Having recently wrapped up our unit on influenza, I found this article, accessible at http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Flu_vaccine_linked_to_narcolepsy_in_under_30s_study_999.html to be especially interesting.
We learned in class that in an effort to curb the 1918 outbreak of H1N1 (Spanish Flu), several attempts to make a vaccine were launched that used weakened varieties of bacteria. Unfortunately, as the scientific community of the day did not know about the influenza virus, each one failed. Today, even with our knowledge from centuries of inoculation and immunology research, many still question the effectiveness of vaccines, citing ineffectiveness and side effects.
This article details a link between a Scandinavian flu vaccine Pandemrix (created in Britain) and victims of narcolepsy, a rare condition in which the nervous system will not function properly and a person will suddenly fall asleep. Recipients of the H1N1 vaccine were shown to have a higher rate of narcolepsy than the normal population. Notably, the correlation varied between age groups; patients between 21 and 30 were twice as likely to have narcolepsy than those who were not vaccinated, and recipients under 20 were three times as likely. In Sweden, about 200 children aged 19 or under developed narcolepsy after receiving Pandemrix, while 79 Finnish children were diagnosed; monetary compensation has been planned for those who developed the disease.
I have occasionally heard news stories about people suffering in America because of the disease, but this is the first time that narcolepsy has become involved. It is also curious that a vaccine for a respiratory disease could result in a condition of the nervous system, especially one so rare as narcolepsy. Previous to reading this article, I did not feel much concern about receiving a vaccine; I receive the annual flu shot, and was vaccinated for swine flu without incident. I think it would be worth researching other types of unusual side effects of vaccines, and this case in Scandinavia will certainly inspire further debate and questions over the safety of such public health measures.
It’s weird to think that a something that is supposed to be good for you (a vaccine) can actually to the opposite and be bad for you (and give you a disease). Of course in comparison it is more beneficial to get the vaccine, than to not get the vaccine because you are worried about the results. Something like this was discussed before in class about people being worried about being the 1/1,000,000 that the bad thing happened to and we said that the idea of it is dumb because it ruins the statistic. It is similar to how people try to link autism with shots, but in the end it is more beneficial to get the shot.
ReplyDeleteBrian-
ReplyDeleteThis article is very interesting. I agree with Dan, that we think of vaccines as good for us and that they will prevent disease and bad things from happening to us. However, this article seems to put a large emphasis on the potential risks from receiving the vaccine; it suggests that the dangers outweigh the positives. Personally, I think the small risk is worth it to protect yourself and those round you.
I feel as though this is one of those cases where you hear about the high number of people with crazy side effects, but compared to all of the people who were actually vaccinated, it does not seem as scary. Also, since the vaccine and narcolepsy are related to different parts of the body, it makes me question if it is just a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how many <19 year olds actually got the vaccination in Sweden. The article reports 200 acquired of these teens experienced narcolepsy, but how do these numbers compare to the total number of recipients of this vaccination. I would also like to know if this British vaccination ever made its way to the United States.
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing this new story about a women who could only walk backwards after receiving a seasonal flu vaccination. I'm not sure if I have this story correct, but these side effects are always kind of questionable. Thank you for sharing these interesting reports that I'm sure will stir debate in the world of public health.
Narcolepsy is such a rare thing that is hardly ever brought up especially as a side effect of a vaccine. Sure there were a high number of people who may have gotten it after the vaccine, but compared to all the others who were vaccinated. was it really that many and that big of a deal? If this were a small case of getting headaches or a runny nose, no one would even pay the slightest attention to it. But because its Narcolepsy, something that is rare to begin with, people go crazy over it. I agree with Mallory, saying it may be a coincidence as Narcolepsy and the vaccine are effecting different parts of the body.
ReplyDeleteBrian- that was such an interesting article choice. I feel like we dont really here much about narcolepsy anymore. Its crazy to think that acctually happens to people.. Im not so sure if I deffinatly belive it! Is wierd that a vaccine for a respiratory disease could result in a condition of the nervous system.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the majority of the posts made by our class are anti-vaccine, which i find interesting. The H1N1 vaccine is no doubt a beautiful and useful thing, yet many people are ready to condemn it for being unpredictable and dangerous. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? It seems that each year, an unknown effect of these many vaccines are being discovered. While i think that these vaccines may prevent deadly outbreaks in various third-world countries, I find it interesting that we are so willing to sit back and ridicule something that for the most part makes our lives safer and more comfortable. I am far from a diehard advocate for vaccines, but I find the social implications of their use across different cultures to be utterly fascinating.
ReplyDelete