People should get H1N1 shot, speaker maintains

Conspiracy theories around the H1N1 vaccine vary from wacky to frightening, but Dr. Michael Gardam said they’re just tall tales.

Gardam, director of infectious diseases for the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, was at Country Day School recently as part of the food for thought lecture series. His aim was to straighten out some rumors about the H1N1 vaccine.

One of the buzzes about the shot is that contains a high amount of mercury, which could be fatal.

“Well if that’s the case, then you are in danger from eating tuna because there’s more mercury in a can of tuna than there is in the needle,” Gardam said.

He added it comes down to this; it’s the individual’s choice to get the shot. No one is forcing them.

“We recommend that you do get your shot,” Gardam commented.

When asked, he assured the audience that he and his family plan to get their shots.

Another popular question was who in Southern Ontario is sick?

Gardam said no one knows.

“That is another reason to get your shot because you don’t know who is sick,” he reported. “No one knows who has it.”

He also commented on the recent death of 13-yearold Evan Frustaglio.

“It’s a tragedy, but the risk of more children getting sick and dying is low,” Gardam said. “Everybody focused too much on it and it spun out of control.

Gardam also gave some helpful tips to avoid becoming sick.

“First off, wash your hands. Also use Purcell, (it) lowers the chance of getting the flu by 50 per cent,” he commented. “As well, I don’t think surgical masks work because for one thing any germs that gets on the mask during the day will get all over your hand when you take it off.”