The Red, White, and Green

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All vaccines carry the slight risk of adverse reactions, but the release of the H1N1 vaccine last fall seemed to provoke even more fear-based chatter than usual: Sixty percent of parents surveyed said they would pass on vaccination for their children — with nearly half expressing concern about side effects. Health care workers also appeared leery of the vaccine, with nearly half surveyed saying they would refuse the shot.

But no story struck more fear in the hearts of vaccine skeptics than that of Desiree Jennings, the beautiful Washington Redskins cheerleader who was supposedly stricken with dystonia after receiving the H1N1 vaccine. I’ll admit: I was on the fence about getting vaccinated; but after watching this horrifying video of Jennings struggling to walk and talk, I decided against it.

Now, Jennings has made a miraculous recovery, and it appears that her affliction may not have been vaccine-induced after all. Watch:

[Watch video on YouTube]

Side effects of the flu vaccine can be severe, if rare — nearly 564 “serious” health events have been reported in the US so far, including 42 deaths — but to date, the H1N1 vaccine has proven no riskier than the seasonal influenza vaccine.

–Jennifer Grayson

Do this now: Should you get vaccinated? Read about the risks from Dr. Steven Novella, the Yale University neurologist who was interviewed for the Inside Edition piece.

Related post:
Swine flu and the origins of kosher law

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