2 Studies Question the Effectiveness of Flu Vaccines

NY Times ^ | September 21, 2005 | ELISABETH ROSENTHAL

[neverdem]

I tried locating these studies on PubMed, Lancet and BMJ, but no luck.

[Sergio]

My personal experience has been that in a 9 year period, I received the flu shot 9 times, and got the flu 7 times. In the 13 years since, I haven't gotten a single flu shot and have only gotten the flu twice.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

Best Regards

Sergio

[Jon Burrows]

This is beginning to sound like the 50's reaction to an atomic bomb: "When you see the flash, bend over with your head between your knees, and kiss your arse goodbye." Who's incharge here?

[CzarNicky]

My dad says he was never sicker from the flu than when he got a flu shot.

[OldFriend]

My mileage. Am 68 yrs. old have never gotten a flu shot and had the flu once.

[TheOracleAtLilac]

During flu season - wash your hands many times/day & avoid touching face = no flu.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

My personal experience has been that in a 9 year period, I received the flu shot 9 times, and got the flu 7 times. In the 13 years since, I haven't gotten a single flu shot and have only gotten the flu twice.

You should apply for a $1 million/year research grant to keep up your study. That's how the liberals make a killing teaching. As a bonus, then there will be three studies regarding flu vaccines...

[Texas Termite]

I got my first flu shot in my life last year.. a "MUST" to be able to care for our precious Logan, and I wound up with pneumonia!!!

Nana

[Jim Noble]

The runaway 100 percent effectiveness that's touted by proponents was nowhere to be seen

I have been board-certified in Infectious Diseases for twenty-three years, and the HIGHEST efficacy I have ever seen claimed for influenza vaccine is 78%. Many studies claim lower efficacy.

I have NEVER, EVER seen or heard a claim of 100% effectiveness, not to mention "runaway 100% effectiveness", whatever that is.

The fact is, if a flu vaccine protects 70% of people who get it, and all people over 65 get it, tens of thousands of lives are saved in a typical flu season.

That's reason enough to promote it.

[vetvetdoug]

I believe this goes back to a doctrine that I was taught in immunology about immunity and the Orthomyxoviradae, specifically Influenza viruses. The doctrine was about the original antigenic sin and the immunity one produces when exposed to the influenza virus each time. The human immune system cannot determine specificity for a influenza virus each exposure and produces immunity from an anamnestic response to the first type of influenza one is first exposed (ie, each new exposure has an anamnestic immunological response to the first influenza virus encountered and is rarely protective against the newer exposure). With the scientific community clamoring for flu vaccine each year with new vaccine strains, I was led to believe that the original antigenic sin doctrine was passe...now it appears now that it may be more on the mark. With the gamble of production of a vaccine that is the correct strain and the host's immunological history, a flu vaccination is a gamble on par with the Tennessee Lottery.

Please tell me I need to get back up to date with my immunology, I would love to be informed that my education in reference to influenza vaccine has become outdated. OTOH, I remember finding some information in an old German Microbiology Journal from 1890 written by Koch while researching adjuvants was dead on eighty years before it became researched thoroughly with modern techniques.

[mtbopfuyn]

I agree. Have had one flu shot about 6 years ago and that was only because it was free and a drive thru. I can't remember the last time I had the flu - perhaps '92.

[Judith Anne]

Sorry I cannot help you. You're waaaaay above my pay grade. MA probably can. ;-D

[Gritty]

I have avoided getting flu shots for years, and have avoided the flu.

When the vaccine for the Avian Flu becomes available, I shall wait in line all night outside the clinic to get it, even if it doesn't protect "perfectly".

This new monster has a mortality rate of over 50% - and that is with many of it's victims getting treated in intensive care units. Granted, the evolution of this virus into higher morbidity in humans will likely decrease the death rate to something less nightmarish, say, 5%. But, if 50% of Americans catch it that still means 7-8 million unscheduled funerals. That's a lot different than the "usual" mortality of 30-60,000 extra deaths we are used to each winter.

This is a medical CAT 5 brewing out there. Hopefully, it will continue to swirl around longer while we manufacture vaccine and accumulate Tamiflu. If the current outbreak in Indonesia turns nasty(er), it could be on us in a short period of time - too late to do anything about it.

[Spirited]

I'm in the senior population.

Had a flu shot one year long ago (I think the '70's). Got the flu.

Have had neither shots nor flu since.

Extended family of 11 doesn't get the shots and don't get the flu, either. Do use prayer, wisdom, homeopathy and herbs.

[Judith Anne]

I've never had a flu shot, had a mild case last winter. Hub got the shot (free) and got flu + pneumonia.

[madprof98]

I have been getting a flu shot every year (except last year), and I have had the flu several times afterwards. Invariably, though, the doctors say, "Well, it must have been some other virus." Sure acts like flu to me!

[vetvetdoug]

About the paygrade, I don't know, you have sent me back to the blackboard and books a number of times with your discussions. At least you and MA make the study exciting again.

[redgolum]

for later bump

[Judith Anne]

Thank you for your many contributions, FRiend. ;-D