Swine Flu Vaccine: Mandatory or Optional?

[SwiftTaySwift20]

Kit,I work in the healthcare field and have been notified we are to be the first immunized with the swine flu vaccine once it becomes available. My employer has not specified whether we can decline the vaccine and remain employed however I believe a previous hepatitis vaccine we recieved was mandatory. If you did not take the vaccine you lost your job. Being a physician who also suffers from bfs I wanted to know your opinion about this vaccine. I will post a link at the bottom concerning the vaccine and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Since some of us suffering from this probably have an autoimmunity cause for the condition which is neurological in nature makes me very hesitant to accept the vaccine. What do you think?Swift_TaySwift20

 

[paucek.sheldon1]

I know this is a question for Kit, not 43RichyThe43rd... but...Ever since my BFS I will not take either a flu shot or antibiotic.There seems to be a relationship. And my perspective is these are optional.I am a 40 yr old and I figure I will recover from flu symptoms given enough time.

 

[simonw00]

Hi Swift_TaySwift20Health professionals in NZ are also being offered H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available although the MOH may alter its advice given that we have now passed the peak of our pandemic and are closing down our flu clinics. That said, there is a concern that the virus will head to the northern hemoisphere for your winter, mutate somewhat, then return to the southern hemisphere next year causing further mayhem.I have a seasonal flu vaccine every year - have had for ever since I qualified in '88. In my specific case, I have seen no link between my BFS and this or any other vaccine. I would have thought that you would be statisitically more likely to get GBS from influenza itself than from the vaccine. The morbidity and mortality data for the H1N1 outbreak in NZ have been reassuring although the patients I have seen with it have been bloody sick and I am pleased not to have had it myself (thanks to PPE I guess!).RegardsSimon

 

[Krackersones]

Great question, Swift_TaySwift20. I have solid evidence that my neurological symptoms are immune related although I did not have a flu shot or any type of virus before onset. I will add this question to my list when I see the neuro next week. One of his primary areas of interest is neuroimmunology, so he should have an opinion.Krackersones

 

[TatsuDragon15]

Is this a new vaccine? If it is I wouldn't risk it only cause it hasn't been around long enough to know the side effects in the future.

 

[TimThomas24]

I have been offered the vaccine as a first responder when it becomes available shortly and barring some compelling stats that its tied to high rates of GBS, I will gladly take it. I had no problem with the hepatitis vaccine and if this H1N1 mutates as Simon points out, it could get very very nasty. Some healthy people have gotten very very sick with the current strain of H1N1. I'm just hoping we don't see some three part wave with it like the 1918 flu.