The coming swine flu vaccination campaign is expected to begin in October. But with vaccine safety tests being fast-tracked under “public health emergency” rules and the use of some questionable ingredients, many health experts are warning about a myriad of risks associated with the vaccine and the importance of being educated.

“Right now, you need to become educated about vaccination, influenza, vaccine risks and the public health laws in your state,” warned Barbara Loe Fisher, the president of the National Vaccine Information Center. “You need to find out what your rights and options are under new public health laws that may require you — and your children — to be vaccinated or quarantined.”

So what are the risks of the swine flu vaccines? It depends on who you ask.

“There can be no argument that unnecessary mass injection of millions of children with a vaccine containing an adjuvant known to cause a host of debilitating autoimmune diseases is a reckless, dangerous plan,” explained Dr. Joseph Mercola, a health activist, author and strong critic of the swine flu immunization program. He proceeds to provide evidence justifying his concerns.

The adjuvant Mercola is referring to is based on an oil known as squalene. It is used to reduce the amount of viral antigen required in vaccines, which allows companies to produce more vaccines for less money at a faster rate.

But according to countless medical professionals and experts, using it in immunizations is a bad idea. It is also going to be somewhat experimental. There isn’t a single vaccine containing squalene that is approved for use in America, according to Meryl Nass, M.D., who notes that Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline will make use of it as a “novel feature of the H1N1 vaccines.” 

Squalene is a naturally occurring oil, found in the human brain, joints, and other places. The problem, according to some experts, comes when it is administered in a vaccine. They claim that in this circumstance, the body creates antibodies to attack the oil. And it is believed by many to be responsible for the wide variety of symptoms that were called collectively "Gulf War Syndrome," a sometimes debilitating set of phenomena present in a large number of U.S. military personnel who served during the first war in Iraq. 

“The substantial majority (95%) of overtly ill deployed GWS patients had antibodies to squalene. All (100%) GWS patients immunized for service in Desert Shield/Desert Storm who did not deploy, but had the same signs and symptoms as those who did deploy, had antibodies to squalene,” noted a Tulane Medical School study published in Experimental Molecular Pathology. “In contrast, none (0%) of the deployed Persian Gulf veterans not showing signs and symptoms of GWS have antibodies to squalene.” The study has been challenged, but it is still widely cited.

Another study published in the American Journal of Pathology highlighted problems with the use of the substance as well. One injection of squalene into rats led them to develop what humans know as rheumatoid arthritis, or “chronic, immune-mediated joint-specific inflammation.”

Another potential risk from the vaccine was highlighted by Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, the chairman of the health committee in the German parliament and the European Council. As reported in an article entitled "German health expert’s flu warning — Does virus vaccine increase risk of cancer?" in the German newspaper Bild, “the nutrient solution for the vaccine consists of cancerous cells from animals,” and according to Wodarg, "we do not know if there could be an allergic reaction.”

Johannes Löwer, the president of the German government’s Paul Ehrlich Institute, also warned that the side effects of the shot could be worse than the actual swine flu, according to the article. 

Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that will also be used in the swine flu vaccine, has come under fire from a broad array of medical experts. Despite a number of studies that concluded the substance does not cause autism, there are critics of the various studies. Also critics point to widespread concern about other mercury-related complications.

The Food and Drug Administration actually told pharmaceutical companies to stop using the substance in early childhood vaccines. But many still contain it. And the swine flu vaccine will be no exception, though Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said that because of concerns over the preservative, there will be some vaccines available without it.

Critics, however, are still not satisfied. "We don't have adequate safety studies on this vaccine before we are moving forward to market," noted Lyn Redwood, the president of a non-profit organization called SafeMinds (Sensible Action For Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders) dedicated to investigating and raising awareness about the risks associated with mercury in medicinal products. "I'm really not convinced that we know for sure that the risk of the disease outweighs the risk of the vaccine, especially since this is a brand new additive that we have never used before in combination with thimerosal."

But thimerosal, squalene, and cancerous animal cells are far from the only concerns.  Among other potentially dangerous chemicals and substances often found in influenza vaccines are formaldehyde, antibiotics, and even ethylene glycol, known as anti-freeze. Various health experts have varying opinions about the effects of all of these additives, but many doctors still warn against them.   

Another cause for concern surfaced in the United Kingdom when the government’s Health Protection Agency sent a letter to senior neurologists warning that the new swine flu vaccine is linked to the deadly nerve disease known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), the Daily Mail reported in an article entitled "Swine flu jab link to killer nerve disease: Leaked letter reveals concern of neurologists over 25 deaths in America." The risk of contracting the paralysis-inducing illness was reportedly eight times greater in those who received the infamous government swine flu vaccine of 1976, which killed more people than the actual virus. The leaked letter warned recipients to keep an eye open for GBS and report it immediately.

Many vaccine opponents go much further than highlighting the potential risks, with some making unsubstantiated claims that it will be used as a tool for mass depopulation or eugenics. Some point to anecdotal evidence like comments by Obama’s science czar, who called for drastic population reduction methods in a book called Ecoscience. But what is certain is that the vaccine carries risks — a lot of them according to experts.

The people who seem totally convinced about the inoculations’ safety and efficacy — or who are at least downplaying the potential risks and side effects — appear to be mostly government bureaucrats or people with vested interests. Virtually every medicinal product carries some risk, and these vaccines are no different. To say otherwise is disingenuous. 

What is important is that the population be educated about the potential complications and then decide with their families and healthcare providers what approach they would like to take, taking into consideration the risks of the vaccine and of the swine flu. It should be an individual decision without bureaucratic interference or propaganda.

Photo: AP Images

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Bonnie said:

	Swine flu, 1976 Because of a “public health emergency” in 1976, the vaccine for that version of swine flu was rushed to production. As a consequence, there were many adverse reactions, Guillain-Barré syndrome among them. This vaccine is sometimes referred to as "the first cure for which there was no known disease".
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September 03, 2009
Votes: +12

Thomas Paine said:

	Thank you New American Thank you for giving us the facts about the vaccine so we can make an informed decision. The mass media is intent on getting everyone scared to death of the Swine Flu and thus rush to get the vaccine. It is too coincidental that the outbreak comes just at the time Obama wants to get the Gov health plan passed. God help us.
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September 03, 2009
Votes: +2

Leroy said:

	... I find it somewhat ironic that the Pharma Companies where given blanket immunity from vaccination lawsuits not long after The Squalene Antibody and Gulf war syndrome connection where discovered. Now with Gov money, The Pharma Companies will reap substantial profits by using the adjuvant Squalene, And more profits years down the road from complications,
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September 04, 2009
Votes: +16

..., Lowly rated comment [Show]

Facing~Reality said:

	Heres Hoping America wakes up This supposed Flu threat is just that...created to make all run to get a Swine Flu vaccination..Well Just the name of the vaccination makes me want to run the other way...I am very suspect on why the government wants us to get this...I so dont trust them.............
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September 05, 2009
Votes: +12

Bonnie said:

Some answers for Sue Tait You asked if we are really sure this is the same strain as in 1976. I am sorry if my post implied that to be the case. I would have to say that with the way flu strains mutate from year to year, it is highly unlikely they are the same. Next, as much as I dislike Obama, there is no way I an blame him for developing a strain of flu. However, believing him to be an opportunistic vulture, he is certainly capitalizing on it. There is similarity between today and 1976 in the rush to bring a vaccine to market. This rush bypasses commonly accepted testing procedures. In 1976, that flu failed to materialize at all, much less in epidemic proportion. And judging from the first outbreak earlier this year, this strain is proving to be quite mild. I think there were many more "cases" this spring that were never diagnosed as swine flu because they were so mild or failed to develop symptoms. All those people are now immune. Finally, as to a cover up, I really do believe the government would cover up poor or lack of testing. They will gamble with "acceptable risk". A few people get sick or die, the flu never materializes, and the government is the "hero". In summary, did the Obama administration create the flu? No. Since it happened anyway, will they take full advantage of it? You bet your sweet booty! They're not about to let a good "public emergency" go to waste.

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September 05, 2009
Votes: +2

Friv said:

Please read carefully It was plainly stated in the article that the adjuvant squalene is not permitted for use in the USA. There is also a big difference in the way they make the vaccines now then they did in 1976. With the advent of cell cultures rather than vaccines made from chicken eggs they have reduced the adverse reactions and eliminated the allergic reactions. Most of this reactionary behavior stems from past incidences and the proponents of false information that have no bearing on today's vaccines. The information to truly educate yourself is at your fingertips, if you have the ability to find this site then you also are capable of finding the real facts.

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September 05, 2009
Votes: +7

Friv said:

Government or corporations? Every year there are 2 people in the world that are responsible for deciding which flu vaccines will be produced supposedly determined by collecting data on which flus are prevalent. One of those people also holds the patents on the new flu vaccine processes. They are the ones who hold copies of the existing viruses, make man made versions of them, then develop the vaccines to sell to the public. They also determine which companies are allowed to produce said vaccines. No governments are involved in this process. By determining demand they produce only enough to go around resulting in shortages in some years and overproduction in other years, it's a crap shoot. If you would like more information on this subject look up Baxter, the drug manufacturer that is involved in most of this.

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September 05, 2009
Votes: +4

e.ahmed said:

... I will be grateful if someone answer the following questions: i) Why h1n1 is considered an emergency if it killed approx. 2200 worldwide while seasonal flu kills approx half a million?. Being pandemic is only a measure of its geographical extension not its severity. ii) How can a vaccine be safe if it has been developed in less than a year? What about side effects which may take years to appear? iii) In the worst case scenario and the virus mutates to become a severe killer will these vaccines be effective? iv) Is there an explanation why this disease affects the ages 25-45 and not the standard young or old ages??

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September 06, 2009
Votes: +6

Alex N. said:

Friv Despite FDA regulations, under the Emergency Use Authorization, not only can and will squalene be used, the vaccine makers will be given total immunity. This was verified by Capt. Raymond Strikas at a Denver CDC "public engagement session" session in August. Also, are you proposing that governments' orders for hundreds of millions of swine flu vaccine doses have no bearing on the amount of vaccines produced? That seems rather silly. Looking up Baxter, however, is a very good suggestion. It was recently caught sending contaminated vaccines to Europe which could have resulted in a disaster. It also filed a patent application for the swine flu vaccine in 2007, 2 years before the appearance of the so-called "novel strain." Finding real facts is indeed a good idea, and as you noted, the information is at your fingertips.

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September 06, 2009
Votes: +21

DWH said:

	... An international drug company creates a strain of flu that it has a patent on for making flu shots to reap insanely huge profits on,with government legal immunity clauses...say it ain't so!
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September 06, 2009
Votes: +5

Vaccines will kill or injure blood types A, B & O, Lowly rated comment [Show]

HGirl said:

	Swine Flu Risks Don't trust the government. You never get the entire truth about vaccines. If they will hurt your body, do not receive the shot. Life is taking chances without submitting to extra harm. Taking the shot will cause extra problems that you didn't bargin for. Why take the risk ?
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September 22, 2009
Votes: +10

Ccm said:

	... Are vaccines created to keep us sick?
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September 30, 2009
Votes: +2

Shortie said:

	Swine Flu/ Health care Reform I find it particular that all the scare tactics come from the Government. Remember 911 and the fear America lived in for years. Code yellow all that stuff! Wake up America!!! Please? what is really going on in Washington?
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October 03, 2009
Votes: +5