Lukewarm Response to H1N1 Vaccine at Univ. of Florida
EmailABC News on Campus reporter Katie Sanders blogs:
About 100 students neglected to show up for their scheduled H1N1 flu vaccinations at the University of Florida yesterday.
UF Student Health Care Center officials offered free nasal flu mist vaccines to the first 850 healthy students under age 25 who registered online.
Several of the nearly 700 students who did get the vaccine said they chose to get the shot not because of worries about their own health, but because of other factors, such as worried parents back home.
Samantha Tucker, 21, a UF criminology senior, said her family became upset at the idea of her skipping the H1N1 vaccine. “My parents threw a hissy fit,” she laughed.
She had no intention of getting the vaccine on her own, but after her parents told her to get a dose, she did some research and deemed it a safe move.
Jennifer Carr, a 23-year-old wildlife conservation major, had two reasons for getting the vaccine: she works at a public library, at which she is in contact with small children, and she also lives with her father, who she says has weak lungs that may not stand up to the illness.
Those who didn't show up after registering to receive the vaccine paved the way for shorter lines and a quick turnaround, said Kat Lindsey, spokeswoman for UF's health center.
UF received about 1,000 doses from the Alachua County Health Department this week. Of those about 150 doses were reserved for students, faculty and staff who care for infants under six months old, as long as they met other medical restrictions. The nasal mist cannot be given to pregnant women or students who have asthma, diabetes, lung diseases and blood disorders, among other symptoms, according to the center’s Web site.
Kelly Mitchell, a registered nurse at UF’s health clinic, said the mist differs from an injected vaccine because it is a live virus that can cause symptoms such as a runny nose or itchy throat.
At least two other Florida universities, the University of Central Florida and the University of Miami, are also distributing the vaccine this week. Unlike at UF, where health center employees squirted the vaccine into each student’s nostril, UCF students are going to the university's Health Services in groups of no more than 50 and watching a presentation from a doctor and pharmacist before spraying the vaccine into their own noses.
“We’re able to give out more in a particular timeframe doing it this way,” said UCF spokesman Chad Binette.
At UF, registration for the vaccine opened late Monday afternoon, and all of the slots were filled by 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Lindsey said.
Some UF officials said they thought the day would be a little more chaotic, envisioning the untested online registration system would crash under pressure, or University Police officers would be needed to corral the masses begging for the nasal spray.
Luckily, the center’s first attempt to vaccinate hundreds of students in under 10 hours went off without any surprises, said Dr. Phil Barkley, SHCC director.
“I really don’t think we could have put together a process that went any smoother,” he said.
Roommates Daniel Foskey, 21, and Daniel Hernandez, 20, entered the center at 2:46 p.m. and came back out at 2:48.
Foskey, a graduate student of UF’s College of Pharmacy, said he signed up for the vaccine because he couldn’t afford to catch the virus with final exams coming up.
His parents had nothing to do with the decision, he said.
“My dad has no idea,” he said.
Manufacturing delays account for why the virus has arrived later than hoped, Barkley said, but he hopes to receive shipments from the health department more regularly over time.
Mitchell urged students to get the vaccine because the virus is affecting the school-age demographic more than the elderly. Students may not be taking the virus seriously enough, she said.
Before Wednesday, Mark Hagood, 24, said he wasn’t planning on getting the vaccine because he has a pretty healthy track record — he’s never had the flu before.
But Hagood, a graduate student studying health administration, signed up for one anyway at the last minute.
On Wednesday, he sat back in the medical chair for a few minutes while Mitchell inserted the vaccine into his nostrils.
After the spray, he grabbed a grape lollipop on his way out, rewarding himself for taking the precautionary measure.
“I feel invincible,” he said.
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This is sad. I’m currently getting another degree and I’m much older than the 20somethings around me. Many of them could care less about getting the vaccine. One kid said it’s a conspiracy theory by the government, citing a research paper (the researcher actually falsified data, but I wasn’t about to tell him that).
Meanwhile, those of us who are not in the high-risk age group and do want the vaccine have to wait.
Posted by: sad | November 5, 2009, 8:28 am 8:28 am
Why was the live virus mist that leaves the patient contageous, released before the shots? This spread H1N1 very effectivly, making millions for big pharma and D Rumsfeld.
Posted by: Jeff Ray | November 5, 2009, 8:40 am 8:40 am
Who titled this blog? How does 700 students out of a possible 850 equate to “lukewarm”? If I’m not mistaken 700 appointments were made and kept.
Posted by: VAC | November 5, 2009, 8:54 am 8:54 am
I just wonder about this live vaccine now that H1N1 is showing up in cats.
Posted by: M | November 5, 2009, 9:06 am 9:06 am
Google these headlines. These are just about one vaccine company. They are all murdering eugenicists.
“Has Baxter International Released a Biological Weapon?”
“Czech Republic Refuses Baxter Swine Flu Vaccine On Safety Grounds ”
“Baxter Files Swine Flu Vaccine Patent A Year Ahead Of Outbreak”
“Container carrying swine flu virus explodes on Swiss train”
Posted by: Einherjar | November 5, 2009, 9:22 am 9:22 am
“Lukewarm”? This is a terribly skewed article. Pathetic. Lukewarm perhaps?
Posted by: Kevin | November 5, 2009, 9:26 am 9:26 am
“I feel invincible.”
I don’t need a shot for that. I am Superman. Maybe I’ll jump off Century Tower. HA.
Posted by: Jim | November 5, 2009, 9:36 am 9:36 am
sad – If there is a conspiracy theory it would be by the drug companies and those in government that “conspire” with their lobbyist for money. My own thoughts on the vaccine is that it will probably help some and hurt others. I will allow someone else to have mine.
Posted by: Huh | November 5, 2009, 9:47 am 9:47 am
Live virus vaccines do not infect you. Come on people… use a little common sense. And as for Rumsfeld – Searle and Baxter are not the same company nor were they ever.
Live virus vaccines have a higher rate of complication for some, but they also permit strains that are ever changing to be more accurately pinpointed and administered (they are not WHOLE) to gain maximum immunity rather than generic flu shots which provide a lower level of stimulation because the virii are dead, but still detected by the immune system.
The hope is, in standard vaccination, that this will be enough to permit the body to respond in force should it encounter a virus that “quacks”, whereas the live virus already knows it is looking for a “type of duck.”
Posted by: reply to idiots | November 5, 2009, 9:51 am 9:51 am
Can’t ever talk about prtecting your health and that of those around you without the anti-vax know-nothings showing up.
For some people, at least, college education is a waste of time, since they learn nothing about how science actually works and maintain a state of willful ignorance against all evidence.
When 82% of those who signed up (lukewarm?) get the vaccination, we can breathe a little easier because we will benefit from herd immunity.
In a strange way, then, the anti-vax know-nothings don’t really have to suffer the consequences of their choices.
Posted by: 10000li | November 5, 2009, 9:57 am 9:57 am
I hope that despite “feeling invisible,” Mr. Hagood still practices proper cold and flu etiquette. I fear that some people may get the vaccine and think that it entitles them to cough and sneeze over everything without worry because “they’re protected.” (despite a million other viruses going around right now)
Posted by: JessicaR | November 5, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am
“Why was the live virus mist that leaves the patient contageous, released before the shots?”
Jeff Ray | Nov 5, 2009 8:40:56 AM
The virus is weakened in the live virus vaccination to the point of being harmless. It would be great if it WERE contagious, because then the students would be spreading immunity to the virus. The virus will NEVER be as strong as when it is literally sprayed up someone’s nose.
If there was any risk of those vaccinated by the nose spray actually spreading the flu, everyone who got the nose spray would be showing a fever 5 days later not antibodies (as measured and documented in the annual trials). Use some common sense people.
Posted by: jhw539 | November 5, 2009, 10:11 am 10:11 am
All these kids have been duped. Why not dumb them down some more with the chemical waste the WHO wants in you. Has anyone read the ingredients in this crap. Aluminum(causes Alzheimers), MSG,
Thimerasol(Mercury). Embalming fluid. All of these chemicals makes people dumber so they will accept anything Big Brother wants. WAKE UP PEOPLE .. Big Pharma is not concerned about your health. They want your money and your mind.
Posted by: john | November 5, 2009, 10:15 am 10:15 am
DOn’t want to let the sheeple know the truth. They might do something about it.
Posted by: Kim | November 5, 2009, 10:20 am 10:20 am
10000li,
If these vaccinations really worked. I mean really worked then you wouldn’t be worried about who or how many people got the vaccine except for yourself. The fact of the matter is that they aren’t effective on all people. So you still have a percentage of people who are not vaccinated even after taking the shot. I prefer not to have mecury and other foreign substances in my body from these shots.
Posted by: Vac | November 5, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am
Why do you think ABC puts a slant on this article that makes the vaccine look like it’s good for you. Because all our media is controlled by a small group of people who want you to believe certain things. They want you to trust our government and never question them. They’re all lying snakes. The flu shot is just another tool for depopulation and so they can make more money treating the diseases caused by this flu shot. Examine what they put in it. It’s a witches brew of sorts.
Posted by: Phil smith | November 5, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am
Kevin, this article was not written by Brittny Krause. It was written by Katie Sanders.
I agreed with the consensus that 700 students is not be a lukewarm response. What seemed to be lukewarm is the general attitude of the students regarding the H1N1 vaccine.
Posted by: Gator Prez | November 5, 2009, 10:31 am 10:31 am
I have vaccinated my children against all of the major diseases that vaccines are given for – MMR, DtaP, and a whole slew of others including rotavirus and chickenpox. However, I choose not to have annual flu shots because it is like russian roulette, but in reverse. You get the flu shot, which is specifically targeted against one strain of flu. Many other strains may be present.
There is no way anyone in my family is getting a swine flu shot…mist, perhaps, but shot, no. While no scientific studies have linked thimerisol to autism, it is an incontestable fact that thimerisol contains mercury. It is also an incontestable fact that mercury is a neurotoxin. For that reason (after the anti-vax wackos made it public), thimerisol is no longer used in flu shots in the US.
There is one notable exception… the swine flu vaccine. It was used because it is a quick, cheap, and an easy way to get whatever results they wanted from their testing.
If you want to ridicule people for knowing nothing, examine your own knowledge base. Sure, you know the biology about how viruses and vaccines work in your body, but what about the chemistry of mercury in your body?
Posted by: Anti-vax know-nothing | November 5, 2009, 10:35 am 10:35 am
Swine flu vaccines contain dangerous adjuvants that cause an inflammatory response in the body. This is why they are suspected of causing autism and other neurological disorders. Vaccine ingredients include: Formaldehyde,Polysorbate 80 shown to cause infertility in mice, Monosodium Glutamate,Potassium phosphate(fertilizer),Thimerosal(mercury) known to cause brain lesions, Polyoxidonium- Synthetic polymers,Squalene-causes a host of problems, Human Diploid Tissue- organ and tissue from aborted baby tissue.
Vaccines given in the past have contained H1N1 viruses; this is not a
new virus
Posted by: Sue Johnson | November 5, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am
Someone explain this to me. Why do vaccines contain MSG(flavor enhancer)that is known to cause brain lesions? Are they trying to make it taste better? Also why do they put aluminum and embalming fluid. Sounds like a recipe for murder.
Posted by: Jacob | November 5, 2009, 10:58 am 10:58 am
There’s so much medical stupidity and rumor-mongering on this blog that it’s next-to-impossible to respond to.
Fact: There are no adjuvants in American flu vaccines. There are in European and Canadian vaccines. But not in American.
Fact: This H1N1 vaccine doesn’t contain MSG, embalming fluid, or aluminum. It doesn’t contain cancer cells, cadaver tissue, HIV, or green monkey cells, either. Nor is it the beginning of a plan to microchip everyone.
Fact: Thimerosal is a form of organo-ethyl mercury, a fast body-clearing compound that’s different from ethyl mercury, which is the dangerous neurotoxin. You store more ethyl mercury in your body now from the fish you’ve eaten in your lifetime than you’d get in a vaccination even if it DID contain the neurotoxic methyl mercury. Which it does not.
Fact: Baxter Pharmaceutical has nothing to do whatsoever with H1N1 vaccine. Neither these vaccines nor the H1N1 virus itself are bio-weapons.
Fact: The government that everyone believes is so sinister and corrupt isn’t responsible for these vaccines at all. Private enterprise is. Private pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses. So you can aim your anger at big business. The government tracks the disease and plans for epidemiology response. But it’s private enterprise which manufactures and delivers vaccines themselves.
Fact: Something about vaccinations bring out fear-mongers, liars, and scare-tacticians more than any other aspect of medical science.
Posted by: Kellybelle22 | November 5, 2009, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
I wonder why ABC moderators keep deleting posts about Robert F Kennedy Jr’s take on Thimerosal and how these vaccines are poisons. Do a search. Learn for yourself.
Posted by: Jim | November 5, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
After much deep and profound brain things inside my head here is what I do not get. If you go to the doctor for the flu they are not testing to see which strain you have. They just mark it down as swine flu when that may not be the case. Thats why there is all this H1N1 hysteria. And most are being given Tamiflu.
Posted by: King Julien | November 5, 2009, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
at least nobody has stepped forward to shoot the folks who refuse to help bail out the drug companies.
Posted by: robert | November 5, 2009, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Never,never will I ever fall for the lies that we are told about these shots! We don’t need anything in our body that has poison in it and then told it is good for us. The body needs only natural things to keep it whole and well! Chicken soup, zinc,codliver oil, raw garlic,all will go far to keep us free from pneumonia. Vitamin D makes a virus-killing protein called cathelicidin. Zinc stimulates white blood cells and works with vitamin A to keep the lungs from inflammation. Chicken soup is a whole big help for all of us with every thing we need to stay well or get well, Loaded with antioxidants.
Posted by: peach | November 7, 2009, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
Oh no! Water contains hydrogen. Isn’t hydrogen what caused the Hindenberg to blow up. I’m never giving my kids water again.
Posted by: Booyah | November 19, 2009, 11:06 am 11:06 am
I hope that despite “feeling invisible,” Mr. Hagood still practices proper cold and flu etiquette. I fear that some people may get the vaccine and think that it entitles them to cough and sneeze over everything without worry because “they’re protected.”
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marq
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