30 per cent would not say yes to the vaccine, while 33 per cent said maybe. Just 37 per cent said they would definitely have the jab.
By Daniel Martin
Up to a third of nurses will say no to the swine flu jab because of concerns over its safety, a poll has found.
NHS workers are first in line for the vaccine, but a survey of 1,500 nurses found many will reject it.
Last night a Government scientist condemned the results saying nurses who do not have the jab are putting patients at risk.
Nevertheless the poll, by Nursing Times magazine, will raise questions over the Government’s planned mass vaccination programme.
Of 1,500 readers, 30 per cent would not say yes to the vaccine, while 33 per cent said maybe. Just 37 per cent said they would definitely have the jab.
Of those who said they would refuse the jab, 60 per cent said their main reason was concern about the safety of the vaccine.
A further 31 per cent said they did not consider the risks to their health from swine flu to be great enough, while 9 per cent thought they would not be able to take time off work to get immunised.
Some 91 per cent described themselves as frontline nurses.
One told the magazine: ‘I would not be willing to put myself at risk of unknown long-term effects to facilitate a short-term solution.’
Another added: ‘I have yet to be convinced there is a genuine health risk and it’s not just Government propaganda.’
But Professor David Salisbury, the Department of Health’s director of immunisation, reckoned it was unfortunate nurses would ‘knowingly leave themselves at risk’.
He added: ‘They have a duty to their patients and they have a duty to their families. I think you solve those responsibilities by being vaccinated.’
And Chief Nursing Officer Christine Beasley insisted: ‘Frontline nurses will be absolutely crucial in the height of a pandemic without them, patient care will suffer and the NHS will be stretched.
‘Getting the vaccine will protect nurses and their patients. That’s why we’re offering frontline nurses the vaccine as a top priority.’
The jab, currently being fast tracked, will not be fully tested before it is administered.
There will be no tests at all carried out on children under three, even though babies and children at high risk will be among the first to get the vaccine.
There are also concerns the jab can cause Guillain Barre Syndrome, which can lead to paralysis and even death.
A mass swine flu vaccination in the U.S. in 1976 caused far more deaths than the disease it was designed to combat and the Health Protection Agency watchdog has asked doctors to be on the lookout for cases of GBS.
Last week Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson announced the jab will be given to high-risk groups with asthma or diabetes, as well as health workers.
Some 14million will be covered by the first wave of the vaccination programme.
Aftermath News 
There is no need to panic for swine flu. It’s simple to prevent or cure it. Go for traditional methods of increasing immunity such as Yoga!
It is good to hear from health professionals who are not taking this situation as they are told. I have always asked my Dr. “Will YOU be taking this yourself? What of your son/wife/mother?”
The rumor is that a few hundred thousand troops are being deployed to enforce this crap on every person around.
After reading what goes into just the usual flu shots, I, who qualifies for it under several flags, stopped taking them. Cancer cells? Fetus? Ant killer? Noooo thank you.
Instead I play prima donna in the flu season. No lip kisses to almost everyone, limited hand shaking, much hand washing, avoidance of public transit, and of course all year round yoga breathing to strengthen my lungs.
As for the breeding grounds of the heavy party season over Christmas and New Year’s, I tend to avoid the party circuit entirely, instead only a few special dinners here and there. Better for my waist as well.
So far, so good. Not had a cold for four years now. As for the severity, just knowing that the swine flu was created in lab tells me who created it and why. And only one of the reasons is money.
Tamiflu will make Rumsfeld alot of money via his shares.
After checking UK Tamiflu stocks and most expire in 2010/12.
Add to this the WHO changing the definition of the word pandemic,which USED to mean before it’s new handy meaning, thousands were dying across the world daily and more each day becoming victims.
Wash your hands, but then soap and water doesn’t make shares rocket.
With any FLU, it’s the raised Temperature that kills really, humans need to stay cool.
Take Paracetomol as directed rest lying on the top of the bed clothes not under duvets, take cool showers aiding the cooling process also plenty fluid.
At risk groups well, thats’ different, small babies and children then a doctor may be required.
Normal healthy adults, whats the fuss?
Big lies, big reactions, nurses should research before taking any new vaccine.
Recall Gulf war syndrome?
SQUALENE GULF-WAR SYNDROME
check contents of the new vaccine…the base jel especially!
Let politicians take it….me, i just don’t trust any of them!
In the 70s outbreak more died from the vaccine than the flu.
With all the lies and illegal wars trusting them on health we’d be crazy!
Worrying kills- so don’t worry!
The politics of fear are rampant these days!!