The Swine Flu Vaccine: Is it Ethical to Say No?

There have been children and adults alike that have died from the outbreak of the swine flu. In light of these deaths - is it ethical to deny anyone – especially your child a defense against this virus? There is always the scare of will this medicine work? Or will I have side effects? Truth of the matter is that anyone can have an effect – even with taking Tylenol. Forcing someone not to take this vaccine to me is creating a mini genocidal atmosphere. Not taking the vaccine can cause death among those who didn’t take it if their bodies cannot handle the virus if they get it. Who would want someone else’s blood on their hands in that manner?

There are many religious denominations that teach against science and medicine. But what logically are you against? Are you against the medicine or the humanness that produced it? If ones religious beliefs center on a creator of all things - than that belief should extend with a trust that ‘all things’ includes the minds and hands of pharmaceutical producing men and women as well. I feel that it’s not ethical to say no to this vaccine, especially for children solely on the basis of ‘I’m scared’, or ‘I’m against science’.

Living with a health professional for the past 26 years has truly had its perks when it comes to staying on top of the most current health topics and issues. I was excited when I heard that my job may have been offering this vaccination through our health program, but when I came home and shared the news – I was instantly shut down. I was told not to take the vaccination, because all of the ‘kinks’ had not been worked out of the shot yet. So – I instantly began to think. Was this an ethical issue if they are pushing out thousands of possibly flawed or dangerous vaccines? Or why would the FDA approve something that may turn out to be potentially harmful to the society? September 15, 2009 the H1N1 Vaccine was approved by the FDA, but through its approval – which was only approved through preliminary data – there are still clinical testing that is still to be sought out. But there is something that we have to take into account. All drugs have potential to be harmful or cause unknown side effects. We’ve got look at the benefits that outweigh the consequences of not taking the vaccine.