To Inject or Not to Inject The H1N1 Vaccine: Will You Get It?

By definition I am a sickly person. Not to be confused with “sick” (although it’s arguable I’m sure) but rather sickly. A person who suffers from small inconveniences, like strange indeterminable allergies, asthma that only pops up around exam time, and a serious inability to stay warm for very long. Needless to say I don’t go in the computer lab very often.

As a sickly person I have become accustomed to researching vitamins, teas, protein shakes, whey powder, basically all things Pro-Health. Through my experience the natural way to good health has proved much more effective than the prescription way. I find the lists of “possible side effects” and reactions to medication more scary than the problem it’s trying to fix in the first place.

It would seem that through this way of thinking I would be against vaccinations altogether, but I am not. The benefits have been historically proven. Vaccinations have saved countries of people from things such as polio, smallpox, tuberculosis and the mumps. And I have traveled to India enough times to know how important it is to get your shots.

Although, historically, vaccinations have saved many lives, they have been the source of much controversy. Critics argue that the long term effects are still unknown, and others say vaccinations can make you more sick and are unnatural causing the body to react negatively. A vaccination is, essentially, placing the dead cells of a certain agent into the body to encourage the production of antibodies. The body basically builds immunity to the agent by being introduced to the weakened version of it. I find this method risky because the body must build immunity. It must fight a biological war to become stronger, but who is to say we will all win? A vaccine is to be taken when in top physical condition. If you take it while your immune system is compromised, your body may not have the strength to fight it.

In the case of the H1N1 vaccine there are many arguments for and against it, and I would like to present them for debate. H1N1 can affect a wide range of people. The World Health Organization lists children aged 6 months to 5 years, people under 55 with severe chronic or other medical risks, people of aboriginal or metis descent, health care workers and pregnant women as the most at-risk groups. However during the summer outbreak of H1N1 people outside those groups were put in the hospital and some even died. Illustrating that although there are high risk groups, we are all still at risk.

H1N1 is a serious concern because of its volatility; Winnipeg Regional Health Authority states that some people who get H1N1 may experience very mild symptoms and may not even be aware they have it, while others have died within a matter of 24 hours of contracting the virus. When giving advise even experts clash; some experts state that if you begin experiencing flu like symptoms, it is best to stay at home to prevent spreading it. Others say that if you begin feeling symptoms like shortness of breath and high fever, go to the hospital right away and receive the anti-viral Tamiflu. The confusion surrounding H1N1 may explain the increased wait times at local hospital emergencies, up to 6 or 7 hours currently.

Argument #1: H1N1 is no different than the regular flu and the media has caused mass paranoia and fear, therefore I will not get the vaccine.
To be honest, I grappled with this idea myself. As a critical watcher of T.V, I am aware of such things as media bias and hype. Because of this I choose to get my facts from the credible sources, like WHO, WRHA, and Health Canada. The facts from these sources make the truth bitterly clear: H1N1 is not like the regular flu. Young, healthy people are being hospitalized in a matter of hours as H1N1 can begin lung deterioration quickly with little or no warning. The majority of people who get H1N1 will not be hospitalized and have mild symptoms but determining whether you will be part of that majority or not, is nothing more than a guessing game.


Argument #2: The H1N1 vaccine was developed so quickly under such severe time constraints that it can not be safe due to a lack of long term testing, therefore I will not get the vaccine.
Flu vaccines have a long Canadian history, with new vaccines created yearly to match the changes in the influenza virus. For example, in 1976 there was a swine influenza outbreak in which a vaccine was made and distributed. The 2009 outbreak is slightly different mutation and requires a different vaccine however the facts prove that scientists have been testing and studying a similar vaccine for 30 years. Vaccines must change in order to stay effective and relevant. According to healthcanada.com, Health Canada and the Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq approved AREPANRIX, the vaccine against the pandemic H1N1 flu virus on October 21, 2009. Although the vaccine was created in a matter of months from the time H1N1 began spreading, it is not only is it approved by Health Canada, but is approved by the World Health Organization, and has already been distributed worldwide. I would argue that the possible side effects of the vaccine are less worrisome than possible death from the virus.

Argument #3: If I get H1N1, I can just receive the anti-viral Tamiflu which prevents the symptoms from worsening, so the vaccine is not necessary.
This argument I found very convincing. If there is an approved anti-viral on the market, why should the citizens of Canada wait in line for 3 hours and inject themselves with an unfamiliar vaccine in order to prevent the flu with mild symptoms (for the majority) anyway? After doing a bit of digging, and visiting pharmacies around Winnipeg, the answer became very clear: Tamiflu is running out.
After discussing with pharmacists around the city, I soon learned that each province in Canada was only given a certain amount of emergency Tamiflu, and that the amount left in the city, let alone the country, was running out fast. Before even finishing my sentence “Do you carry Tami-” I’d receive a short and simple “No, sorry. Check the pharmacy down the street.” A few times I’d get a dismal “Good luck!” As I walked out. Hospitals are also being very choosy as to who receives the anti-viral, as they are very short supply as well.
With the anti-viral virtually non existent in our city, all signs now point to receiving the vaccine as a precautionary measure.


In Canada, we are lucky enough to have the freedom of choice surrounding our health and well being. We may choose which precautionary measures to take, and which to avoid. As illustrated by this article, choice can also become a burdensome right, one which takes good facts, and good luck. Will you get the H1N1 vaccine? The choice is yours.