Swine Flu Vaccination: Risks and Benefits

Every year, thousands of people get vaccinated for the seasonal influenza virus. While viruses are not curable yet, vaccines are one way to deal with the massive problem of the spread of influenza. With the threat of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, looming over this year’s flu season, it’s important to know what to expect when receiving a swine flu vaccination. There is a lot of controversy around the use of vaccinations for the Swine Flu, especially when rushed to market. Here are some pros and cons, how do you weigh-in?”

Benefits of the Swine Flu Vaccine

Every flu season has the potential to cause a lot of illness, doctor’s visits, hospitalizations and deaths. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is concerned that the new H1N1 flu virus could result in a particularly severe 2009-2010 flu season. Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent influenza. The CDC hopes that people will start to go out and get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available at their doctor’s offices and in their communities. (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm)

Risks of the Swine Flu Vaccine

CDC expects that any side effects following vaccination with the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine would be rare. If side effects occur, they will likely be similar to those experienced following seasonal influenza vaccine. Mild problems that may be experienced include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fainting (mainly adolescents), headache, muscle aches, fever, and nausea. If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days. Life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot is given.

Vaccines are the medical solution to our fear of disease. The downside to the fear of becoming sick is that sometimes being vaccinated is the cause of illness when it might have been avoided altogether with proper prevention. Vaccines have helped to nearly eradicate many diseases and afflictions, and with the appropriate care and medical attention can still be a great way to prevent severe illness.