ophidia in herba

Yesterday, this headline caught my attention: "CDC official downplays risk from swine flu vaccine" (http://www.wtop.com/?nid=106&sid=1661303). I liked the use of the word downplays. This is certainly another use of media spin used to encourage people to take the pharmaceutical method of so-called prevention. For a transcript of that episode of CNN's "State of the Union" go here.

According to the news article Dr. Schuchat is trying to clear up misinformation about the H1N1 vaccine. I ask, "What about her disinformation?" She says that "everything we know right now suggests a very good safety profile for the vaccine." She insists that "the seasonal flu vaccine is made exactly the same way as this H1N1 vaccine," rather than mentioning any novelty of this year's vaccine.
At least one manufacturer Novartis will be creating their H1N1 vaccine with an adjuvant not yet licensed for general use in the US (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148563.php). Whether or not that vaccine gets sold in the US remains to be seen as all official word is that MF59, the squalene-based oil-in-water adjuvant in question, is not yet licensed for use by the FDA. However, considering that the HHS Secretary has enacted PREPA, it is anyone's guess what may be available in our vaccines.

Novartis touts the safety of MF59 in such studies as this one found in the New England Journal of Medicine, http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/NEJMoa0907650v1.pdf. However, as my readers know, I have issue with corporate sponsored studies do to the fact they all too often find in favor for the sponsor. However, in an uncharacteristic move to protect the population, the FDA has not yet authorized MF59. The FDA has at this point admitted a lack of research on the affects of MF59 on lab animals (http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/80n0208/80n-0208-c000037-15-01-vol151.pdf), and questions still exist about autoimmune response (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15194169).

I will admit, MF59 or other squalene based adjuvants may be a non-issue in the US. However, the CDC has admit the fact that some batches of the H1N1 vaccine, among others, will contain thimerisol, a mercury based preservative (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/thimerosal_qa.htm). Included in that admission is the fact that even though the FDA has been phasing out thimerisol in vaccines for children under six, it still exists in influenza vaccines. I think far too little testing has been done on that substance.

Personally, until multiple, peer-reviewed, long-term studies are performed to examine both the effectiveness of vaccines themselves as well as any dangers of the ingredients, I am simply going to stay away from vaccines. Despite the reassurance of government officials, I am not feeling assured.