Vaccine maker clears confusion
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Updated: November 04, 2009 3:57 PM
To the Editor,
Re: Misinformation fuels mistrust, Opinion, Nov. 3.
The News Bulletin’s attempt to clear up confusion regarding the H1N1 vaccine has unfortunately fallen short of the mark.
In your Nov. 3 editorial, we’re told to ignore “disinformation” from the Internet about the vaccine and be reassured that the message from public health officials is clear: the new vaccine is safe.
In the same editorial, however, we’re told that we shouldn’t be surprised by public health officials’ own confusion, since “knowledge about the vaccine is still developing”.
Which is it? I’m now more confused than ever.
So consistently have I found Canadian news media to be the weakest source of information about the vaccine, playing on emotion and anecdotal evidence rather than clinical research, that I made my final decision by going directly to the source – the vaccine’s maker, GSK Canada.
It has posted the H1N1 vaccine’s product insert on its website. It states clearly that this vaccine boasts no clinical experience yet with pregnant women, children, adolescents, or the elderly, and only limited clinical experience with adults age 18-60 (www.gsk.ca).
An untested vaccine, containing ingredients unapproved in other countries, with our children and unborn babies as guinea pigs?
Oh, I’m confused all right, but not about my decision to steer clear.
Lauren Brown
Nanaimo
What do you think? Give us your comments by fax at 250-753-0788 or by e-mail: editor@nanaimobulletin.com. Be sure to spell out your first and last names.
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