General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFor those freaking out about the coronavirus, if they develop a vaccine, will you get it?
I'm only asking because influenza is still the much deadlier killer of the two viruses, and yet I've lost count of the patients who have refused the flu vaccine, despite my best efforts to convince them of its general efficacy, and the virulence of the flu virus.
Because if you want to develop talking points about how a coronavirus vaccine has polonium in it, or it doesn't come with a package insert, or washing your hands a lot is more effective, or Big Pharma execs by a yacht with the proceeds of every dose of vaccine, or Jim Carrey says not to, now is your opportunity, before the immunization is developed.
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)Aristus
(66,275 posts)It's much cheaper to offer vaccine free or at low cost than it is to contain a pandemic.
Today's market meltdown shaved about $6,000 of my retirement account.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)we can do it
(12,166 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,576 posts)Aristus
(66,275 posts)One can always tell them by their favorite refusal: "I just don't want to."
No talking points. No "Jenny McCarthy said..." No refutation of the science of immunization. Just "I just don't want to..." The only thing worse than an anti-vaxxer is a lazy anti-vaxxer.
Qanisqineq
(4,826 posts)I don't usually get the flu vaccine because I am unemployed and not really around a lot of people. My husband has to get it due to the military. Now that my daughter has started kindergarten, I wish I had gotten it this year!
Anyway, I would get the coronavirus vaccine. We were planning on visiting South Korea this summer but don't know what will happen now. We lived there for many years, mostly in Daegu -- the city with the big outbreak -- and want to move back. My daughter's heart is broken. She's never been to Korea and she wanted to go to the dinosaur expo taking place this year.
still get it for her. Its not to late. They think now the flu will be around through April.
unblock
(52,113 posts)isn't coronavirus a term for a whole category of viruses that cause variants of the cold or the flu?
and isn't covid-19 merely the latest strain?
with, apparently, a possibly slightly higher death rate (and that, possibly just because no specific vaccine for it yet exists)?
anyway, i already got the "normal" flu vaccine. of course i'd get the covid-19 vaccine for the whole family whenever it should become available....
defacto7
(13,485 posts)You are off on one point... it's not slightly more deadly. It's considerably more deadly. People are still using the 2% number but the experts are not. Even so, 2% vs. .05% is a big difference.
unblock
(52,113 posts)asked another way, what would the death rate for "ordinary" flu be in a completely un-vaccinated community?
defacto7
(13,485 posts)How many get it how many don't? I know a lot of people who do not. I know family members who just didn't have the time the last couple years. I just don't know.
The problem with COVID-19 is no one will be vaccinated for probably the next year or so. This thing mutates fast so they need to come up with something wide spectrum enough to make it viable or it will just keep becoming obsolete.
But it will take over a year. Influenza isnt the most deadly, because we dont know what the coronavirus final numbers will be. Were not even sure of its RO, but its higher then influenza.
GET YOUR VACCINES.
Raftergirl
(1,283 posts)I get flu shot every year. I got the pneumonia shot (good for ten years) and both the original shingles vaccine and the new and improved vaccine.
I dont want to get anything that could be prevented.
ooky
(8,905 posts)After nearly dying from a virus in 2012, the lesson I learned is don't screw around with a virus - it can kill your ass.
Nonhlanhla
(2,074 posts)If they made it available today, I would have been in line at the pharmacy at 5 AM. I'm an asthmatic, so this thing has a high likelihood of killing me if I get it. I'm frankly quite terrified.
NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)but, I think the mortality rate so far is much higher.
Aristus
(66,275 posts)When I recite the mortality rate so far this flu season due to the influenza virus, they still shrug and say: "I just don't want to."
bronxiteforever
(9,287 posts)Crunchy Frog
(26,574 posts)And I have to for my job, so I do, I would absolutely get a coronavirus vaccine.
Yes the number of deaths from flu are greater so far, because of the vast number of cases, but for any given individual who gets the flu, the risk of death is very low, unless there are other factors at play.
Coronavirus appears to have a dramatically higher risk of severe illness, and death than the flu does.
I'd like an honest answer from you on this, if you were given a choice between getting the flu and getting a case of coronavirus, which one would you choose?
Aristus
(66,275 posts)The flu, because I've been vaccinated.
Crunchy Frog
(26,574 posts)GETTING the flu and GETTING the coronavirus, I would go with the flu.
I'm guessing that you're not going to actually answer the question I asked you.
Aristus
(66,275 posts)It's designed to elicit an unfavorable answer either way.
Crunchy Frog
(26,574 posts)misanthrope
(7,408 posts)My pulmonologist would likely advise me getting the vaccine.
Iggo
(47,534 posts)3catwoman3
(23,943 posts)I_UndergroundPanther
(12,462 posts)I will get it because I am diabetic.
Johnny2X2X
(18,968 posts)They think it will work, mass production and distribution will take some time though.
Liberal In Texas
(13,528 posts)Effective as well.
Aristus
(66,275 posts)Excellent.
Retrograde
(10,128 posts)I hope it's not like the new shingles vaccine, which seems to be hard to get around here.
MontanaMama
(23,294 posts)My copay for that vaccination is $275.
Hearthrob
(84 posts)Don't worry. Trump has already ordered more cages from his secret for profit prison builder 18th cousin.
Any vaccine refusers will be admtted on a first come basis pending insurance for out of network coverage. He has already arranged for treble copays and deductibles in advance. He has promised to arrange for asylum seekers without insurance to volunteer to share space on the banks of the Rio Grande if the non insured will bring their own bedding and teach undoc. residents how to cook American dishes on a budget. It will then be declared a national emergency so any survivors left will be trained in wall building.
.
ploppy
(2,162 posts)having the measles, mumps and chicken pox like it was yesterday. I will get a vaccine for anything!!
brewens
(13,536 posts)I get a flue shot every year now, but I've had the flue a few times and it wasn't as bad as what the corona virus sounds like.
Dorian Gray
(13,479 posts)absolutely.
Jirel
(2,013 posts)We have a bad record when rushing out poorly tested vaccines, which may be the case with a quick release on a COVID-19 vaccine. (Remember the problems with the experimental anthrax vaccine in the Gulf War? The failed HIV vac test?) Ill be watching carefully and get it if it seems to be going well, but wont be one of the earliest adopters.
Utter.
Yup
Raine
(30,540 posts)AJT
(5,240 posts)csziggy
(34,131 posts)I am at risk for respiratory infections. In fact, just as I opened this thread I was thinking I needed to get the flu vaccine which was not available the last time I tried. And I need to check with my doctor's office if I should update my pneumonia vaccine. I got one of the older ones when it was first introduced and I am not sure if there is a need to get a booster or a newer version now.
spinbaby
(15,088 posts)I get vaccinated for everything. Why wouldnt I?
defacto7
(13,485 posts)melm00se
(4,984 posts)I would look at getting the vaccine if there is sufficient availability to cover the people who truly need it and then there is enough for me.
klook
(12,151 posts)It should go to the hardest-hit countries and regions first. Of course, with our Me first, fuck-all-yall federal government at the moment, theyll probably want to hoard it for Murkans.
I'm getting old enough to not screw around with this stuff anymore. However, I always got my shots.
DavidDvorkin
(19,465 posts)And for the same reason that I get a flu shot every year.
Midnight Writer
(21,693 posts)Aristus
(66,275 posts)which includes a number of viruses responsible for influenza and the common cold, the likelihood is yes. But with the caveat that if the virus mutates from season to season, like a number of others, then when a vaccine is developed, it will probably become standard to administer it every year.
Midnight Writer
(21,693 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I get the flu shot every year as well.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)Please
Amishman
(5,553 posts)~2700 dead, ~80000 known cases gives 3.375%
Put into a pandemic setting where quality of care drops due to system strain, and that easily doubles.
This thing is very frightening
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)onecaliberal
(32,775 posts)klook
(12,151 posts)AlexSFCA
(6,137 posts)Skittles
(153,104 posts)people I work with freaking out over coronavirus, they refuse to get FLU shots (you know, the usual selfish I NEVER GET THE FLU reason)
jimfields33
(15,669 posts)Im a vaccine taker but is this really necessary? 65 out of 325 million have/had it and no deaths in the United States.
Aristus
(66,275 posts)But the important thing to remember is that vaccines are not just about preventing an individual patient from getting sick, but also about preventing the spread of the disease.
The 'invisible benefit' of vaccines, that if no one gets sick that means it was successful, can often harm the concept of vaccination itself. I.E: "No one is getting sick, so what's the point of getting immunized?"
If a safe and effective vaccine is developed, we should all get it to ensure a decrease in the spread of the virus.
jimfields33
(15,669 posts)Response to jimfields33 (Reply #57)
Post removed
jimfields33
(15,669 posts)jpljr77
(1,004 posts)Now, if you had said that the flu kills more people, then yes, you're right. But this virus' morbidity rate is somewhere around 3%....flu is absolutely nowhere near that, making the novel coronavirus a "much deadlier killer" than flu.
We get it, you love vaccines.
Aristus
(66,275 posts)I don't want them to help me pick out curtains or anything. Just help check the spread of disease.
Although relative morbidity is certainly an important factor, it doesn't decrease the necessity of getting vaccines for the diseases for which they are available. Right now, with coronavirus, the issue is containment.
For all the people out there who say: "I don't need a vaccine. I wash my hands very carefully and never sneeze without covering my face" this is their chance to shine. They can help reduce the spread of coronavirus and buy us some time to develop an immunization.
Crunchy Frog
(26,574 posts)In this country there are barely any deaths from rabies and thousands of deaths every year from flu.
Would you prefer your chances with a case of rabies, or a case of flu?
(Rhetorical question.)
Ex Lurker
(3,811 posts)But I would hate to give it to someone else.
roamer65
(36,744 posts)Maybe. Its a judgment call like anything else in life.
If they get one...if they have enough...if the virus doesnt burn out...if the vaccine doesnt cause severe allergic reactions...etc, etc.
3catwoman3
(23,943 posts)...persuade parents who do not wish to immunize is generally an exercise in futility. Sometimes, I dont even wan to try.
One of my favorite moms in our practice does all the school vaccines with no hesitation. For reasons not clear to me, she allows her kids, 12, 8, and 5, to decide whether or not they want to get the flu shot. Guess what choice they make. I want to ask her, Why the hell do you let them choose? but of course, I cannot do that.
We had one mom who was absolutely terrified that we would make an immunization error. Educated as a peds nurse practitioner but never worked as one. She insisted that the entire procedure be done under her observation - draw up the diligent, mix it with the vaccine material, and draw it up. Atypical, but we accommodated her preference, She worried about lot of other things, too. Didnt want her kids to have todo the swimming classes in high school PE because the chlorine bothered them.
Imagine my surprise when, in the middle of the SARS epidemic in China she decided her kids just had to learn Mandarin, sho she took them to China. I was speechless.
Polybius
(15,331 posts)I want to see how people handle it first. I'd get it after a year if it's proven safe.
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)Staph
(6,251 posts)I'm a 66 year old, with chronic stage IV cancer, living with my healthy 96 year old mother. We get our flu shots (and other shots, too) annually.
I need to get my second pneumonia shot and the shingles vaccine soon. Thanks for the reminder!
Aristus
(66,275 posts)pnwmom
(108,955 posts)A week later the first cases of paralysis occurred.
So, no thanks. I'll let other people man the front lines this time.
Aristus
(66,275 posts)H1N1 vaccine has never been conclusively proven. The increased risk of GBS secondary to H1N1 vaccination is around 1 in 100,000. One thing the CDC is pretty sure of is that GBS is more common among those who were infected with influenza than patients who underwent the immunization.
pnwmom
(108,955 posts)and everyone who'd already had the vaccine, like me, had to sweat out the next couple weeks.
It wasn't fun. I was young and healthy and kicking myself for being among the first group of guinea pigs to line up for the new vaccine.
I'm not anti-vax. I get the regular flu vaccine every year and I was happy they invented the Shingles vaccine. But, like I said, I'll let others be the guinea pigs this time.
budkin
(6,698 posts)Most of whom are medically fragile.
captain queeg
(10,084 posts)Finally got my follow up shingles shot today. I dont think its 100% effective but Ive known people who got shingles and Id prefer to avoid it. Same with my annual flu shot.
pbmus
(12,422 posts)The shot will be offered...
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213011024
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Nah, didnt think so.
Totally Tunsie
(10,885 posts)In the meantime, already bought masks to have on hand if necessary and before the price quadruples.
wryter2000
(46,023 posts)Although Im not freaking out
Goodheart
(5,307 posts)Of course I will.
Fresh_Start
(11,330 posts)so we will get the vaccine to help keep them safe
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,315 posts)And I'm not really freaking out. If I get it, I think I'm strong enough to recover. If not, well, my heirs can throw a nice party.
But I am pretty old, if that's a danger. I was a "polio vaccine pioneer" back when that was being tested/introduced.
jpak
(41,756 posts)I'm pretty sure it would kill me...
LAS14
(13,769 posts)Aristus
(66,275 posts)Delmette2.0
(4,157 posts)I found out about 2 years ago that I don't have a right pulmonary artery. So, my right lung is there it just doesn't oxygenate my blood. I'm basically living off of one lung.
I'm also over 65.
Hell yes I'll get the vaccine.
geomon666
(7,512 posts)But I won't go out of my way to ask for it.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)But they probably would not take me. Too old, too many other problems.
You can bet I will line up to get it though.
Raine
(30,540 posts)into production so fast.