Swine Flu Strife

I have always been a bit wary of the swine flu vaccine. Is the shot trustworthy? After all, testing just began in August—have its long term effects been properly tested? Such questions leave me in a state of doubt; I swap from one side to the other. Should I be cautious and protect myself from the swine flu, or should I remain suspicious of the relatively new vaccination? Overall, however, when I need to make a final decision (for this question is very real), I think I will refuse the swine flu vaccine. I do not have any underlying medical conditions, nor do I get sick very often. Receiving the vaccine seems like an unnecessary risk to me. (If the disease were to flood Penn’s campus, however, I would most likely reconsider this decision.)

Another reason I would decline the vaccine revolves around need: many others need the vaccination much more than I do. Pregnant women, young children, and health care workers with direct patient contact should all receive the first doses when faced with a limited supply (2). One mathematical model, created by Medlock and Alison Galvani of Yale University, determines the best distribution by age for vaccinations. According to this model, children ages 5-19 and adults ages 30-39 should be inoculated first, the idea being that the disease travels from the schoolroom to the parents to the community. By vaccinating those most likely to spread the sickness, this model attempts to halt transmission and minimize the number of reported cases (1). I am a bit mistrustful of this method, however. The theoretical model was created almost 50 years ago, so it does not apply directly to the swine flu. Does this fact render the model obsolete or inappropriate? I would think so; but then again, I am not really qualified to make that sort of decision.

Many measures have already been taken in the battle against the swine flu. Everywhere I look, a hand sanitizer machine protrudes from the wall, reminding us of the need to stay clean and healthy (as if we could forget). I have always thought some sort of “spray” sanitizer would also be helpful. Many people do not take advantage of the manual hand sanitizers, but a spray would be easy and more universal. If such a feat proves impossible, perhaps Penn (or anywhere) could make hand sanitizing necessary before entering certain places. I went on a cruise last summer, and every time my family entered the dining room, we had to wait in a line to receive antibacterial soap—it was required. Such simple measures may serve us much more than we can imagine.

Sources:
1. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1917707,00.html
2. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32206655/ns/health-swine_flu/