(no subject)
"In 1976 the US Government vaccinated 45 million people for a swine flu outbreak that never materialised.
But 500 people developed a rare neurological condition called Guillame Barre syndrome which left people in a coma and 25 died. "
I got this from a BBC news article, regarding the new vaccine they are getting ready to administer for H1N1.
People are panicking over the vaccine, saying it's not safe, it's not necessary, etc.
Let's look at the facts, shall we?:
1) Out of 45 million people who got the vaccine, 500 got a serious condition... that is .0011111%
2) out of these 500 people, 25 died... that's 5%
3) so that makes 5% of .0011111% of people that got the vaccine last time that died from complications with the shot.
I don't see the reason to panic.... maybe it's just me, but I don't.
I work in a hospital (security), so, when the vaccine becomes available, I am perfectly willing to get my shot, and take my 1/90,000 chance I'll have a serious reaction.
EDIT: for those who don't want to do the math, 5% of .0011111% means that the vaccine had a .000055555% mortality rate, and had a 99.999% success rate.