The FDA has approved a new flu vaccine—Fluad. Should we say, “hooray,” or “oy veh”. I will let you decide.
Fluad is the first seasonal influenza vaccine containing an adjuvant called squalene. Adjuvants in vaccines, such as aluminum, are used to cause a greater immune system response as compared to vaccines used without an adjuvant. This increased immune system response is hypothesized to result in an enhanced efficacy of the vaccine–in other words, it should make the vaccine more effective. Therefore, you would think that a flu vaccine with an adjuvant such as squalene would result in a more robust antibody response when it is compared to the regular flu vaccine that is adjuvant-free.
Well, in the case of Fluad, you would think wrong.
According the FDA: (1)
“Fluad was evaluated in a multicenter clinical trial conducted in the United States and internationally that compared the safety and immunogenicity (ability to generate an antibody response) of Fluad to Agriflu, an FDA-approved unadjuvanted trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine, in individuals 65 years of age and older. In that trial, 7,082 participants received either Fluad or Agriflu. The study showed that Fluad induced antibody levels that were comparable to the levels induced by Agriflu.”
I would like to ask the FDA a question. If the results are comparable, then why do we need to spend money on a new flu vaccine?
Fluad is currently being promoted for the elderly. From the FDA’s website (see reference 1), they state, “Fluad provides another alternative for a safe and effective influenza vaccine in people 65 years of age and older. Immunizing individuals in this age group is especially important because they bear the greatest burden of severe influenza disease and account for the majority of influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths.”
I have written to you about the failure of the flu vaccine many times, both in blog posts and in my newsletter (http://brownsteinhealth.com/). Folks, there is not a single good study that shows the flu vaccine prevents the elderly from getting the flu nor does it prevent the elderly from getting complications from the flu.
Since the immune response with the new Fluad vaccine has been shown to be comparable to the old flu vaccine, why would anyone consider the new vaccine to be better than the old ones? Keep in mind, the old flu vaccines fail nearly 99% of the elderly who receives them.
Although Fluad might not be an improvement for a flu vaccine, it may be associated with serious adverse effects. The science is not settled on whether it is safe to inject squalene in a human being. Squalene has been associated with serious illnesses when it is used in vaccines such as Gulf War Syndrome which affected thousands of U.S. soldiers who received squalene-containing vaccines in the first Gulf War. It is true that squalene is produced in our bodies naturally, but it is not true that it has been proven safe to inject it into our bodies. Squalene-containing vaccinations have also been associated with many serious autoimmune disorders including arthritis, Lupus, ALS, multiple sclerosis and Guillain Barre Syndrome.
So, “hooray” or “oy veh” for the new flu vaccine? For me, the answer is easy—“oy vey”. I would suggest that you avoid receiving any flu vaccine since all flu vaccines fail the vast majority who receive them. And, If you are forced to get a flu vaccine, use one that is mercury and adjuvant free.
Accessed on 12.6.2015 from: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm474295.htm
Dang Dr B! You’re the Bees Knees! Keep fighting for us!
The Bees Knees???
I will take it. I did not know bees had knees.
DrB
Thank you for everything you have done for so many people. We are very fortunate to have you in our lives.
About Dr. William’s response, I am the most upset about # 11. It looks like the rule is to follow blindly just because. The vaccinations are given at no cost. We are considered stupid if we don’t take them, especially if you are a senior. I have been ridiculed and scolded for being obstinate and not doing what is expected of every good citizen.
OY! to the world. That goes well with the season.
I did the mandatory 6 hour CDC teaching on Influenza 4 years ago. It had a panel of 3, reviewing all flu data, from all flu countries, since the start of flu immunizations. Trillions of doses given and many seasons.
1- They admitted millions had been hurt from the immunization even real death.
2- They tabulated the costs of the program, ads, vaccines, delivery. Everything.
3-They found that millions of lost days and lost lives were due to viruses not immunized for……..several strains.
4- They found that among those fully compliant, they had almost zero crossover to these other strains.
5- They found among those fully complaint, many still got the strain in their vaccine and had serious illness and death..
6- They could only show a small subset/percentage that would have had really bad flu, had lesser flu. NOT ONE PREVENTD FLU DEATH EVEN IN THOSE FULLY COMPLIANT!
7- The female board member summarized these years of treatment, trillions in expenses……”zero lives saved from the strains in the shot.” “Zero lives saved from any strains due to boosting or crossover. “This year the same number will die from viral strains regardless of their type. ” “zero sparing of the at risk, elderly or neonates.”
8- The only thing proven to save was get very good nutrition to all populations, especially the at risk. Many of these will shake all strains and not get sick. Those that get sick need aggressive nutrional and fluid support. Most will then kick it alone with or without Famvir. There will still be a group of immune suppressed that then, along with all the above support needs antibiottics to prevent secondary bacterial pneumonia and tracheitis. IV fluids. Ventilatory support including bronchodilators and early intubation and respirators………..though many of these, are doomed to die….millions die regardless from the respiratory virus.”
9-Her comments were the need to take all money out of the vaccine and improve wourld nutrition and on local levels due to the same……..as the best ‘immunization’ for the flu.
10-One panelist said, ‘Yes, but’…….”i’d like to think we are still doing some good.”…..(that’s not science but wishful thinking)…She said no we are spending trillions, doing real harm, and then the trillions are there for food, nutrition, antibioitics…..
11-The Moderator said,”I don’t care about any of all of that, I am going to always get the flu shot and recommend it to everyone I know!” (In spite of the 6 hours of data from many years and trillions of doss….”I am going to chose to remain stupid and use the trust society gives me as an MD to recommend stupid” rather than let the research results drive the decision in Public Health…
12. The lady panelist just shrugged. If the glaring numbers weren’t sufficient, then a verbal battle was useless. She hoped others like I could think as well. After years of getting and recommending ‘flu’ I ceased. I am focusing on Functional Medicine diets and supplements to be my ‘immunization’ for all viruses, not just the flu.
Dr. William,
TELL US MORE!! Who was the instructor? Keep posting!!
My favorite part was number 9. So true, yet not practiced one bit in conventional medicine.
DrB
God Bless you Dr. Brownstein for standing against this assault and informing us.
Now the *required* medicare insurance sent questionnaires asking many invasive things including if we had a flu shot. How to answer this (or not) without increasing our being targeted? Will we be hounded if we do not return the questionnaire?
For over thirteen years, I have not had a cough, cold, or flu of any kind. It starts with probiotics, but the big flu and cold killer or preventor is Olive Leaf Extract. In all the research I have done, I have not found any virus that can stand against Olive Leaf Extract.
I just want to extend my gratitude to you – Dr Brownstein – for doing what it takes to research all these topics, write books and for you & your team treating us holistically. My physician is Dr Ng but I am a fan of yours for your books & blog. I appreciate being able to rely on your advice, your team are very trust worthy & my personal journey toward health has been successful after getting no where with traditional medicine.
To the point of flu shots, I got one years ago & it was the only year I ever got the flu. My traditional doctor laughs at me every year she offers the vaccine & each time I refuse it. I appreciate the length you go to explain the “why” to all of us. Thank You for what you do!!
Before anyone takes any vaccine with the adjuvant ‘squalene’ they would be well advised to read the book by Gary Matsumoto entitled: Vaccine A: The Covert Government Experiment That’s Killing our Soldiers and Why GI’s Are Only the First Victims.
From the back cover:
“I thought we stopped using grunts as guinea pigs decades ago. Even the Nazis didn’t run medical experiments on their own troops in combat. This book explodes like a grenade in the Pentagon’s privy. Read it and weep; better yet, get mad.”
-Col. David H. Hackworth (U.S. Army, ret.) America’s most decorated living soldier
As Gandhi once reminded us: “Vaccination is a barbarous practice and one of the most fatal of all the delusions current in our time. Conscientious objectors to vaccination should stand alone, if need be, against the whole world, in defense of their conviction.”
One final thought. There is NO such thing as a safe vaccine today, whether it contains squalene or not. And, you can NEVER unvaccinate.
Another great post, thank you.
My concerns with squalene being used as an adjuvant, as with all adjuvants, is the increased immune system response. Of course high levels of mercury and aluminum are toxic to the body, thus the heightened immune system response. But qualene is a ‘normal’ molecule in the human body, it is an intermediary molecule in the production of sterols in plants and humans, meaning cholesterol, and anything cholesterol is used for, such as Vit D, testosterone and estrogen. If we have stimulated antibodies against Squalene adjuvant, how will our own immune system react to the normal squalene intermediary molecules produced in cholesterol production??
Jason,
EXACTLY!! If we inject squalene and the body tags it as a foreign invader this could trigger an massive autoimmune response to body’s own squalene. That is exactly what was hypothesized after the first Gulf War.
DrB
Dear Dr. B,
Heartfelt thanks for all you do. You are one of the most courageous and knowledgeable Docs on the planet. Wishing you continued, continued courage and God’s blessings. Please don’t ever stop informing us. Thank God for ones like you on the planet.
Julia
Julia,
Wow. I am humbled by your comments.
DrB
Bonnie and Eike,
Some flu vaccines contain mercury and some don’t. However, the ones that don’t contain other toxic additives like formaldehyde and aluminum. IF the flu vaccine was effective at preventing the flu–which it is not–then I would recommend a flu vaccine that did not contain a toxic additive. Since the flu vaccine has never proven helpful to nearly all who take them, I say avoid them all.
Finally, mercury is not used as an adjuvant. It is used as a preservative.
DrB
“regular flu vaccine that is adjuvant-free.” Doesn’t the regular flu vaccine contain mercury as an adjuvant?
There must be a way to stop the Big Pharma push to assault us with their chemicals. I’ve never even had the flu in my life. I don’t catch colds either. I can tell you that it’s feeling to me like we’re being assaulted from all directions though, and it’s getting old.
Sending appreciation & gratitude to you Dr. Brownstein for continuing this work & bringing us the best information!
For any person that doesn’t understand what squalene being in the new flu vaccine means please take 40 minutes out of your busy schedule and watch this documentary “Direct Order” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDDMsvErsQw
You can google anthrax and squalene and find some very important documents. My husband is Gulf War Vet that got the anthrax shots and struggles with memory problems and other problems he just turned 45. It just breaks my heart to watch it get worse as the years pass and I wonder what it will be like as he gets older.
Thank you Dr. Brownstein for all that you do, your hard work has done so much for my family and we appreciate you 🙂
Debi,
I appreciate your husband’s service. I am sorry for his troubles.
Is Squalene the same as Squalane??
AC,
Squalane is derived from squalene. It is used in cosmetic products. It is very similar to squalene.
DrB
My family was pummeled by actual influenza in winter of 2008. I was 5 months postpartum, breastfeeding, and feeling like I was on the verge of death. Given the sleep deprivation and being generally depleted from pregnancy/nursing, I had the most severe case of us all with complications and side-effects that landed me in the E.R., my PCP, a dermatologist, and finally an infectious disease specialist (referred from the derm.) who finally got to the bottom of what was Influenza w/ some awful side effects. I can see how people die from the flu. I remember how weak we all were and laid up on our backs with full lungs. Very scary. The only one who was fine was my 5 month old who nursed through the entire ordeal on to 3.5 years. When I finally received all of the bloodwork back, testing for parvo, etc., the inf. dis. specialist said it was Influenza. He asked if this would change my mind about the flu shot. I told him no, I did not plan to get the flu shot and was even less concerned because the severity of this case had to have provided me with some really good immunity–or at least partial immunity. He just laughed and looked at me like I was crazy. No flu for us since then! We keep our Vitamin D levels up and regularly consume garlic and keep sugar intake low. Lots of green vegetables and fresh produce as well. My Vitamin D levels now stay around 80. At the time I had the flu, they were 30–the same time I first began requesting the testing of my levels.
Squalene isn’t new. Its what is put in all vaccines since around 2011 when the H1N1 Hype started (it was part of the H1N1 vaccine). So does this mean people can get a double dose of shark oil injected~that ought to boost the autoimmune disease rate up real fast. Not thanks, I would rather have a double mocha than double squalene……Neither are healthy but at least I can reverse the effects of mocha……I’ve only had 1 flu shot in my life years ago, and would never do it again.
Be careful about the double mocha!! Too much sugar.
But, I agree, I would take my chances with ingesting too much sugar versus injecting squalene.
DrB
If we are ever forced to get the vaccine, I would go with Agriflu.
It sounds like the least likely to cause serious bodily harm.
The very last textual sentence makes me ask: Which ones? What are a few name(s) of mercury and adjuvant free vaccines?
My wife is a nurse and I would love to be able to give her these names.