Do doctors and
nurses take the flu shot?
In Neal Z. Miller's Revised Edition of Vaccines Are They Really Safe &
Effective?, page 87, the Associated Press of October 9, 1997 is
stated as source that about 70 percent of doctors and nurses do NOT get annual
flu shots.
why I dont take
flu shots by Chet Day, on Dr. Mercola's site
"First off, I don't think toxic chemicals and virus strains grown on living
tissue belong in the human body, even when they're packaged in sterile glass
vials." - - Ingredients, Adverse effects,...
Do flu shots work? - - -
Why Japan ended compulsary School age flu shots
... 60% Vaccination twice annually, or dropping to 20% coverage made no
difference in flu incidence. Two large studies with cities with vaccination
rates between 1% and 90% showed little difference in incidence. In fact,
vaccinated incidence rates were slightly higher. "From 1972 to 1979 , a
total number of 142 children and families sued the government for damages. The
total number of deaths were 50, severe developmental retardation were 65, and
intractable epilepsy were 35."
Dr Greene.com - - study of
793 children shows no decrease...
Earlier studies have strongly suggested that the vaccine dramatically prevents
ear infections. An unpublished, yet news-making, study of 793 children aged 6
to 24 months, presented at the May 2002 meeting of the Pediatric Academic
Societies, reports no decrease in ear infections, doctor's visits, ER visits,
antibiotic prescriptions, ill family members, or missed work, school, or
daycare in those that received the vaccine.
FLU VACCINES Interview
of Dr Eva Snead by Gary Null
"Well we have talked about vaccines and that they are all totally unsafe."
"The other problem is that all viral vaccines contain not only the
particular virus but they also contain traces of leukaemia virus, cancer
producing viruses etc. These are not completely removable, they exist in the
chicken from which these eggs are taken and although they claim that they are
like 98% purified, 2% of several billion viruses is still an awful lot of
cancer and leukaemia dangers."
[pork product, GBS, HIV, neurologic problems,money]
The Flu Vaccine Is It
Really Safe and Effective? home.sprynet.com gyrene
"In a 1993 Dutch article on a nursing home for the elderly 50% of the
vaccinated population caught the illness compared to the 48% unvaccinated."
"We have all heard of the Swine flu vaccine disaster of 1976 that left over
565 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome paralysis, as well as other neurological
problems and many unexplained deaths among recently vaccinated elderly."
which shows for the years 1979-1998, combined pneumonia and influenza
deaths:
US population 65-74 (graph shows about 60 deaths per 100,000)
US population 75-84 (graph shows about 200-250 deaths per 100,000)
US population 85 and up, (graph shows about 750 up to 1150 (in 1988),
back to over 1000 deaths per 100,000)
"Over the past twenty years, age specific death rates for pneumonia and
influenza have increased in the older adult populations (65+ years), and
decreased in the childhood population (0-14 years), and have remained
relatively constant in other population subgroups.
The national data indicate a significant rise in the age specific pneumonia
and influenza death rates among people 85 years and older.
"Source: NCHS, 2000a,b; NCHS 1999. Rates are age adjusted to the 1940 US
population.
Nationally, death rates from pneumonia and influenza have remained
relatively constant since the 1980s (approximately 12-13 deaths per 100,000
population). ..." [for a population of 280 million X 12/100k = 33,600 deaths.
So I think 20,000 is just the flu deaths.]
In the time period that death rates from flu increased in
the older sub-population, the following pro vaccine -short course- thoughtfuly
informs us that the vaccination rates also increased!
"...is a sterile suspension prepared from influenza viruses propagated in
chicken embryos. The virus-containing fluids are harvested and inactivated
with formaldehyde. Influenza virus is concentrated and purified in a linear
sucrose density gradient solution using a continuous flow centrifuge. The
virus is then chemically disrupted using Polyethylene Glycol p-Isooctylphenyl
Ether (Triton r X-100 - A registered trademark of Rohm and Haas, Co.)
producing a "split-antigen." The split-antigen is then further purified by
chemical means and suspended in sodium phosphate-buffered isotonic sodium
chloride solution. Fluzone has been standardized according to USPHS
requirements for the 2002-2003 influenza season and is formulated to contain
45 micrograms (µg) hemagglutinin (HA) per 0.5 mL dose, in the recommended
ratio of 15 µg HA each, representative of the following three prototype
strains: A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2) (an
A/Moscow/10/99-like strain) and B/Hong Kong/1434/2002 (a B/Hong
Kong/330/2001-like strain). 1 Gelatin 0.05% is added as a
stabilizer. Fluzone is supplied in two unit dose preservative-free
presentations distinguished by a pink syringe plunger rod: a 0.25 mL prefilled
syringe (for pediatric use) and a 0.5 mL prefilled syringe; both are
formulated without preservatives but contain a trace amount of thimerosal
[(contains 49.6% mercury),(<=0.5 µg Hg/0.25 mL dose) (<=1.0 µg Hg/0.5 mL
dose)] from the manufacturing process. Fluzone is also supplied in two other
presentations: a 0.5 mL prefilled syringe and 5 mL vial of vaccine, of which
both contain the preservative thimerosal [(mercury containing compound), 25 µg
mercury/0.5 mL dose]. Fluzone, after shaking syringe/vial well, is essentially
clear and slightly opalescent in color. ANTIBIOTICS ARE NOT USED IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF FLUZONE."
"Among persons aged >=65 years, influenza vaccination levels increased from
33% in 1989 to 66% in 1999, surpassing the Healthy People 2000 goal of 60%. "
"Influenza A viruses are further categorized into subtypes based on two
surface antigens: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). Influenza B viruses
are not categorized into subtypes. Both influenza A and B viruses are further
separated into groups based on antigenic characteristics. New influenza virus
variants result from frequent antigenic change (i.e., antigenic drift),
resulting from point mutations that occur during viral replication. Influenza
B viruses undergo antigenic drift less rapidly than influenza A viruses. Since
1977, influenza A (H1N1) viruses, influenza A (H3N2) viruses, and influenza B
viruses have been in global circulation. A person's immunity to the surface
antigens, especially hemagglutinin, reduces the likelihood of infection and
the severity of disease if infection occurs. However, antibody against one
influenza virus type or subtype confers little or no protection against
another virus type or subtype. Furthermore, antibody to one antigenic variant
of influenza virus might not protect against a new antigenic variant of the
same type or subtype. The frequent development of antigenic variants through
antigenic drift is the virologic basis for seasonal epidemics and the reason
for the possible incorporation of >=1 new strains in each year's influenza
vaccine." "Influenza-related deaths can result from pneumonia as well as from
exacerbations of cardiopulmonary conditions and other chronic diseases. In
studies of influenza epidemics occurring from 1972-1973 through 1994-1995,
excess deaths (ie, the number of influenza-related deaths above a projected
baseline of expected deaths) occurred during 19 of 23 influenza epidemics.
During those 19 influenza seasons, estimated rates of influenza-associated
deaths ranged from approximately 30 to >150 deaths/100,000 persons aged >=65
years. Older adults account for >90% of deaths attributed to pneumonia and
influenza. From 1972-1973 through 1994-1995, >20,000 influenza-associated
deaths were estimated to occur during each 11 different US epidemics, and
>40,000 influenza-associated deaths were estimated for each of 6 of these 11
epidemics. In the US, pneumonia and influenza deaths might be increasing in
part because the number of older persons is increasing."
[Note: deaths per 100,000 in the >65 age group have increased after 1980.]
"SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF FLUZONE (SUBVIRION) IN INFANTS BELOW THE AGE
OF 6 MONTHS HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED."
"The majority of influenza vaccine distributed in the US contains
thimerosal, a mercury-containing compound, as a preservative. Thimerosal has
been used in US vaccines since the 1930s." [read rest on pg 4-5]
"CONTRAINDICATIONS
INFLUENZA VIRUS IS PROPAGATED IN EGGS FOR THE PREPARATION OF INFLUENZA VIRUS
VACCINE. THEREFORE, FLUZONE SHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED TO ANYONE WITH A
HISTORY OF HYPERSENSITIVITY (ALLERGY), ESPECIALLY ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS, TO
EGGS OR EGG PRODUCTS. IT IS ALSO A CONTRAINDICATION TO ADMINISTER FLUZONE TO
INDIVIDUALS KNOWN TO BE SENSITIVE TO THIMEROSAL. EPINEPHRINE INJECTION
(1:1000) MUST BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE SHOULD AN ACUTE ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION
OCCUR DUE TO ANY COMPONENT OF FLUZONE.
Fluzone should not be administered to patients with acute respiratory or
other active infections or illnesses. Immunization should be delayed in a
patient with an active neurologic disorder, but should be considered when the
disease process has been stabilized.
WARNINGS
Fluzone should not be administered to individuals who have a prior history of
Guillain-BarrT syndrome (GBS). If Fluzone is administered to immunosuppressed
persons, the expected antibody response may not be obtained. As with any
vaccine, vaccination with Fluzone may not protect 100% of susceptible
individuals."
"Since the likelihood of febrile convulsions is greater in children 6
months through 35 months of age, special care should be taken in weighing
relative risks and benefits of vaccination.
Prior to an injection of any vaccine, all known precautions should be taken
to prevent adverse reactions. This includes a review of the patient's history
with respect to possible sensitivity to the vaccine or similar vaccine, to
possible sensitivity to dry natural latex rubber, previous immunization
history, current health status (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS sections)
and a knowledge of the current literature concerning the use of the vaccine
under consideration. Special care should be taken to prevent injection into a
blood vessel."
"Systemic Reactions
Fever, malaise, myalgia, and other systemic symptoms can occur following
vaccination and most often affect persons who have had no exposure to the
influenza virus antigens in the vaccine (e.g., young children).1,14
These reactions begin 6 to 12 hours after vaccination and can persist for 1-2
days. Recent placebo-controlled trials demonstrate that among older persons
and healthy young adults, administration of split-virus vaccine is not
associated with higher rates of systemic symptoms (e.g., fever, malaise,
myalgia, and headache) when compared with placebo injections. 1
Immediate - presumably allergic - reactions (e.g., hives, angioedema, allergic
asthma, and systemic anaphylaxis) rarely occur after influenza vaccination.
These reactions probably result from hypersensitivity to certain vaccine
components; the majority of reactions likely are caused by residual egg
protein. Although current influenza vaccines contain only a limited quantity
of egg protein, this protein can induce immediate hypersensitivity reactions
among persons who have severe egg allergy. Persons who have experienced hives,
have had swelling of the lips or tongue, or have experienced acute respiratory
distress or collapse after eating eggs should consult a physician for
appropriate evaluation to help determine if vaccine should be administered.
Persons who have documented immunoglobulin E (IgE)--mediated hypersensitivity
to eggs--including those who have had occupational asthma or other allergic
responses to egg protein--also might be at increased risk for allergic
reactions to influenza vaccine, and consultation with a physician should be
considered. Protocols have been published for safely administering influenza
vaccine to persons with egg allergies. 1,15 [.. continues on with
GBS, etc]
Although influenza is associated with more disease, hospitalization, and
death in "at risk" populations, no adequate controlled studies exist which
prove that influenza vaccine reduces the incidence of influenza in these
groups.
Past studies by NH Arden, et al, of type A(H3N2) influenza vaccine in
nursing home patients yielded an average of only 27 percent efficacy with four
studies demonstrating vaccine efficacy at 0, 2, 8 and 9 percent. Poor vaccine
efficacy can even occur when the vaccine virus is "essentially identical" to
that virus which is causing the outbreak. For influenza B vaccine, studies
conducted by Arden range from 0 percent to 36 percent effective, averaging 21
percent.
Considering that more than 90 percent of pneumonia and influenza deaths
occur in persons 65 years of age or older, but that about 65 percent of all
deaths (from any cause) occur in this age group anyway, it is nearly
impossible to prove if flu shots significantly increase life expectancy in the
elderly. Indeed one study of elderly Medicare patients in Ohio and
Pennsylvania, published in Options for the Control of Influenza II, showed "no
demonstrated effect of influenza vaccine in preventing death or limiting the
length of hospital stay."
Instead of being an effective prevention, evidence indicates that flu shots
may be useless. Although endorsed and funded by federal and state governments
the shots seem only to benefit the companies that make them, public health
bureaucrats who promote them, and medical personnel who administer them.
Many people have asked me to reprint the flu shot information.
Here it is from our Oct 2000 newsletter:
"According to Hugh Fudenberg, MD, the world's leading immunogeneticist and
13th most quoted biologist of our times (nearly 850 papers in peer review
journals), if an individual has 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 one, two or no shots. (1)
I asked Dr. Fudenberg why this was so and he said it was due to the mercury
that is in every flu shot (and many childhood shots). The gradual mercury
buildup in the brain causes cognitive dysfunction.
Is that why Alzheimer's is expected to quadruple? (2)
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
"A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth."
-- Albert Einstein, letter to a friend, 1901
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education."
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to William C. Jarvis, September 28, 1820
"What's the point of vaccination if it doesn't protect you from the unvaccinated?"
-- Sandy Gottstein
"Who gets to decide what the greater good is and how many will be sacrificed to it?"
