Flu Vaccine

Ah, it's that time of year again. Fall, when the leaves turn vibrant hues, the air is so crisp you can practically taste it...and the masses are screaming for a vaccine that, for most of the population, isn't really necessary.

The flu vaccine shortage.

I heard recently that someone was attempting to connect bioterroism and the flu vaccine--what, did they think Osama's flunkies sneaked into the CDC and stole the US stockpile of the flu vaccine? Not for nothing, but if I were an international terrorist, and I were going to take the risk of sneaking into a US govenrment facility, I'd steal something a bit more terror inspiring--like botulism toxin, the smallpox virus or, say, nuclear missle codes. That's just me, though.

No, terrorism is not why there aren't enough flu vaccine. The reason is that as soon as the flu shot becomes available, hoardes of paranoid people rush out to get it, most of whom do not need it, and therefor deplete the stockpile. They also make the vaccine less available for people who actually do need it. Nice, guys.

Here's the thing--the flu, for most of the population, is NOT fatal. It's an inconvenience, sure, but it's not going to kill you. And I refuse to believe that the world will end if you miss one day of work. If your job is that damn important, trust me, they have a backup plan.

Here's what I propose--we have an order to give out the flu vaccine. Maybe it's not the most democratic solution, but in the interest of public safety, I think it would work.

Here's what I propose:

1. First tier vaccines go to anyone who is immunocompromised. That's anyone with a chronic illness, such as HIV, AIDs, diabetes, and any number of other diseases that screw up your immunity. It also would include people undergoing medical treatments that lower their immunity, such as chemotherapy, organ transplant patients, anyone of that sort. These people are already ill, the flu could be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back--remember, no one dies from AIDs. They die from complications of AIDs.

2. Health care providers. What's this, you ask? I thought you just said healthy people didn't need the flu vaccine. Well, this is the exception. Vaccinating health care providers (who are, by and large, healthy) would help prevent the spread of the flu. These people are around germs all day. The last thing anyone wants is for them to bring the virus INTO work, around all those sick people, or OUT of work to the general population. Not to mention, if they get sick, who is going to take care of the sick people? This category should also include non-patient care providers in hospitals, doctors offices, and nursing homes.

3. The elderly. Older people find it more difficult to fight off infection; they are also more likely to have conditions that stress their bodies already. If you're suffering from congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and just plain old age, the last thing you need is the flu.

4. Young children. Yes, I put kids near the end. Why? Most kids--excluding those who are immunocompromised, who would already have been vaccinated--have a much better ability to fight of illness than adults. Maybe it's because they have a better will to live, who knows? Young children have less of an ability to fight off disease than older children, hence their inclusion on this list.

5. General public. Any vaccine left would be made available to the general public. This would include the 'oh my god if I miss my final my life is over I can't take an incomplete I'll never get into med school' variety as well as the 'if I got sick I might miss the holiday party that simply everyone is going to be at dahling,' as well as anyone else who is so horrified of missing a few days of work that they would rather get a vaccine that tends to make people sick.


Would this solution work? Who knows. But it's got to be better than this pseudo-panic going on. And since I know you're probably wondering--no, I did not get the flu shot this year. It's just the flu--and I admit, I'm a bit worried. I'm scheduled for surgery this December, and I don't know if they'll do it if I'm sick. But that's a chance I'll take. Last year I did get the flu shot--my school recommended it for those living in dorms. Also, I was a volunteer EMT, while I am not currently volunteering this year, due to health reasons. The shot made me feel sick for several days, and I still ended up sick--not with the flu, but with bronchitis. So, I think this year, I'll stay out of the flu shot panic and leave the vaccine for people who really need it.