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NAM Round Table
The NAM Round Table consists of news, insights, visions, ramblings and rants from the writers at New America Media.
Questions You Should Ask Before You Get The Swine Flu Vaccine With the H1N1 swine flu virus vaccine becoming available this month, there is a big push to vaccinate as many people as possible. However, whether or not you decide to take the vaccine, there are important questions you should ask your doctor or other health practioner to make sure it is the right choice for you and your family. 1. Does the Vaccine contain additives such as mercury or squaline? Additives called adjuvants like mercury (thiamerisol) are added to inhibit bacterial contamination. However, some studies have implicated mercury as a cause of autism and squaline as a cause of neuological damage respectively.2. How can I avoid getting a vaccine that contains mercury? Ask to receive your vaccine from a single dose vial. Unlike the multiple dose vials which contain thiamerisol, the single dose vials do not contain that additive. 3. Will getting the vaccine completely protect me from getting the swine flu? The vaccine comes in two forms – a nasal form and an injectable form. The nasal form contains live virus that has been altered (attenuated) to be less infectious. The injectable form is made from a killed form of the virus. Because there is an increased risk of actual infection, the attenuated virus should not be given to individuals with compromised immune systems such as pregnant women, HIV patients, those on chemotherapy or children. 4. Is the swine flu more dangerous than the seasonal flu? Since the outbreak of the flu this past spring, over 74 countries have documented cases of the H1N1 virus. There have been approximately 345,000 cases world wide with 4,100 deaths. Conversely, there are approximately 40,000 deaths due to the seasonal flu each year in the US. Statistics continue to suggest that the H1N1 virus is not as deadly as has been purported. To date it has been a relatively mild and self-limited infection in both adults ans children.5. What are the risks and benefits of taking the vaccine? The mortality rate is largely associated with pneumonia caused by secondary bacterial infections. In fact secondary bacterial pneumonia was the main cause of death in the influenza pandemic of 1918. It is important to weigh the risks associated with the potential side effects of the vaccine vs the vaccine’s inability to protect from the more deadly complication of bacterial pneumonia.comments |
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Should one take the swine flu shot if one is taking treatment for an active case of CIDP. I am on IGG infusion weekly now?
By Gary Casaus · Posted on Oct 4, 02:51 PMRegarding the above questions regarding the swine flu vaccine:
By Jessica · Posted on Oct 4, 07:30 PM1. There are no vaccines being produced with adjuvants-please refer to CDC website. This information is readily available.
2.see above
3.NO vaccine ever provides 100% protection against any illness in all people. This is a well-known fact. Please refer to the VIS that is handed to any patient with ANY vaccine received.
4. Most humans have some acquired immunity to seasonal flu due to strain mutation and previous exposures or immunizations. To H1N1 (swine flu), there isn’t an acquired immunity. Also, regarding the “lower” number of deaths, please again refer to the weekly CDC flu map for these statistics. Please also consider that the deaths from seasonal influenza occur over a period of 4-5 months. We are now 2-3 weeks into the true pandemic and influenza season with H1N1, it is spreading extremely quickly, and death tolls are rising by hundreds daily.
5. Most of the “swine” flu deaths are associated with secondary bacterial infections, most from pneumococcus, which,if people were adequately immunized, should not be a problem. The other is MRSA. A weakened immune system from a viral infection leaves the ability to fight a bacterial infection lower.
-Please read the actual CDC information before making a decision. Most if not all of these answers can be found there. Thanks!
In response to Jessica – Please see www.vaccinesafety.edu – it clearly identifies the vaccines which contain thiamerisol/mercury. The common flu vaccine and H1N1 and some other vaccines DO contain mercury. Please note the EPA level of allowed mercury from all sources is 1 mcg/kg/day. The standard 25 mcg dose of mercury per H1N1 shot (same for the seasonal flu shot) means that one would have to weigh 550 lbs for this NOT to be an overdose. In short, this is an overdose per EPA criteria.
2. The fact that no vaccine prevents illness 100% is the point of the Blog. Because death is most often secondary to the secondary bacterial infection and not the swine flu virus itself, it is important to ask if the benefit of getting the vaccination outweighs the risk of possible neurological side effects such as the paralysis associated with Guillain Barre.
3. According to an article carried on Yahoo news yesterday, “A recent report by the White House’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, which modeled the outcomes of an infection rate of 30 percent, found up to 1.8 million Americans could require hospitalization and some 30,000 could die. That figure would be lower than the average of 36,000 Americans who die annually from seasonal flu, which usually begins around October”. Even by White House estimates, the swine flu is actually projected to be less deadly than the seasonal flu. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091004/hl_afp/healthfluusvaccine_20091004021356)
4.The point in #4 is contradicted by the statement in #3 and is another important point of my Blog. The swine flu vaccine neither provides 100% protection against getting the swine flu nor does not provide protection from the bacterial secondary infection. In fact, it might actually be wiser to get the pneumococcal vaccine instead.
By Elaina George, MD · Posted on Oct 4, 09:43 PMDear Mr Casaus,
Thank you for your question.
You probably should not should take the vaccine because CIDP is an inflammatory auto-immune disease that affects the neurological system. You may be at risk for an exacerbation of your symptoms since vaccines stimulate an immune response which is pro-inflammatory. You also have to be concerned about possible Gullain- Barre syndrome. It is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) – a condition that affects peripehral nerves.
By Elaina George, MD · Posted on Oct 4, 10:17 PMHas anyone here even thought about the much simpler means to be safe and healthy is to just eat foods that can support our immune system.All this hype about a flu that many overseas are saying came out of a lab seems to me to be far more dangerous than the flu itself.personally I have never taken a vaccine since I have had the choice,And as such I haven’t had more than a cough and a bit of a head cold in 10 years.Yes that’s right one head cold and cough in a decade.So lets stop with the hype and start thinking for our selves.
By Matthew · Posted on Oct 5, 04:03 PMIs there any way to get a vaccine that does not contain squaline? I appreciate your input on how to avoid mercury – but what about squaline? I am 32 weeks pregnant and know that it is highly recommended I recieve the vaccine so the antibodies are passed to my baby – but is the benefit really worth the risk of arthritis and neuological damage?
By Mary · Posted on Oct 5, 05:07 PMI’ve had a kidney transp.this spring and 2 strokes take several immune suppressants….is it ok to have the h1n1 shot
By jimloomis · Posted on Oct 5, 05:59 PMi had a kidney transplant 3 years ago..i take immuno suppresants should i get the vaccine or is it not worth the risk
By matthew holt · Posted on Oct 5, 06:34 PMI have an 18 y/o daughther diagnose with Alport syndrome when she was 3 y/o. Her illness has continue progressing slowly. she gets sick more often than other kids her age and it takes twice as long for her to recuperate when she is sick. Up to this day she has never been in renal failure, Thanks God. But I have mix feelings regarding the H1N1 vaccine. Should she take it? Thank you
By Jackie · Posted on Oct 5, 06:40 PMAt least the fear of Gullain-Barre syndrome is a valid one. My neighbor told me that “they” are going to put little discs into it (the vaccine) which will act as GPS units so that “they” will know where we are at all times! I asked her where she heard this and she said “in Bible School”. Give me strength!
By Peggy Boss · Posted on Oct 5, 08:52 PMPlease refer BIG PHARMA and kindly give them more money.
By Don Orre · Posted on Oct 5, 09:51 PMI have a 1 year old son. Is it safe for him ?
By Juan · Posted on Oct 5, 10:18 PMI had a severe case of Guillain Barre Syndrome 3 yrs. ago, of which I am still recovering from. Is it safer for me to get the Swine Flu shot, or not to get the shot?
By Shiner · Posted on Oct 6, 01:12 AMDear Mary,
Squalene is an adjuvant that has not technically been approved in the US. For those who don’t know what it is – Squalene is a type of fat found in foods like olive oil. When it is eaten it actually has benefits as an antioxidant. However, when it enters the blood stream through an injection it can trigger an autoimmune response by inciting the immune system to attack all ‘squalene containing’ structures in the body. The highest concentration is in the nervous system because nerves are wrapped in a sheath that is made in part of squalene. When these cells are attacked, it can damage the neurological system. In fact, studies have linked the nerve damage of soldiers affected with the Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) with the squalene that was present in the Anthrax vaccine that they were given. Soldiers who developed neurological symptoms and chronic pain associated with GWS had received the vaccine, while the soldiers who did not receive the vaccine had no complaints. Although it technically has not been licensed in the US, the fast tracking of the vaccine has left the question of whether squalene is present in some of the vaccines dispensed unanswered.
Because there is no way to make sure that Squalene is not present in the vaccine, I would say that it appears that the risks outweigh the benefits.
By Elaina George, MD · Posted on Oct 7, 03:32 PMDear JMLoomis and Mr Holt, individuals on chemotherapy with a suppressed white count and those on immunosuppressant drugs post organ transplant.
Should definitely NOT get the nasal version of the spray since it is made with live-attenuated virus. In this version the virus is active, but weakened. It is capable of infecting both the individual and others around the person who received the shot for up to 21 days after the vaccination has been given.
The injection does not contain live virus, but there is a question of whether the immunosurpressed person can mount an affective response. Since vaccines work by stimulating a vigorous immune response there is a question of how effective the vaccination will be.
By Elaina George, MD · Posted on Oct 7, 04:00 PMDear Jackie,
As you know Alport syndrome is an inflammatory genetic condition that affects kidney function. Vaccines stimulate an infammatory response. In addition, adjuvants like mercury can also exacerbate the inflammatory response. Therefore, you should be careful about having your daughter take the H1N1 vaccine in its injectable form as it may exacerbate her nephritis.
As discussed above, the live attenuated nasal form is capable of actually causing an infection. Since you describe your daughter as being highly suseptible to getting ill and taking longer to recover, it would seem that she is at higher risk of having complications associated with taking either version of the vaccine. You should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
By Elaina George, MD · Posted on Oct 7, 04:17 PMDear Juan,
Mercury is one of the adjuvants used in the multi dose vial injectible form of the new Swine Flu vaccine. It is not recommended to be given to children under 6 months old. Therefor your son who is 1 yr old can be given the vaccine.
There is a question about whether mercury plays a role in causing autism. One study found an increase in mercury in the urine of children with autism and none in children without autism. Although no definitive answer has yet been found to unequivocally tie mercury to autism, there is still cause for concern in giving the thiamerosol to pregnant women and to children as mercury is known to be neurotoxic. In addition, studies have found a weak link between thiamerosol and neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM096228. The FDA and CDC have recommended that thiamerosol be reduced and/or removed from childhood vaccines for enhanced safety.
If you do decide to vaccinate your son make sure you ask the doctor to use the single dose vials because they do not contain mercury.
I would not recommend that he get the nasal version. Since it contains live virus it could not only infect him, but members of the household and others who come in contact with him. They may become infected since an individual can be infectious without having any symptoms for up to 21 days after he/she is given the nasal vaccine.
By Elaina George, MD · Posted on Oct 7, 04:37 PMDear Shiner,
You should not receive the vaccine, it is contraindicated. You are at higher risk of having another episode of Guillain-Barre.
By Elaina George, MD · Posted on Oct 7, 04:41 PMor those of you wanting more information on immunizations check out this website. http://naturalnews.com/
By Garrison S. · Posted on Nov 2, 01:27 PM