Free H1N1 Inoculation

Considering how may countries now are in short supply of inoculation against the H1N1 virus 猪流感, I consider myself extremely lucky to live in Beijing. As of a few days ago, the government decreed that the H1N1 inoculations were to be extended beyond the elderly, school children and more susceptible victims to all permanently registered residents of Beijing. Ordinarily, each shot would cost Y150 (US$22) - a pretty hefty price for ordinary Chinese people, when considering a regular doctor's check-up is about Y20(US$3)....one of the few remaining advantages of subsidized living under a Communist government. Of course, the main reason everyone suspects is the fact that this city swarms with the nation's government officials so containing the virus at the civilian level is first priority. According to Xinhua, the Chinese major newpaper, the Ministry of Health reported that more than six million people had received the vaccine in the country as of yesterday. About 55,000 cases of A(H1N1) flu had been reported and 16 deaths recorded.

I made the long 2 hour long journey out to the northern outskirts of Beijing together with the teachers of the language school to get the shot. With all the hype about this deadly disease, we were surprised to find that we were the only people there for the shot. The school provided us a free van that drove us out to the hospital. We had to first sign a release form which indicated that we might experience a range of after effects such as headaches, dizziness, sore joints, fever, redness or soreness at the injection spot, dry mouth, stomach ache, etc. Two of the eight of us who went were not eligible for the shots because one had chronic coughing health issues and the other was allergic to dust and mite. The doctors were afraid that the shot would hasten reactions or side effects. Contrary to our expectations, the shot itself was not at all painful. After the shot, we had to linger around for a half hour to see if any of us would suffer from any after effects, for which they had prepared antidotes. None of us had any adverse reactions.

I thought it interesting that given the opportunity for the free inoculation, only less than 10% of the people from the school wanted it. Many were more afraid of getting sick after shot than prevention against the infection itself and many just don't seem to think much of it! Coming from the States where there's more of an inclination towards being germophobes and considering that this is a deathly disease, it is shocking to say the least. Another situation that exemplifies the difference between American and Chinese mentality.

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