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    County Receives Additional H1N1 Vaccines

    Arriving Vaccines Still Insufficient to Inoculate All High-Risk Residents


    Monday, November 2, 2009
    By Nick C. Tonkin
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    The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) announced it has received a new shipment of H1N1 vaccines. In a press release issued today, the department reported that it now has 5,500 doses in multi-dose vials, 3,800 nasal spray doses, and 700 pediatric doses. The PHD acknowledged, however, that the amount of vaccine received is still insufficient to cover all members in the high-risk categories. The department also noted that only the pediatric doses were free of preservatives.

    The vaccines are intended for the following high-risk members of the community:

    Pregnant women, in addition to obtaining vaccines from public clinics, can also receive them through their obstetricians. Women attending public clinics will be asked to give their obstetrician’s name.

    Children from 6 months to 5 years of age. Proof of age will be required at the clinics.

    Parents of infants up to 6 months old may also receive a vaccine through their child’s pediatrician. Proof of infant’s age will be required at the clinics.

    Children and young adults from 5 to 24 years with substantial medical complications will be able to receive vaccinations directly from their physicians or specialists.

    Hospital workers who have direct contact with sick patients will receive the vaccine through hospital health-care workers.

    Health-care workers in primary care settings that have direct contact with sick patients. Emergency service personnel will be asked to show proof of employment.

    All vaccines are free of charge. The public clinics will be held at the following locations during the designated times:

    Santa Barbara: Earl Warren Showgrounds, Thursday November 5 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

    Santa Maria: Santa Maria Public Health Clinic, Saturday November 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    Lompoc: Lompoc Public Health Clinic, Saturday November 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    Santa Ynez Valley: Veteran’s Hall, Monday November 9 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

    Carpinteria: Veteran’s Hall, Saturday November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Since mid-June there have been 37 reported hospitalizations in Santa Barbara County and three deaths related to swine flu. A recent death of a 12-year-old girl with underlying medical conditions is rumored to be connected to the H1N1 virus, but tests have yet to confirm this. The PHD also announced that there have been two additional deaths of out-of-county residents that occurred in Santa Barbara County hospitals (one resident of Orange County and another from Kern County). Deaths of nonresidents are reported in their home counties and not included in Santa Barbara County statistics.

    More information can be found at www.sbcfluinfo.org or the PHD’s Public Hotline 1 (888) 722-6358. The department can also be followed on Twitter at SBCPublicHealth.

    Nick Tonkin is an Independent intern.

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    Comments

    Discussion Guidelines

    I feel obligated to tell the Indy and its readers that the H1N1 vaccine shortage is a farce. It was a plan designed by the elite members of the Council on Foreign Relations which has historically been significantly attended and influenced by the neo-conservatives, although it is the global banking cartel that heads this group and ultimately makes the decisions.

    In the following video you will find a CFR podcast in which members discuss creating a perceived shortage of the vaccine in order to drum up more demand for the vaccine. Hear them discuss how they already have more than enough doses for the entire population.

    Here one member say, "I think what would work better would be to say that there was a shortage and people tend to buy more of something that's in demand. (Laughter.) We saw that -- there was one season where, really, people lined up all night to get a flu shot."

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKwyeLWNm...

    "How NICE of them to get more people to take the vaccine!" you might say... But why wouldn't they make it available to people when they need it? Why do they want so many people taking this vaccine?

    Did you know there is an altered version of the vaccine that lacks the dangerous mercury and squalene additives, and that this is the version being administered to high ranking officials? I urge you to look up the dangers of squalene as well as the connections between mercury and autism. Decide for yourself if these people are really looking out for our best interest before taking the vaccine.

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    loonpt (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

    Alright, here is the actual transcript from the CFR website:

    http://www.cfr.org/publication/20442/ses...

    Again, do your OWN research and find out if these people really have your best interest at heart. These elitists can call people who are concerned about vaccine safety "crazy", but in my opinion these people who are telling you this are sociopaths.

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    loonpt (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

    I truly hope no one in any of the high risk groups from the H1N1 virus adopts your loopy attitudes regarding the vaccines, "loonpt."

    Considering that people are actually dying from this virus, the deep cynicism and compulsive bell-ringing which comes from fuzzy-minded conspiracy junkies as represented by "loonpt," are particularly offensive.

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    binky (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

    Right, just like during the 1976 swine flu scare when more people died from the vaccine than died from swine flu.

    I'm not against ALL vaccines Binky, and your lack of investigation into this issue before calling me names is pretty offensive.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mScGC7nFD...

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    loonpt (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    And I'm not asking anyone to adopt my attitudes, I'm asking people to do their own research.

    I do, however, encourage people to adopt the view which is backed up by actual logic and science rather than by people who simply resort to calling others names.

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    loonpt (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    Look at me, I'm a sheople.. I didn't know that there was evidence that H1N1 was a bio-engineered virus made by the same people who are making billions off of these toxic vaccines... the same people who then are paid to treat those who develop these neurological and muscle disorders and autism.. The same people who either ban outright or ban free speech regarding natural substances that exist in favor of more toxic man made drugs that are patented and sold at a markup of 750,000%.. Yes, the FDA is owned by big pharma if you haven't figured it out yet. That's why healthcare costs are so high, because the people who regulate the healthcare industry are the same ones who profit in the healthcare industry.

    Well I'm sick of government regulation. We need freedom, THAT'S what we need. Freedom to get health insurance from whoever we want (rather than govt. subsidized employer practically mandated insurance) then we can pay what we want at whatever doctor we want and take whatever medicine we want. That is the only way prices will ever come down so healthcare can become affordable for everyone.

    And Binky, I'll take your vaccine when it has been proven to be safe. Not when your elitist government tells me to.

    Now go back to sleep and be a good sheople.

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    loonpt (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    Binky, do you really want to give authority to the CFR elite to decide how our vaccinations are handed out, whether by force or by psychological manipulation? Were you aware that the shortage is a farce? Since you believe the vaccine is safe and effective, do you think that some of the people who died perhaps did not receive the shot because of the perceived lack of availability?

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    loonpt (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    Q.
    What's the difference between Jim Carrey and "loonpt?"

    A.
    Although both take their medical advice from Jenny McCarthy, Jim Carrey is actually funny!

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    binky (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    Is there any middle ground here?

    I don't think it's loopy to at least question whether or not something that someone is gaining from financially is safe or not.

    Things HAVE happened in the past and drug companies have profited while hiding serious defects or health risks.

    Our government isn't really set up to properly intervene when a product such as food is dangerous; look at the recall of e coli tainted beef just this week. Apparently, if raw beef tests positive in USDA testing, it can still be sold as long as it's been cooked. Is that safe? Probably, but who really knows....but the law has been set up not to protect the consumer but to save the companies involved from monetary loss. There is no law saying that the raw e coli status needs to be disclosed once it is sold as fully cooked.

    So, if you extrapolate that to an even larger and more powerful industry like the pharma, you can only imagine what goes on.

    Now, HAVING SAID THAT......the fact that thousands are getting these shots right now and NOT having awful side effects would sort of show that the probability of being seriously ill or killed by the shot might be very, very miniscule at this point.

    I don't think it's fair to automatically think someone who is skeptical is loony. But there's also room for common sense when questioning vaccines.

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    Native1 (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    Thanks Native1 for your intelligent response.

    I am curious, though, how you are convinced that the thousands of people getting these shots have not had awful side effects?

    I heard about someone on the east coast who died the day after they took the H1N1 vaccine, and no stories were written in the paper about them. Their family was very disturbed by this. Then there is the case I posted above of the girl who came down with a terrible neurological disorder. Then there are the cases of autism in children that might not be immediately acknowledged.

    The fact is this vaccine has not been tested, and until it is, I refuse to take it and I encourage others to DEMAND that the safety of these types of vaccines are truly demonstrated before pushing them onto the public using propaganda techniques.

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    loonpt (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    Well from what I understand, the vaccine is made in the same way that the regular seasonal flu is made. The same process, and really that shot is seen to be safer by people, for some reason.

    I do believe that some people WILL have rare reactions to vaccines of ANY kind. It happens. To suggest otherwise is just as "delusional" as thinking that all medicine is poison. The truth is that for some people, for unknown reasons, the vaccine won't be safe. It certainly doesn't help those individuals who have reactions or side effects to say that the vaccine is safe for the vast majority.

    But let's put this into perspective. For most of us, if we had the swine flu shot, it's certainly safer than say, our drive to the doctor's office to get the shot. Statistically, there are probably half a dozen behaviors we engage in every day which are riskier to our health or even our lives than getting this shot.

    Side effects and reactions happen. And the companies that provide the vaccines and meds certainly aren't going to be very helpful in establishing links.

    Now, if you're talking about side effects down the line, I'd be more inclined to think that's a possibility. Who knows how ANY flu shot or vaccine could effect us in the future. The theory that engineered crap in our bodies can cause cellular damage later on is a good one. But natural or organic things can do the same; shingles, a very painful and dangerous virus is actually a result of the chicken pox virus which remains dormant but retained in the bodies of those of us who have had it. What causes the virus to come out of dormancy and give people shingles some thirty or forty years after contracting the original virus is not even known, yet.

    So really, we could say it's all dangerous. And that it's all potentially harmful, even those things which are out of our control.

    I think the bigger issue than the vaccine is that their is evidence that the vast majority of cases of H1N1 are either mild or highly survivable for the majority of people. It's been published that anywhere from 1.8 million to 2.5 million people in the US were infected with H1N1 during a specific period over summertime. And of those numbers, approx 850 people died. That's actually a lower rate than similar rates of infection of seasonal flu.

    The media loves to scare us. I'm definitely washing my hands and avoiding crowds; I don't want H1N1. But I don't think it's any more necessary to get a flu shot this year than it ever is for those who aren't in a very high risk group.

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    Native1 (anonymous profile)
    November 4, 2009 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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