Its an annual question? Should you get a Flu shot? Every year the Department of Public Health tells you to rush out and get the Flu shot to save your life and the lives of tens of thousands of other as well. They pressure you to get the shot for the good of the community. The CDC recommends it to everyone 6 months of age and older.
But do you really need it? Should you subject your children to the known toxins in the vaccine? Is it really worth the risk? Every flu vaccine contains the H1N1 Swine Flu virus, mercury, formaldehyde, gentamicin, neomycin, octoxynol, MSG, or other toxins. I say there are better ways to prevent the flu without the risks.
(If you already knew this and want to skip ahead to see what Dr. Hansen recommends, click here.)
Fact #1: Flu Deaths Exaggerated by CDC to Promote Vaccines
On August 24, 2010, the CDC released new figures: they now say the three-decade average is actually one third less than they had previously claimed (only 23,607 deaths rather than 36,000).
But even these figures are false. In the past the CDC arbitrarily fabricated the number by combining the deaths due to Influenza with a portion of the number of deaths due to Pneumonia. The “average” they said was based on an assumption that if a death certificate had “respiratory or circulatory disease” listed as a cause of death, then it should be counted as a “flu-related” death! The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons has been highly critical of the CDC’s methodology.
A 2005 article published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) started unraveling the truth that the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) figures actually show that in 2001, there were only 257 deaths directly attributable to flu, and in only eighteen cases was the flu virus positively identified. Between 1979 and 2002, NCHS data show an average of 1,348 actual flu deaths per year.
The BMJ article concludes that “If flu is in fact not a major cause of death, [the government’s] public relations approach is surely exaggerated. Moreover, by arbitrarily linking flu with pneumonia and other lung diseases, current data are statistically biased. Until corrected and until unbiased statistics are developed, the chances for sound discussion and public health policy are limited.”
As early as November 2008, I had also reported the exaggerated numbers. My research had found that the National Vital Statistics Report showed that in 2007 there were only 457 deaths due to Infuenza, while the CDC was claiming 36,000. This over reporting of Flu deaths appears to be intended to scare more Americans into getting the Flu shot each year. The CDC chooses to lump the average 500-1000 deaths due to Influenza with the average 60,000 deaths due to Pneumonia every year to come up with their announced 36,000 deaths due to the flu. (To see the actual numbers your self for 2007, go to the US Vital Statistics Vol 58, no 1, then scroll to the bottom of page 18). To learn more, read my 2010 article, Flu Fatalities Fabricated by the CDC.
Fact #2: Vaccine Efficacy Exaggerated by Flu Manufacturers and CDC
Not only has the number of Flu fatalities been exaggerated, so has the Flu Vaccine Efficacy. The Flu vaccine is generally reported to be 60-70% effective. Where doese this number come from?
Only a few randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled studies have been conducted on flu vaccines. Nevertheless, the vaccine manufacturers continue to site these same studies year after year to validate the use of their vaccines without ever being required to retest their product and prove their claims.
Two clinical trials conducted during the 2006-2007 flu season in Europe using the Fluarix vaccine revealed that 63 of 5103 vaccinated patients (1.2%) got the Flu, while 82 of 2549 unvaccinated patients (3.2%) got the Flu. These numbers tell us first and foremost, that in spite of all the hyped up fears, very few people actually get the Flu.
Only 1.2% of the vaccinated group got the Flu, which means that 98.8% of that group did NOT get the Flu.
What is perhaps the most important finding of this clinical trial is the fact that only 3.2% of the unvaccinated group got the Flu, which means that 96.8% of the unvaccinated group did NOT get the Flu and that the Flu vaccine at best confer only an additional 2% enhanced protection against the Flu.
The truth is that the body’s natural immune system is extremely effective at resisting the Flu and its consequences, on its own, without any help form the vaccine manufacturers.
However, the official reporting of the results or the Fluarix vaccine clinical trial state that the vaccine has a 62% Vaccine Efficacy Rate in all Culture-Confirmed Cases among healthy 18-64 year olds enrolled in the study.
Where do they get this number? It is mathematical deception. According to the CDC, Vaccine Efficacy “is interpreted as the proportionate reduction in disease among the vaccinated group.” In this case 1.2% is 62% less than 3.2% and therefore the Fluarix vaccine is 62% effective. This is not the way it is understood by the public. The CDC is simply using the slight of mathematical statistics to deceive the public into believing that the Flu vaccine will prevent the Flu in 60-70% of the population.
The question that must be answered is, “Is the Flu vaccine worth the risk?”
Fact #3: Vaccines have not been Proven Effective or Safe!
You would expect that vaccine manufacturers would be required to thoroughly test the vaccines for safety and effectiveness before the US government would allow them to be injected into millions of Americans. Unfortunately this is not the case.
In plain english, this means that after a person gets the flu shot, antibodies against the flu virus have not been shown to be correlated with protection against the flu, nevertheless, the antibody levels have been used anyway as the only measure of vaccine effectiveness.
They base their claim on the fact that “in some human challenge studies, HI antibody titers of ≥1:40 have been associated with protection from influenza illness in up to 50% of subjects.”
This means that only a few human studies have shown a positive antibody response and that the best result seen was an antibody level of 1:40, which is not very high. This antibody level is associated with a dismal protection from the influenza virus of less than 50% of the individuals vaccinated. This does not inspire a great deal of confidence in the vaccine since a placebo is typically 40% effective.
Fact 4: Influenza Vaccines Proven Toxic
All of the Flu multi-dose vaccine doses injected into 138-145 million Americans this year contain Thimerosal, a preservative and adjuvant that contains ethyl mercury, a known neurotoxin. The overwhelming preponderance of scientific evidence links Mercury with the cause of the dramatic rise in autism seen in children over the past decade, in spite of the media reporting to the contrary.
Twenty-five micrograms of Mercury are included in the preservative Thimerosal in every dose of the multi-dose vials of all the injectible Flu Vaccines. There are a few vaccines that are made without mercury for use in young children. However, there are still others that say they are “Preservative Free” yet actually contains ≤1 mcg mercury per dose, which is still enough to cause neurotoxicity and autism.
Even this trace amount of ≤1 mcg of mercury can be very damaging to the nervous system, especially in young children. (1 mcg mercury = 2000 parts per billion [ppb]) As little as 20 ppb will destroy nerve fibers in the brain similar to the pattern seen in autistic children.
Mercury Content of Various Flu Vaccines
| TABLE 1. Influenza vaccines — United States, 2013–14 influenza season* | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade name | Manufacturer | Presentation | Mercury content (µg Hg/0.5 mL) |
Ovalbulmin content (µg/0.5mL) | Age indications | Route |
| Inactivated Influenza Vaccine, Trivalent (IIV3), Standard Dose | ||||||
| Afluria | CSL Limited | 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | 0 | ≤1.0 | ≥9 yrs††† | IM† |
| 5.0 mL multi-dose vial | 24.5 | ≤1.0 | ||||
| Fluarix | GlaxoSmithKline | 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | 0 | ≤0.05 | ≥3 yrs | IM† |
| Flucelvax | Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics | 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | 0 | NI§§§ | ≥18 yrs | IM† |
| FluLaval | ID Biomedical Corporation of Quebec (distributed by GlaxoSmithKline) | 5.0 mL multi-dose vial | <25.0 | ≤0.3 | ≥3 yrs | IM† |
| Fluvirin | Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics | 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | ≤1.0 | ≤1.0 | ≥4 yrs | IM† |
| 5.0 mL multi-dose vial | 25.0 | ≤1.0 | ||||
| Fluzone | Sanofi Pasteur | 0.25 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | 0 | —¶¶¶ | 6–35 mos | IM† |
| 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | 0 | — | ≥36 mos | IM† | ||
| 0.5 mL single-dose vial | 0 | — | ≥36 mos | IM† | ||
| 5.0 mL multi-dose vial | 25.0 | — | ≥6 mos | IM† | ||
| Fluzone Intradermal†† | Sanofi Pasteur | 0.1 mL prefilled microinjection system | 0 | — | 18–64 yrs | ID§ |
| Inactivated Influenza Vaccine, Trivalent (IIV3), High Dose | ||||||
| Fluzone High-Dose** | Sanofi Pasteur | 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | 0 | — | ≥65 yrs | IM† |
| Inactivated Influenza Vaccine, Quadrivalent (IIV4), Standard Dose | ||||||
| Fluarix Quadrivalent | GlaxoSmithKline | 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | 0 | ≤0.05 | ≥3 yrs | IM† |
| Flulaval Quadrivlalent | ID Biomedical Corporation of Quebec (distributed by GlaxoSmithKline) | 5.0 mL multi-dose vial | <25.0 | ≤0.3 | ≥3 yrs | IM† |
| Fluzone Quadrivalent | Sanofi Pasteur | 0.25 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | 0 | — | 6–35 mos | IM† |
| 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe | 0 | — | ≥36 mos | IM† | ||
| 0.5 mL single-dose vial | 0 | — | ≥36 mos | IM† | ||
| Recombinant Influenza Vaccine, Trivalent (RIV3) | ||||||
| FluBlok | Protein Sciences | 0.5 mL single-dose vial | 0 | 0 | 18–49 yrs | IM† |
| Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine, Quadrivalent (LAIV4) | ||||||
| FluMist Quadrivalent§§ | MedImmune | 0.2 mL single-dose prefilled intranasal sprayer | 0 (per 0.2 mL) |
<0.24 (per 0.2mL) |
2–49 yrs*** | INL |
| Abbreviations: IM = intramuscular; ID = intradermal; INL = intranasal; NI = not included.* Immunization providers should check Food and Drug Administration–approved prescribing information for 2013–14 influenza vaccines for the most complete and updated information, including (but not limited to) indications, contraindications, and precautions. Package inserts for US-licensed vaccines are available at http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm093833.htm. | ||||||
Click here to see which Flu Vaccines contain Thimerosal (Mercury)
What Other Toxins Are In The Influenza Vaccines?
Each 0.5-mL dose also contains the detergent octoxynol-10 (TRITON® X-100) ≤0.120 mg, α-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate ≤0.1 mg, and polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) ≤0.380 mg. This oil is an adjuvant that boosts the immune reaction, it has been linked to miscarriage and infertility and according to Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Volume 95, Number 6, December 2005 , pp. 593-599(7), “it is of current relevance as a ‘hidden’ inductor of anaphylactoid reactions.”
Each dose of Fluarix may also contain residual amounts of hydrocortisone (a steroid) ≤0.0016 mcg, gentamicin sulfate (an antibiotic) ≤0.15 mcg, ovalbumin (egg protein) ≤1 mcg, formaldehyde ≤50 mcg
(In 1995, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen. In June 2004, after evaluating all existing data, the IARC reclassified formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen) [International Agency for Research on Cancer (June 2004). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Volume 88 (2006): Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol and 1-tert-Butoxypropan-2-ol.] and sodium deoxycholate ≤50 mcg (detergent / bile salt used to break virus cell membranes).
Here is a full list of all the Flu Vaccine Ingredients:
| Influenza vaccine (Afluria) | Chicken embryo | Beta-propiolactone, calcium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate, egg protein, monobasic potassium phosphate, monobasic sodium phosphate, neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B, potassium chloride, sodium taurodeoxychoalate, thimerosal (multi-dose vials only) |
| Influenza vaccine (Fluarix) | Chicken embryo | Formaldehyde, gentamicin sulfate, hydrocortisone, octoxynol-10, á-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate, polysorbate 80, sodium deoxycholate, ovalbumin |
| Influenza vaccine (Flulaval) | Chicken embryo | Formaldehyde, á-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate, polysorbate 80, sodium deoxycholate, thimerosal, ovalbumin |
| Influenza vaccine (Fluvirin) | Chicken embryo | Beta-propiolactone, egg protein, neomycin, nonylphenol ethoxylate, polymyxin, thimerosal (multi-dose containers), thimerosal[2] (single-dose syringes) |
| Influenza vaccine (Fluzone) | Chicken embryo | Egg protein, formaldehyde, gelatin (standard formulation only), octylphenol ethoxylate (Triton X-100),sodium phosphate, thimerosal (multi-dose containers only) |
| Influenza vaccine (FluMist) | Chicken kidney cells, chicken embryo | Arginine, dibasic potassium phosphate, egg protein, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, gentamicin sulfate, hydrolyzed porcine gelatin, monobasic potassium phosphate monosodium glutamate, sucrose |
2013-2014 Flu Vaccine Composition
On February 27, 2013, VRBAC met and approved for the United States the following WHO-recommended composition for the Northern Hemisphere 2013-2014 influenza vaccine:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A(H3N2) virus antigenically like the cell-propagated prototype virus A/Victoria/361/2011;
- a B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.
Compared to the 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccine, the H1N1 component is the same, the H3N2 component is the same*, and the B component is different.
This season, most seasonal influenza vaccines will have the above-listed three virus components, but some quadrivalent (four-component vaccine) will also be available. Quadrivalent vaccine this year includes the three viruses listed in the bullets above, and also a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus.
Will This Season’s Vaccine Be A Good Match For Circulating Viruses?
It’s not possible to predict with certainty which flu viruses will predominate during a given season. Flu viruses are constantly changing (called drift) – they can change from one season to the next or they can even change within the course of one flu season. Experts must pick which viruses to include in the vaccine many months in advance in order for vaccine to be produced and delivered on time. (For more information about the vaccine virus selection process visit Selecting the Viruses in the Influenza (Flu) Vaccine.) Because of these factors, there is always the possibility of a less than optimal match between circulating viruses and the viruses in the vaccine.
Fact #5: Influenza Vaccine No Better Than Placebo
According to the 2006 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 51 separate studies concluded the flu vaccine worked no better than a placebo in 294,000 children ranging in age from six months to 23 months.
The review authors found that in children over the age of two, the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine nasal spray made from weakened influenza viruses, was better at preventing illness caused by the influenza virus (82% of illnesses were prevented) than injected vaccines made from the killed virus (59%).
Neither type was particularly good at preventing ‘flu-like illness’ caused by other types of viruses (33% and 36% respectively). Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD004879. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004879.pub3. first published online: January 25. 2006
Fact #6: Vaccinated Children Have 3 Times Higher Risk Of Hospitalization
The inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) does not appear to be effective in preventing influenza-related hospitalizations in children, especially the ones with asthma.
In fact, children who get the flu vaccine are at 3 times higher risk for hospitalization than their peers who do not get the vaccine, according to new research that was presented on May 19, 2009, at the 105th International Conference of the American Thoracic Society.
The study found that in asthmatic children, there was a significantly higher risk of hospitalization in those children who had received the Vaccine as compared to those who did not.
Fact #7: Influenza Vaccine Does Not Prevent the Flu in the Elderly
In a review of 64 studies over 98 flu seasons of elderly living in nursing homes, flu shots were non-significant for preventing the flu. For elderly living in the community, vaccines were not (significantly) effective against influenza, Influenza Like Illness (ILI) or pneumonia. Reference: “Vaccines for preventing influenza in the elderly.” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 3 (2006).
A randomised trial showed the effectiveness of vaccination againstlaboratory confirmed clinical influenza to be 58%. (JAMA. 1994;272(21):1661-1665)
Fact #8: Flu Vaccine Only Reduces Risk Of Flu By 6% In Healthy Adults
In a review of 48 reports (more than 66,000 adults), “Vaccination of healthy adults only reduced risk of influenza by 6% and reduced the number of missed work days by less than one day (only 1/6th of a day). It did not change the number of people needing to go to hospital or take time off work.” Reference: “Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy adults.” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 1 (2006).
Fact #9: Are Pregnant Women At Greater Risk?
Reports that pregnant women are at increased risk of complications and death due to influenza are concerning. However, a large study conducted between a 1990-2002 population of 134,188 pregnant women from Nova Scotia found that the influenza-attributable rates of hospital admissions were virtually identical to those of healthy non-pregnant women. (Canadian Medical Association Journal 2007;176:463-68)
Fact #10: The Flu Vaccine is Particularly Dangerous to a Fetus
Because safety studies with vaccines cannot be done on pregnant women, data on influenza vaccine safety for the mother and the baby cannot be known. The FluMist Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women because it contains live virus. Most of the injected flu vaccine currently available in the U.S. contains 25 micrograms (mcg) of mercury in the form of Thimerosal (ethylmercury thiosalicylate).
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level for Mercury in drinking water is 2 parts per billion (ppb). Each 25 mcg dose of mercury equals 25,000 ppb Mercury. Even the so called “Preservative Free” vaccines contains 1 microgram (mcg) of Mercury, which equals 2000 ppb injected directly into the body.
According to the EPA, the maximum acceptable daily risk level is 0.1 mcg/kg body weight. The current Thimerosal containing flu vaccine will inject the average child with 12-17 times the EPA maximum level of mercury and the average adult with 3.5 times the maximum amount. However, most concerning is the fact that the vaccine will expose the unborn fetus of a pregnant women to 250 times the maximum allowable exposure level of mercury.
What Can You Do To Boost Your Immunity Naturally?
Your best defense against the flu is your own immune system. Even in the worst pandemics of the world, only 25-30% of the population becomes ill and only 1% or less of that group dies. The typical seasonal flu infects only 5-20% of the population (15-60 million Americans). That means that 80-95% of the population escapes untouched (240 to 285 million Americans) every year.
The take home message is that there is no need to panic. Your own immune system is the key to preventing the flu.
The mass vaccination program may have started with good intentions, but the vaccine contains many toxic substances that can cause serious long-term consequences and chronic illness. The most important question to ask is, “Are the risks worth taking for the flu?”
Parents need to be given all of the information about all of the contents of the vaccines, as well as the full disclosure of the safety and efficacy studies, as well as the risks vs the benefits so that they can make a rational and intelligent decision about whether or not to get a vaccine.
Additionally, parents would benefit from learning about alternate ways to boost their immune system and that of their children. There are safe and effective natural herbal alternatives that work like Tamiflu to prevent the spread of the flu virus, as well as oral homeopathic immunizations that boost the immune system without injecting mercury, formaldehyde, or other toxins into the body.
Dr Hansen says “There are safer more natural ways of preventing the flu that every parent can implement, for themselves and their families, without any fear of dangerous side effects.”
To learn more about theTop 10 active steps you can take to boost your immunity to prevent the flu or to insure a rapid and full recovery read Dr. Hansen’s article: