The article I read was titled “Abruptly, a surplus of shots for H1N1.” It was written by Stephen Smith of the Boston Globe and was published on December 16, 2009. The article can be found at the following URL: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/waltham/articles/2009/12/16/abruptly_a_surplus_of_shots_for_h1n1/?page=1 . This is a local issue pertaining to only Massachusetts, but this may be happening in other states as well, it will affect the millions of people of the state who have not been vaccinated yet. The article discussed the fact that as the vaccine is being produced more rapidly, the public’s interest in being vaccinated is waning. This has led to a sudden surplus of vaccinations in Massachusetts, which may lead to a lifting of the restrictions around the vaccine’s distribution. At various locations throughout Massachusetts there have been low turn outs at vaccination clinics. This is leading the commissioner of public health, John Auerbach, to come up with new strategies for distribution of the vaccine. These include setting up vaccination clinics at local grocery stores or outside local Macy’s.
The author of the article seems to be completely objective about the distribution of vaccine. He says, “The public’s interest in being vaccinated, health authorities report, is waning even as factories churn out shots and nasal spray at a breakneck pace, creating the prospect of millions of unused doses.” The only information he puts in this article is what he gets from the authorities. There is no author bias because the entire article is taken from what he has learned from local health authorities, and he provides plenty of quotes to back up what he says. I believe the article is informative, convincing, and balanced.
I chose this article because it had to with Swine Flu, something that we spent a whole unit on in class. The news that the restrictions on the distribution of the vaccine will soon be lifted is very good to hear. But, at the same time, the public’s general disinterest in getting vaccinated is a bit concerning. If people do not get vaccinated now, there may be yet another wave of Swine Flu throughout the state in the coming year. I agree with the article in that we need to come up with more effective strategies for distributing the vaccine.
Many people are opposed to receiving the H1N1 vaccine due to possible side effects post vaccination. However, I agree with you that that the amount of people opting not to get vaccinated is worrisome. I would think that the majority of people would choose to be vaccinated because H1N1 turned out to be a huge phenomenon. Maybe more people would get the vaccine if it was avaliable more. I also find the variety of distribution locations very interesting, like getting the vaccine in your local Macy's store or supermarket.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting article. I think, however, that rather than the public becoming disinterested in the vaccination it could be that the people who were concerned with the H1N1 flu in the first place hurried to get their shots and now there aren't as many people left who are interested. I think maybe the distributors may have misjudged the need for more vaccinations. On the other hand it is equally likely that the public outcry could have been just so that they would feel safe in knowing that they COULD get vaccinated if they wanted to.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you and the article that the number of people not getting vaccinated is worrisome especially if they are not taking other precautions. I've never gotten a flu shot and I've never gotten the seasonal flu or the H1N1 flu because I try to wash my hands and stay away from people who are sick. The problem arises when so many people are sick that you can't take these precautions anymore. It's a very interesting dilemma.