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There is long term, large population evidence that the flu vaccine does NOT save lives in those over 65. Graphs

The flu vaccine is NOT effective in any age group at preventing the flu.

It is never safe to inject decaying matter mixed with poisons into the human body. See the adverse effects section.

Deaths from flu and pneumonia declined by about 90 percent of the year 1900 rates before the widespread use of flu vaccine. This demonstrates with certainly that the major preventive of flu deaths (and flu incidence) is sanitation and nutrition. The fact that no further declines have occured in the death rate for combined flu and pneumonia deaths tells us that the ONLY preventive for flu deaths and flu incidence is the lifestyle elements which make a healthy life. Further improvements to health as regards the flu will have to come by renewed efforts regarding sanitation and nutrition. This is especially true for the area of nutrition as the real cause of the flu is the body's need to eliminate the by-products of difficult to digest foods or food combinations. The severity of flu is similar to all other 'contageous' diseases in that the amount of toxic material in the body and the amount of available nutritional support elements (I.E. Vitamin C) are the main items which determine severity or success of the cleansing process which we call the 'symptoms of the flu.'

Note:
Using some figures from the census bureau, I calculate that from 1980 to 2000 the elderly population (over 65) grew about 1.4 times (increased 40%) while flu vaccinations have risen by over 3 times (20% to 66%) in this age group. As you can see from the next quote, deaths have increased over 200 percent

Influenza-related deaths can result from pneumonia and from exacerbations of cardiopulmonary conditions and other chronic diseases. Deaths of adults aged >65 years account for >90% of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza. In one study, approximately 19,000 influenza-associated pulmonary and circulatory deaths per influenza season occurred during 1976--1990, compared with approximately 36,000 deaths during 1990--1999. Estimated rates of influenza-associated pulmonary and circulatory deaths/100,000 persons were 0.4--0.6 among persons aged 0--49 years, 7.5 among persons aged 50--64 years, and 98.3 among persons aged >65 years. In the United States, the number of influenza-associated deaths has increased in part because the number of older persons is increasing, particularly persons aged >85 years. In addition, influenza seasons in which influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominate are associated with higher mortality; influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominated in 90% of influenza seasons during 1990--1999, compared with 57% of influenza seasons during 1976--1990.

See http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaxsupply.htm
"...as many as 132 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available from currently licensed manufacturers in the U.S. for use during the 2007-08 influenza season."
"...sanofi pasteur is projecting that 10 million to 12 million doses of thimerosal-free vaccine in pre-filled syringes or vials ..." [mostly in 0.25 mL syringes]
"MedImmune is projecting up to 7 million doses of the thimerosal free nasal vaccine, FluMist, ..."
Also CSL Biotherapy, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline are producing preservative-free vaccines this season.

Ingredients: (sources are manufacturers statements.)
FluMist®: (MedImmune) Live attenuated cold adapted virus*, allantoic fluid (egg white), sucrose, potassium phosphate, and monosodium glutamate. Source http://www.drugs.com/PDR/Flumist_Vaccine.html.

FLUARIX^TM: (GlaxoSmithKline) Chicken embryos, virus*, sucrose, sodium deoxycholate, formaldehyde, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride, octoxynol-10, Alpha-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate, and polysorbate 80, trace thimerosal (<1.25 mcg mercury per dose). Each dose may contain residual amounts of hydrocortisone, gentamicin sulfate, ovalbumin, formaldehyde and sodium deoxycholate.

Fluzone®: (Aventis-Pasteur) Chicken embryos, virus*, formaldehyde, sucrose, octoxinol-9, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride, Gelatin, thimerosal in the 5mL vials (25 ug mercury/dose), no thimerosal in prefilled syringes.

* See manufacturers Package inserts for details. The links above are to the package inserts.

FLU Vaccine Ingredients depend upon the manufacturer
FluVirin, FluShield, FluZone, FluMist, Etc, Etc.

Ingredient and associated risk list for the Fluzone vaccine:

1. Chick Embryo - this can be problematic for those allergic to eggs or egg products

2. Formaldehyde - (Embalming Fluid) Formaldehyde has been classified as a human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Research studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have suggested an association between formaldehyde exposure and cancers of the nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, and brain, and possibly leukemia

3. Octoxinol-9 - This is a spermacide (kills sperm) Chills; confusion; dizziness; fever; lightheadedness; muscle aches; sunburn-like skin rash that is followed by peeling of the skin

4. Triton X-100 - Harmful if swallowed. Causes severe eye irritation. May be harmful if inhaled or in contact with skin. Toxicology not fully investigated. The product may contain traces of ethylene oxide or dioxane, which are probable human carcinogens.

5. Gelatin- Made from the boiled bones, skins and tendons of animals.

6. Thimerisol (mercury derivative) - Several cases of acute mercury poisoning from thimerosal-containing products were found in the medical literature with total doses of thimerosal ranging from approximately 3 mg/kg (Your vaccine contains 25 ug per 5mL dose) to several hundred mg/kg These studies reported local necrosis, acute hemolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal tubular necrosis, and central nervous system injury including obtundation, coma, and death

7. Sodium Phosphate - Phosphates are slowly and incompletely absorbed when ingested, and seldom result in systemic effects. Such effects, however, have occurred Symptoms may include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, blood chemistry effects, heart disturbances and central nervous system effects. The toxicity of phosphates is because of their ability to sequester calcium. Irritant due to its acidic nature. May cause inflammation and pain on prolonged contact, especially with moist skin. May sequester calcium and cause calcium phosphate deposits in the kidneys.

8. Sodium Chloride(Salt) - Very large doses can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and prostration. Dehydration and congestion occur in most internal organs. Hypertonic salt solutions can produce violent inflammatory reactions in the gastrointestinal tract. May irritate damaged skin; absorption can occur with effects similar to those via ingestion.

In light of the information above, this short video on vaccines really hits home: [Requires Windows Media Player]
http://www.cbc.ca/airfarce/vidplayer/AF_single_player.html?/season13/051202m&playerType=wmp

Aventis Pasteur Inc.
Swiftwater PA 18370 USA

"...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]

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Highlights of http://www.vaccineinfo.net/immunization/vaccine/influenza/flu_vaccine_facts.shtml
By Kristine Severyn, R.Ph., Ph.D.

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.

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http://www.healthsentinel.com/graphs.php?tablename=graphcategories&id=5&event=graphcats_print_list_item HealthSentinel.com's index page for graphs relating to flu mortality as well as one showing vaccine usage increase versus the recent increase in Mortality Rates associated with Pneumonia and Influenza.

Scaled graph, original was posted at: http://www.healthsentinel.com/graphs.php?id=66&event=graphs_print_list_item

The lack of worth of the flu vaccine is shown in a nutshell. The combined number of deaths from pneumonia and influenza declined greatly from 1900 to 1950 and continued to decline slowly until 1979 and thereafter begin to rise until the year 2000 experiended the same rate of combined deaths from flu and pneumonia as occured in 1960.