Community | October 04, 2009 | 5 comments

Woman paralyzed after getting swine flu shot in 1976

source: http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa091001_mo_flushots.1d772fc...

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TravG73

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa091...

Swine flu fears and the prompting of a nationwide vaccination effort isn't new.

In 1976, 45 million people received shots against the disease. However, it was the vaccination that ended up doing more damage. Twelve people died and another 400 people were paralyzed after developing rare neurological complications.

Dorothy Head of Garland was among those who developed a neurological disorder. It happened 33 years ago and is still fresh in her memory.

"I've never had a flu shot before, and haven't had one since and don't intend to have any," she said.

She and her husband received vaccinations designed to protect them from getting the swine flu.
  1. groups:
    Community,   Max and Jason: Still Up,   Swine Times,   The 70's
  2. tags:
    Health,  Swine Flu,  Vaccines,  H1N1
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5 comments // Woman paralyzed after getting swine flu shot in 1976

  • catfancy09
    • 0
      catfancy09  

    • I was one of the people who got a flu shot at that time and after waiting for 3 weeks to see if I would either die or be paralized I decided not to ever get another one. So far I haven't. Yes I know things have improved but that scared - - - - - - - - feeling is hard to forget.

    • 3 years ago
  • lu7cky
    • 0
      lu7cky  

    • pretty sure they have changed some of the standards in testing since 1976 and also made some medical advancements. I will be getting my shot as soon as it is available and I suggest that everyone does, even if some one will profit from it, it's better than being sick or worse.

    • 3 years ago
  • xwolp
    • 0
      xwolp  
    • lu7cky:

      it's not even remotely the same virus or the same vaccine than back in the 70s
      and even back then, the vaccination damage reports were grossly overestimated. most rare complications were only marginally higher than in the general population and most of them recovered fully

      so in short, it was safe back then, it's even more safe now

    • 3 years ago
  • maof4brats
  • hunzedog
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