In a recent study in Canada (yesterday, 6/4/10) those vaccination with the 2008–09 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) had an increased rate of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) illness the following year. The studies, which took in about 2,700 people, and were extremely thoroughly researched found that the likelihood of needing medical attention for pandemic flu was 1.4 to 2.5 times greater among people who were vaccinated the previous fall. That is, if you got the flu injection you were more likely to get the pandemic influenza A (swine flu) the following year. This, along with another similar result in a US military study really brings into question our knowledge and use of flu vaccines. Overall my reading of the independent scientific literature (the Cochrane Review) suggests that the flu vaccine does not confer any significant benefit on the population and my suggestion is for people to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. A recent study in Japan found vitamin D supplements easily outperformed the seasonal flu vaccine. But we can’t have the health professionals saying have a vitamin supplement or even better go out into the sun, it just wouldn’t look right.
For those who want the article
Skowronski DM, De Serres G, Crowcroft NS, et al. Association between the 2008–09 seasonal influenza vaccine and pandemic H1N1 illness during spring–summer 2009: four observational studies from Canada. PLoS Med 2010 Apr 6;7(4) [Full text]
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people who receive the flu vaccine are usually more susceptible to respiratory illness. Fairly unsurprising that they would be more likely to get the pandemic flu
ReplyDeleteYou said: "But we can’t have the health professionals saying have a vitamin supplement or even better go out into the sun, it just wouldn’t look right."
ReplyDeleteI DISAGREE.
Health professionals would if had good evidence this was correct.
As Anonymous, said, there may be an explanation to do with the methodology ie study group.You have to look deep before presuming.
Anti-vaccine research needs careful scrutiny as it is a highly charged area of deep convictions.
I have found a Japanese Vit D study and presume it is the one you refer to?
ReplyDeleteFrom a summary at:
https://www.bioticsresearch.com/node/2205
"Limitations: small sample size, lack of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D data, lack
of urinary calcium data, lack of info on presence/development of influenza A"
IMO this DOES NOT inspire the confidence of your statement:
"A recent study in Japan found vitamin D supplements easily outperformed the seasonal flu vaccine".
antibodies".