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I remember the feared epidemic of 'swine flu' in the mid-late seventies when I was a college student. My college was offering free flu shots, so I thought 'why not'?

I had a strange reaction of numbness down the left side of my body for a few days. I later found out that there was an averse reaction in some people which initially started with symptoms similar to mine and led to permanent paralysis.

Glory to God, I was spared. I have never felt comfortable with the idea of 'flu shots' since then...fortunately, I am not generally susceptible to influenza.

Alice

Actually, for me personally, I am glad because now I don't think my doctor will be after me to get a shot. I was in the hospital for extened trips three times between Dec. 18 of last year and Good Friday and it all started from the flu. I am like Alice, I am concerned with the reaction I would have since I am allergic to so many things. I think I would rather fight something I know, than to fight something unexpected.

But, for people who need it, I sure hope like they said it will be here for everyone that is in absolute need.

Sweetest Jesus, our Saving Lord you are the healer of mankind, come with the abundance of your tender mercies and protect and heal those who would suffer with this flu or any type of winter illness. Grant protection to your people from every type of malice that roams the earth. Let your peace flow like a river among us, so that we may stand and rejoice with the body of Christ singing hallaluieh forever. Amen

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Actually, the reason that American firms do not want to manufacture the flu vaccine, is because they are fearful that if something goes wrong, they will have to undergo large law suits. It all goes back to 'tort' reform...something that we will definitely not have if Kerry is president.
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Untrue. Here an abstract of a pertinent scientific article to help with facts:


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Public Health Rep. 1998 May-Jun;113(3):236-42. R

Should the vaccine injury compensation program be expanded to cover adults?

Lloyd-Puryear MA, Ball LK, Benor D.

Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation, Bureau of Health Professions, U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, MD 20857, USA. mpuryear@hrsa.dhhs.gov

In 1996, the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) asked for a review of the pros and cons of including adult influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The authors, as staff to the subcommittees charged with undertaking this assessment, looked at the following questions: (a) Would inclusion in VICP of these two vaccines, used primarily for adults, increase adult vaccination levels? (b) Is this Federal involvement warranted based on the liability burden for these vaccines? (c) Does the risk of adverse events following vaccinations warrant inclusion of these vaccines? (d) Is there a consensus among stakeholders favoring their inclusion? To address these questions, the authors reviewed information on adult vaccines, including data on l lawsuits filed and reports of injuries, and sought input from interested groups. They found no evidence that the use of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines would increase if they were included in VICP. They found a low liability burden for these vaccines, that serious adverse events were rare, and that no consensus existed among stakeholders. After considering the staff report, NVAC chose, in 1996, not to advise the Department of Health and Human Services to include adult vaccines in VICP.
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I don't have time now to find a link, but IIRC, notwithstanding the facts - low liability, rarity of adverse effects, lack of consensus among stakeholders, NVAC recommendation - the congress passed legislation extendeing this liability limitation to influenza this year. The bill awaits the president's signature - although perhaps, following the recommendations of the scientific staff, rather than the political staff, he might be against it.

I reposted the note above, because it came right at the page break, and was quickly followed by Alice's post on the top of this page. I think it's important to dispel the erroneous information.

This is a serious problem. Deaths from influenza each year are more numerous by an order of magnitude than deaths on 9/11. The loss of some 50 million vaccine doses - half of the scheduled supply - could have enormous consequences, in terms of loss of life.

Dear DJS,

That is why I said on the previous page that people should get educated about influenza, (in other words, not say they got the flu because they had a stomach virus or a cold) and if they are generally healthy and not susceptible to *true* influenza, they should let those who DO need the shots such as those with compromised immune systems and the elderly, get the shots.

I don't think that we are in disagreement about the seriousness of the threat for some people.

In Christ,
Alice

Dear DJS,

Strange that I've heard two speakers so far, saying that for the past ten years, American companies have stopped producing flu vaccine out of fear of lawsuits. If it is as you say a lie, why aren't the Dem's screaming about those 'so called' lies.

Also why aren't they screaming about the 'alleged' bill sitting on President Bush's desk.

Just curious!

Zenovia

Zenovia, you may choose to beleive your two speakers - whoever they are - or the opinion of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee.

I have found, by the way, that Frist did introduce the bill that I mentioned, but I not tracked down its status.

As to why you have heard no reaction: it's not really strange at all. First, that depends on whom you listen to, of course; there has been considerable commentary on this point. I decided to link to scientific literature, rather than punditry. Moreover, I suspect that, strategically, K&E prefer to stay on the offensive and hammer on the lack of responsibility by this administration, and let B&C give all the excuses they want, rather than respond, on defense, to these excuses. That's better politics.
Arguments from silence are very dicey.

Dear Friends,

Don't know about you guys, but whenever I get the flu shot - I get the flu!

I once got the flu three times in two months after the flu shot!

My physician said it was because I got the flu shot too late and the bug was already busily working its way through my system.

And yet, the years I didn't get the flu shot, I felt very well.

I did most of my posting on the forum those years too!

So I'm not going to get the flu shot - if it was up to me, you can share mine.

Alex