Up to date with vaccinations
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Imagine how On the Pulse choked on its donut during a leisurely, feet up coffee break, when an international disease warning reared its ugly head.
A diagnosis of measles was made in two young Sydney adults who had travelled to India without keeping their measles vaccination is up to date!
In fact, three of the six cases of measles this year in NSW were acquired in India.
Measles is highly infectious and easily spread through coughing and sneezing, and Hunter New England Health (HNEH) said it’s contagious for people who are not fully immunised. Of course, that begs the question.
Just how many of us are fully immunised?
On the Pulse was certainly uncertain if it could safely go to India, regardless of the number of readers who would love to see it sent there.
HNEH said anyone born after 1965 should have two doses of vaccine at least four weeks apart. Children should receive two doses of vaccine, one at one year and the second at 18 months-of-age.
That’s after checking with your doctor first, of course. NSW Health offers free measles-mumps-rubella vaccine through GPs for people born after 1965.
For more information you can go to www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/Measles_Factsheet.aspx
As for overseas travel, well, as far as On the Pulse can see you have three choices; either get your shots up to date before you go, don’t go at all or don’t worry about it and go to India, where you can spend all your time dodging potential sneezes or coughs from about 1.2 billion Indians.
Trust us, we’re professional
That time of the year again when the Roy Morgan telephone survey sorts out the sheep from the goats in the professions.
It’s something On the Pulse really anticipates as it continues the fight to justify its existence by constantly finding any evidence whatsoever of any professional group that might actually be less trusted by the public.
Nurses were rated as the most ethical and honest profession by 92 per cent of Australians for the 21st year in a row, since they were first included on the survey in 1994.
Pharmacists and doctors came in equal second on 84 per cent and school teachers scored an impressive 78 per cent ahead of engineers on 74 per cent.
But that’s enough of the top end of town.
Moving down, down…and down, ah, there we are, print journalists at number 19 (out of 30) with 18 per cent.
OK, it might not sound too impressive to some.
But, just like Garth Brooks, On the Pulse has friends in low places, and they include talk back radio hosts and TV reporters, who came in below 18 per cent and left on the Pulse feeling pleasantly smug.
In fact, state MPs, federal MPs, union leaders, real estate agents, stock brokers advertising people and used car salesmen (on the bottom of the heap for 30 years) all came in at less than 18 per cent, leaving On the Pulse feeling all warm and fuzzy.
They may get paid the big bucks, but other than millions of dollars for their retirement, flash cars and dream lifestyles, what have they really got to show for it?
On the Pulse knows they would kill for the respect we have, even if it is a bit dodgy at times.