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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
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]
What's in a flu shot?
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."
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.
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.
Does the flu shot protect?
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.
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]
Targeting the elderly
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%.
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.
A serious concern: Alzheimer's
Disesase
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]
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]
Flu vaccine now for children
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]
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)
Alternatives?
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.
Making the decision
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.
REFERENCES
[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
[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.
v] MMWR.
November 9, 2001 / 50(44);984-6
[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.
[viii] The
Relationship of Toxic Effects of Mercury to Exacerbation
of the Medical Condition Classified as Alzheimer's
Disease by Boyd E. Haley, PhD.
[ix]
NeuroReport, 12(4):733-737, 2001
[x]
http://www.testfoundation.org/
[xi] MMWR. 2002;51[RR-3]:1-31
[xii]
Package insert. Influenza Virus VaccineFluzone® 2003 -
2004 Formula
[xiii]
MMWR. 2002: 51 [RR-3], pg. 19
[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.
[xv]CDC-Handwashing:
An ounce of prevention keeps the germs away.
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