Most cases of swine flu in the US, based on population rates, continue to be contracted disproportionately by the infant to 24-year age group. Right now this demographic alone accounts for 80% of all confirmed and probable cases that are being reported by the CDC. 37% of these cases affect the infant to 4-year age group. This data is troubling and parents have a valid reason for concern.
Starting this Fall, the swine flu, or Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine will be available here in the US. Although this vaccine is virtually untested, the government is evidently confident that it is safe enough to be readily administered. We are all familiar with the old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. But should my kid really be in line for this shot immediately?
Parents of children, especially those with autistic kids, are acutely aware of what vaccines could mean for their sons and daughters. Many are concerned about routine vaccinations, but you should be particularly aware of the possible dangers of the swine flu vaccine. This vaccine has been rushed to market, so to speak, in order to meet the public and government demand for protection from the swine flu. GlaxoSmithKline says that “clinical trials will be limited” due to government demands and that “additional studies will therefore be required and conducted after the vaccine is made available”.
Trials in the US are expected to begin on August 17th by testing the vaccine on 12,000 children between the ages of 3 and 8. Then, 60 to 80 million doses are expected to be administered by mid-September. Officials have admittedly “guessed” at the proper dosage to rush the vaccine to market by the time school has started. They will not know of the vaccine’s effectiveness or side effects until the initial wave of testing is complete, but they do expect that two vaccinations will be necessary.
The swine flu vaccine is made in exactly the same way as other flu vaccines, save one meaningful difference – this vaccine will contain adjuvants. Adjuvants are controversial, experimental additives that serve to strengthen the human body’s immune response. Research shows that there are numerous dangerous side effects and undesirable conditions that can result from taking adjuvants. The approved use of these questionable additives in the swine flu vaccine seems to be a direct result of concerns over supply only, in that, adjuvants will help to stretch a limited global quantity of shots that will be available to fight the pandemic. Perhaps the real concern should be focused on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and not on the supply. It is worth noting that there are currently no US approved vaccinations containing adjuvants. No kidding.
Admittedly, the US would rather not have adjuvants in vaccines because it might give citizens a reason to avoid them – here’s why. In 1976, adjuvants were used in the swine flu vaccine. Some people had an immunopathological reaction, which lead to their death. About 500 other people became permanently paralyzed by the neuromuscular disorder named Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). GBS is an immune response to foreign antigens which attacks the nervous system. It results in muscle paralysis, sensory disturbances, and sometimes cardiac arrest.
GBS is normally a rare side-effect seen after an influenza vaccine. With the swine flu vaccine in 1976, it is believed that because the adjuvants increased the body’s response to the vaccination, the occurrence of GBS rose from a normal level of one in 1,000,000 to one in 105,000.
Parents of children affected by autism are understandably more concerned about immunizations that could cause an autoimmune response like Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is not known for sure that the adjuvants are the exact cause, but they were banned from immunizations in the US shortly afterwards so one must presume that some sort of correlation exists. Because our immunizations are largely produced in other countries and in an effort to keep the vaccine readily available, the US is allowing adjuvants this time, as a one-off occurrence. They are also protecting themselves and the vaccine manufacturers from lawsuits that may occur as a result of distributing this barely tested, questionable vaccine because they are faced with the pandemic status. Big red flag.
With all of the current hype and confusion surrounding the swine flu, it can be difficult to make the right decision for our kids. Furthermore, it is impossible to be informed without information. The most prudent approach parents can take may be to observe and be patient. The swine flu has been described as a mild flu which has been less of a problem and caused many less deaths than the regular seasonal flu that we see from year to year. Subjecting your child to an untested vaccine as a preventative measure against a mild flu, may not be the best answer. At least not yet.
With that being said, unique situations call for unique solutions. If an outbreak of swine flu occurs in your child’s school, the vaccine may be the safest option and sooner rather than later. But if an outbreak occurs in the state neighboring yours, it may not be necessary to line your child up for a shot tomorrow. Point being, it can be critical to be prudent in times like these. But not unlike any health related issue, you should always seek the advice of a physician and/or pediatrician when deciding on the safest methods of swine flu prevention for you and your family.
Many parents of children, especially those with autism, are looking for safe alternatives to vaccines. Vitamin C is one of these safe alternatives. Vitamin C helps your body to resist all flus and infections. In high doses, it has also been found to be extremely reliable in eliminating and reducing flu symptoms once contracted. Taking vitamin C powder is the best way to get your vitamin C. Or, for those who can’t handle its acidity, a buffered form of Vitamin C may be a better solution because it is easier on your digestive system.
About the Author: Phil Le Breton is owner at Wholesale Nutrition. He has a strong interest in helping people achieve greater brain and body health. For more information about C-Salts, otherwise known as the best Vitamin C, or about other Vitamin C powder products, visit http://www.nutri.com where you can buy Vitamins and Supplements of the highest quality.
Tags: avoid the flu, protection from swine flu, swine flu vaccine, treating flu symptoms, vaccines and autism, Vitamin C, vitamin c powder
While we are more likely to pick up swine flu from another person than from a pig, we still have to remember that the risk is still there. Everyone needs to be careful – particularly people who work with pigs.
Why are they saying this is a pandemic and childhood obesity is not? What are they doing to help our childhood diabetes? Giving them more McDonalds? If they focused on preventative health by nutrition then we wouldnt need these vaccines for fake diseases anyway. Stop giving our livestock the chemicals and hormones, maybe then we wouldnt have these “outbreaks” if that is even what it is. I bet you anything when they approve the vaccine there will be a huge outbreak somewhere to scare everyone else into taking it…and why…MONEY! WAKE UP PEOPLE! They keep us sick so they have lifetime customers for their drugs. Go natural! I know from experience it is possible.
It is my opinion that h1n1 is a conspiracy by the vaccination companies. But many of my friends think it was ment to eradicate people, however I believe it was hyped by the media who were controlled by those corporations who were the ones that sold the vaccinations to the various world governments. Do you guys agree??