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- Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
- Path: sparky!uunet!enterpoop.mit.edu!bloom-picayune.mit.edu!wccf.mit.edu!buzz
- From: buzz@wccf.mit.edu (Sheila Gay Buzzee)
- Subject: immunization
- Message-ID: <2JAN199310582382@wccf.mit.edu>
- News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41
- Keywords: immunization
- Sender: news@athena.mit.edu (News system)
- Nntp-Posting-Host: wccf.mit.edu
- Organization: MIT - Whitaker College
- Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 15:58:00 GMT
- Lines: 24
-
- Yes, there are risks associated with immunizations, but there are undeniable
- benefits when the disease is particularly nasty and the vaccine is 'safe'. I
- am currently being vaccinated for Hepatitis B, using a recombinant DNA
- technology that mimics the virus but CANNOT give me Hepatitis. As Hepatitis
- has been causally associated with liver cancer and I am exposed to untreated
- human blood and tissue samples, I think I would be immensely foolish not to
- take this precaution.
-
- Immunization is also required for travel in certain countries, as well as
- for admission to certain universities. I would gladly go through the series
- of immunizations all over again for another chance to see Kenya and Tanzania.
-
- I think this issue is too complex for pat answers. Talk with a trusted
- friend who has some medical knowledge. Find out what the real risks are for
- the disease in question, and what type of vaccines are available. And don't
- forget important considerations such as school admittance. I am fortunate to
- have a very informed and liberal father, who embraces a number of
- non-traditional treatments but also recognizes the value of more standard
- practices when they are neccesary. He has been a very valuable resource.
-
- Best wishes and good luck with your decisions.
-
- Buzz
-
-