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David Stanley Ford

Oklahoma public says waiting is worth a swine flu shot

BY TATYANA C. JOHNSON    Comments Comment on this article2
Published: November 8, 2009

For many people, waiting in line for hours normally consists of trying to buy concert tickets of some sort. But that wasn’t the case for people waiting at John Marshall High School Saturday. H.R. Holman said between 2,000 and 3,000 people received a swine flu vaccination Saturday, though exact numbers weren’t immediately available.

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Upcoming vaccination clinics will be Saturday at Star Spencer High School in Spencer and Douglass Mid-High School and Nov. 21 at Northwest Classen High School.

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"We encourage everyone that is eligible to receive the vaccine to do so and also the seasonal vaccine. If it’s available to you, get it,” said Holman, spokesman for the Oklahoma City-County Health Department.

For some, the wait was worth it.

"I believe waiting in line for three hours was way worth it. Now I’m calm about not getting the H1N1 virus. Less worrying,” Rachael Geraldon said. Along with her getting vaccinated were her two sons, ages 17 months and 12, and her boyfriend. "In my opinion there are way more good things than bad when dealing with this vaccination.”

Devan Pederson said getting the vaccination was important to put aside the three hours he waited.

"Comparing the time to wait in line against actually getting sick seems crazy because it’s really not that much out of your day. Get in and get it done.”

Vaccine is safe, vital
Officials urged people to do their homework and get the vaccination.

"With this epidemic going on with H1N1, being vaccinated is vital, especially to pregnant women and children,” said Esther Porter, a nurse with Oklahoma City Public Schools. "People need to read up on it and become more knowledgeable on the subject. But at times, ‘seeing is believing’ and with the numbers increasing, people are sure to see the vaccination is worth it.”

Holman and Porter said the vaccine for H1N1 is made by the same manufacturers that create the seasonal flu vaccine, as well as others.

"The H1N1 vaccine is perfectly safe. The only difference is it is a different formulation that targets H1N1 specifically,” Holman said.

Some children took getting vaccinated like an adult, with no tears.

Mason Cordial, 12, said the shot hurt a little at first, but he was glad to get it.

"I wasn’t scared to get the shot at all, and I’m glad I got it because a lot of people have been sick,” he said. "I’ve heard about some of the side effects so I’m a little worried but at least it’s a little safer for me.”

"Nope!” said a smiling Kaitlyn Rogers, 7, after being asked if the shot she received hurt. "It didn’t hurt, and guess what? I didn’t even cry and I got a sucker,” she said.

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department is focusing on pregnant women; all children age six months to 18 years; custodial parents of infants less than six months; frontline health care workers who have direct contact with acutely ill persons; and adults 19 to 64 with chronic disease.

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Culture and Lifestyle, Health and Fitness, Contagious and Infectious Diseases, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Vaccines, Medical Treatments and Procedures, Family, Influenza, Swine Flu


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Hey, Bob...while spreading your fear, how about citing your sources for the figures you put out? What studies are you talking about? Are toy saying that by getting the H1N1 vaccine that you are getting 100X the toxic dose of mercury? Then why don't you die? Please enlighten us.

By the way, please cite legimate sources and not tinfoil hat conspiracy rags.
Bryan, Oklahoma City - Nov 8, 2009 at 9:33 pm
The vaccine is neither safe nor vital. Studies have shown no significant difference in hospitalization rates or death rates in people who have received the flu vaccine throughout the years compared to those not vaccinated. This vaccine has not been tested as thoroughly has the regular flu vaccine and all manufacturers have been given immunity from any liabilty issues related to the vaccine. There have already been several reports of people developing immune system and neurologic dysfunction after receiving the H1N1 vaccine. One dose of vaccine from a multi-use vial containing thimersol will give you >100x the toxic level of mercury in your bloodstream. This is only one risk of many associated with the vaccine. Although vastly hyped the numbers have shown that the H1N1 flu strain is not as dangerous as the seasonal flu. The risk of hospitalization or death in those who contracted the virus is less than 1%. The southern hemishpere has already completed this year's flu season. The hospitalization numbers for Australia and New Zealand were actually lower this year than in years past. The bottom line is that the H1N1 flu strain is not any more dangerous than seasonal flu (in fact likely less dangerous) while the risks of the vaccine are very real and can cause permanent illness or death. Make an informed decision about the vaccine and don't let the manufactured panic dictate your health choices.
bob, mwc - Nov 8, 2009 at 3:07 pm
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