By Gary Schwitzer
Matthew Herper of Forbes recently wrote that:
Delta Airlines is "putting the lives of children at
risk" by showing a video that downplays the importance of flu shots,
according to a letter sent last week by the American Academy of
Pediatrics. The AAP says that the advertisement "urges viewers to become
informed about influenza and how to stay well during the flu season
without resorting to the influenza vaccine."
The video, produced by the National Vaccine Information
Center`(NVIC), is being shown as part of in-flight programming on some
Delta Flights, and has resulted in angry blog posts and an online
petition with 2,000 signatures that urges consumers to "tell Delta
Airlines to stop putting their passengers’ health at risk." The video
is embedded in this story.
Now influential physician-blogger Val Jones writes:
I had assumed that Delta would be grateful for the
heads up, and would immediately remove the infomercials. Instead, they
chose to ignore the letter, denying that they saw any harm in
associating themselves with anti-vaccine activists. Despite the warning,
they will continue to run the ads through the month of November.
Every year the influenza virus kills as many as 49,000 Americans and
500,000 individuals world-wide. According to the CDC, the best defense
against these often preventable deaths is the influenza vaccine. Since
viral spread is especially likely in closed quarters where air from
infected individuals is recirculated (such as in an airplane) it is
critical for extra precautions to be taken before and during air travel.
In addition to yearly flu vaccination, the use of alcohol-based hand
wipes, regular hand washing, covering one’s mouth during coughing, are
recommended. Since the flu virus can live in droplets outside the body
for up to 48 hours, door knobs, seat covers and tray tables can spread
the virus from passengers on previous flights.
I don’t understand why Delta, having been duly informed of their
mistake, would continue to run ads from a group that misinforms
Americans about vaccine-preventable illness. I wanted to believe that
they would do the right thing, but apparently they "signed out AMA" on
this one.
Which means that I will NOT be flying Delta in the foreseeable future
and I hope you won’t either. When U.S. physician organizations are flat
out ignored by corporate executives, it leaves us with only one choice –
to speak with our feet. Sadly, the bottom line may matter more to them
than the health and safety of their passengers.
She also posts a petition against Delta and encourages Twitter users to use the #DontFlyDelta hashtag.