Well, here I am working in the Virology laboratory and wondering how bureaucracies ever even function. Everybody is all worked up over killer bird flu, meanwhile our funding for influenza is less than ever.
Don't get me wrong, I think that in the long run all the hype over bird flu is good. There will eventually be a pandemic, and it will be terrible; the sooner we recognize that the better. I doubt though that a government solution will do much good however. What relavent and timely solutions could possibly come from a bureaucracy?
Here we are in one of the most talked about 'flu seasons ever, one year after the horrendous vaccine shortage, and they cut influenza funding once again. Two years ago our budget for influenza testing and surveillance was 10,000 dollars. Last year it was cut to 2,000, and for the year 2006.... $285! Just when everyone is starting to CARE about the flu!
If you are looking for a "killer 'flu" though, I have one for you... this year! We got our first confirmed flu cases a few weeks ago, and already I have confirmed at least three flu deaths for the medical examiner. Two infants today alone (both 5 months). Interestingly enough, I just got a sample from the medical examiner today fro, an infant from Fountain Green, with a last name I recognise.
I think it is a little ironic that the public can get so hyped-up about a potential disease threat like bird flu, while Utah ranks second-to-last in the nation for childhood immunization rates. Isn't that just a bit backward? I also think it is a bit funny that we are willing to spend so much time and money preparing for potential threats, while the people at the most risk for infection in our society are still unable to afford and/or understand the importance of simple vaccinations.
That is backward.
ReplyDeleteBut, who can't afford vaccinations? Community health places offer them for free, and they are also free (or perhaps $2 or whatever the copay is now, although immunization copays are usually waived) for anyone on Medicaid or Medicare. My insurance also paid for my children's flu vaccine: we just had to shop around a little to find one.
What I think is a little scary is that there are only a couple of places that now make the flu vaccine (there used to be dozens). Big lawsuits hurt, and things are so government regulated now that it is extremely tough for a company to make a vaccine anymore. Much whining has occurred because of shortages, but when your main supplier creates a bad batch and there is no backup, what do you expect?
This is too long, but you know what else I don't get? There is a big movement out there (and it is big in Utah, too) scaring people into not get their children immunized. Never mind that you statistically more likely to be eaten by a shark or something than have anything go wrong! A fellow on Townhall I read was also geeking out about the fact that mercury is used in one of the solvent bases (it is miniscule); about a week later another writer (not affiliated with the aformentioned one) reminded everyone that the mercury used is miniscule, but it almost never used anymore! But some people insist that vaccinations are more deadly than skipping them. But how do you convince passionate know-it-alls?
I have a co-worker....very smart, member of MENSA...and usually I consider her very wise and open-minded. I value her opinions. But one of her new theories is that vaccines are probably causing all the newer childhood illnesses such as leukemia. I agree that it could possibly be hard on a small child's body to give them vaccines for several illnesses at once.... but I even question that one. Her argument even almost had me convinced....til I really thought about it. I don't really want my future kids to get rubella and the measles and... Anyway. I know I am one to avoid reading the papers and watching the news...and I am pretty out of it when it comes to what is going on in the world and especially in politics, but I never know who to listen to or what to believe anyway. My ignorance really seems to be bliss.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the rumors run rampant, evidently childhood immuniztions cause leukemia, parkinsons, and of course autism! But seriously, there has never been any real scientific evidence that any of that is true.
ReplyDeleteThere is some evidence though that leukemia is caused by VIRAL INFECTIONS (some of which could be prevented with vaccines) http://www.foodconsumer.org/777/8/Infections_cause_childhood_leukemia_brain_tumors_.shtml
As far as people not being able to afford vaccinations dave, I know there is a group of people who feel they can't, like me when I was working and in school, even though my wages were below poverty, medicare/medicaid wouldn't cover me. Also, recent immigrants who are not yet citizens cannot be covered (they are covered for emergency services, but not preventive services.. now you know why the emergency rooms get so full.) So cherrie wasn't covered durring this time either, and since i didn't work enough hours to get insurance, we couldn't get cherrie immunized.