The article notes:
A federal health panel on Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend flu shots for all school-age children, a move that will compel private insurers to cover the cost of such vaccinations and require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make the vaccine available for those who can't afford it.And McGowan is recognized:
"This vote is monumental. I hope it gets the message out that the influenza virus is not a cold. It's not something to take lightly," said McGowan, a member of Families Fighting Flu, an organization of parents who have lost children to the virus. The group receives financial support from flu-shot makers.It also notes:
Diane McGowan, a business analyst from Nazareth, Pa., said she wishes the decision had been made five years ago. On Feb. 9, 2005, her 15-year-old son, Martin, died of complications from flu, less than 24 hours after he came down with symptoms of fever and fatigue.
3 comments:
I hate to toss cold water on another government plan intended on taking us to the land of Utopia. Shouldn't this really be up to the parents of the kids? Don't get me wrong but if I am not mistaken the flu shot does not always work out the way it is suppose too. Keep in mind that we will see an increase of fees from our providers because they will have to pay for this and because we will once again foot the bill for the poor who cannot afford it. Hate to be such a cynic but I am tired of supporting others and even more tired of despicable, unconstitutional government programs and spending.
I disagree with it being up to the parents. Immunizations are required for a good reason, they help us avoid health epidemics.
A flu shot does not always work, because of the number of variants they must 'guess' on the most probable ones. That being said, having some defense is better than none.
While this goes a bit off-topic, it is relevant to your remarks.
We need to revise our approach to healthcare. Right now our focus is waiting until there is a problem and then fixing it, when it should be focused on avoiding the problem.
Prevention is better than treatment, and much more cost effective.
If you are against waste, then you should favor prevention.
Flu shots aren't a miracle drug. Think about it.
1. If you are allergic to chickens or eggs you should not have one.
2. The vaccine sometimes contains mercury, a toxic element.
3. Studies show that those having repeated shots, year after year, are ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer's.
4. Flu vaccines have been associated with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disease of the nervous syndrome.
5. Other studies show that many who receive the flu shot have developed serious respiratory illnesses - bronchitis or pneumonia - within 2 weeks of getting the shot.
The flu vaccine was first only recommended for the elderly, for people in nursing homes, and for those with serious health problems. For them getting the flu would be worse than vaccine side effects.
Now drug companies are rolling out the vaccine and encouraging everyone to be vaccinated. Worse, they are using people who have been hurt by the flu to be their spokesmen.
Is it about protecting society or making a profit?
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