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In reply to the discussion: Eight Hospital Employees Fired For Refusing Flu Vaccines [View all]csziggy
(34,189 posts)86. More vaccine myth repeated - please provide sources
Here are the sources I found about your claims:
5 myths about the flu
Updated 11/15/2010
By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY
In a new survey by Consumer Reports, only 30% of respondents were "very confident" that this year's flu shot is safe.
Myth 1: The flu shot causes the flu.
The viruses in the flu shot are dead, so they can't give people the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its most common side effect is soreness in the arm.
FluMist nasal spray contains weakened viruses, so they don't cause severe, flu-like symptoms, either. Side effects in children can include a runny nose, wheezing and headache.
Myth 5: Flu shots contain methyl mercury and other toxic chemicals.
Although there's no evidence that the ethyl mercury-based preservative thimerosal causes harm, vaccine makers responded to public concerns in 2001 and stopped using it in most vaccines.
There's also no data to prove that thimerosal causes autism, Offit says. In fact, seven studies now refute that idea.
Gunter notes that flu shots don't use aluminum, which is used in other vaccines as an "adjuvant" to stimulate a stronger immune response.
More:http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/medical/coldflu/2010-11-15-myths-flu_N.htm
Updated 11/15/2010
By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY
In a new survey by Consumer Reports, only 30% of respondents were "very confident" that this year's flu shot is safe.
Myth 1: The flu shot causes the flu.
The viruses in the flu shot are dead, so they can't give people the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its most common side effect is soreness in the arm.
FluMist nasal spray contains weakened viruses, so they don't cause severe, flu-like symptoms, either. Side effects in children can include a runny nose, wheezing and headache.
Myth 5: Flu shots contain methyl mercury and other toxic chemicals.
Although there's no evidence that the ethyl mercury-based preservative thimerosal causes harm, vaccine makers responded to public concerns in 2001 and stopped using it in most vaccines.
There's also no data to prove that thimerosal causes autism, Offit says. In fact, seven studies now refute that idea.
Gunter notes that flu shots don't use aluminum, which is used in other vaccines as an "adjuvant" to stimulate a stronger immune response.
More:http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/medical/coldflu/2010-11-15-myths-flu_N.htm
In case USA Today is not a sufficient expert for you, here are FDA and CDC source:
What kinds of flu vaccines are available?
There are two types of vaccines:
The flu shot an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
There are three different flu shots available:
a regular flu shot approved for people ages 6 months and older
a high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older, and
an intradermal flu shot approved for people 18 to 64 years of age.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Seasonal flu vaccines protect against the three influenza viruses (trivalent) that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. The viruses in the vaccine can change each year based on international surveillance and scientists estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. While some manufacturers are planning to produce a quadrivalent (four component) vaccine in the future, quadrivalent vaccines are not expected to be available for the 2012-2013 season.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against the influenza viruses in the vaccine develop in the body.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
There are two types of vaccines:
The flu shot an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
There are three different flu shots available:
a regular flu shot approved for people ages 6 months and older
a high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older, and
an intradermal flu shot approved for people 18 to 64 years of age.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Seasonal flu vaccines protect against the three influenza viruses (trivalent) that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. The viruses in the vaccine can change each year based on international surveillance and scientists estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. While some manufacturers are planning to produce a quadrivalent (four component) vaccine in the future, quadrivalent vaccines are not expected to be available for the 2012-2013 season.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against the influenza viruses in the vaccine develop in the body.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
Who should not be vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®)?
People less than 2 years of age
People 50 years of age and over
People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system, or who take medications that can weaken the immune system.
Children < 5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing
Children or adolescents receiving aspirin
Pregnant women
People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components.
People with a history of GuillainBarré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive vaccine. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you.
Does the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) contain thimerosal?
No, the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) does not contain thimerosal or any other preservative.
Can the nasal spray flu vaccine give you the flu?
Unlike the flu shot, the nasal spray flu vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses are attenuated (weakened) and cannot cause flu illness. The weakened viruses are cold-adapted, which means they are designed to only cause infection at the cooler temperatures found within the nose. The viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas where warmer temperatures exist. Some children and young adults 2-17 years of age have reported experiencing mild reactions after receiving nasal spray flu vaccine, including runny nose, nasal congestion or cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat and headache. Some adults 18-49 years of age have reported runny nose or nasal congestion, cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat and headache. These side effects are mild and short-lasting, especially when compared to symptoms of influenza infection.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm
People less than 2 years of age
People 50 years of age and over
People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system, or who take medications that can weaken the immune system.
Children < 5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing
Children or adolescents receiving aspirin
Pregnant women
People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components.
People with a history of GuillainBarré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive vaccine. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you.
Does the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) contain thimerosal?
No, the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) does not contain thimerosal or any other preservative.
Can the nasal spray flu vaccine give you the flu?
Unlike the flu shot, the nasal spray flu vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses are attenuated (weakened) and cannot cause flu illness. The weakened viruses are cold-adapted, which means they are designed to only cause infection at the cooler temperatures found within the nose. The viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas where warmer temperatures exist. Some children and young adults 2-17 years of age have reported experiencing mild reactions after receiving nasal spray flu vaccine, including runny nose, nasal congestion or cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat and headache. Some adults 18-49 years of age have reported runny nose or nasal congestion, cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat and headache. These side effects are mild and short-lasting, especially when compared to symptoms of influenza infection.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm
Study Reports Aluminum in Vaccines Poses Extremely Low Risk to Infants
Page Last Updated: 01/05/2012
The risk to infants posed by the total aluminum exposure received from the entire recommended series of childhood vaccines over the first year of life is extremely low, according to a study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This study is important because it provides additional scientific information confirming that the benefits of aluminum-containing vaccines administered during the first year of life outweigh any theoretical concerns about the potential effect of aluminum on infants.
<SNIP>
Aluminum is found naturally in large quantities in the environment, often consumed through drinking water or ingesting certain foods, such as infant formula. Using the updated parameters, the authors found that the body burden of aluminum from vaccines and diet throughout an infants first year of life is significantly less than the corresponding safe body burden of aluminum, based on the minimal risk levels established by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Furthermore, many infants might not receive the entire series of recommended vaccines or the particular combination of vaccines that delivers the maximum amount of aluminum. Therefore, it is likely that some infants will have even lower aluminum levels than calculated in this study and will be at even lower risk for exposure to aluminum through vaccination.
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/ScienceResearch/ucm284520.htm
Page Last Updated: 01/05/2012
The risk to infants posed by the total aluminum exposure received from the entire recommended series of childhood vaccines over the first year of life is extremely low, according to a study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This study is important because it provides additional scientific information confirming that the benefits of aluminum-containing vaccines administered during the first year of life outweigh any theoretical concerns about the potential effect of aluminum on infants.
<SNIP>
Aluminum is found naturally in large quantities in the environment, often consumed through drinking water or ingesting certain foods, such as infant formula. Using the updated parameters, the authors found that the body burden of aluminum from vaccines and diet throughout an infants first year of life is significantly less than the corresponding safe body burden of aluminum, based on the minimal risk levels established by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Furthermore, many infants might not receive the entire series of recommended vaccines or the particular combination of vaccines that delivers the maximum amount of aluminum. Therefore, it is likely that some infants will have even lower aluminum levels than calculated in this study and will be at even lower risk for exposure to aluminum through vaccination.
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/ScienceResearch/ucm284520.htm
Since aluminum is not used in flu vaccines, the CDC does not address that myth.
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Am not a nurse and for years I didn't take the flu shot. But when I hit 62 I started taking
southernyankeebelle
Jan 2013
#4
Actually the CDC now recommends it for everyone, unless the person is allergic to the vaccine
still_one
Jan 2013
#103
I think if you are in a medical field you should get it. Especially if they work in hospitals.
southernyankeebelle
Jan 2013
#104
Then no one should be allowed in the hospital without proof of having received a flu shot
snappyturtle
Jan 2013
#5
Actually some hospitals are banning children to try and keep it under control
cstanleytech
Jan 2013
#17
It's actually not that good a point. Nurses are hovering over patients 24/7. Visitors and doctors...
Moonwalk
Jan 2013
#105
Did you get a three-day flu or did you get a virus that laid you out flat for months...
Moonwalk
Jan 2013
#140
Fine by me, but you should read up on the influenza virus of 1918. It's why we have...
Moonwalk
Jan 2013
#187
wrong- from the article "Of the hospital's 26,000 employees statewide, 95 percent complied...
Beaverhausen
Jan 2013
#121
not even close. Do visitors deal with patients everyday? This is not only to protect the hospital
still_one
Jan 2013
#106
It's true that viruses and bacteria are little, wee things, but as Shakespeare said...
Hekate
Jan 2013
#95
Quote: "What is wrong with folks who want to sack people for the little things?"
Hekate
Jan 2013
#128
Why do you hate old people and babies that get the flu while in the hospital?
Major Nikon
Jan 2013
#148
Disease is spread mostly by touch, not whether one is sick or not. And even then
SWTORFanatic
Jan 2013
#170
At what point are you willing to make a person sacrifice their bodily autonomy for
SWTORFanatic
Jan 2013
#184
The point at which it places other lives at danger isn't a bad place to start
Major Nikon
Jan 2013
#188
No, it is more sore than "makes me angry when I try to work out" - it is sore enough
SWTORFanatic
Jan 2013
#193
I wonder if the nasal vaccine would be better for you. People coming to work sick makes me
uppityperson
Jan 2013
#150
The noose is rapidly closing in on the collective neck of health freedom in America,
lunasun
Jan 2013
#2
If Mary had washed her hands (or better, washed her hands and wore gloves)
SWTORFanatic
Jan 2013
#143
The person who makes your sandwich should have the freedom to not wash their hands.
alphafemale
Jan 2013
#15
So they stay home, as they would if they had a cold or any other communicable illness.
Puzzledtraveller
Jan 2013
#72
No one is forcing her to work there. She is free to borrow $20k from her parents and
kestrel91316
Jan 2013
#134
I wish the obviously sick grocery packer who packed my groceries this evening
snappyturtle
Jan 2013
#10
It can be devastating to me too if I miss 3 days of work due to contact with her. Where
snappyturtle
Jan 2013
#43
Management may not allow her to work even with a mask and masks only work for a short
uppityperson
Jan 2013
#153
+1000 - when I taught 6th grade, I got sick every other week b/c the kids were sent to school sick
wordpix
Jan 2013
#161
Lying there in the hospital in a weakened state, immune system compromised, infant or oldster...
Hekate
Jan 2013
#9
A large portion of people in our State got the shot and still got the flu. The flu
glinda
Jan 2013
#12
It takes a while for the flu shot to build up the immunity. If you have the shot and
Mojorabbit
Jan 2013
#16
You are right: that is classic influenza and it can kill. I'm currently reading...
Hekate
Jan 2013
#38
The problem for the Hospital is this nurse was permitted NOT to take the vaccine for 21 years.
happyslug
Jan 2013
#24
my mom has advanced Alzheimer's & home health aides coming & going 24/7, along with me who works
wordpix
Jan 2013
#36
we use the gloves but the masks are a great idea - they'd probably scare her, though
wordpix
Jan 2013
#159
Yeah, that might not be a good idea, i.e. the mask. Don't do mask if it scares her.
ReRe
Jan 2013
#163
similar to my Mom at home /w family care 24/7. Was routine, her Dr. always gave the flu vaccine.
Sunlei
Jan 2013
#76
I haven't taken mom for flu vaccine, and she hasn't had flu for 5 yrs. with Alzheimer's
wordpix
Jan 2013
#158
May their convictions towards their own personal choices find them well in their next career(s)...
Earth_First
Jan 2013
#49
Several years ago, I worked in a hospital in which employees were told to take flu shots.
AdHocSolver
Jan 2013
#50
At least in California if a healthcare person who deals with patients does not take the flu vaccine,
still_one
Jan 2013
#102
I get the flu shot every year now. Especially since that new strain cropped up that
kestrel91316
Jan 2013
#135
I wonder how high on the pay scale and close to retirement these nurses were. nt
eilen
Jan 2013
#138
A nurse that gets a flu shot but does not wash his or her hands is far more
SWTORFanatic
Jan 2013
#145
Who stands close to a couching or sneezing person? If you do that I guess you are asking to get sick
SWTORFanatic
Jan 2013
#178
CAN spread up to 6 feet, but unlikely. And again, you have to be sick (so you should stay home if
SWTORFanatic
Jan 2013
#182
No, do you have problems reading? It says surfaces less often. It does not say
SWTORFanatic
Jan 2013
#185
every fly in a plane or go to the store? you are exposed and close to sick people & share the air.
Sunlei
Jan 2013
#192
I have no sympathy for them. One of my friends almost died from influenza this week. n/t
RKP5637
Jan 2013
#151
Hey, hospitals are not hiring someone if they are a nicotine user on their own time. What is the
Purveyor
Jan 2013
#152
Taking the flu vaccine would have little effect on passing the disease to someone else.
AdHocSolver
Jan 2013
#200
Contracting the flu when you are already sick enough to be hospitalized can be
appleannie1
Jan 2013
#201
There is no evidence that vaccinating healthcare workers prevents flu in elderly patients.
Prometheus Bound
Jan 2013
#211