Opposition to swine flu vaccine (BMJ)

[Why Syzygy]

Opposition to swine flu vaccine seems to be growing worldwide

Zosia Kmietowicz
1 London, and BMJ correspondents in North America, Europe, Asia, and South Africa

As governments gear up to launch national vaccination programmes against swine flu, questions are beginning to emerge about how many people will be prepared to take up the offer of the vaccine.

A survey published online this week in the BMJ found that just over half of 8500 healthcare workers in Hong Kong said they would not be vaccinated against swine flu because of fears of side effects and doubts about the vaccine’s effectiveness (BMJ 2009;339:b3391, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3391).

Evidence from 11 focus groups conducted in Canada before the current pandemic also indicates that parents and healthcare workers may refuse to be vaccinated or to vaccinate their children if they believe that the risks outweigh the benefits (Emerging Health Threats Journal 2009;2:e8, www.eht-forum.org/ehtj/journal/v2/pdf/ehtj09008a.pdf). And a survey by Israel’s ministry of health similarly found that at least 25% of the population is not willing to be vaccinated against swine flu.

Last week England’s chief medical officer, Liam Donaldson, shrugged off suggestions that NHS staff might turn down the vaccine when it is made available in the next few months. A poll of nurses found that a third would reject the offer (BMJ 2009;339:b3421, 21 Aug, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3421). Professor Donaldson said that anecdotal evidence from conversations with NHS managers suggests that "NHS staff are anxious to get the vaccine." (...)

WHO figures to 13 August show that there have been 1799 confirmed deaths from swine flu worldwide. In the US the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 522 deaths from swine flu by 15 August. Europe has had 83 confirmed deaths, most (59) of them in the UK. (...)

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/aug26_1/b3461

[stray cat]

1. Since there is not enough vaccine for those who want immunized it would be fine

except those in the health profession will be contagious before they feel sick so they will infect their patients.

[Why Syzygy]

4. I had to clip this part

to fit within DU guidelines:


In England the Department of Health is spending £2.2m (2.5m; $3.6m) on 14 fast tracked research projects into swine flu. Studies will look at various aspects of the infection, including estimates of how long someone is contagious and what a "safe distance" from an infected person might be. Other studies will look at the management and treatment of swine flu, such as which patients should be admitted to hospital, and whether closing schools helps prevent spread. The first results of the research are expected by the end of the year.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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[Mist]

3. "1,700 deaths from swine flu worldwide." OR, a whopping .0004% of population. nt

[HuckleB]

5. I wonder...

...how many of those who claim they will refrain from the swine flu vaccine already refrain from the annual flu vaccine?

Would such a percentage of health care professionals saying no to a flu vaccine be unusual?

[midnight]

6. I reccomended this, but it doesn't show up?

[Why Syzygy]

7. Unrec probably cancelled it out.

I have a fair sized anti-fan base.