A news story in today’s issue of Science explains that on 10/15, the US government expects to receive the first batches of a swine flu vaccination. This is because it takes two weeks to build immunity after the vaccination and that there is a limited supply for a minimum of a month. “This potential mismatch in timing could significantly diminish the usefulness of vaccination for mitigating the epidemic and could place many at risk of serious disease,” predicted the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in a report the White House released on 24 August. This is especially true because doctors feel that two shots may be needed to see any affect.

This report is scary for every person because the community is compiled of people where germs continually live. As a college student I am surrounded by a diversity of individuals, students who are residents and communters, as well as, professors. All of which come from a variety of environments which leads to a greater chance at bringing the virus to campus.

Last month I got the regular flu shot which I had a bad reaction to for the second year in the row. What I am told is that it could be worse so take the bad reaction. What I am concerned about is the effects of the swine flu vaccination. Do we know what the side effects and long-term effects are? I know my parents told me I was definitely getting this shot up until a few weeks ago when they changed their mind due to the little known about the side effects and long-term effects. To hear about more concerns, check out: http://www.thedoctorstv.com/melissaw72/posts/4030-Swine-H1N1-Flu-Vaccinations.

According to http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/health/dpg_Swine_Flu_Shot_Tracking_Side_Effects_mb_20090927_3731652, the government is starting up an unprecedented system to track possible side effects as the vaccinations begin later this month. Dr. Daniel Salmon, a vaccine safety specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services, warns us not to overreact due to any negative extremes because all vaccination have some who do not react well and that we should instead look at the majority. Being someone who has not reacted well to the flu shot on a minor level, I do not want to be the unlucky person who finds out the swine flu vaccination saves you from the swine flu yet gives you something else. I am going to go by my parent’s wishes and wait until we know for sure the side effects and long-terms effects of the vaccination before I do anything. Until then, I am going to keep washing my hands and try to stay as clean as possible to avoid getting any additional germs that can lead me to any type of flu!

If you are confused on the difference between the “regular” flu and the swine flu, I found this resourceful site that explains the difference: http://www.medicinenet.com/flu_vaccination/article.htm.

On another note, I do feel that all the extra media attention is putting everyone into a panic scare. While this is a very important topic to discuss, I think that people should also be aware that this is a seasonal disease. Summer will be here soon and this will all just wither away. At least I hope so!

On another note, I do feel that all the extra media attention is putting everyone into a panic scare. While this is a very important topic to discuss, I think that people should also be aware that this is a seasonal disease. Summer will be here soon and this will all just wither away. At least I hope so!