I am frequently asked by my adult patients if they should get the pneumococcal vaccine. If you want the short answer, I can give it here: NO WAY!
Let me explain.
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA—February 17, 2015, volume 313, N. 7) reported on the new guidelines which advise doctors to recommend two pneumococcal vaccines in adults. The recommendations state that “…adults 65 years or older should receive one dose of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) followed by a dose of the 23-valnet pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) 6 to 12 months later.” After reading that, you would assume that the two vaccines have been shown to be effective at preventing pneumococcal-associated illnesses and death from pneumonia. But, you would think wrong as the vaccines fail over 99% who take them.
As reported in the JAMA article, Stretococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of respiratory tract infection and community acquired pneumonia (CAP). In 2012, there were 31,600 cases of pneumococcal infection and 3,300 related deaths in the U.S. The highest rates of infection are among children and adults aged 65 years and older. The PPSV23 vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1983. According to a 2013 meta-analysis, there is no consistent evidence that the PPSV23 vaccine is associated with reduced rates of all-cause pneumonia or all-cause mortality.
In September, 2014, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, a governmental committee recommended that the PCV13 vaccination be given to all adults 65 years and older. (1) In 2011, the FDA approved PCV13 for adults aged 50 years and older. These recommendations were based, somewhat, on a yet-to-be published trial—CAPITA. (NOTE: CAPITA was funded by Big Pharma founding member Pfizer. Guess who makes PCV13—if you guess Pfizer, you win.) This trial randomized 84,496 persons aged 65 years and older to a single dose of PCV13 or placebo. The primary endpoint was the prevention of a first episode of vaccine-type pneumococcal CAP. In the JAMA article, the author states that the vaccine was 45% effective at preventing the first episode of pneumococcal illness. Sounds good, right? However, this is a relative risk number. As I explained in detail in my new book, The Statin Disaster, Big Pharm uses the relative risk statistic to make a mediocre therapy appear better than it is. It is important to note that nobody, physician and patient alike, should be making medical decisions based on relative risk numbers.
A more accurate interpretation of a study is to use the absolute risk difference between the placebo and the treatment groups. Once the absolute risk difference is calculated, it is easy to figure out how many need to be treated—or in this case vaccinated—to prevent one event. The full data from CAPITA has not been released yet, so I cannot state what the more-accurate absolute risk difference and the number-needed-to treat with PCV 13 would be. I find it astonishing that the relative risk numbers were released before all the data was made available.
Let’s go back to the JAMA article. The author states, “At this point, the potential effect of the vaccine (PCV13) can only be inferred.” Hmmmm. Only inferred, yet the new guidelines already recommend every adult over the age of 50 should receive it. We must be in Wonderland, with Alice, where down is up and up is down.
The JAMA article continues, “Based on the immunogenicity studies and CAPITA, one model estimates that {the number needed to vaccinate was 27,800}.” That means, to prevent one case of invasive pneumococcal disease, you need to vaccinate 27,800 subjects. In other words, the vaccine failed 99.99% of the subjects who received it (27,799/27,800). To prevent community acquired pneumonia, the number-needed to vaccinate was 1,620. At least the numbers are better here—the vaccine only failed 99.94% of those who took it (1,619/1,620). The JAMA article summarized these findings by stating, “This (new) guideline can be implemented broadly in a variety of settings.”
Wow. So, the FDA recommends every adult receive a vaccine that fails 99.9% of those who receive it. I did not even mention that the pneumococcal vaccines contain aluminum and phenol which have never been shown to be safe when injected into the human body. In fact, aluminum and phenol should never be injected into any living being.
Folks, this story should not be surprising. We all know the FDA and CDC are bought and sold by Big Pharma.
What is surprising is why so many doctors follow idiotic guidelines.
- Mmwr Morb Mortal Weekly Rep. 2014.63(37):822-5
Hello Dr.,
First thank you for your article. I am very disappointed in my diabetic “specialist” as she told me “everyone in my office gets the pneumonia shot”. I followed her advice and am suffering seizure like symptoms and speech problems. Although there were other prescriptions the side effects started before I started the other drugs (glipzide and metformin). I have been to the ER and neurologists but no one will admit this drug is the cause. I have gone to a pschychologist who said this is neurological and from this shot but she would not document it. I’m at a lost as to what to do and how long these side effects will last?. Can a lawsuit even be filed for this?
If this drug is so bad why do Drs feel the need to prescribe them?
After losing a dog to Hemangiosarcoma (highly malignant blood vessel cancer of spleen/liver) and discovering there was no known cause, I began reading up on vaccines. I had vaccinated my dog at every opportunity presented for Lyme disease, distemper, rabies, leptosporosis, etc. With all the vaccination toxins accumulating in her liver, I was unaware of the responsibility I played in her demise. Now, both I and the new dog say “no thank you” to vaccines. “I’ll have a titer to check immunity, please.”
Thank you Dr. B for all your work. It IS shocking that mainstream medicine continues to use fear mongering and pressure to force vaccines on all. Everyone needs to have all the facts and the right to refuse. Anything that is forced in such a way upon the populace is suspect. I am thankful that an increasing amount of credible persons, i.e. doctors, scientists and even x pharmacy reps, are exposing the deceptions that have held the people in lifelong dependency on medications. All those who are knowingly complicit will have to answer one day for their “works”.
I also loved your iodine book………I totally believed it was the missing link. Thank you also for your book on salt and why we need it. It is not difficult to see how misunderstanding these facts have given much business to the sickness industry. Dr. Robert Thompson’s book, The Calcium Lie II, compliments your work also.
To anyone who wants info about detoxing toxic vaccine ingredients. Go to Health Impact News website and search Dr Judy Converse. She runs a nutrition based program in Colorado where she helps detox children and adults from vaccines.
Thank you Dr Brownstein for speaking out and educating us! The tide is turning as more and more of us realise that pharmaceuticals are not making us healthier. In fact, modern mainstream medicine seems to be slowly, painfully killing us.
I am now 74 & female..every year doctors nurse on my
yearly physical came into exam room with shots. for
flu and pneumonia and 1 year also some other virus of which i forgot.
every single year about mid Feb. I got the Flu, Followed by
Pneumonia. so I spent about 1 month in bed mostly sick
with the flu and pneumonia!!!
This past winter of 2014, I refused all shots, though went into
records I was Non Compliant! Also it is now mid April 2015 and 1st year i have not had the
Flu or Pneumonia. What A Blessing to be Non Compliant!!
However Doc says flu vaccine really doesnt work on majority
of elderly!!-! But that if i didnt have it, i could have been much
sicker or dead. funny coverup. I am so thankful i finally started
reading about these vaccines and never too late to say No!
thank you for my info and my 1st year in 10 that i didnt get
real sick.
Unfortunately I think doctors feel if they follow accepted medical practice they cannot get successfully sued for malpractice. If the FDA approves a drug or vaccine for a medical condition unfortunately it becomes acceptable medical practice. Doctors are safe as long as it is FDA approved. Our medical system is perverted by big dollars just like our political system.
Mindy,
I work for a hospital too and see the same thing and much more. Their idea of “healthy food” makes me want to puke, so I’m with you there. I have to fill out a form as to why I did not get the flu shot every year, after being hounded daily for months about it. My coworkers all march obeyingly down to the vacc station to get theirs, regardless of what the few of us who are educated on the subject have told them. Incidently 80% of them are obese and eat trash all day every day. My doctors push the pneumonia vac on me every year and just don’t understand my denial. They still think it’s safe and effective. Keep the faith, Mindy, we are the healthy ones.
Thank you to Margaret who answered my question about detoxing from vaccines. Really, thank you.
I think a good question to ask any doctor who encourages a vaccine is: “Do you take the vaccine or vaccinate your children?” If the answer is a truthful Yes, then the next question to ask is: “Why would anyone with any sense put aluminum and phenol into their bodies? Do any of your children suffer from autism?”
For Nikki Konas:
How do you detox from a vaccine: I would try the homeopathic remedy Thuja 30 c, for at least a week, you should find it in every good Health Food Store. Also large amounts of a good Vitamin C, Milk Thistle, and eat lots of green leafy vegetables.
You may also want to take NAC or do the best detox that you can find out about.
I followed that regimen when I worked in Longterm Care (in Canada) and was pressured to take the annual flu shot. After a few years I had enough of it and refused the shot, agreeing that I would stay off work if there was a flu outbreak and accept the loss of income. Better that than getting more vaccine “stuff” into my body.
Michael, Try NVIC.org
I was talked into the Prevnr 23 by my “trusted” doctor. I have since found that the protocol is to first give the 13, then six months later the 23. He skipped the 13 with me and nearly killed me. I actually came down with all the classic symptoms and had to go on two consecutive, 10 day courses of antibiotics. To make matters worse, my wife and I shared a water bottle the day after my injection and she came down with a month long headache and extreme fatigue problem. We lost a month’s work and living. My doctor’s comment? “We won’t give you that again”. Thanks a lot! After that my blood pressure, which had never been high, suddenly began to rise, along with constant heart palps, a serious nose bleed, muscle aches and cramps and respiratory trouble unlike any I have ever had. My life style is still the same, I’m not a smoker and never was, I eat moderately, am not overweight and exercise on a regular basis. I was 69 when given the vaccine. Think hard about accepting this from your doctor if you are in good health. I went in for a physical, a healthy man, and left after the shot destroyed for months with continuous problems ever since.
After working several years in a hospital I truly feel like up is down, and down is up. From the lack of “nutrition”, such as sugar is ok, have all the pop and jello , processed food you want. But don’t eat anything with good fat in it. Fat still being the villain. To the lists of medication upon medication people are on. With the goal being not to decrease amount and get people off meds but to increase amount, so it appeared. And then to the vaccine issue. First, it is a requirement that all employees must get a yearly flu vaccine or loose their job. Second, Nurses must “push” vaccines on every patient. Its part of the admission process for every patient. It is pushed by management with statistics being measured if everyone is getting theirs. Even if you believe in vaccines doesn’t anyone question weather this is the right time for someone to get one. They are admitted to the hospital because they are sick!! Thanks for all your work and education Dr. Brownstein.
My mother was given the pneumonia vaccine on a Friday. By Monday she had both diarrhea and vomiting so much so they took her to the hospital ED. She was so sick they admitted her. While being admitted and transferred to the floor she had what they believe to be a stroke. Immediately taken to ICU where she was intubated. Less than a week later she was dead.
On her death certificate the cause was listed as Sepsis secondary to aspirated pneumonia. They did not do an autopsy. Mom went from alive and active to dead coincidentally with the administration of the vaccine.
My heart is so broken as are her grand and great-grand children.
I wish there was something I could do.
Is there a victims’ organization for such events?
Dr B:
I found out today that I may need my spleen removed due to a sarcoma.
My surgeon explained that I would need inoculations and the Pneumococcal vaccine.
I told him about the aluminum & phenol and the 99.99 % failure to work.
I asked him if there is a vaccine that does not contain aluminum & phenol.
He did not have an answer.
Is there an alternative if this is given to me? Is it necessary?
Thank you for all your good work and keeping us informed and safer.
I had my daughter vaccinated against HPV now I worry I put her health at greater risk?
For my entire life, I was chronically sick with whatever was going around. When the neighborhood would come down with something on Tuesday, everyone else was better within the week (usually 3 days). I would still be sick 2 months later. For years I asked all my doctors ‘why’?? They said “have you always been this way? Well then, that’s just how you are.”
Luckily, I was FINALLY at a good allergist and asked the same question. He said, “I don’t know, but let’s find out.” He ran a blood test to check my immune system. He said only one of the tyders (spelling) of my immune system was actually working.
He gave me the pneumo vax and changed my life. Since that day in 1999, I have NOT been sick for months and months every year.
I had repeat shot six years ago, a full decade after the first. I asked for the vaccination because I suddenly began holding onto illnesses again.
I am a fan of the vaccine that has so helped me and only wish someone had recommended it decades earlier.
Thank you…
Yes, good question! Other than already suggested NAET, is there anything else that can be done to detox from the bad stuff in vaccines? After having had pneumonia about 5 yrs. ago…hospitalized… and have never felt as if I completely recovered, I let my doc talk me into the pneumo-vax during my latest physical. At least she didn’t push a second one…so far! Husband “encouraged” to start statins at his last physical…w/ no history of cardiac problems…only because we are in our early 70’s. St glad you’ve addressed that issue in your latest book re: statins. Thank you!
Wow!! It’s not rocket science that we can just follow the money trail and know that it’s for the most part not for the health of the patients. I have never taken a vacine and never will.
Thank-you for your insight and the courageous to stand up and speak out!!!
How do you detox from a vaccine?
So how do you detox from a vaccine? Is there anything that pulls it from your body? Thank you.
Dr B,
I will make a second comment to this blog. The response to your blogs must be very encouraging to you that so many of us want to be healthy and CARE what happens to and in our bodies. Blogs like this are pretty unusual, and you can see by creating one that they are very much appreciated and needed. I hope our responses are your reward for all of your hard work in creating these and reading all of these responses. I don’t know how you do it, but I’m glad you do! I sincerely hope some of the physicians out there are reading them and taking in some “food for t hought” to mill around in their brainwashed heads. What happened to their ability to reason?
I was forced into having the pneumonia vaccination as a condition of being released from the hospital while recovering from pneumonia. I felt the vaccination set back my recovery significantly as I felt worse after getting it. Since a vet would never have vaccinated a sick dog, I was disturbed by this tactic used on a human. Unfortunately, I agreed because I wanted to go home.
I had a terrible case of pneumonia 2 years ago. So this year(2014) I got the flu shot and pneumonia shot(13) one in each arm same day at my doctors office. It was 9:00am and by 12:00pm I started having severe pain in my right leg eventually going into my back and it just got worse over a period of days. My face turned bright red on my cheek areas and very hot. I could not lift my arms by then and I could not even get up and move around. I lost all color in my face other than the bright red on my cheeks and could barely walk. I was afraid to go to the emergency room because of what else they might do to me because of not believing it was the shots. It took weeks for me to even be able to work a full day. I would work a few hours and come home and sleep until I had the strength to get up. I reported it to my doctors nurse and was told it was probably the pneumonia shot but that I would never have to have it again and take Tylenol. Pain pills would not even stop my pain so forget the Tylenol. I always had several days of arm pain feeling very bad after just the flu shot but I am a caregiver and got one against my better judgment because of pressure to do so. I will never have another flu or pneumonia shot again and the last tetanus shot I had made me sick for days. I truly believe I was just lucky to have survived this episode of shots. I now worry about long term effects I will have.
Thanks for explaining the data. There is so much bad data used these days to promote any number of initiatives within medicine, education, and the environment. The problem is, most people don’t understand data–how it’s gotten, how to interpret it, how to look for errors. People glaze over when it’s used–they are blinded by science. And people who use data to manipulate people understand this. It works. Throw a bunch of numbers around and people will believe you/follow you, because they don’t want to look stupid.
The “bullying” done by doctors to vaccinate and to let the patient decide what is best is appalling! I go through this every time I have my child in my (mainstream) doctor’s office (school requires a sports physical if child wants to participate … tho no vaccine is required for participation, docs take any opportunity they can to try to bully me into vaccinating). Sadly, my child is vaccinated for the most part but her doc tries to push the Gardasil vaccine every chance she gets. I’ve been called a negligent parent who puts my child in danger, I’ve been told I’m “just a mom” and couldn’t possibly know better than my doctor, and much, much worse. They don’t know … even after I tell them … that I’ve personally researched the topic for nearly 20 years. I’ve asked them to dialogue with me and have an adult, rational discussion but they prefere to talk down to me. They are soooo condescending!!!
I now see it happening to my own mother. This is a bit harder to manage since my mother is of the generation that would NEVER question a doctor’s advice/recommendation. She is so intimidated by doctors, priests, etc. … basically anyone she sees as an authority figure. She tells me in confidence she doesn’t want to follow a doc’s “advice” (they are pushing her to take Fosamax) but she clams up when she’s face to face. I fear, eventually, she will succumb to their tactics. She’s already not well and dealing with issues related to her health and even one vaccine or toxic medication could kill her.
The answer to Peter Dean is to make money. The scientists who work on the drugs and vaccines are well funded and paid handsomely and of course big pharma makes mega bucks. I have a Doctor friend who is on one of the vaccine research teams and of course he advocates getting all vaccines.
In a moment of weakness (and because my Doc was being so nice and attentive) I let him talk me into this vaccine as well as the flu shot which he had already acknowledged would not prevent this year’s flu. He said he felt it might help with other flus to come. Well, within a week, I awoke one morning with a right hand and wrist swollen up like a football, with no recollection of injury or trauma the night before. I was in excruciating pain, not able to use my hand or make a fist. When I went to my orthopedist, x-rays were negative and labs revealed it was a severe case of cellulitis, a blood-borne disease listed as a common side effect of the pneumococcal vaccine. Boy, was I livid! I was already trying to rehab a pair of arthritic hips and this problem set me back about 2 months as it took that long for me to regain the use of my hand (and my ability to use my walker effectively) with theassistance of a home-health OT. And all because I let my guard down for one lousy minute!
“What is surprising is why so many doctors follow idiotic guidelines.”
Follow the money.
Physicians don’t get paid for not vaccinating.
Since it’s ineffective they still get paid to treat the failed vaccination.
This way they get paid twice. And it’s not their fault.
▶Confessions of an Rx Drug Pusher/YouTube
Gwen Olson is a former pharmaceutical sales representative. She discusses her experience in the business and includes a powerful example of when she realized it wasn’t just a sales job anymore. This tragic story exemplifies how she had the power to affect people’s health and lives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTrl_cimrlI&spfreload=10
I knew 2 healthy women in their late 50’s who died shortly after being vaccinated. Liver failure. Heartbreaking and unexpected for their families. I refused to vaccinate my father when I cared for him. He lived to be 93.
God bless you, Dr. Brownstein, and all who have contributed to absolutely nailing the truth about conventional medicine, the naturopathic way and Big Pharma. After being sick for 10 years and trying to ask my doctors to get to the root cause of my health issues, I gave up on conventional medicine. Prescription drugs never cured me and the side effects nearly killed me. Working with automotive engineers for 25 years in Detroit taught me about root cause analysis, which can be applied to health issues as well. When God lead me to your books 2 months ago, I was able to find a naturopathic doctor in Washington and discussed my symptoms and recovery based on your books. I am now on Armour Thyroid and doing amazingly better! The power is back on!!!! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. You are a truly healer.
Martha,
You made my day!! 🙂
DrB
After bombarding infants with 22 vaccines and children with 60+ more, now they’ll start scaring seniors to consent to be jabbed.
My Dad lives in a rest home in Canada. He HAD to show proof from his physician he in fact received the shot to be able to live in the rest home. Thanks for the truth, from one of the thousands who greatly appreciates it.
Nancy,
I did not realize the same thing was going on in Canada. Ridiculous.
DrB
I am puzzled as to what the purpose of the immunizations actually is. It should be clear to the researchers regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine being well qualified scientists. As has been pointed out it is almost totally ineffective for the stated purpose, so why is it being promoted? To what end?
Is there any way to heal the body from these vaccines. I had a Dr. who thought it was a good idea to give the pneumonia Vaccine often. I`ve been sick for a few yrs. now. The problem is finding a “good” Dr. Thanks for all your information.!! and all you do.All the M.Ds Iv been to push the vaccines. Pretty sad.!
Kathy,
NAET can help. You can find a practitioner at: http://www.naet.com.
DrB
Dr. B: I always love your candidness and refusal to play it safe against Big Pharma. Please keep giving us the TRUTH about everything. I know I greatly appreciate it, as thousands of others do too, I’m sure. Thank you!
I stopped vaccines and think I had the last one about 10 years ago. Very little flu experienced either.
I have had lung issues, probably not pneumonia. NAC worked better to keep them clear than the dr prescribed drugs.
I am astonished too as to WHY so many doctors do not question anything and just blindly mimic what the drug rep told them and insist their patients get a treatment (this vaccine for instance) that is almost entirely ineffective and will cause ill health. They are supposed to be the “upper crust” of society and took an oath to heal not harm. Hmmmm, something is very wrong here. Do you mind if I print this off to show to any doctor who even suggests such a thing to me? Since I am in my 60’s and have asthma/chronic bronchitis, this has already happened. Of course I had enough sense even a few years ago to refuse it (and any other vaccine as well). Thank you, Dr. Brownstein for bringing the truth and light to the people.