Parents shouldn't worry about H1N1 vaccine

It looks like more H1N1 swine flu vaccine is making it's way to our neck of the woods. As is always the case, some people are refusing to take it, saying there are side effects and that it's not necessary. This vaccine is no more dangerous than any other flu vaccine, and getting it can protect individuals, family members, neighbors and coworkers. For that reason, we hope people use good sense and get the vaccine.

For whatever reason, some people have bowed their necks about taking this vaccine. That's often the case whenever something like this occurs, and their fears are unfounded. Some parents get upset about vaccinating their children for school, claiming it can cause autism or causing other issues. They never stop to think of all the terrible things the vaccines prevent. No one wants to go back to those terrible days when kids died from polio and other ailments.

The fact is, vaccines are incredibly safe. Of course there are occasional and rare side effects. That's true of any drug. But for the vast majority of people, these vaccines help ward off a nasty strain of flu that can kill people. Yes, influenza kills people every year, but this strain is more dangerous to younger, healthy people because they have no resistance to it.

We understand that people have a right to not be forced to take a drug. But it's also true that if too many people refuse it, the flu can continue to grow and affect many more people than it would otherwise.

What isn't needed are people who see a conspiracy under every stone claiming the government if making people do this for kooky reasons and that it's unsafe. This H1N1 vaccine is very safe and it's being offered because this version of flu is serious.

Let's hope most people will decide to err on the side of caution and get their kids vaccinated. The more we can stop this outbreak, the quicker the threat goes away.

The government isn't trying to force something dangerous on the populace. Precautions are being taken and the public should step up and take advantage of the vaccine.