By Johanna Yee
Round Table reporter

Soon after the H1N1 influenza outbreak, a vaccine was produced.  Although an innoculation seemed to be greatly needed, some Middletown High School students question its safety.

Rumors are spreading about the side effects of the vaccine.  According to national news reports, some people fear the vaccine is tainted with antifreeze or Agent Orange – both potentially deadly chemicals.  Scientific research has confirmed none of these rumors.  

Many MHS students consider the news about the dangers of swine flu to be exaggerated and don’t feel the vaccine is worth the perceived risk.

“It’s been way overplayed by the media,” said MHS senior Kelly Dellameter.

MHS junior Tanner Beard agreed.  “All the news talks about is all the people who died from it, not all the people who lived through it,” he said.

Alyssa Myers, MHS senior, caught swine flu and was happy that her case was not too severe.

“I had a really high fever for two days and had to stay in bed,” she said.

As MHS students hear about their friends recovering quickly from the swine flu and the negative reports about the vaccine, they are questioning whether they should get vaccinated. 

“I think they rushed the vacccine.  I think it’s not very safe,” said MHS sophomore Maggie Motherway.