A recent article in UK newspaper, The Independent, revealed that people on methadone maintenance may be among the first to receive the swine flu vaccine, along with other vulnerable groups such as the young, the elderly and diabetics.
I'm relieved that the vulnerability of populations is a factor in this decision, particularly as people with a history of injection drug use are more likely to be HIV positive, to have other infections, and to be immune compromised through their excessive levels of stress. An infection such as swine flu is much more likely to be fatal under these circumstances.
However, the decision is anticipated to be controversial, and I'm bracing myself for the inevitable criticisms -- why should drug users have priority over other, more deserving groups -- which are thinly veiled (or in some cases, completely unveiled) attacks on the morality and basic human rights of people with addictions.
Time will tell how the situation pans out, but I hope the National Health Service sticks to prioritizing on the basis of need , rather than political factors such stigma towards those with addictions.
Photo (c) Getty Images/Ulet Ifansasti/Stringer
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I think Drug addicts should get it first.Because people with Heroin Addiction and other drug addiction are vulnerable, because their immune systems are weak.
I dont know about this Swine flu vaccine. Could you please tell side effects of this so that I can have this vaccine.
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