The news is out: as of today, October 26th, the H1N1 flu vaccine is available in Canada.
A primary group should get the flu vaccine as soon as possible: people under 65 with chronic health conditions; pregnant women; children 6 months to less than 5 years of age; people living in remote communities; health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential health care services; and populations otherwise identified as high risk. As for the rest of Canadians, it will be up to them to show up at their local vaccination clinic.
So, should we get vaccinated? I’m wondering. I don’t believe in massive conspiracy theories but yet, as your average Canadian, I can’t help being confused by all the mixed information we have been getting so far.
First, is the vaccine safe? The WHO is bracing for a second wave of H1N1 outbreak this winter. As a result, some suggested that the production of the swine flu vaccine have been fast-tracked and haven’t been fully tested. I do believe the Ministry of Health Canada has pretty high health security standards and I can’t imagine it bowing to political pressure, so this is not what bugs me the most. However, I am concerned about the vaccine side-effects. For example, I’m allergic to quite a few medicines, including some antibiotics and even anaesthetics. Is the vaccine safe for me? Would the benefits of immunization outweigh the risks?
One of the problems is that in Canada, we are facing a severe shortage of health practitioners. Like most Canadians, I don’t have a general practitioner. When I’m sick and when I need it, I just go to the walk-in clinic. While the care provided is usually good, most patients see a different doctor each time — basically, whoever is on duty — and consultations are often a bit rushed. Therefore, we lack health care practitioners who know our health history and could discuss with us the benefits and the risks of the vaccine. And I’m sure getting a professional’s opinion on the vaccine would really help to debunk some myths and make people more comfortable with their choice.
Yet, it is true that getting vaccinated is a public health issue, not just a personal one. Some people cannot get the vaccine (infants, for instance), so it’s up to us to protect them. The more people immunized, the less are the chance of worsening the pandemic. So, are we just being selfish?
Generally speaking, I am being more careful. I wash my hands often and more than once, I shot other passengers in the bus dirty looks because they were coughing on me. I use the hand sanitizers made available in most public buildings. I try to have a balanced and healthy diet, to rest — basic common sense, with turning paranoid.
One major issue that worries me is the lack of social welfare in North America and our labor laws. Officials are urging people to stay home when they are sick to avoid spreading the infection. However, a lot of people don’t get sick days. In Canada, for example, those who work for employers that regularly employ at least 50 employees are entitled to personal emergency leave, which is basically unpaid, job-protected leave of up to 10 days each year. Most casual or contract workers don’t even get that. And a huge chunk of the working population don’t get paid sick days. For example, when I was teaching, we had 2.5 paid sick days a year! Unless you work in the public sector or for major companies, you are unlikely to get good social benefits.
The effects of this kind of social policy could be disastrous. How many times did I see co-workers coming in sick before they didn’t have any more sick days and couldn’t afford to lose a few days’ wage? How many times did I show up at work myself, instead of resting at home, just because I didn’t want to lose a day worth of salary? How many times did I drag a cold for weeks because I hadn’t taken the time off to rest and to get rid of it?
It seems to me that if governments are serious about curbing the pandemic, various Employment Acts throughout the country should be updated to guarantee all workers some kind of paid sick leave.
So, how about you? Are you going to get vaccinated? Why and why not?
I didn’t realize that sick leave policies were just as bad in Canada as they are in the US! It really is terrible that people can’t take time off when they are sick, especially now that everyone is worried about H1N1. Silly Protestant work ethic! I wish that people wore masks in public when they were sick, like in Japan. Why should the rest of the world have to suffer because you have a cough and decided to go to work or class?
I think the vaccine is safe, but you should definitely be careful if you have a lot of drug allergies. It might not be a bad idea to go see any GP to ask his or her advice. Even though it won’t be someone you’ve seen before, they should be able to give you some guidance. It’s good that you’re being more careful – make sure you clean your hands after touching anything other people touch, like door knobs, light switches, stairway railings, and especially after you leave the bathroom. People are a lot dirtier than we like to think….
.-= Soleil´s last blog ..Food, glorious food =-.
I never got flu shoots so I don’t think I would get H1N1 vaccination either, if I were still in Canada. I completely agree with you on sick days…I used to have 10 sick days at Hertz as full time but the employer always bitch about people calling sick. So we can use sick days then why the employer still complains about it?!
At my last job apparently I could have 5 sick days but it was never clarified ’cause the union sucks! I think we should give more sick days without justifying ourselves. Some employers will even force the employees to get a doctor note. Therefore, people have to spend hours at a clinic to get a frickin’ note of 1 sentence!
One of the greatest advantages of living in a tropical country is that you don’t have much chances of getting the flu 😉 But I’m still confused about vaccines though coz I’ve heard about reactions and side effects and I’m weary.
.-= Nigel Babu´s last blog ..Pushing 150 kg =-.
I’ve decided to get the H1N1 vaccination – and to encourage my sons to do so as well. A friend’s son is very, very ill with complications from H1N1. It scares me that it can affect young people in such an extreme way. I don’t want to be responsible for passing it along to anyone.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..The Latest…Trivia =-.
I agree that the vaccine is not fully tested. If you don’t fall under the high risk groups, you must as well wait a few months.
.-= Khengsiong´s last blog ..My Flickr Statistics =-.
Oh dear. I suppose if there was a vaccine, I’d jump at getting it. I’m deathly afraid of being ill…
.-= Lizz´s last blog ..(Back from Hiatus!) Flavors of Spain 2009 =-.
@Soleil – Yes, Canada is almost like the USA when it comes to work ethics. Very little paid sick days (if any), short holidays etc. For that, Europe is way ahead…!
I do wash my hands like a thousand times every time. No, I don’t have an OCD, but you are right, Lots of places are dirtier than we may think.
@Bluefish – The doctor note is the stupidest idea ever. Not only you have to drag yourself sick to the walk-in clinic and waste a doctor’s time, but you may infect other patients or be infected in the waiting room!
@Nigel Babu – Actually, I’m wondering now. Is the flu only associated with “cooler” countries? I don’t think so, because it’s a virus. Contrary to popular belief, you can be cold and yet not catch a cold too.
@Beth – It is scary. I heard the same as wll, the virus target young adults, which is unusual. I’m still unsure of my decision though.
@Khengsiong – Are vaccines available where you live? Just curious.
@Lizz – Don’t you have the vaccine over there? I hate being sick too.
Hi Zhu. This reminds of how fortunate I am in my position. Ordinarily, if I am signed off sick, the first 3 days are unpaid and after that the statutory minimum sick pay kicks in. But I’m very fortunate to have flexi-time hours at work, so when I get the snuffles I usually take a day of overtime – no lost pay and I’ve already worked the hours so no time to make up.
That’s why I won’t be worrying too hard about having the vaccine. Plus am concerned about the safety of it. I guess my biggest concern would be carrying the infection and unwittingly infecting my elderly grandparents or my nephew and niece. But the chances are tiny!
Lots to talk about around this issue! Another thought- and debate-provoking post, well done 🙂
.-= Lis of the North´s last blog ..Every fool’s got a reason to feel sorry for themself =-.
What does your physican advise?
I haven’t taken any flu shots so far, so probably I wouldn’t take the H1N1 vaccine. Moreover, in your case you have the allergy to certain medicines to be considered…
But then H1N1 has already been declared a national emergency in USA, and Canada is as affected, so…
Difficult to decide, isn’t it?
.-= Celine´s last blog ..SWF: Leaf Peeping =-.
Though I’m living in this part of the world for last 3 years, I never got precautionary vaccination for anytg.. A flu shot is a “No-No”… Bcz I believed I hv a better immune system by itself.
But for the first time I took the seasonal flu shot few days back & also considering to take H1N1 vaccination… Courtesy: The global situation on the H1N1
.-= CM-Chap´s last blog ..Fabulous Federer… =-.
@Lis of the North – How does it work in France ? Is the vaccine available yet?
@Celine – That’s the problem: like many Canadians, I don’t have a physician! There is a severe shortage of healthcare professionals. When I’m sick, I go to the walk-in clinic, but no one knows my health history here.
@CM-Chap – I have never been vaccinated against the regular flu either.
Zhu, Zhu, Zhu,
I’m not getting vaccinated, and am very upset by the Health Care system here in Ontario. I’ve been trying to get a Family Doctor for myself, but have been trying and trying, and, well it’s next to friggin’ impossible.
Not only are the walk-in clinics pitiful in terms of quality-of-care – i.e. the revolving door scenario (the 5 minute-or-less visit)
In Saskatchewan I had a family doctor, and was able to visit her any day of the week. I’d schedule the appointment the morning of the day I wished to see her. When I saw her, I could discuss any number of seemingly unrelated medical/health issues.
Here in Ontario, unless you’re lucky enough to have a family doctor that cares, you’re limited to walk-in clinics which have strict “one-problem-per-visit” policies in order to secure their doctors as little time as possible with any one patient.
As for H1N1 vaccine – I probably already got the H1N1 flu a few weeks ago. How would I know? I won’t, because they won’t test me for it since I’m feeling better now.
Besides that, I never get Tamiflu vaccine for seasonal flu, since I always let my body build its own defenses.
I’m surprised there’s such a panic for the swine flu shot. We don’t even know enough about it to warrant mass injections. It’s like a big experiment and the panicky population is the guinea pig.
Why weren’t only the most vulnerable getting the shot – as was supposed to happen? No, no, they started letting almost everyone and their pet dog come in to clinics for vaccine. No wonder there’s a shortage now – just more fuel for the panic system they got going.
Cheers Zhu (PS I seem to have made a mistake about Himelfarb, oh well, shows how much I really know, eh?)
Cello
H1N1 created quite a panic in Pune one month back. Our city has had the largest concentration of deaths in the country leading to a month-long shutdown of schools. While the panic has died down (there is always something more sensational here to take your mind off anything beyond a week), we continue to have a fluid situation. But it was in San Francisco, where I caught the flu and was concerned it may be H1N1. Thankfully, it ended well.
.-= Shantanu´s last blog ..Farallon And Ryowa Ramen =-.
This is a tough one. I think there are different versions of the vaccine, probably best to make sure to get the vaccine where the virus is completely dead (in some part of the virus is alive). If the people stocking the vaccine don’t know the answer, don’t get it from them…
.-= Seb´s last blog ..Star Bear! =-.
Don’t know if you changed your mind since posting that: here is my posting from awhile back where there are 2 articles linked saying that GSK have circumvented testing protocols. I don’t think we’ve learned our lesson of 1976.
Furthermore, if you’ve noticed, Harpercons are not owning this at all and they should. He’s out gallivanting with Prince Charles and he never cared about our health care system; he has a second rate minister in charge with no background in health care.
I’m writing another posting on this subject on my blog and should be up tomorrow, expressing my frustration with the general population.
My basic question: If you wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it first; why on earth would put something unknown in our bodies??
Nobody is thinking straight and they rush in droves to get that unknown substance. They are lining up for mercury and squaline salad; they are lining up for potential long term permanent damage.
Also, since this is untested, there is no guarantee folks still won’t get H1N1, but even worse than without vaccine.
I remember my mom telling me that flus were a part of growing up and taking all kinds of meds did nothing but keep us sick. She used to tell me that our anti-bodies need to work naturally to boost our immune system while we were young and strong. She was right: I’m 40 something and haven’t had the flu in over 15 years without a flu shot.
Why do I want to upset that applecart?? What if this vaccine is like heroine and we become dependant on all kinds of flu shots on that for our anti-bodies to work??
Also, why are we going nuts to submit ourselves to be uncompensated guinea pigs??
Here is the link to my posting: also do click on the links on my page as there are interesting articles which should and must be read carefully before entertaining this.
http://sistersagesmusings.blogspot.com/2009/10/to-vaccinate-or-not-to-vaccinate.html
.-= CK´s last blog ..Health Care Reform Passed! =-.
Hi Zhu long time no see!
Anyway to the point at hand, me being a biologist and my fiancee being an intensive care nurse our opinion on the matter is this:
From a researcher’s point of view the vaccine has come out too early to be tested as extensively as normal vaccine development suggests. That doesn’t necessarily say that it will be totally ineffective but with the amount of public fear ignited by extreme media coverage and death toll statistics, this vaccine is mostly a commercial move more than anything else. I don’t know the specifics of it, to assess how effective it may be but my personal opinion is that this vaccine is being made available simply because the public demand for it is out there. People would queue to be injected with placebos the way I see it, as long as someone would tell them that it is good for them. This maelstrom of media attack on public’s fears has created such a stir internationally that the actual vaccine and its effectiveness are questionable. However, it all comes down to what makes a person feel safe, regardless if he is actually 100% safe.
I won’t be getting the vaccine just yet, partially because there are other ages that are considered more prone to infection(kids and elders) and partially because I am not convinced of its effectiveness and the necessity of administrating it so massively at the moment. Eventually, the final testing is being done with the first bunch of people that have already taken it. As for side effects,it isn’t an uncommon thing with vaccines but with modern vaccines it isn’t that much of a problem since the purification procedures have highly evolved durign the last couple of decades.
I doubt the vaccine is unsafe in any manner but I also doubt if it is not simply more a marketing ploy than an effective way to combat the disease.
Time will tell.
.-= Deadpoolite´s last blog ..Deadpoolite starring in "War of the mops", coming soon… =-.
I got the H1N1 vaccine last week and I’m still here!! I decided that I needed to get the vaccine because I belong to two of the high risk categories … I’m pregnant and I have an autoimmune disease.
My feeling is that there is a lot of fear mongering going on with regards to this whole thing. And it is from both sides. You have people who talking like we are all going to die if we don’t get vaccinated and others who talk about horrible life threatening or altering side-effects if you do get vaccinated.
I did as much research as I felt necessary to make my decision and I recommend the same approach to anyone else. From my research I learned that the H1N1 is a really nasty flu and it will make you sicker than the regular flu. However, the rates of fatality due to H1N1 only increase for certain segments of the population. These segments are the ones identified as priority groups. If you are not part of one of the priority groups, you may choose not to get the vaccine and you personally will not be any worse off. However, if you do get sick make sure you are not spreading it!! The vaccine was not available to me until just last week and in the meantime I had co-workers coming to work sick. Because of my vulnerability, I felt that they were putting me at great risk just because it wasn’t convenient for them to take a sick day (my employer has very good sick leave benefits, there was no excuse).
I also learned that the H1N1 vaccine is made the same way that the regular flu vaccine is made every year. Because of that, I’m not sure why everyone is concerned about testing. The fact that a flu vaccine has been produced and used for decades without serious incident (the last serious problem being in 1976) should speak to the safety of the product. It is my understanding that the only difference between the regular flu vaccine and the H1N1 is the virus itself. The virus components used in the regular flu vaccine change every year anyway to account for the slight mutations that naturally occur in the flu virus.
Since you have allergies, you should check that out carefully. The CDC specifically warns people who are allergic to eggs. Additionally, they will not give the vaccine with preservatives to pregnant women because of the potential harm those preservatives might have on the fetus. So, you’ll want to find out what is in the vaccine and ensure that you are not allergic to any of the components. A doctor may be able to give you that information or you might be able to find it on an official website such as the CDC.org.
While I don’t think fear and panic are appropriate, I do think the H1N1 should be taken seriously. I have several members of my extended family who have contracted it and survived but it was so bad that they really had no choice but to go to bed. I did have one young member of my family with asthma who had to be hospitalized because of the complications caused by the H1N1. It was scary there for awhile but his parents got him care quickly and he is fine now.
Hey Zhu!
No, I am not getting vaccinated because I don’t get flu vaccines any longer (I don’t take pills either). If it is human-made: hell, no!
But anyway, I am self-immunised now: I just came out of a seasonal flu (I am fine now). My doctor says that I was smart LOL LOL (as if I chose to get a flu).
About the lack of health practitioners: the same is happening here in Portugal (what is happening?).
Portuguese citizens are can have “unlimited” sick leave as long as they present an official illness evidence (granted by either a hospital or by the Health Centre).
Cheers
.-= Max Coutinho´s last blog ..Is the 1st Amendment killing Americans? =-.
@Cello Lynx – I’m actually surprised to hear that other provinces are doing better in terms of health care access — I thought it was the same everywhere! I know Québec is even worse though, but it doesn’t make Ontario any better.
I have little experience with the health care system here (touch wood). Walk in clinic were fine the two times I went there. My immediate concerns were taken care of, but there was no follow-up whatsoever and yes, it was very rush. Great for a quick fix… no so great if you have more serious issues, which I’m lucky I don’t have.
@Shantanu – I heard of a similar panic in Ukraine lately… no wonder, considering all the buzz around H1N1.
@Seb – And I don’t think anybody know right now!
@CK – I’m pretty pissed off at the way the whole H1N1 issue is handled, you are right. First, the federal government is scaring people, then it tries to say it didn’t, meanwhile little is done to actually get people vaccinated which was supposed to be the primary goal. Stupid.
I won’t get vaccinated because: 1) apparently there is such a mess in clinics that we won’t be vaccinated before Xmas, basically after the peak of the flue season 2) I’m not sure which kind of side effects could the vaccine have on me given my health history and I have nobody to talk to about it.
So I’m being cautious, washing hands etc but no vaccine for me, thanks.
@Deadpoolite – Thank you for your comment! You know what, you should hold a press conference, this is one of the most comprehensive and logical thing I have heard lately!
As I was saying, I decided not to get vaccinated for the reasons mentioned above. While I don’t believe in a vaccine conspiracy, I can’t be assured that I will handle any side effects well given my health history and I don’t see the point in taking the risk. H1N1 is not the ebola virus.
@Angela – I’m glad to hear that it went well for you. And it makes sense to me that you need the vaccine given that you are pregnant and “high risk”.
I don’t think the vaccine is that bad. I just don’t want to risk any side effect for me, and I have no GP to talk to about them. This is my main concern.
@Max Coutinho – I have never gotten the regular flu shot either, come to think of it.
Unfortunately, sick leave is a big issue here… but for students, who, at my university, can just fill up a form saying they were sick and missed classes/ exams for that reason! 😆
Hi Zhu,
I am NOT going to get the flu shot because I am too egoist to do that. 😛 Its true that 25 years living in India makes me more resistant to viruses, but not H1N1 – its a truly “international” virus. Plus you mentioned the unknown sideeffects problem. Oh and after 3 years, I might finally be getting a GP, just because my partner has one and we are going to try to add me too, lets see!
cheers
.-= Priyank´s last blog ..Linguistic delights of Toronto =-.
Hiya Zhu, my company is also arranging for free vaccine next week and like you skeptical and still concern about the side effects really. Like you mentioned, we take good care of ourselves, eat healthy, enough rest & good hygiene I am not sure if it is really necessary to go for the shot.
I know what you mean by going to work when one is sick and yes, 2.5 days sick leave out of 365 days in a year is pathetically low and I hope the employment act would look into this.
I have 14 days of medical leave and as I exercises regularly, I have a clean record of not taking at all. Still, for my shift members, sometimes 14 days are not enough for them too in view of the working hours & shift patterns.
Hi Zhu!
Congrats on your pregnancy!
A good blog considering that the flu season is coming up. I went for a flu shot during the last big H1N1 flu scare. I couldn’t afford to miss work as I have no sick leave.(Contract Employment) I was concerned about the side effects but I thought that they are professionals and must know what they are doing. I paid $20.00 for the shot. Later that night my arm was swollen to twice it’s normal size, turned bright red and ached like a big toothache. I missed 3 days of work because I could not use my arm. To add insult to injury, my company offered free flu shots to all employees, not retroactive. Sometimes you can’t win for trying.
I remember the “Tainted Blood Scandal” of the 1980’s where people contracted HIV through poor screening of blood transfusions. I am not saying don’t trust your doctor but rather be vigilant where your health is concerned.
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear you experienced such a nasty reaction to the vaccine. I heard it happens sometimes, and I’m prone to that too which I why I don’t get the flu shot.
I agree with you, it’s important to be vigilant–not paranoid, vigilant!–. After all, it’s your health. Some research and common sense go a long way.