Survey: 87% favor mandatory health worker H1N1 shots

For all of you who have argued that it is safe for you to abstain from vaccination because you have never had the flu, or because you have a right to choose, I ask you to CALMLY consider two points:

1. Not having gotten the flu in the past is not proof that you never will get it.

2. Vaccination does not only protect the vaccinated by reducing his or her risk of becoming sick. It also reduces the risk that he or she will become a symptom-free vector for the disease. Those who do not have the disease can still spread it. You do not have a "right" to spread disease to others.

Unfortunately it is difficult for those who lean toward not vaccinating to remain calm about this topic. They are inundated with encouragement for them to become angry by the "talking heads" and irresponsible commentators who have specific agendas. Misinformation specifically designed to create outrage is intentionally spread..."there are pieces of dead people and monkeys in the H1N1 vaccine" is a clear example of the shameless attempts to make people angry and afraid. The USA is thoroughly divided today, thanks to our political system, and the angry people are not going to be swayed...they like being angry just now. Unfortunately, in an influenza pandemic that anger could be deadly for many people.

Keep in mind that there are a good number of people leaning toward not getting the H1N1 that don't have any problem being calm about it. They just don't appreciate feeling like guinea pigs, nor do they appreciate the frenzy being made by the media.

Is H1N1 a big deal? Yes, mostly because it's a relative unknown. Is it worth yelling at each other about? No. Is it worth scaring everybody to death about? No.