Reader comments
H1N1 flu kills 5 more Utahns
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Needless losses | 9:54 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Those age 65 and older are denied or discouraged from receiving the vaccine
because they are not on the priority list. They are supposed to have some
built-in immunity. It now appears that the price of that age discrimination is
the death of some of our friends and loved ones. How very sad.
Who do we thank or blame? | 12:10 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Let's see we do bot have enough H1N1 vaccine to go around.
People are dying because of no vaccine.
Where does the blame fall? Who had the responsibility of planning during the last couple of years?
People are dying because of no vaccine.
Where does the blame fall? Who had the responsibility of planning during the last couple of years?
Scary thought | 1:05 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
More people are gaining immunity because they have already had the H1N1 flu than
have been vaccinated. I certainly hope that can be reversed.
Comments continue below
merit | 2:05 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
I have never believed the explanation that people over 65 have acquired partial
or total immunity to H1N1 from exposure to a similar virus. I think the low
infection rates so far is because older people (outside of nursing
homes)aren't usually in very close contact with others, like children and
college students are. Once the grandchildren and children start picking it up at
school, they will be carrying it to their older relatives. Children play a major
(but underestimated) role in the spread of contagious disease.
El Guapo | 4:06 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Needless, you're hyperventilating. Take a deep breath. Old people usually
die of something--they can't live forever.
An Old Guy | 7:58 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
I want out of here!
70 and has H1N1 | 8:23 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
To El Guapo and neither will you.
Not to old lady | 8:39 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
El Guapo should be ashamed of his self! Young people die of something also. I
firmaly belive that OLD people should be able to get the shot if they think they
need it. Many have conditions that they should get the shot!
xscribe | 8:58 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Oh, where to start: @Needless losses: Those over 65 may be denied the vaccine
at the moment, until there is enough for the higher-risk groups. Those also
denied at the moment are healthy adults with no underlying issues. There is no
age discrimination.
Another poster wants to "blame" someone, as if a vaccine can just magically be made. As for the two-year time frame: This swine-flu strain became known in April of this year, not two years ago.
And Merit believes there's some conspiracy theory about older people not having some immunity to this. As with all flu viruses, just because you have some immunity doesn't mean you won't get the flu. The CDC (a government program, by the way) study has shown that those over 65 - and not everyone over 65 - may have been exposed to an earlier swine-flu virus and have some immunity. But again, that doesn't mean you won't get sick. It's not a cure. And as far as I know, this year's swine-flu shot is not a one-time deal, and will be added to the seasonal flu shot for years to come.
Another poster wants to "blame" someone, as if a vaccine can just magically be made. As for the two-year time frame: This swine-flu strain became known in April of this year, not two years ago.
And Merit believes there's some conspiracy theory about older people not having some immunity to this. As with all flu viruses, just because you have some immunity doesn't mean you won't get the flu. The CDC (a government program, by the way) study has shown that those over 65 - and not everyone over 65 - may have been exposed to an earlier swine-flu virus and have some immunity. But again, that doesn't mean you won't get sick. It's not a cure. And as far as I know, this year's swine-flu shot is not a one-time deal, and will be added to the seasonal flu shot for years to come.
storyweaver | 9:07 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
It would be interesting to watch or have someone monitor the ratio of H1N1 flu
cases of those who have received the flu shot versus those who have not.
There are many who believe that the remedy does not provide a cure, but multiplies the disease.
Is this another crisis that needs to be taken advantage of so we'll all get on the unConstitutional socialist health care band wagon?
There are many who believe that the remedy does not provide a cure, but multiplies the disease.
Is this another crisis that needs to be taken advantage of so we'll all get on the unConstitutional socialist health care band wagon?
Anonymous | 9:13 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
I bet you anything these people took the vaccine.
Anonymous | 9:15 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
The Shots are more dangerous than the flu. Don't get so excited.. My 77
year old mother refuses to take the shot anyway. Old people are generally
smarter than everyone else.
Grams | 9:28 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Has anyone tried playing "the devil's advocate" and considered the pros of NOT having the H1N1 vaccine? Do some research on your own and don't "follow the sheep to the slaughter."
Anonymous | 9:50 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
There's a good article on the acquired immunity for older people in the
current issue of Scientific American. Older people were exposed to a similar
flu strain in the 70s.
Anonymous | 10:01 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
How many people have died from the regular flu this week? Why don't they
report that?
my kids have the flu and | 10:45 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
and I think I have it too. Its been very mild and I think we have been very
lucky. Some people get sick for a week and my kids seem to just have a fever, a
bit of a cough, and a sore throat. My sone only vomited 1 time. I hope it is
almost over.
Not having the vaccine | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Here we go. Another vaccine to add to the list of growing vaccinations that the
Health Dept. "recommends" our children have. Did anyone read the
editorial a few weeks ago. It was so ridiculous it was laughable. If you
haven't read it you should. It was about not fearing the flu shot. Another
reader on Sept. 29 said to be "wary of the vaccine." When are we
going to stop injecting ourselves with every little thing out there. If we are
not careful, we will find we have not immune systems left to fight thing off.
Glad I'm not one of you | 11:01 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Why is Utah full of so many conspiracy freaks that think vaccinces are a tool
for some type of wacky control? Thank God for science!
No advertising needed | 11:01 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
They should save their money regarding the ad campaign to get vaccinated ---
many people want the vaccine but can't get it because they don't fall
into high-risk categories.
Straight Answers | 11:38 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Storyweaver: And there are people who believe we didn't land on the moon,
too. The fact that they believe it doesn't make it so.
Anonymous 9:13: Since persons over 65 have not been allowed to receive the vaccine due to shortages, it's unlikely any of these recent fatalities got the shot.
Anonymous 9:15: Got any data to back that up?
Some 2,000 Americans have died so far from influenza since the end of August, how many have died from receiving the vaccine? (Answer: 0).
Grams: Because of vaccine shortages, no one is going to be forced by the government to have the shot.
If you don't want it, then there are others who will.
Anonymous 10:01: Very few, since the regular flu season has not even started yet.
Anonymous 9:13: Since persons over 65 have not been allowed to receive the vaccine due to shortages, it's unlikely any of these recent fatalities got the shot.
Anonymous 9:15: Got any data to back that up?
Some 2,000 Americans have died so far from influenza since the end of August, how many have died from receiving the vaccine? (Answer: 0).
Grams: Because of vaccine shortages, no one is going to be forced by the government to have the shot.
If you don't want it, then there are others who will.
Anonymous 10:01: Very few, since the regular flu season has not even started yet.
Re: Not having the vaccine | 11:51 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
"When are we going to stop injecting ourselves with every little thing out
there. If we are not careful, we will find we have not immune systems left to
fight thing off."
Um, you need to study a bit more on how the human immune system actually functions.
Vaccines work because the immune system reacts to the dead or weakened virus particles or bacteria in the injection and forms antibodies to them.
Thus when a vaccinated person encounters the real thing, his immune system is already set to fight the disease and the person either doesn't get sick or gets a much milder illness.
We've known about this for over 200 years, people. A smart British doctor named Edward Jenner figured out that milk maids who were exposed to cowpox didn't come down with smallpox, and that scratching a person's arm with a needle dipped in cowpox would prevent that person from getting smallpox.
Thanks to his insight, today you don't need a smallpox shot because smallpox was eradicated 30 years ago through universal vaccination.
Um, you need to study a bit more on how the human immune system actually functions.
Vaccines work because the immune system reacts to the dead or weakened virus particles or bacteria in the injection and forms antibodies to them.
Thus when a vaccinated person encounters the real thing, his immune system is already set to fight the disease and the person either doesn't get sick or gets a much milder illness.
We've known about this for over 200 years, people. A smart British doctor named Edward Jenner figured out that milk maids who were exposed to cowpox didn't come down with smallpox, and that scratching a person's arm with a needle dipped in cowpox would prevent that person from getting smallpox.
Thanks to his insight, today you don't need a smallpox shot because smallpox was eradicated 30 years ago through universal vaccination.
Get a clue | 12:24 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Some of you posters who are claiming that the vaccine is a bad idea first need
to understand what a vaccine is and how it works. Your comments only
demonstrate your gross lack of education.
1776 | 2:46 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
It isnt just Utahans who question the integrity of this shot. People from many
states wonder what else may be in it, leathal ingredients. It isn't just
"science", which, by the way, wouldnt have thrived WITHOUT religion,
if you are implying that science is the "answer" to religion.
Anonymous | 3:15 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Let me guess- those of you posting about how "bad" the vaccine is for
you are not physicians who went to medical school. Well I am married to a
physician and simply said the vaccine is safe and if people are smart
they'll get it. Simple as that- but if you have lots of time on your hands
you can "research" conspiracy theories from stupid people on the
internet.
John Pack Lambert | 3:40 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
In the 9:50 commentator is correct and "older people were exposed to a
similar flu strain in the '70s" than why is it over 65 and not over 35
who are being told not to take the vaccine?
Anonymous | 5:08 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
This flu is rather mild. I had a runny nose followed by a violent coughing
fit,diahrea and vomiting only once. I was fine 14 hours later.
ReRe: Glad I'm not one of you. | 5:13 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
WOW! why is the media keeping paralysis from the vaccine a secret??? this is
pretty serious if you have seen that many cases of paralysis in people who were
vaccinated. I heard it could also sterlize some people from Alex Jones. This
government is evil republicans and democrats are putting on a WWE type of act.
They pretend to hate each other but in reality they vacation together.
anonymous | 5:20 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Bottom line is there are no long term studies of the vaccine. So we are the
trial.
JAYEG | 6:28 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
El Guapo...the victims mentioned in this article are not 'old
people'.
And many of the victims of this malady to date have been children.
Neither children, nor the elderly should be considered to be acceptable losses...just because people die sooner or later.
And many of the victims of this malady to date have been children.
Neither children, nor the elderly should be considered to be acceptable losses...just because people die sooner or later.
Anonymous | 8:37 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
It is my right to have a vaccine as well as everyone else's. And I
shouldn't have to pay for it either.
can be serious | 11:09 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
My two children got H1N1 in late Aug. The healthiest became the most ill. Had
complications-mastoid infection and ear infections. Run down, swollen lymph
nodes, still coughing. This was a serious disease.High fever, backache,
vomiting, sinus pressure with bad headache. leg aches, diarrhea ,lethargy and
still no appetite.( Like every flu combined into one.) Just when she started to
get better-wham- hit with another infection. Can't seem to kick this one.
Had a vaccine been available and I knew what I now know, I would have had both
kids receive it. I would drive to where I could get it now if I were a parent
with a healthy teenager.I can't stress enough how ill this makes some
teens. My teens are in isolation, but when I go to Target or Wall Mart or
Smiths, all I hear is that familiar cough cough cough--gag- choke- cough.
PARENTS..IF YOUR KIDS ARE COUGHING KEEP THEM ISOLATED-YOU ARE SPREADING THIS
DISEASE AND THERE ARE VACCINE SHORTAGES! The fever may be gone, but they are
very contagious and because it is respiratory, it is airborne. Stay Home.PROTECT
OUR ELDERLY
Winston | 9:27 a.m. Oct. 23, 2009
I will NEVER receive a flu vaccine. I know a person that contracted
Guillain-Barre' Syndrome due to a flu shot that he received. It caused
paralysis that slowly worked through his body, beginning with his legs, and it
took about a year of intense PT and being in and out of the hospital before he
recovered. Read about GBS online - I'd much rather take my chances with
the flu! I think the media has everyone scared into a frenzy over the swine
flu. If the vaccines were free & were available to everyone, I would still
choose not to have it. I think having the flu occasionally helps our immune
systems. If you're a healthy person, don't ignore the symptoms,
drink plenty of fluids, monitor your body temperature & see your doctor if
you'd had flu symptoms for more than a few days, I think it's very
rare that you would die from the swine flu.
Thank you | 8:25 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009
You have all provided me with an entertaining morning with your uneducated
conspiracies. Thank you!
Anonymous | 1:05 p.m. Oct. 28, 2009
FIrst of all CDC states over 98% of flu is now H1n1, and yess, some people get
it mild. Some dont. My 5 yr old son tested positive for it in June. We live
near Chicago. He had a fever for two weeks between 99.9 and 104 F. He ate almost
nothing. Cried and moaned awake and asleep. Complained of terrible backache,leg
pain, neck pain, headache, runny nose, nausea. Funny thing was, he didnt cough
that much until the fever finally left. He then coughed for 2-3 weeks straight.
So just cuz one gets it mild or not at all, dont forget we all have different
make up, and what may seem like nothing to you can kill someone else. SO STAY
HOME IF YOUR SICK>>>>>>>>>
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