This vaccine is nothing like the annual flu shot—it's not recommended for everyone, and only strongly suggested to those in the health care industry, and those who are high risk. For symptoms and high risk candidates click here.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not reported any side effects or adverse reactions of the vaccine to date. The CDC has a Web page tracking updates that can be viewed here.
Parents might be asking your school for more information, and your opinion on whether or not to vaccinate their child. If your school has a policy this year that all students must be vaccinated before returning to class you might find yourself in the middle of the debate. (ISM strongly suggests you contact your medical professional as well as your school's attorney before creating such a policy.)
According to a poll conducted by the Associated Press, one-third of responding parents don't want to get their child vaccinated, 38% were unlikely to give permission for their kids to be vaccinated at school (in contrast, 59% said they were likely to allow their child to be vaccinated at school), and 72% were worried about the side effects.
The last time the U.S. saw a swine flu epidemic was 1976. (Yes, the swine flu has been around since then.) Millions of people got vaccinated that season but the flu did not prove to be as deadly as was speculated. Afterward, claims of serious illnesses as a result of receiving the shot came forward in the media, and several lawsuits were filed. However, there was no evidence that the vaccine caused any of the conditions reported, and the courts dismissed the cases.
Last year, the CDC counted 131 cases of measles in the first half of the year, more than double what it was the previous year. Ninety percent of those cases were in unvaccinated children or those with unknown vaccination status. From those cases, half reported not receiving vaccines because of "philosophical or religious beliefs."
But the swine flu, unlike the measles which have quieted down, is a serious threat this year. In 36 states it's already reported to be widespread, and some schools are requiring students to be vaccinated before returning to class in an attempt to protect against a temporary closing.
Last year, the World Health Organization reported 340,000 people were affected, with 4,100 deaths. This leaves your school with two main choices, one passive, one active:
One: you can leave it up to the parents to make the decision whether or not to have their children vaccinated.
Or two: you can require all students to be vaccinated before returning to class this year. Before you set that policy into stone however, make sure you consult not just your school physician, but also your school lawyer.
Regardless which path your school chooses, it's important to send home information about the swine flu and the vaccine to parents. Urge them to talk to their family doctor, and stay current with relevant news. Stay current with what is affecting your area AND know what other schools are doing in your area as well, so you are not "going it alone!"
The CDC has a number of resources available on their Web site for schools. Click here for current news, forms for school closings, and parent information.
Another article you might find interesting:
Health freedom attorney Jim Turner is filing a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., mid-day Friday in an urgent effort to halt the distribution of the swine flu vaccine in America.
On behalf of plaintiffs, Dr. Gary Null and other licensed health care workers of New York State, the lawsuit charges that the FDA violated the law in its hasty approval of four swine flu vaccines by failing to scientifically determine neither the safety nor efficacy of the vaccines.
