- News reports have been flooding us with articles warning
that the impending flu season may be the worst in years. Even though it
is difficult to separate the facts from the hype, a close evaluation of
the flu vaccine will reveal that serious questions must be raised about
the recommendations that are routinely touted, namely high efficacy with
little risk. Anyone considering a flu shot should become informed about
the substances coming through that needle, and should be determined to
investigate the safety and efficacy issues that are still unresolved.
- The vaccine virus
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- Each year, a new vaccine is developed that contains three
different viruses (one influenza B and two influenza A strains). CDC officials
select the new viruses based on which viruses were prevalent during the
flu season in China and Australia the previous year. The CDC admits that
the viruses selected for the new vaccine are chosen on the basis of an
"educated guess." [i]
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- What's in a flu shot?
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- The influenza virus is grown in "specific pathogen-free"
(SPF) eggs. Eggs are tested for a variety of agents-usually between 23
and 31-to confirm the absence of those specific pathogens. Laboratories
limit the number of agents that are screened due to the shear abundance
of potential viruses and/or bacteria to choose from. In addition, screening
for every potential agent would be cost prohibitive.[ii] If none of the
tested agents are detected, the vaccine is reported as "pathogen free."
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- However, it should be understood that there is a distinct
difference between "pathogen free" and "specific pathogen-free."
In its July 1996 report, the Institute of Medicine acknowledged that "although
it is not possible to produce a completely uncontaminated animal, it is
possible to produce an animal [or egg] certified to be free of specific
pathogens."[iii] Viruses that are harmless to their animal host,
however, may be potentially harmful to humans.
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- During the manufacturing process, antibiotics (neomycin,
polymyxin B and gentamicin) are added to eliminate stray bacteria found
in the mixture. The final solution can contain the following additives
in any combination: Triton X-100 (a detergent); polysorbate 80 (a potential
carcinogen); gelatin; formaldehyde; and residual egg proteins. In addition,
many of the influenza vaccines still contain thimerosal as a preservative.
Thimerosal (mercury) is being investigated for its link to brain injury
and autoimmune disease.
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- Does the flu shot protect?
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- There are no guarantees that the influenza viruses selected
for the vaccine will be the identical strains circulating during a given
flu season. In fact, it has recently been announced that this year's flu
vaccine does not include the strain that is being reported by doctors in
the community called the "A Fujian" strain. Outbreaks have been
reported in Texas, Colorado and elsewhere[iv] that involve strains that
do not match the current flu vaccine. CDC tests have confirmed that more
than 80 per cent of the 55 strains of influenza virus isolated thus far
are the A Fujian strain. Even so, the CDC still maintains that the current
vaccine could provide cross-protection against the new variant, but the
fact is, no one knows for sure.
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- Moreover, the majority of illnesses characterized by
fever, fatigue, cough and aching muscles are not caused by the influenza
virus. Non-influenza viruses (e.g., rhinoviruses respiratory syncytial
virus [RSV], adenoviruses, and parainfluenza viruses) can cause symptoms
referred to influenza-like illnesses (ILI). Certain bacteria, such as Legionella
spp., Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae,
have been documented as the causes of ILI.[v]
- Notably, these microbes are not part of the flu vaccine.
Unless an organism's antigen is contained within the vaccine, there is
no protection conferred by the vaccine. It is estimated that most adults
will average 1-3 episodes of ILI, and most children will average 3-6 episodes.
The CDC also admits that "many persons who have been vaccinated against
influenza can still get the flu"[vi]
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- Targeting the elderly
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- The flu vaccine is generally recommended for persons
aged 65 and older, and those with medical conditions who could experience
serious complications from the flu. Medical journals report broad differences
in effectiveness for the elderly, ranging from 0 to 85%.
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- The CDC states that 90% of deaths from influenza occur
among the elderly. Considering that nearly 65% of all deaths (from any
cause) occur in this age group, it is nearly impossible to prove that flu
shots significantly increase life expectancy in this group. The truth is
that most people-young and old-will weather a bout of the flu without hospitalization
or complications.
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- A serious concern: Alzheimer's Disesase
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- Hugh Fudenberg, MD, an immunogeneticist and biologist
with nearly 850 papers published in peer review journals, has reported
that if an individual had five consecutive flu shots between 1970 and 1980
(the years studied), his/her chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease is
ten times higher than if they had zero, one, or two shots.[vii]
- Dr. Boyd Haley, Professor and Chair of the Department
of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky, Lexington has done extensive
research in the area of mercury toxicity and the brain. Haley's research
has established a likely connection between mercury toxicity and Alzheimer's
disease. [viii] In a paper published in collaboration with researchers
at University of Calgary, Haley stated that "seven of the characteristic
markers that we look for to distinguish Alzheimer's disease can be produced
in normal brain tissues, or cultures of neurons, by the addition of extremely
low levels of mercury."[ix]
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- Does this prove that the mercury contained in the influenza
shot can be directly linked to Alzheimer's? No, absolutely not. But further
research in this area is critically needed because the absence of proof
is not the "proof of absence."[x]
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- Flu vaccine now for children
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- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
adopted a resolution effective March 1, 2003 that expanded the use of the
influenza vaccine to include children aged 6-23 months. The recommendations
also included vaccinating those aged 2 to 18 years who live in households
containing children younger than 2 years of age.[xi]
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- The flu vaccine most commonly given to children is Fluzone>,
a trivalent vaccine grown in chicken eggs. Harvested with formaldehyde
and containing the recommended ratio of 15 ug of each of the three prototype
viral strains, each dose of Fluzone> also contains 25 ug of mercury.[xii]
The new CDC recommendations include giving the influenza vaccine to children
beginning at six months of age and then annually, for the rest of their
lives. Children less than age 9 receiving their first flu shot, two doses
of vaccine are recommended, with a minimum interval of one month between
the two doses. However, the CDC does not provide a direct reference to
substantiate this recommendation.[xiii]
- On June 17, 2003, the FDA approved an intranasal influenza
vaccine for use in healthy persons aged 5-49 years. Flumist> is a live-virus
vaccine that can cause a litany of problems. (for further information on
FluMist)
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- Alternatives?
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- If you choose not to receive the flu shot, have a discussion
with your doctor regarding other options. However, some simple and possibly
quite effective things you can do for yourself to prevent the flu include:
1) avoid white sugar;[xiv] 2) exercise regularly; 3) get adequate sleep;
4) eat a healthy diet, omitting trans-fats; 5) drink plenty of purified
water daily and 6) wash your hands. A common way people contract viral
illnesses is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after their hands have
been contaminated with a virus. The CDC states, "the most important
thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands."[xv]
- We are so used to taking medications-for prevention and
treatment-that it is difficult to comprehend that these modest recommendations
are really the most powerful ways to minimize the likelihood of getting
the flu.
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- Making the decision
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- You may decide to consult a physician who is schooled
in alternative medicine to assess a variety of options for you and your
family. What is most important, in the end, is to become as informed as
possible regarding your options for keeping healthy and avoiding the flu.
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- REFERENCES
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- [i] Sabin, Russel and Reynolds. Breakdowns Mar Flu Shot
Program Production, distribution delays raise fears of nation vulnerable
to epidemic. San Francisco Chronicle. Feb. 25, 2001
-
-
- [ii] Charles River Laboratories, A Laboratory Animal
Health Monitoring Program: Rationale and Development,' (Winter 1990); Source:
Internet address
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- [iii] Institute of Medicine Press Release: Federal Guidelines
Needed to Ensure Safety in Animal-to-Human Organ Transplants. July 17,
1996.
-
-
- [iv]CBS: The Associated Press. CDC Says Flu Season Is
Going Strong in Parts of U.S., Vaccine Doesn't Match Strain Doctors See.
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- [v] MMWR. November 9, 2001 / 50(44);984-6
-
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- [vi] MMWR Nov. 9, 2001/50(44); 984-6
-
-
- [vii] Hugh Fudenberg, MD, is Founder and Director of
Research, Neurolmmuno Therapeutic Research Foundation. Information from
Dr. Hugh Fudenberg came from transcribed notes of Dr. Fudenberg's speech
at the NVIC International Vaccine Conference, Arlington, VA September,
1997. Quoted with permission.
-
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- [viii] The Relationship of Toxic Effects of Mercury to
Exacerbation of the Medical Condition Classified as Alzheimer's Disease
by Boyd E. Haley, PhD.
-
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- [ix] NeuroReport, 12(4):733-737, 2001
-
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- [x] http://www.testfoundation.org/
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- [xi] MMWR. 2002;51[RR-3]:1-31
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- [xii] Package insert. Influenza Virus VaccineFluzone®
2003 - 2004 Formula
-
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- [xiii] MMWR. 2002: 51 [RR-3], pg. 19
-
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- [xiv] All forms of refined sugar depress white blood
cells' ability to destroy bacteria. See Sanchez A, et al. Role of sugars
in human neutrophilic phagocytosis. Am J Clin Nutr 1973;26:1180.
-
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- [xv]CDC-Handwashing: An ounce of prevention keeps the
germs away.
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