This is not to cause a debate, but I'm against the flu vaccine, but I'm a caretaker for my Mom. I'm really having a huge conflict over this. I would also feel like a hypocrite taking the flu shot when I'm a writer and post articles about the dangers of the vaccine. But now, my mother's immunity is at stake since she is going for chemo and radiation - even if it's stage 0. (Thank God.) But it goes against every fiber of my being to take this shot. Is there anyone else out there that is a caregiver who is against the vaccine, who now takes it just to make sure their loved ones don't get sick? Once I stopped taking the vaccine years ago, I never got the flu again. It was only when I was actively getting the shots come autumn. Any advice?
The bigger problem? My partner is highly -- I mean, borderline conspiracy theory tin foil hat wearing freaked out about the vaccine. She refuses to take it. Although we have a large house -- I do not want to risk my mom getting sick. Maybe I should start another thread!!! How do I get her to take it, even if against her own views and beliefs on it? I mean, of course I can say, "Well, if you don't take the vaccine then move out" but she and I have always been on the SAME wavelength -- that this vaccine is very harmful. Recently, a young man died from a result of the vaccine, and more and more people are having neurological disorders because of it. I have references if people are going to 'argue' with that. I don't mean to scare you. I took the shot and took the risk for my mom. I just need my partner to agree with me as well.
She feels that it was all for nothing and is worried about MY health.
*sigh*
Now, the health proxy (my sister) refuses to take the vaccine as well, and she carts my mom around to the doctors too and spend a lot of time at the home. She said, "Well, if I get sick then I'll stay home." But isn't the incubation period a couple of weeks in our systems?
For me, I would never get the vaccine. But, to keep my mom safe --- of course. I value her life more than any "belief" I have. The only complaint I have as of now with the vaccine is that my arm ached for a whopping 2 days. BIG DEAL. But, I know that there are some ingredients that I am very fearful over. But my biggest fear is mom getting sick from me.
Have your partner wear a hospital mask when she sees your mother, hopefully that mask won't scare Mom. And don't have your partner hand anything to your Mom that she has handled any time during the day, or sneezed or cough near during the day as your partner can carry the flu bug for several weeks before it will make her sick, and during those weeks your partner can pass that virus to others who didn't have the flu shot.
TheBoogs, hope your Mom is doing well with her treatment.
And thank you so much for your advice and concern. I appreciate it.
I just hope when any of us need to go to the ER that we aren't waiting in line for hours on end because the ER exam rooms are filled with people who didn't want or who were afraid to get their flu shot [scared of needles] and are now very sick. Thus taking a bed from a person who was taking care of him/herself but had a medical emergency.
But to be around a cancer patient, yes I will risk my health with this poison and suck it up.
And freqflyer --- you don't think the ER has a bunch of idiots walking in there with a "headache" or some hypochondriacal illness and "fake heart attacks" because they had an anxiety attack? You're worried about people actually being sick "wasting" a bed, when someone in the next room had a bad case of gas? Think about it. Don't worry about hospital beds, because the cardiology floor has HALF or more patients who had GERD, staying there for 3 or more days getting stress tests, echocardiograms and anticoagulants because they're laying around in their bed for days. All because they needed a little Tums. Most of my family work in hospitals, so believe me, many beds "wasted" --- truly wasted. Being truly sick is not wasted.
Vaccines are an artificial immunization against a particular illness. When the vaccine is run it's course, you are no longer immune against the disease. If you actually produce your own immunity, it will last a lifetime. Artificial immunity can also trigger other immune responses in the body. The vaccines that are produced today are also vastly different than vaccines when we were all young. There are heavy metals and genetic material in them that can cause harmful effects.
As an individual, I am dead set against vaccines. The last time I had the flu was close to 20yrs ago.
Boogs, if you want to care for your Mom to have the best chance of fighting illness, give her the best possible food she will eat, rest and as much happy stimulation you can. I would recommend the same for you too.
Last flu season 105 children died from the flu. During the 2009 flu pandemic there were 348 pediatric deaths here in the States. Sadly, 90% of those deaths could have been prevented with a flu shot :(
Staying in the hospital for tests for 3 or more days? I question that. I had major surgery a few years back and I was out of the hospital in less than 24 hours. My sig had a battery of heart tests, etc, and he was in the hospital over night but the whole stay starting with the ER was less than 12 hours. No health insurance company will let anyone linger around waiting for testing to be done. If you are elderly, the hospital might keep you there for 3 days so you will be eligible to go into rehab.
We all have our choices, I've done research on flu shots and I prefer to go the way of preventive medicine. I wouldn't want my aging parents to get the flu because I didn't want to get my own flu shot and have it develop into severe pneumonia, and die... how would I be able to live with that? Thank goodness my parents think the same way I do, and now they are in their mid-90's, they still ask for me to take them for their flu shots [which they have been getting for over 30 years]... not once have they ever had a reaction to the shot.
Fact is, billions of dollars from vaccines: In 2012, it was $25B. I'm sure it's much more now. Despite the costs, the flu generally kills those who have weak immunities, babies and alertly or sick or those who do not get treatment and stay home trying to stick it out. There are so many people who do not want to go to the doctor.
In November 2013, a healthy 19-year old young man died from a routine exam that included the flu vaccine. Chandler Webb received the flu shot on October 15th, and then died on November 19th, 28 days later. Since the flu shot is considered safe in the medical field, doctors waited too long to suspect that the flu shot was causing Chandler’s rapidly deteriorating medical condition, according to his mother. She believes that if they had investigated the adverse reaction to the flu shot immediately, he might still be alive today. You can watch the interview here:
healthimpactnews/2014/flu-vaccine-is-the-most-dangerous-vaccine-in-the-united-states-based-on-settled-cases-for-injuries/
My point is: I did vaccinate myself against all beliefs, because there is a margin of error with any belief. I can say to the vast majority, "Yes, yes, I got the flu shot," in case mom does get the flu. But, they're not stating that they have no idea which strains are out there and using the most populated strains. That's uncertainty for me.
Nadiaa, which inaccuracies are you stating regarding "my blog"? I can back up all facts regarding my research and beliefs.
Regardless, I know that both sides: the anti-flu vaccination people and the pro-flu vaccination people ALL have flaws in their "certainty" that 'this will work' or 'that will work' 100%.
But now, it's not about me and my beliefs, it's about being a sheep for my mother. Roaming with the rest of the herd so that mom will be "safe" -- whatever that means.
The vaccine debate really can't be a debate since both sides are lacking information, while one side makes billions and billions of dollars. I'm open to hearing the other side, in fact, I went to 'the other side' and got the vaccine. My concerns are for my mom and how the herd wants me to vaccinate vaccinate vaccinate, to strains that do not exist right now. Pointless. Really pointless… but I did it.
Baaaa.
Can I be a sheep with occasional goaty moments, please?
Mind you, levity aside, it's a useful analogy all round. Because it's the quality of the shepherds that wants keeping an eye on - and that, in a democracy operating on the basis of informed consent, is everybody's concern. Pick good shepherds, or acquire postgraduate degrees in epidemiology, immunology and statistics and then "faîtes vos jeux…"
I rest my case. Baaaa.
I used to feel like you, but ended up with the flu. According to the pharmacist the newer flu vaccines have fewer side effects. No by mid October I am getting my flu shot.
And now, as I sit here and type without having a blip of the flu for years -- since I got the vaccine, I have the flu now.
The vaccine is just poison in my opinion, and through my experience, and through much research.
Five years ago when I had cancer, two weeks prior to surgery it was recommended that I get my flu shot immediately.... which I did.
The hospital where I do volunteer work, everyone who is employed or sub-contracted with the hospital [hospitality, guards, cleaning crew] or does volunteer work has to show paperwork that you received your yearly flu shot. Visitors must wear masks if they show any signs of a cold [the flu can mimic a cold].