Swine Flu

Heidi & I just got our annual flu shots ... the "regular, seasonal" type. So now I wonder about getting the H1N1 shots (which will be available in a few days). So (as is my wont), I google and discover the following: ---------------------------------- There was a flu outbreak a few years ago as well as cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) which may (or may not) be associated with the vaccine. In 2005, the CDC reported that "available evidence neither proves nor disproves a causal relation between [the vaccine] and GBS". The CDC also notes that the "limitations of the data indicating a small risk for GBS" would not change their recommendations (to take the vaccine). That's not too comforting. ---------------------------------- About the current H1N1 pandemic: "Pandemic" only means it spreads fast, world wide. It has nothing to do with its severity. Indeed, only about 5000 people have died as of this writing: Oct, 2009. The usual "seasonal flu" kills over 250,000 people each year. An earlier definition of pandemic included widespread death. That's been dropped - which is convenient, 'cause "fast track" vaccines are justified by having a pandemic. In Australia, the flu season is ending. Australia has a population of (about) 22 million. There have been 186 deaths. In New Zealand, they predicted 18,000 deaths from swine flu, but at the end of the flu season, it was 17. On the other hand, the 1918 "Spanish Flu" (also an H1N1 variety) killed more than 50 million people, worldwide. Is the current H1N1 like that? The H1N1 virus was detected in the March, 2009. ** Vaccination will begin in the Fall of 2009. Ain't that a mite hasty? Cancer-fighting drugs (for example) take years to go through clinical trials. There's phase I trials, followed by phase II followed by phase III. Mamma mia! I know this 'cause, once-upon-a-time, I followed biotech stocks and invested in an outfit that was designing cancer drugs. I eventually sold the stock ... years later. A study to note the affects of the H1N1 vaccine on HIV subjects will NOT be done until late October, 2009! Clinical trials only began (for some vaccine manufacturers) in August, 2009. H1N1 trials will continue while the vaccinations take place ! "... such factors as optimal antigen content, appropriate dosing regimens, vaccine safety profiles and the interchangeability of H1N1 vaccines from different manufacturers are unknown ..." That's not too comforting. In 2006, in the U.S., the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act gave the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary the power to grant almost complete immunity for those who make vaccines. That is, vaccine manufactures will not be held liable for any injuries. That's not too comforting. Vaccine manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline has actually stated: "Clinical trials will be limited, due to the need to provide the vaccine to governments as quickly as possible. Additional studies will therefore be required and conducted after the vaccine is made available." And WHO likewise says: "Time constraints mean that clinical data at the time when pandemic vaccines are first administered will inevitably be limited. Further testing of safety and effectiveness will need to take place after administration of the vaccine has begun." That's not too comforting. And what about the mysterious adjuvants (to decrease the required supply of vaccine)? Click! And what about mock-up vaccines for fast-track approval? ** March, 2009? So will we take the H1N1 vaccine? We're thinking ... But then, we is in that Old Folk category, eh?