. I was watching a specialist on a show this week who said, that most of the time flu is predictable, but sometimes, it will take a turn and just explode like a super bug.

I don't know, I just think there is always going to be a risk, and it's really what you are more willing to take.

[Peppermint]

I would be inclined to just say "nope, no regrets here, my research and choices about vaccine use are well thought out, this is the kind of thing I thought about long before it happening. If you'd like more information, I can point you to some good books and websites that explain the non-vaccination reasons far better than I can on a message board in a few sentences."

[mamakah]

I would say "Actually, no I am not second guessing my decision at all. One of the main reasons I have chosen not to vaccinate is because I feel that vaccines are not tested and studied for long enough before it is available to the public (and often mandatory for children). The fact that there is word that a H1N1 vax will be available in 4 months proves that point. Is everyone ok with injecting themselves and their children with a shot that couldn't have been studied for longer than 4 months? I figure it will take 1-2 months to develop, then that leaves a total of about 60 days of testing. In other words, we will have no idea of long term (or short term for that matter) effects of the shot. What does that say about our FDA, that there is even a possiblity of a vax being approved that has had under one year of study and testing put into it?"

[tallulahma]

ive had to answer this and I say, "I choose to not vaccinate because I trust in the ability of our bodies to fight off any illness. Im not banking on my children NEVER catching anything. Im not worried about my children getting measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, influenza, etc. why would I second guess my decision because people are getting sick? that makes no sense"

I had to answer this when the "measles outbreak" happened... ya know... when like 5 people got it.

[captivatedlife]

I have to be honest and say that it is cases like this that make me go back to my research and re-look over the WHY's I didn't vaccinate. I think it is much harder to make an informed decision than to just DO something the govn't tells you to do. And it is something I struggle with. But when I'm scared I re-look over my research and continue to learn.

I'd also like to remind people (geez do I ever sound like my mom) that this is a perfect time to kill with kindness. As in, "yes, it's getting scary, pat on the head, make them feel good, but we've read everything the CDC put out on vaccines and made our decision based on all the information. It is a scary time, and believe me, we are doing out best to continue to make informed decision based on all the information." And depending on the forum, this may be the appropriate time to remind people about all the deaths that have been caused by overzealous officials foisting bad vaccines onto people.

*Disclaimer - this is just my opinion - feel free to disagree, yada, yada. Let the flames begin!

[Debnicolai]

Originally Posted by serenitii

Yes, this issue is much too complex to refute with a snappy retort. In general, though, I find it appalling that so many people distrust our own immune system's ability to fight off disease. Even if something is "running rampant" it doesn't mean it is severe. Most people are recovering from "the swine flu" just fine - all on their own. Same thing for mumps, measles, chickenpox, etc. So it comes down to a risk vs benefit scenario. Which is riskier? Getting mumps or the vaccine? Etc.

Here is your quick answer for them...

658 people, worldwide, get swine flu & everybody wants to wear surgical masks.
Over 5 million people have AIDS worldwide & nobody wants to wear a condom...

[angie7]

My answer would simply be "no". You don't owe her any explantion beyond that b/c it's obvious that she is searching for a fight.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Debnicolai

Here is your quick answer for them...

658 people, worldwide, get swine flu & everybody wants to wear surgical masks.
Over 5 million people have AIDS worldwide & nobody wants to wear a condom...

[BRmama]

laughup


I second that you don't owe her any explanation and she's looking for a fight. However if you must answer then I'd answer with this: Watching the news so far the strand is not nearly as strong as the one last year and it's treatable, so people are recovering just fine. How come some people that get the flu shot so they stay protected also get the flu? Maybe that'll spark something in your friend that will make her think oh yeah that's true.

[momma_c]

Originally Posted by teale

Point blank? Swine Flu is a perfect example of how diseases can mutate and change. So what if they make a vaccine for it, in a couple of years, something could happen and we could end up with Super Swine Flu. I was watching a specialist on a show this week who said, that most of the time flu is predictable, but sometimes, it will take a turn and just explode like a super bug.

I don't know, I just think there is always going to be a risk, and it's really what you are more willing to take.

I agree with this!!
And want to add as well that this is a flu we are talking about, the "regular" flu requires a vax every year during "flu season" to be effective and so is that not going to be the exact case here, how often will this vax be required and will there be a swine flu season? and without knowing what short and long term affects this new rushed vax will cause, i think that risk is way to big to play with.