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Vaccinations

Vaccinations

Date: Dec 18 2009

Themes: Health, News

Grammar: Zero Conditional

Intro

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Headaches, sore throats, and stuffy noses are all a regular part of the winter flu season. But this year, fear over swine flu, also known as H1N1, has led thousands of Americans to wait in line for hours in order to be vaccinated against the virus.

The use of vaccines has nearly eliminated certain illnesses, such as smallpox and measles. But some people fear the side effects of vaccines and would rather take their chances with the flu than get a vaccination for it. Find out if Jason and Dale will be lining up to get their flu shots this season.

Dialog

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Dale

Dale

Jason

Jason

Dale:  Do you take any vaccinations at all?

Jason:  I try not to. I haven’t had any for a long time just because I fear the health effects it may have, the side effects.

Dale:  So are you afraid of the H1N1 vaccination?

Jason:  I’m actually…yeah, I’m more afraid of the vaccination than the H1N1 virus, I would say.

Dale:  Really.

Jason:  Yeah. I mean, there’s all kinds of anecdotal evidence about people who get a vaccine and then suddenly they gain 50 pounds permanently or they develop a mental illness of some kind. It seems like these vaccines are a lot of case worse than the disease itself.

Dale:  Isn’t it fair to say that kids should get these vaccinations?

Jason:  There’s whole groups of people who don’t vaccinate their children because people link it to autism and all kinds of problems, so…I don’t know, if I have kids, it’s going to be a tough decision, because in some ways you want to be…you don’t want to take their chances with whatever crazy diseases are out there. But at the same time, you don’t want to risk causing some sort of problem with vaccinations.

Dale:  It’s a tough decision.

Jason:  You’re sort of damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Dale:  Exactly.

 

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Discussion

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Jason doesn’t like to get vaccinations because he is afraid of the side effects. Although many people are lining up to get vaccinated against swine flu this season, Jason would rather take his chances with the virus than get the vaccine. He’s heard some horror stories about people getting sick from the H1N1 vaccine.

Most people have their children vaccinated when they’re babies. But there is growing concern in the U.S. over the possible side effects of these shots. Some people believe that childhood vaccinations can lead to autism. But this hasn’t been proven, and we know that vaccines can save lives.

Did you get a flu vaccine this season? Would you want your child to be vaccinated?

 

Comments

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Eleniya

Eleniya

Russian Federation

You know, guys, my familiar doctors don't get this vaccine themselves and they don't do it with their own children. They say it's a silly way… People simply believe in what is imposed to them by Supreme power and Massmedia…

10:32 AM Dec 19 2009 |

TulipS

Philippines

We should always remember that whatever diseases will come to us, we should always be prepared. Be a good example to small children who are suffering from different illnesses due to germs and other bacteria they get from the sorroudings.

 We can teach them simple procedure like washing hands always before eating and clean their environment for them to play well.

06:30 AM Dec 19 2009 |

Metab

Metab

Saudi Arabia

I feel they are exaggerating about the diseases . I guess it's a big commercial rumor to market the vaccinations and other Instruments.

04:07 AM Dec 19 2009 |

vivivi^^

vivivi^^

China

 I‘m afraid of the Swine Flu,but i don't like to get vaccinations .

 

03:00 AM Dec 19 2009 |

Pearl Yau

China

It's a hard desision for parents in China. Many kids were infected and turned into a not so optimistic situation. Some poor family even give up treatment. Although the vaccin is some kind of dangerous, many kids still have to inject it.

01:51 AM Dec 19 2009 |

csh1215

csh1215

South Korea

I have no choice, Everyday we can hear the news of H1N1, which is dead or vaccinations. Although there is the side effects, In future, when it appears more powerful virus and flu to ours, It may be helpful to ours.  

01:21 AM Dec 19 2009 |

sweetboy0312

Taiwan

I didn't take the flu vaccination either. In my country now, goverment supplies all civilians to take H1N1 vaccination and news says many people lined up for vaccines. However, I think it's unnecessary for adults and another reason is I really hate to line up for something. Fortunately, I don't have children now. If I had children, yes, it would be a really tough decision! Advanced medicine and biotechnology really help people, but I believe they did bring some side effects. It's kind of like a tradeoff. Nothing is perfect. So, weigh the risks between both.

12:48 AM Dec 19 2009 |

Ca_Brazil

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

i didnt get any flu vaccine. actually, its not avalaible for all people, just for who are in a risk group. i did have all vaccines when i was kid, thank God. though, i know a lot of people, especially kids, die all over the world just because these dont have these vaccine shots. of course, if i had kids they all would be vaccineted.

11:45 PM Dec 18 2009 |

daalex

daalex

Sweden

I think the vaccine is pretty unnecessary, at least for me :P

11:35 PM Dec 18 2009 |

nono_cute

nono_cute

Iraq

looool i havent taken vaccine and i wont take it , this winter i've got flu 3 times but non of them was swine flu hahahaha anywayz i deserved it cuz i didnt wear heavy clothes…^^

08:35 PM Dec 18 2009 |

carlosbertholdi

Brazil

I just can't believe, what I just heard. When this BS against vaccine is going to end it's been proven and repeatedly proven that there is NO link between autism and vaccination, why people insist in arguing with this dead argument against vaccine, and why lay people listen to lay people in the first place about a subject that they don't know nothing about and even worse, making a comment with no knowledge whatsoever and even MORE worse making it a public statement, like Jason and Dale did. When we, people, that need an information about a subject that we know nothing about, we need to talk to a specialist on the subject that we are trying to make a decision on, in this case we should talk to our physician, if that's not enough, or we think that our doctors are biased, we should then try to search something on the internet for a research on side effects of vaccines from a trustworthy institution, not listen to famous persons or some bullshit article on a popular magazine or newspaper that as well, usually no nothing about on the subject that they wrote.

07:20 PM Dec 18 2009 |

bienemaja

bienemaja

Andorra

I haven´t taken any vaccine for flu…

06:39 PM Dec 18 2009 |

Fallenblossoms

Saudi Arabia

I didn’t take any vaccine this season,,, I just take care of myself ,,, i heard about the side effect of the vaccine and that's one of the reasons why I didn’t take it ,,,

05:00 PM Dec 18 2009 |

cutebaby1

cutebaby1

Russian Federation

I didn't get any vaccine this year. And I don't usually take vaccinations, because I know some better ways not to catch a cold or a flu! People should try to lead a healthy life, eat more vegetables, fruits, wear warm clothes and of course take vitamins! In this case evenif you catch a cild it's not gonna be a bad cold! and you will recover very soon!!!

04:06 PM Dec 18 2009 |

max1983

max1983

Germany

amicus this lady got right point about

03:56 PM Dec 18 2009 |

jgarzon

jgarzon

Colombia

Yes. I agree people need to take care about your health. One way is to get a vaccine for flu seaso. I get this kind of vaccine very year, and I haven't had any problem with side effects,and I feel protected againts viruses.

03:35 PM Dec 18 2009 |

Tibbe

Tibbe

China

my friend got H1N1 about 3 weeks ago, but now she has recovered.

that's a good news for me,you know, i can see her smile again.

 

02:42 PM Dec 18 2009 |

SÉRGIO

SÉRGIO

Brazil

Our worst enemies are invisible!!

Have healthy habits to combat it!!

12:20 PM Dec 18 2009 |

Eleniya

Eleniya

Russian Federation

I totally agree with amicus...

10:07 AM Dec 18 2009 |

another kid

Romania

 In my county this vaccine against AH1N1 virus is made by people who have over 16 yars old…so i didn't make it because i'm 15 :) . This vaccine is an optional and the people had to assume responsibility if they refuse the vaccine against AH1N1 virus.

08:43 AM Dec 18 2009 |

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