Comments on: Shifts in student routines may explain 2009′s H1N1 surge, Bates researchers find

By: Jeng

Jeng — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:07:06 +0000

Whoa, whoa, whoa Are you arguing the point that those folks that do not fall in the high need caogtery should not have access to it? I believe the free clinic was intended to serve that audience, but it was left to each person to fill out the form truthfully. And we all know what happens when individuals are left to govern themselves Or, are you still trying to argue that it’s tough see a mass of people gather for a government hand out?And how is this different than when the Governor calls a State of Emergency for an unruly forest fire which allows the government (state and federal, right?) to step in and provide resources and money to help put it out?At any rate, I think we do agree that if the vaccine was distributed better everyone could get it just like they do with the seasonal vaccine (their doctor, Raley’s, Walgreen’s, their employer, etc.).

By: Younq

Younq — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:16:58 +0000

A healthy uennrstandidg of the impact of influenza on the population in general, at risk groups, and the health care system is important if you are going to debate the usefulness of the flu vaccine. It’s probably also wise to understand how the components of the vaccine are determined before passing judgement.On average, the flu and its complications send about 20,000 Canadians to hospital every year, and between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians die. I would say that efforts to prevent an illness with these impacts is a relatively good use of time and resources.The components of the vaccine are determined by predicting what will be the most commonly circulating and severe strains of the flu in any given season. Strains of the flu are named based on when they are initially identified, and because the flu virus constantly changes (mutates), new strains are constantly being identified. So, because the name of the strain has 2009 in it, doesn’t make it an obsolete virus. And, because the flu vaccine is constantly being updated new recommendations are made every year for the components of the vaccine, it’s actually more like having a state of the art sound system or perhaps more like having the iPhone 4S loaded with iCloud and all the other latest and greatest apps.

By: Alice Haines MD

Alice Haines MD — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:14:21 +0000

Only the nasal vaccine is live attenuated. The injected vaccine is “inactivate” (dead).

By: Jay Burns

Jay Burns — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:05:29 +0000

One of the key points that I heard from researchers Palin and Greer as I did the story was that of the students who got the flu several days after the two clinics, some had attended the clinic and some did not attend the clinic. So there’s no link between the clinic itself and the spike — the reason has to do with how student traffic flow changed on those two days, bringing students into contact with different students on those days.

Also, to repeat what Tpowell said, and Karen Palin just repeated to me, vaccines really don’t cause the flu. Really! If students felt ill at Bates in the third and fourth weeks of October 2009, there could be many other legitimate reasons! Best, Jay Burns, editor, Bates Magazine

By: Tpowell

Tpowell — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:24:24 +0000

Dear Anon,
No!!! Flu vaccines cannot and do not give anyone the flu. That is a common myth for which there is no evidence. There is no scientific debate on this issue whatever. Vaccines are imperfect, however, in that they don’t provide 100% protection. You are much better off if you get a flu vaccine. Perhaps more importantly, you will not be able to spread the flu to those more vulnerable than you. Influenza is a serious cause of mortality among those with compromised immune systems, including the frail elderly, young children, and cancer patients.

By: anon

anon — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:57:06 +0000

I definitely recall a feeling around campus that the vaccine led to people feeling worse because of the live virus inside. There also was skepticism about whether the nasal vaccine or the other option (needle? not sure) was more effective or left you more prone to illness.

Of course this is all from memory and I would be interested to hear if Meredith Greer and co. did consider these things.

By: anon

anon — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:50:32 +0000

Could the vaccines have been faulty? Giving people the disease instead of protecting them from it?