posted on Dec, 14 2009 @ 11:38 AM
As a nurse in a hospital-like setting and as a volunteer for vaccine clinics and the local health dept; I see things that disturb me ethically and
morally. The article regarding miscarriages is disturbing. Pregnant women have been told by gov't officials to get the H1N1 vaccine for protection.
Injecting foreign "bodies" from the flu virus into yourself without being pregnant, you run the risk of contracting symptoms of the flu. Now
complicate those symptoms by having a reduced immune system because you're pregnant. WHY on this great green earth would anyone with a mind and
consciousness want to compromise their immune system even more by taking a shot that will ultimately give you symptoms? Is it just because the gov't
said to? Is it because health officials say it's better for you to take the vaccine as opposed to the risk of infection? People need to make their
own choices. The H1N1 vaccine is and has not been thoroughly tested. Reasoning: The vaccine was made available within three-four months after the
initial outbreak in Mexico. If officials can release a vaccine for an ever-changing virus in less than 6 months; you'd think they'd come up with a
cure for HIV/AIDS, Cancer, etc. something which has been around MUCH longer than H1N1. Has this "speedy" vaccine been properly tested or was it
pushed on society because of demand and outcries from the public as a whole? Are you, the recipient of the vaccine, a test subject used to form
statistical data to weigh the effects and outcomes of protection against H1N1? You decide.
Personally, as a healthcare professional, the vaccine was made available to me in early October and I wouldn't take it. My reasoning: The chances of
survival depend on your own body's defenses and health. Exercise, eating properly, and cleanliness is something everyone can do in order to combat
disease and infection. Cross contamination by handling public items pose serious threats to our immune systems. Uncleanliness by means of touching
contaminated items without washing our hands prior to eating or touching our faces causes infection. Little things we can do to help our bodies
natural immune system combat these "new" viruses and diseases are pure and simple. Protect yourself and your families by cleaning surfaces commonly
touched by everyone (phones, tv remotes, door knobs, even the handle on your coffee pot); teach your young ones (and old ones too) to wash their hands
after using the restroom and prior to eating; keep open areas (sores, cuts, etc) covered with a bandage/barrier to keep foreign body's out preventing
further infection; wash all fresh fruits and vegetables; ladies keep your purses off the floor; thoroughly cook your foods, wash hands frequently
throughout the day; keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth; and (my favorite) take your shoes off before entering your home (God knows
what you've stepped in today and can track into your home). Those are just a few things you and your family can do to protect yourselves from
infection. There will always be another "outbreak" of viruses and diseases but, you can help keep your family safer in the long run.