SHOULD YOU GET THE FLU SHOT?
Get the REAL Flu Facts before you decide.
"Look, first of all you have 2/3rds of the population
on aspartame
which interacts with all vaccines. Secondly, the CDC has admitted
this is not the same strain as the flu that is here. Of course it couldn't be,
its made from last year's flu vaccine. So even if someone wasn't
using aspartame, all it can do is give you the flu.
On an Ohio radio show Nov. 25,2003, a doctor stated 'If you have taken the flu
shot more than 8 times in the last 10 years you have an 80% chance of getting
Alzheimers'. Since aspartame is escalating Alzheimers anyway, and
memory loss is so prevalent with aspartame its like #9 on the FDA list of 92
symptoms, people won't have a chance.
Ingri Cassel, President
Vaccination Liberation
Stop Worrying About the Flu
By Dr. Joseph Mercola
Like diehard fans camping out overnight to be the first in line for concert tickets to their favorite performer, people are waiting in long lines hoping to get the flu vaccine. Yes, it's that time of year -- flu season and the media and the government have stirred the public into complete panic mode. Headlines flood newspapers reading, "Vaccine shortage leads public crisis" and on the hour radio broadcasts are bombarding the public with reports that the flu epidemic is coming and there aren't enough vaccines to fight it.
Before You Run Out to Get the Flu Shot ... Do Your Homework
It's becoming increasingly difficult to separate facts from the hype created by the media and government officials. In order to make an informed decision of whether or not to get the flu shot, it is of utmost importance to do your homework. This involves doing thorough research of the safety issues surrounding the flu vaccination and then learning the preventative measures against getting the flu in the first place.
The Target Markets for the Flu Vaccine: Elderly and Children
Generally, the flu vaccine is recommended for people ages 65 and older and to those with serious medical conditions that could quickly worsen as a result of serious complications from the flu. Reports from medical journals widely vary in the effectiveness for the elderly, ranging from 0 to 85 percent.
The CDC reports that 90 percent of deaths from influenza occur among the elderly. These kinds of statistics make it nearly impossible to credit the flu vaccine for prolonging lives in this age group, as 65 percent of all deaths (regardless of the cause) happen among the elderly.
Further, there are potential dangers to the flu vaccine, particularly to the already vulnerable elderly population. Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, one of the world's leading immunogeneticists, states the chances of getting Alzheimer's disease is 10 times higher if an individual has five consecutive shots than if they have one, two or no shots. This is likely due to the thimerosol (a mercury-derived preservative) and aluminum content of the vaccine.
Recommendations to give flu vaccinations to children were adopted on March 1, 2003. These recommendations include vaccinating children between 2 and 18 years who live in households containing children younger than 2 years of age. The most common type of flu vaccine given to children is called Fluzone, with each dose containing 25 ug of mercury. CDC recommendations include administering the flu vaccine to children beginning at six months of age and then on an annual basis, for the rest of their lives.
Does the Flu Vaccine Really Work?
The flu vaccine can actually weaken the immune system and make you more predisposed to the illness.
The flu vaccine, whether in the shot or nasal form, is worthless at best and should be avoided. Not only are they loaded with toxic chemicals including mercury and aluminum, but many people come down with the flu shortly after receiving the shot. This is because it actually weakens the immune system, making the person more predisposed to the illness.
The Dangers You Need to Know About FluMist
First, it is important to familiarize yourself with the side effects of FluMist, which include cough, runny nose/nasal congestion, irritability, headaches, chills, muscle aches and fever. Ironically, all of these symptoms bear striking similarities to the symptoms of the flu.
In addition, research has shown an increased risk of Bell palsy following intranasal flu vaccination, according to the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS). The makers of the nasal flu vaccine in the study decided not to market it the following season due to the risk. According to GACVS, the greater risk of Bell palsy following immunization with this vaccine may have been due to specific vaccine components, or simply to use of the intranasal administration route. It is therefore possible that such complications of vaccine administration may also apply to other nasal vaccines.
The new live-virus vaccine (FLUMIST), which is squirted up the nose, was licensed by the FDA in June 2003 for use in healthy individuals between the ages of five and 50. It is not recommended for pregnant women or those with asthma, chronic lung or heart disease; chronic underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disorders; immune suppression or immune system problems; children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy, anyone allergic to eggs; or those with a history of Guillain Barre syndrome. It should not be given simultaneously with other vaccines.
FLUMIST's vaccine live virus is shed after vaccination so the vaccinated are advised to avoid close contact with immune-compromised individuals for at least 21 days. Some hospital personnel are asking those recently vaccinated with FLUMIST to avoid visiting patients in hospitals to prevent the risk of transmitting the vaccine strain virus to sick patients.
Source: http://www.mercola.com/2004/oct/27/flu_options.htm
By Dr Sherri Tenpenny
www.nmaseminars.com
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
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]
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 Dangers of 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
[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] This information was stated at: http://www.testfoundation.org/
however their site has been removed.
[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.
********************