How did you work that one out?

It seems obvious to me that some people are more exposed than others. Some body who works from home is going to be less likely than somebody who works in a shop serving hundreds of customers a day, for example.

I agree with Nick.

In order to limit the spread and prevent a "critical mass" situation, it would make sense to vaccinate those most at risk of infection.

That would be health workers, teachers, students and people who use public transport, work in public service or handle money.

However, "50%" could easily cover pretty much everyone who's bothered by it.

How ironic would it be:

"Thousands catch swine flu while crowding to be vaccinated at local health centres"

Except that it doesn't make sense - Anyone exposed to swine flu has an equal chance of catching it.

Clearly Doris with respiratory problems is in far more need of a vaccination than Cindy the shop worker, no matter how many people the latter comes into contact with.

The vast majority of people infected will recover, thus the priority must be (and will be) those who are likely to become severely ill or die as a result of infection. Essential workers will no doubt also get priority - but everyone else will most likely have to wait.

If an otherwise healthy person becomes infected, they should stay at home in order to minimise risk to others.

That's both untrue and irrelevent.

People with impared imune systems are more likely to catch it, and some people are more likely to be exposed than others.



But if Cindy catches it, she could spread it to thousands of people and many more would die



A priority yes, but preventing the spread should be the first priority since it will save far more lives.



I wish this was more widely accepted logic. Even going to work with what seems like a mild cold could indirectly kill someone's elderly relative. Unfortunately, money is more important than life and people can't afford to care about you or your granny.

I still say health workers first, other public services next. Not because we need them, but because they're most at risk of exposure and most likely to spread the contagion to the weak and vulnerable.

We'll have to agree to disagree, personally protecting those who are most vulnerable first seems like a no-brainer to me, but hey-ho.

I completely agree with that sentence.

Just wondered if anyone here has read about the cons of the vaccine? Or if anyone is planning to not get vaccinated on that basis?

I very much doubt anyone here will be as open to this stuff as me, or is less trusting of the government, but just thought I'd ask.

At the present moment, Swine Flu is contagious (but only after prolonged close contact - i.e. family) and relatively mild. Therefore, the vaccine should be reserved first for those who carry out tasks that are vital (e.g. hospital workers, GPs, police etc.) and those most at risk of suffering severe or life-threatening symptoms if they catch it. After that it's up to the health bods to determine who gets the vaccine after those groups are catered for - I don't think you can simply ask for it.

The big problem at the moment is what the virus itself is doing. If it starts to mutate, then the vaccine you get for the current strain will do diddly squat. If that happens you have to start all over again and develop a new vaccine. This is why they have to guess which strain of winter flu to develop a vaccine for at then hope it's that strain that appears.

Trivia question - how many viral diseases do we have cures for?

Answer: None!

clicky

Theres always Energy Fields as Alternative Cures for Viral Diseases

see we are safe everyone!!!!

Technically, from a broadly "Eastern" perspective, all ailments of mind, body and spirit, can be cured by energy fields. So it's not as laughable as you might think. That's how acupuncture works, amongst other things.

Independent Article

the same company 'Baxter Pharmaceuticals' that released contaminated flu vaccine to 18 countries worldwide in February 2009 is manufacturing and producing the swine flu vaccine that will be used later this year

our family have decided that we will not be having the vaccine …

I wholeheartedly agree with your viewpoint. </The Streets>

And Obama had been doing so well, up until that point...