- The following article is an article in the Online Vaccine
Conference at Redflagsdaily.com. This important online conference on vaccines
will play a significant role in stimulating public discussion on this vital
public health issue. You can also view other essential articles on vaccines
at the Online Vaccine Conference.
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- "MedImmune, the manufacturer of FluMist, recently
announced that it signed an agreement that makes FluMist, the new intranasal
influenza vaccine, readily available to people as they shop at Wal-Mart,
the world's biggest retailer." [1]
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- As the physician in charge of a bustling integrative
medical clinic, questions about vaccines frequently arise. After reading
about the MedImmune-Walmart joint venture, I felt compelled to warn our
patients and our Internet subscribers of the potentially serious complications
that may come from direct and passive exposure to this new vaccine. I also
wanted to give a "heads up" to everyone regarding the onslaught
of advertising that is about to besiege them.
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- Hundreds of TV and print advertisements have been designed
to persuade everyone into taking the FluMist plunge. The campaign will
be the "most intense, direct-to-consumer marketing campaign ever waged
for a vaccine," costing an estimated $25 million over the next 2.5
months [2]. In addition, Wyeth, MedImmune's partner, plans a three-year,
$100 million campaign to encourage use of the nasal flu vaccine among physicians.
[3]
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- The television arm of the blitz campaign will focus on
the "inconveniences" that your family, friends and co-workers
will endure if you don't get the flu shot and subsequently contract the
flu. Print advertisements and magazine articles apparently will use scare
tactics--similar to those that were used while promoting the smallpox vaccine--which
warned of the high possibility of a "bioterror attack using the flu
virus."[4]
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- Apparently, the goal seems to center around frightening--or
inducing enough guilt--so that everyone would begin to demand the vaccine
as soon as it is available. And at nearly $70 a dose, this will be a financial
bonanza for MedImmune and Wyeth, who are expecting the vaccine to become
the blockbuster new drug that will push MedImmune's revenues to more than
$1 billion/year. [5]
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- However, there are many reasons for caution. FluMist
contains live (attenuated) influenza viruses that replicate in the nasopharynx
of the vaccine recipient. The most common side effects include "cough,
runny nose/nasal congestion, irritability, headaches, chills, muscle aches
and fever 100? F."[6] These symptoms are nearly identical to those
the flu vaccine is designed to prevent. [7]
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- A cause for significant concern is the vaccine's most
prevalent side effects: "runny nose" and "nasal congestion."
It has been documented that the live viruses from the vaccine can be shed
(and potentially spread into the community) from recipient children for
up to 21 days, [8] and even longer from adults. [9] Viral shedding also
puts breastfeeding infants at risk if the mother has been given FluMist.
[10]
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- In addition to shedding via nasal secretions, the virus
can be dispersed through sneezing. What is the normal physiological response
when an irritant enters the nasal passages? A sneeze . sometimes a big
sneeze . sometimes several big sneezes. Therefore, the risk for shedding--and
spreading--live viruses throughout a school, church, workplace or store--especially
one which is administering the vaccine.
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- In the section of the FluMist package insert labeled
"PRECAUTIONS," the manufacturer states the following warning:
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- "FluMist? recipients should avoid close contact
with immunocompromised individuals for at least 21 days."
-
- The warning is specifically directed toward those living
in the same household with an immunocompromised person, but the on-going
release of live viruses throughout the community may be a significant risk
to everyone who has a weak, or weakened, immune system.
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- The number of immunocompromised people in the United
States is enormous: a.. It is estimated that at least 10 percent, or more
than 28 million people have eczema. [11] b.. More than 8.5 million people
have cancer. [12] c.. There are reported to be 850,000 individuals with
diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV infection or AIDS [13] d.. Based on 2001
data, there were 184,000 organ recipients [14] An even more extensive list
of at-risk people includes the untold millions on drugs called corticosteroids.
Prednisone?, Medrol?, and a variety of similar medications given to both
adults and children. These drugs are prescribed for dozens of conditions
including asthma, allergies, eczema, emphysema, Crohn's disease, multiple
sclerosis, herniated spinal discs, acute muscular pain syndromes, and all
types of rheumatoid and autoimmune diseases. As much as 60 percent of the
entire population could be considered to be "chemically immunosuppressed."
It is important to realize that FluMist is CONTRAINDICATED for people who
are immunocompromised. People who receive FluMist and are living with an
immunocompromised person put their loved ones at risk.
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- Will this make stores that administer the vaccines--like
Walmart and the other pharmaceutical chain stores that have announced they
will carry FluMist [15]--risky places to shop for large segments of the
population? What measures will be taken in these stores to ensure that
the virus will not become commingled with food? What hand washing policy
is going to be enforced in the stores for all Walmart employees and customers
who have received FluMist? These are reasonable questions that deserve
answers.
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- The target market for FluMist is "healthy children
and adults, ages 5 to 49 years." Some believe that by vaccinating
these people, a type of "herd immunity" will occur that will
protect the very young and the elderly who are excluded from getting this
vaccine. However, it is these very "at-risk" populations who
may suffer the most from the flu by being exposed to people who are given
FluMist.
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- According to information presented at the May 2003 National
Influenza Summit, [16] approximately 85 percent of Americans between the
ages of 20 and 50 go unvaccinated, and nearly 66 percent between the ages
of 50 and 64 do not receive the flu vaccine. Have there been "raging
epidemics" across the country due to lack of flu vaccinations? It
appears that the massive campaign to vaccinate everyone this year may be
motivated, in part, by economics.
-
- The viruses suspected to be the most likely cause for
the flu this season were negligibly different from the strains used in
last year's flu vaccine. Therefore, the influenza vaccine produced for
the 2003-2004 season is identical in composition to the one used last year.
This marks only the second time that the same strains have been used during
two consecutive flu seasons. [17] Consider that antibodies from other viral
vaccines--such as MMR, polio and chickenpox vaccines--last at least three
years, and in some instances, up to 15 years. If the viruses used in the
vaccine are the same as last year, why is this year's vaccine even necessary?
-
- An even greater concern about FluMist is the contents
within the vaccine. Each 0.5 ml of the formula contains 10 6.5-7.5 particles
of live, attenuated influenza virus. That means that between 10 million
and 100 million viral particles will be forcefully injected into the nostrils
when administered. The viral strain was developed by serial passage through
"specific pathogen-free primary chick kidney cells" and then
grown in "specific pathogen-free eggs." That means that the culture
media was free of pathogens that were specifically tested for, but not
a culture that was necessarily "pathogen-free." The risk that
the vaccine may contain contaminant avian retroviruses still remains. In
addition, a stabilizing buffer containing potassium phosphate, sucrose
(table sugar) and nearly 0.5 mg of monosodium glutamate (MSG) is added
to each dose. [18]
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- One of the most troubling concerns over the injection
of this "chemical soup" is the potential for the viruses to enter
directly into the brain. At the top of the nasal passages is a paper-thin
bone called the cribriform plate. The olfactory nerves pass through this
bone and line the nasal passages, carrying messenger molecules to the brain
that are identified as "smells" familiar to us. The olfactory
tract has long been recognized as a direct pathway to the brain. Intranasal
injection of certain viruses has resulted in a serious brain infection
called encephalitis, presumably by direct infection of the olfactory neurons
that carried the viruses to the brain. [19] Time will tell whether the
live viruses in FluMist will become linked to cases of encephalitis.
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- The pharmaceutical companies do not necessarily always
do a reasonable job of considering the "down side" when they
are pushing new drugs or new vaccines. FluMist has the potential for causing
the worst, most severe flu epidemic seen in years. Parents tell their young
children not to put things up their noses because they might cause them
harm. It would be wise to consider that advice for adults. With all the
risks involved, one should be extremely cautious about what one allows
to be sprayed in one's nose.
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- Red Flags Weekly October 3, 2003
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- Dr. Mercola's Comment:
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- Long-time readers may remember that three years ago I
warned this live flu spray vaccine was coming, and it has finally arrived.
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- The "experts" will use fear to motivate people
to get a flu vaccine, but this is yet another health care illusion. Let's
be clear, flu can definitely be a killer disease and is not something that
should be easily dismissed. But, remember that flu shots don't prevent
illness--never have, never will.
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- The flu vaccine can actually weaken the immune system
and make you more predisposed to the illness. And as the above article
says, the side effects of FluMist sound just like the symptoms of the flu.
If you decide to get this nasal vaccine, you will get not only a live flu
virus in each dose but also table sugar and MSG, which are fraught with
their own problems.
-
- Just remember, the flu vaccine is not the answer to avoiding
the flu.
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- People are dying from the flu because they are already
sick and have compromised immune systems. The majority of the cause is
surely related to eating too much sugar and too many grains, getting inadequate
rest and suffering from unresolved emotional trauma.
-
- I discuss the dangers of sugar and grains, as well as
how to resolve emotional traumas, in my book, The No-Grain Diet. One way
to deal with emotional stress is with EFT, a psychological acupressure
technique. I have found it to be extremely effective with many patients
who come to my clinic. For more information you can review my free 25-page
EFT manual.
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- Naturally, if you are healthy you will likely never get
the flu, but if you do there are some simple strategies that you can follow
that will be highly beneficial. One is to try the inexpensive and non-toxic
hydrogen peroxide treatment.
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- An essential resource for anyone interested in finding
out more about the vaccine issue is "Vaccines: What CDC Documents
and Science Reveal," a two-hour video by world-renowned vaccine expert
Dr. Sherri Tenpenny. The video is the culmination of Dr. Tenpenny's three-year
investigation into the real story behind vaccines. The facts on several
crucial areas are covered including:
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- a.. How vaccines can cause illnesses including autoimmune
diseases, allergies, ear infections, and more b.. The very real link between
vaccines and developmental learning and behavioral disorders in children
c.. How vaccines have never been proven safe d.. The ingredients and contaminants
in vaccines and why they're detrimental to your health e.. How vaccine
studies are seriously flawed If you are a parent, a medical practitioner,
or are otherwise interested in how to exercise your freedom of choice to
bypass vaccines, you should also consider Dr. Tenpenny's insightful cassette
tape, "The Dangers of Vaccines, and How You Can Legally Avoid Them."
Those interested in both the video and the tape can take advantage of our
free shipping offer now.
-
- Related Articles:
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- Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Ready for Launch Spray Vaccine
for Flu Wins FDA Clearance Vaccine Revenues Expected to Reach $10 Billion
by 2006 Flu Now Kills More Americans Than AIDS Why I Never Get Flu Shots
Flu Shot is Not Cost Effective For Adults But is For Children?
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- References
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- 1.. DowJones Business News. Sept. 12, 2003. FluMist Available
In Pharmacies This Fall. http://biz.yahoo.com
-
- 2... Washington Post. Nasal spray for flu to get big
media launch. Sept. 10, 2003, pg. E01
-
- 3.. Washington Post. Spray vaccine for flu wins FDA clearance.
June 18, 2003. pg. A01.
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- 4.. Mohammed, Madjid. Influenza as a bioweapon. J.R.Soc.Med.
2003;96:345-346.
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- 5.. Adler, Neil. MedImmune awaits the $1 billion mark
and a new flu drug. The Business Gazette. Feb. 7, 2003. http://www.gazette.net
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- 6.. FluMist package insert.
-
- 7.. Vesikari T., et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlledtrial
of the safety, transmissibility and phenotypic stability of a live, attenuated,
cold-adapted influenza virus vaccine (CAIV-T) in children attending day
care. Presented at the 41st Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial
Agents and Chemotherapy, (Chicago, IL). 2001
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- 8.. ibid. (Chicago, IL). 2001
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- 9.. Zangwell, Kenneth. Cold-adapted, live attenuated
intranasal influenza virus vaccine. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
2003; 22(3):273-274.
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- 10.. Drug information. http://www.nlm.nih.gov
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- 11.. Diepgen TL. Is the prevalence of atopic dermatitis
increasing? In: Williams HC, ed. Atopic Dermatitis: The Epidemiology, Causes
and Prevention of Atopic Eczema. New York: Cambridge Univ Pr; 2000:96-112.
-
- 12.. National Cancer Institute. CanQues. Available at
http://srab. cancer.gov/Prevalence/canques.html. Accessed January 3, 2002.
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- 13.. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Epidemiological
Fact Sheets on HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections: United States.
Available at http://www.unaids.org. Accessed January 14, 2002
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- 14.. United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). All Recipients:
Age at Time of Transplant. Available at http://www.unos.org. Accessed January
14, 2002.
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- 15.. Allan and Harold Rubin, MS, ABD, CRC. September
26, 2003. Vaccinations and the Elderly. http://www.therubins.com
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- 16.. May 20-21, 2003, the National Influenza Summit.
Chicago, IL. http://www.partnersforimmunization.org
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- 17.. ibid.
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- 18.. FluMist package insert.
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- 19.. Knipe, David. M. Ed. Fields Virology. Philadelpthis:
Lippincott, 4th ed. 2001. pg. 1057
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