By Charles Moton
“What”s in the flu shot” (Record-Bee Opinion page Aug. 20) completely misses the point on vaccinations. The writer doesn”t seem to understand that every kind of vaccination is hazardous to a small portion of the population. A few people will die from the vaccination, but so many more will be saved that the tiny loss of human life is worth it. Consider smallpox. Smallpox has virtually been wiped off the earth. The only place where smallpox still exists is in laboratories, as a biological weapon. Yet, the smallpox vaccine did kill some individuals as a result of the vaccination. Were these deaths worth it? Of course!
The flu shot will give some individuals an allergic reaction; in some cases death will be the result. Are the results worth the risk? Of course. Scientists believe that Columbus brought the swine flu to America. The result was that Native Americans from Florida to the Yucatan were wiped out. The swine flu appeared again in the early years of the 20th century. Millions died due to the lack of immunization through a vaccine. Everything from chlorination of our drinking water to our antibiotics will kill a few people. Nothing put in the human body is 100 percent safe. To criticize vaccinations ? the flu vaccinations in particular ? because a few people die is senseless when weighed against the number of people saved.
Charles Moton
Lucerne
