Posted on 12/06/2005 2:25:40 PM PST by cope85
Vaccine additive banned in Iowa
By Rachelle Treiber Just as Iowa records the season’s first official case of influenza, pediatricians are reminding parents that children younger than 2 years face nearly the same risks associated with the illness as adults older than 65.
But while some parents are leery of the pediatric flu vaccination — which can contain preservatives such as thimerosal, a mercury-based compound added to some vaccines — Iowans can rest easy.
Earlier this year, the state became the first in the nation to ban the use of preservatives in childhood vaccines.
In 1999, when it was discovered that immunized children had accidentally been exposed to mercury levels well over federal limits, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for thimerosal to be removed from vaccines as a precaution.
It was eliminated from nearly all vaccines except the one used for the flu.
Since the Iowa ban went in place during January, California has followed suit and more than 30 other states have similar bans under consideration. Illinois is among them.
In August, Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved the Mercury-Free Vaccine Act. As of next year, the percentage of mercury used in vaccines will be limited. As of 2008, no Illinois resident will be vaccinated with a product containing mercury.
“This was not an issue that we pushed. It was legislator-backed,” said Kevin Teale, communications director for the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Former Iowa Sen. Ken Veenstra, R-Orange City, oversaw an investigation that led to the ban.
Veenstra, who was chairman of the Senate Human Resources Committee, said at the time that he combed through all of the available scientific and biological data before backing the prohibition.
“After three years of review, I became convinced there was sufficient credible research to show a link between mercury and the increased incidences in autism,” he said. “Iowa’s 700 percent increase in autism that began in the 1990s, right after more and more vaccines were added to the children’s vaccine schedules, is solid evidence alone.”
Many parents and medical experts agree, arguing that mercury exposure is at the core of a number of serious medical disorders, ranging from childhood autism to Alzheimer’s disease. Much of their anger is aimed at thimerosal.
Other experts disagree, however.
The American Dental Association flatly denies that mercury-based fillings pose any risk to patients, and the Autism Society of America says there is no known cause for autism, but that it most likely is genetic.
Either way, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommend that children 6 to 24 months of age be vaccinated against influenza.
They say that while mercury is a toxic substance known to be harmful to humans, especially pregnant women, infants and children, the vaccines on the market yield what is considered well below the acceptable level of mercury.
Public health experts say the decision to vaccinate your child against influenza should be taken very seriously.
“It is most dangerous for the little ones, those under 6 months, and since they cannot be vaccinated, we need to vaccinate those around them who could pass it to them,” said Roma Taylor, a registered nurse and clinical services coordinator for the Scott County Health Department.
Taylor said the department administers flu shots to youngsters through its Vaccine for Children program, which is available to those who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured or American Indian.
And those parents have not questioned whether their child’s vaccine contains thimerosal.
“We do have it available preservative-free, but no parents have specifically asked for it,” Taylor said. “We really haven’t had anyone question if the vaccinations had thimerosal or any other preservatives in them.”
Health experts said that until a ban is passed in Illinois, parents can request a preservative-free flu shot for their child, but the request must be made before the vaccine supply is ordered, which can be done as early as May.
I've never had a flu shot and never will. I figure there's more down side to having one than up side.
I've never had a flu shot and never will. I figure there's more down side to having one than up side.
Where do you get it?
http://elixirs.com/
Here is their information page:
http://elixirs.com/newsletter/dolivaxil.cfm
I don't know if you're ever used homeopathy, but once you become comfortable with it you will be amazed.
Which homeo product are you talking about that you take for 4 weeks (once each week)???
Flu Influenzinum 2005-06 flu season in 9C potency for prevention and treatment
Flu Influenzinum for the 2005-2006 season with the 4 new strains determined by the WHO, World Health Organization
Each tube contains complete prevention treatment for 4 people. 3 pellets per week for 4 weeks, wait 3 weeks and take a final dose. That's it!
For additional protection, take an additional dose if you are directly exposed to someone who is ill.
Note, you can take the 30c instead of the 9c, I prefer the 9 since it is meant to gently stimulate the immune system. The higher the 'c' the more potent the remedy.
I checked out the website, and it looks very interesting. (saved it to my favorites list) Just wondering if you've discussed this with your doctor.
If you don't understand it homeopathy seems very foreign, once you learn to understand it and use it properly it is something you become quite comfortable with. It takes four years to become a homeopath, it isn't a fly-by-night kind of thing... what it does is looks at the whole body and treats according to that rather than one particular symptom... and that explanation is very simplistic. I use it for my dogs and have seem amazing things -- like one of my dogs who has Cushings bit her lip and was hemorrhaging from the cut, a dose of Arnica 200c and ledum 30c and the bleeding stopped.
Another time a dog laid in a bed of red fire ants and literally was trying to chew his legs off from the pain, I administered Apis, Ledum and Bryonia and within minutes he was calm and resting.
When it comes to chronic conditions it is a little more difficult to ascertain -- especially when I am using it on my animals, but one of my dogs was suddenly in pain and when she moved her head she squealed in pain, I gave her hypericum every 15 minutes for several hours and within a day she was fine, no more pain and totally normal... the most dramatic was my youngest dog had a very sudden case of vomiting and diarrhea, everything that touched her mouth came back up and she had a fever, was listless and wanted to lay on our bed under the fan and be left alone. I gave her one dose of Veratrum 200c (put it in the corner of her mouth) and went away. I looked in on her 20 minutes later and she was sitting up, smiling and acting like nothing ever was wrong...
These are all examples of acute situations and how you know within a short time if you gave the correct remedy. Chronic issues are much more difficult and are really best left to a professional homeopath to diagnose and treat... I far prefer to take my dogs to a holistic vet who practices homeopathy than an aliopathic vet...
In my case it's the homeopathic flu vaccine -- or nothing.
Sorry, I know you asked a simple question and I gave a very long-winded answer.
Thanks for the homeopathic flu info.....I'm assuming you can buy it at the Elixir website you mentioned???
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Yes, you can. Their site is pretty clear on what you need and if you have any questions you can call, they have a homeopath there who can answer your questions. This is looking like a particularly bad year and people I know who never get sick have already had bouts of fighting off flu, so I would do this as soon as possible.
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