Swine flu: Stop and think – UPDATED

flu shot! by samantha celera, on Flickr

As a parent, I find I repeat myself often. The same ideas keep coming up as I raise my children—bits of wisdom that I’d like them to take into adulthood with them. One of those ideas is that the time to think a decision through is before a crisis comes. Knowing where you are headed and watching the road signs keeps you from having to suddenly cross three congested highway lanes and get off at an exit that took you by surprise.

The issue of the upcoming swine flu vaccination is one of those times. We’ve been here before, we seem to be going there again, and we need to think this thing through before the exit ramp gets here. Much has been written by many more capable writers than I, so I will direct you to their words and presentations.

• Do you know the facts of the 1976 swine flu epidemic-that-wasn’t? This report by the CDC is technical at first, but reinforces the supposition that the 1976 round was a result of several unique factors (previous immunization history, weather, other flu viruses circulating at the same time, etc.) that encouraged the outbreak and discouraged easy transmission.
• Do you know the history of the 1976 swine flu vaccine? This 60 Minutes report aired Sunday November 4, 1979. It was aired only once and then was relegated to the film vault. Thankfully, the internet has opened up that dusty vault and blogger Corganic has ventured in to bring us Mike Wallace, speaking to us across 30 years of unrelenting medical hubris.
• Do you know that those responsible for this year’s vaccine feel they are better prepared? This Forbes article has some interesting spin but can’t avoid the truth: “We won’t know that the vaccine is safe until it’s given to large numbers of people.”
• Do you know how quickly we are coming up on the 2009 vaccine? This news article says the first shots will go into adult volunteer’s arms in early August. It also says that barring “immediate side effects,” child studies will follow quickly.
• Do you know what others are saying? Kelly the Kitchen Kop has asked about the vaccine: “Will you get it?” The forum comments on this and each of the above links are telling. Many people don’t want this vaccine. Some will refuse it, even if it becomes mandatory. Some will be in line for the first round of vaccines. Most are just confused.

It’s important to do our homework and think these things through before the crisis hits. Each family must decide for itself, but refusing to decide is just deciding to wait until the health official knocks on your door.

UPDATE: Australia has begun its swine flu vaccine human trials. Because Australia has beat us to the punch, this will be an interesting case to keep an eye on.

UPDATE 7/26: Europe is rushing with uncharacteristic speed into approving untested vaccine.

UPDATE 7/27: Vaccine makers and federal officials will be immune from lawsuits that result from any new swine flu vaccine, under a document signed by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, government health officials said Friday, July 17.

UPDATE 7/28: The CDC announces on Wednesday, July 15 that the “flu shot” will actually be a series of at least three shots, four for some.

UPDATE 8/1: US health advisors agree that a full half of the US population should receive the vaccine.

UPDATE: 8/3: Greece has announced they will require the swine flu vaccine 100% of its population.

UPDATE 8/5: Novartis announces its “yearlong” vaccine trials began about 10 days ago. Yearlong trials: does that mean the vaccine won’t be available until next year or the vaccine will be released for widespread use before the trials are concluded. (Hm, take a guess.)

UPDATE 8/6: Citing the late availability of the 1957 and 1968 flu vaccines, the World Health Organization says that fast-tracked vaccines aren’t less safe. The 1976 vaccine is conveniently excused from the discussion.

UPDATE 8/10: While not specific to swine flu, this method of searching for flu-specific antibodies has long-term ramifications.

UPDATE 8/11: “It’s possible the government will begin a public vaccination campaign before all of the work of the trials is complete…” Eight US cities begin vaccine testing.

UPDATE 8/16: A letter from the Health Protection Agency, the official body that oversees public health in Great Britain, has been leaked to The Mail. In it, health officials are warned of a potentially deadly side effect to the swine flu vaccine.

UPDATE 8/17: In South Carolina, “there will be a massive attempt to use schools as vaccination centers,” said state Superintendent Jim Rex.

UPDATE 8/17: The Obama Presidency is reviewing the quarantine rules put in place during the Bush administration.

UPDATE 8/21: No immediate red flags, that’s good. Infant and child testing begins.

UPDATE 9/1: Even those first in line for shots won’t have immunity until around Thanksgiving.

UPDATE 9/2: China’s swine flu vaccine will be a single dose.

UPDATE 9/2: Swine flu does not combine with other flu variants to form a “superbug,” as once feared.

UPDATE 9/4: Swine flu does not appear to be mutating, as once feared, but is still expected to affect “one third of the world’s population.”

UPDATE 9/7: Roche finds cases of Tamiflu-resistant swine flu.

UPDATE 9/8: German doctor warns of cancer risk associated with swine flu vaccine.

UPDATE 9/10: Researchers in the United States and Australia claim the swine flu vaccine takes effect within 10 days and only requires one dose.

This post is part of Fight Back Fridays, hosted by Food Renegade.