Seems like everyone has an opinion about H1n1 and has managed to get it out into the public forum. So why would I be any different? I have an opinion. I always have an opinion.
Maybe that is my point. OPINION. Lets review the defination of OPINION for a moment:
–noun
1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2.a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
3.the formal expression of a professional judgment: to ask for a second medical opinion.
4.Law. the formal statement by a judge or court of the reasoning and the principles of law used in reaching a decision of a case.
5.a judgment or estimate of a person or thing with respect to character, merit, etc.: to forfeit someone's good opinion.
6.a favorable estimate; esteem: I haven't much of an opinion of him.
-Courtesty of dictionary.com
Got that part covered, so I shouldnt have to put a disclaimer down that my opinion is my opinion...if you dont like....to bad :-)
Now, on to my topic......the HOT topic, H1N1 aka, SWINE FLU/Swiney.
Ohhhhh...so scary when its called H1N1 but hard to take serious when its called Swine Flu. Maybe that is why everyone is so flipped out about it...it has a technical name now, one that you kinda have to take seriously.
Or it could be because you cannot turn on the television without an update on where the latest exposure is, how many people have died, how many vaccines have been shipped and how far behind they are in producing the remaining 12 billion doses of vaccines.
Or because you cannot look online without finding out if you are in a high risk area (which is the entire United States according to some sites).
Or because you think about getting the shot, try and be smart about it a do some research only to find you are not officially scared shotless and have more questions then you started with.
Regardless....you can run but you cannot hide from Swiney.
I am in several high risk catagories for the flu.....and I am not getting the vaccination.
I repeat I AM NOT GETTING THE VACCINATION.
Why....you may ask...you just said you are high risk for it???
Well, because I do not feel that it is the best decision for me or my family to recieve the vaccination. End of story. I will gladly provide my reasons, but the true fact of the matter is that in any medical situation, you have to do what YOU feel is right for you and your family.
Here are my rational reasons for not getting the vaccination (Yes, they are rational...even my doctor said I was thinking rationally, which is not always my strong point but in this case....I DID IT!!!)
1) I am not comfortable getting a vaccination that I have never utilized before when I am 8 months pregnant with a high risk pregnancy (sidebar: I didnt become high risk until 2 weeks ago....blood pressure issues and voila...HIGH RISK.)
2) I have a very strong immune system as I have never gotten the flu, and I have never gotten the flu shot. In all my years of working on the front lines of customer service with alot of face to face contact, I happen to be very blessed with a strong immune system.
3) According to my doctor, Swiney has been in my community for months and months and I have probably already been exposed to it. There have been kids in and out of Piper's class with it (since seasonal hasnt been confirmed at all yet, its all Swiney) which means that she has been exposed, which means that I have been exposed and we are all doing ok. According to him....exposure is one of the best ways to build your immmunity to it.
4) I blow my nose 600 times a day courtesy of a sinus infection and that, apparenlty, is a great way to avoid Swiney :-)
5) The government is only vaccinating people with Medicaid right now. Which I happen to be on (whole seperate blog) but Shawn and Piper are not....so I might as well wait and get vaccinated when they will actually vaccinate BCBS and Medicaid patients.
6) I dont trust the science. Right or wrong, I dont trust it and probably wont until it has been around for 10 years and all side effects and potentional outcomes are documentated. Then I will be able to make a more informed decision. I dont feel I can make a proper determination about this vaccination without knowing the side effects. The CDC has set up tracking of all potentional side effects at major medical centers all over the country....Harvard Medical Center, John Hopkins and the CDC (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,556160,00.html). If they dont know what the side effects may be, how can they honestly promise me that I or my child will not suffer any? They cannot, which isnt their fault (well, yes....it is their fault for rushing it but again, MY OPINION).
7) Isnt it interesting how the main topic on the evening news right again a Swiney update is where we are with the governments public health care? MAYBE there is some push for people to demand better health care and for those who cannot afford it, a public option would be very welcome. Hmmmmm.......
Like I stated above, I always have an opinion and chances are high that my opinion and your opinion do not match. Thats ok....I am all for a spirited debate. And truely, only the first 3 and #6 are the key reasons to my rational decision (and I am sure you can determine why) which again, is all I need.
I hope that you make the correct choice for YOU. That is all each of us can do to protect ourselves and our families. Talk it over with your physician and make an informed, RATIONAL decision.
Plus, its kinda fun to be able to go home to my husband and tell him my doctor thought I was a rational thinker. He didnt believe me :-)
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