Decision Making
- Submitted by: freese2009
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- Category: Other
- Date Submitted: 03/30/2010 10:06 PM
- Pages: 5
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Decision: To take the 2009 H1N1 flu shot or not
This past year we have been on alert for a new influenza virus the 2009 H1N1. It was first detected in April 2009 in United States; this virus has been spreading worldwide and has been labeled as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The H1N1 is contagious and spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing. It can also spread by touching something contaminated with the virus. Most cases of illness associated with the H1N1 virus have been mild in nature, but there have been instances of hospitalization and deaths due to the virus. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009).
When the vaccine to protect against H1N1 first became available, supplies were limited. So because of its limited quantity the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that people at higher risk for complications, or those caring for high risk individuals who cannot receive vaccination, receive the vaccine first. These priority groups included pregnant women, people who care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, anyone 6 months through 24 years of age, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age at higher risk for H1N1 influenza because of certain chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009).
I have been very fortunate to never have experienced the flu or any flu like symptoms in my past. But at this point in my life I have 3 children all under the age of 10.It is recommended that I receive the vaccince in order to protect them but is it really necessary if they are already protected.
Research
In order to make my decision on whether I should go for the vaccine or not, first things first, I have to collect the data about the severity of the virus and amount of damage which can be done. The data for the decision-making is collected from the various sources such as...
This past year we have been on alert for a new influenza virus the 2009 H1N1. It was first detected in April 2009 in United States; this virus has been spreading worldwide and has been labeled as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The H1N1 is contagious and spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing. It can also spread by touching something contaminated with the virus. Most cases of illness associated with the H1N1 virus have been mild in nature, but there have been instances of hospitalization and deaths due to the virus. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009).
When the vaccine to protect against H1N1 first became available, supplies were limited. So because of its limited quantity the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that people at higher risk for complications, or those caring for high risk individuals who cannot receive vaccination, receive the vaccine first. These priority groups included pregnant women, people who care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, anyone 6 months through 24 years of age, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age at higher risk for H1N1 influenza because of certain chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009).
I have been very fortunate to never have experienced the flu or any flu like symptoms in my past. But at this point in my life I have 3 children all under the age of 10.It is recommended that I receive the vaccince in order to protect them but is it really necessary if they are already protected.
Research
In order to make my decision on whether I should go for the vaccine or not, first things first, I have to collect the data about the severity of the virus and amount of damage which can be done. The data for the decision-making is collected from the various sources such as...