As the fall flu season approaches White House scientists warn H1N1, or the Swine Flu, could kill up to 90,000 people and sicken 50% of the U.S. population. This, as ABC News reports that two-thirds of the country’s vaccine will not be available by mid-October as scheduled.
Our research shows that media sources are relying on medical experts for insight. Many raise the dilemma that even if the vaccine available, is it safe?
We take a look at perspectives from ABC News, Nursing Times, Russia Today and CBS News.
The Nursing Times, a weekly magazine, provides a perspective that even those in the healthcare industry are nervous to take the vaccine.
“Up to a third of frontline nurses are not currently planning to get immunized against swine flu when the vaccine becomes available later this year.”
One of the respondents of the survey said:
“I would not be willing to put myself at risk of, as yet, unknown long-term effects to facilitate a short-term solution.”
An investigative journalist from Russia Today reports on the side effects of the vaccine.
“Half of it is composed of mercury. And it’s been proven to cause not only Guillain-Barré Syndrome, but also autism in young children.”
But ABC News brings in a medical expert to explain the consequences if only a small portion of Americans take the vaccine.
“…its more likely that this virus will cause more illness, more hospitalizations and even more deaths in our country than we anticipated.”
CBS spoke with a medical expert who says it really boils down to weighing the risk and benefit of a vaccination.
“Recognize that nothing in life is zero-risk Jeff. And again, luckily the H1N1 virus has been mild in the majority of people who have been affected with it. Again, vaccinations can be very very important and life-saving in certain high risk groups. Make your decision with good information.”
So should people worry about insufficient vaccines or should they worry if it’s safe to take? Will you take it?
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