Published: November 02, 2009 09:32 pm      

Medical experts defend vaccine

Health officials urge target groups especially to get the shot.

Despite some doubts from the public, local health officials say flu shots are safe.

Regarding H1N1 specifically, Lori Sylvester, the infection control coordinator at Logansport Memorial Hospital, said health officials recommend the vaccine especially for those in target groups such as pregnant women and children.

“There are no ill effects from the H1N1 vaccine,” Sylvester said. “People think back to the 1976 swine flu debacle. But so many strides have been made in those 37 years in the safety and efficacy of flu shots.”

Sylvester said flu shots were created each year by health officials who decide which flu is predominant and take genetic information from that flu and plug it into the vaccines.

Overall, Sylvester said she recommended people get both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine.

“I had no qualms in taking them,” she said. “I had no ill effects. People think, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s going to give me the flu.’ Usually, if they do get the flu after having the shot, they have been exposed before developing immunity on their own prior to the shots.”

• Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.