Effectiveness of Flu Vaccine Raises More Red Flags

The news may be well known now about the influenza vaccine being only 56 percent effective overall and 9 percent effective for the type A H3N2 strain in adults aged 65 years or older during the 2012-13 flu season. ¹ The latest buzz, however, is about how getting a flu shot year after year may make people more susceptible to getting influenza.

Year-to-Year Flu Vaccination Could Limit Effectiveness

In February, Clinical Infectious Diseases published a new prospective study noting the failure of the flu vaccine in people vaccinated against influenza during the previous year.

The researchers followed 328 households with 1,441 members from before the 2010-2011 flu season through the end of it. A total of 866 study participants received the flu shot before the flu season started. Nearly one quarter of the households with 125 members contracted the flu during the 2010-11 season, as confirmed by laboratory tests.

When the researchers separated out those, who were not vaccinated in the previous flu season, they found less of a benefit with the flu vaccine. The influenza vaccine was 62 percent effective among people, who did not receive a flu shot in the prior year. In comparison, vaccine effectiveness among those, who did get a flu shot in the previous year, was substantially lower at -45 percent.

Furthermore, the study found that those who were vaccinated in both years and those who were not vaccinated in either year had similar influenza infection risks. ²

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Could Increase Future H1N1 Infection Risk

This is not the first study questioning vaccine effectiveness based on repeated annual influenza vaccination. In fact, there is a large body of literature examining the impact of previous use of seasonal trivalent flu vaccines on the risk of contracting the 2009 pandemic H1N1 swine flu.  

In 2010, PLoS Medicine published an analysis of Canadian epidemiological studies suggesting that people, who had received seasonal flu shots the year before the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic, had an increased risk of becoming infected with the pandemic swine flu.

During the spring 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus wave, investigators noted a link between prior receipt of the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine during the 2008-09 season and fever/cough illness. In response, they conducted four follow-up epidemiologic studies (three case-control studies and one household transmission study) during the summer of 2009 to further explore the original finding.

Studies Identify Flu Vaccine Failures

Findings from one of the case-control studies showed that prior vaccination with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine is protective against seasonal influenza and reduced the flu risk by 56 percent. However, results from all four studies revealed that those vaccinated in the previous 2008-09 season were between 1.4 and 2.5 times more likely to contract H1N1 during the spring and summer of 2009. ³

A second study in 2009 identified a similar association between previous vaccination and pandemic H1N1 illness in a military population. Between April 21 and May 8, a total of 97 patients developed the H1N1 virus. Of these, 63 people, or 66 percent, received the influenza vaccination in the previous 12 months. In comparison, only 40 percent of patients without H1N1 virus had no history of vaccination. ⁴

In Nov. 13, 2009, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention published a case-cohort study on the effectiveness of 2008-09 trivalent influenza vaccine against 2009 pandemic H1N1. The CDC concluded that there was no decreased or increased risk of pandemic H1N1 following seasonal flu vaccine. ⁵

Doctors Intrigued and Troubled by Findings

In an accompanying editorial, Drs. John Treanor and Peter Szilagyi wrote a response to the findings for the most recent study showing lower effectiveness with back-to-back flu shots.

“As we are currently struggling through one of the most vigorous influenza seasons in recent memory, the apparent failure of influenza vaccine under optimal conditions seen in this study is indeed troubling,” they wrote. ⁶

As usual, further study on flu vaccine effectiveness is necessary. There are a lot of conflicting data available. However, the growing number of studies showing low overall effectiveness, waning immunity and a negative effect of prior-year vaccination cast doubt on influenza vaccine policies and strategies, especially when influenza vaccinations now are being required as a condition of employment for health care workers.  

References:

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21 Responses to "Effectiveness of Flu Vaccine Raises More Red Flags"

jane

Posted: 3/26/2013 1:09:16 PM

I didn't take the flu shot in 2010 or 2011, but did in 2012. For the first time ever, I caught a mild case of the flu this flu season. I won't be taking the vaccine again.

Mary Novak

Posted: 3/26/2013 4:07:22 PM

Google Alfuria p50708 and sanofi pasteur uh730ab and read some of the 70,000 flu vaccine injuries, deaths, ect.

Jeremy

Posted: 3/27/2013 9:57:24 PM

Why would anyone want to inject toxins including mercury from last years strain thinking this years strain is the same?

Paul

Posted: 3/28/2013 6:01:17 AM

I would not take a flu shot because of the junk that is in it,why put mercury, forfelide and other poisons in your body.

Mark

Posted: 10/3/2013 12:44:23 PM

"The latest buzz, however, is about how getting a flu shot year after year may make people more susceptible to getting influenza." Nothing new. Google "Original Antigenic Sin" for the reason this happens. This theoretical possibility has been known since the 1960's Makes you wonder why the flu vaccine is pushed so hard.

Troy

Posted: 10/14/2013 7:12:58 PM

I had my first Flu vaccine last year because I got a job working in a hospital. Haven't had one in years. I find I get sick less with daily use of Hand Sanitizer. I once went four years without getting a cold or flu just be keeping my hands clean. I can't afford to take sick days anymore.

Linda

Posted: 10/29/2013 3:43:07 PM

i took the flu shot this year 2013.my arm is still sore after a week taking it.my arm swell and turn red after a few days after taking it.i have took one ever year.didnt feel any pain until this year.i would love to know what they are putting in them this year.anyone know please let me know.thanks.

Nancy

Posted: 11/10/2013 9:09:50 PM

I am being pushed quite aggressively at work regarding getting the flu shot.I am a healthy middle aged woman who works at an outpatient physical therapy facility part time.I had never had the flu shot until a about 5 yrs ago when I then had it 3 years in a row.I got the flu each year despite getting the flu shot.I have not gotten the flu nor the flu shot since.I am strongly against having myself injected with something that is not even very effective for preventing an illness. If I do not"choose" to get the flu shot, I will have to wear a mask all day at work from Nov until May.I do not want to do this as it will look like I am the "contagious" one but I refuse to cave in like many other employees have because they rightly so do not want to wear an uncomfortable mask.Someone is making alot of money off of this. Why is our government pushing this so hard? Does this sound almost communistic to anyone else?

Melissa Coleman

Posted: 11/14/2013 7:43:35 PM

I too refuse the flu shot and will have to wear a mask. Other places of employment are letting people go for not getting the vaccination. The Alert Area Medical Center in Amery WI. Is enforcing this. I believe this is wrong. I do not know about illegal. As I read more on the flue and the vaccination I am finding that the a lot of repition about getting the shot and what it does. However I am not reading a lot of repitition in journals and studies that I have been finding. From what I have been finding I am not taking my chances. Any help with information sources would be greatly appreciated.

Tom

Posted: 12/10/2013 2:05:31 PM

I work in a Pedi hospital, I've been employed here for 10+ years. I work in a non clinical research position. I work in evidence based practice, therefore I read journal articles nearly daily. I have read a lot on the flu shot, and the evidence is just not there regarding efficacy. Therefore I do not get the shot. I find it to be invasive and based on statistical data of efficacy, it is ineffective. This year at work they are pushing it very hard, much harder than in previous years. I find it disgusting.

Michael

Posted: 1/4/2014 2:01:32 AM

I am a pharmacist working for a major pharmacy chain. I reviewed much data about the effectiveness of the flu shot, most of that data comes from the CDC. My conclusion is that the flu shot does little or nothing. However I was heavily handed pressured by the corporation to do flu shots. You can sift through the data yourself. Some of the links are above. I did not want to give flu shots but was given heavy handed pressure from the corporate masters and eventually gave in. Since I began administering flu shots, I have had many reports of people becoming ill shortly after. I do not know if they are having flu symptoms from the shot or a reaction to one of the preservatives, but this effect seems to be something that the CDC does not keep track of and even dismisses. I have come to believe that flu shots are a billion dollar fraud paid for by us, the tax payer, since most of the flu shots are paid for through medicare and medicaid.

Joe

Posted: 2/12/2014 11:02:25 PM

I took the flu shot for the first time in 30 years. Like many, my arm was sore for about 3 wks. I have never had the flu and regreted it for weeks. Basically I felt I sold out to the powers that be. I am a healthcare worker who travels for a living. I will only work during the months when the flu shot is not required and will avoid states where the flu shot is mandatory.

Lou

Posted: 5/7/2014 11:58:51 AM

There are THREE things to protect against here the toxic "flu vaccination" and the common usually harmless seasonal flu and All VIRAL INFECTION. This protocol does all three. "There are many other viruses besides influenza that can result in influenza-like illness* (ILI) that spread during the flu season.” CDC The bottom line on the "Seasonal Flu" is you do NOT want protection from ONLY a few specific viruses. You want protection from ALL VIRAL infection. There is perhaps, protection from ONLY four viruses in the "flu shot". There are hundreds, at least, of viruses and other pathogens which can cause the "Seasonal Flu" like illness (ILI), which is nothing but a viral or other infection. Vitamins D and C, in ADEQUATE AMOUNTS will protect you from ALL VIRAL and most other INFECTIONS. NO “flu shot” is needed to completely avoid all serious infection. IMO the vitamins D and C may offer you at least some protection from viral pandemic viruses. It is just this simple and difficult. http://healthyprotocols.com/2_flu_shot_intro.htm The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) currently recommends that children 6 month to 18 years old receive an annual flu vaccine, They are currently SCARING to death our seniors such that 90% get the toxic “flu shot” every year. We can see how that advice has worked. http://healthyprotocols.com/image_age_5_influenza_deaths.jpg http://healthyprotocols.com/image_flushot12.jpg “Most parents submit to vaccinating themselves and their children based on a fear they will die if they are not “protected.” The CDC put out a story claiming that 36,000 elderly die each year as a result of the flu. But a careful examination of CDC data reveals that the true figure was 753 flu deaths in 2002 and 257 the year before — and most of these victims were chronically ill, poorly nourished elderly people. A brand-new study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which examined death rates of the elderly over the past 30 years, found no decrease in deaths, despite increased flu vaccinations over that period of time. The study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.” Autism: The Silent Enemy Doctor Russell Blaylock MD . Note this is an EXCELLENT treatise on many “vaccine” issues. You NEED to read it!

Margaret Schaar

Posted: 10/6/2014 6:49:58 PM

I have been taking the flue shot for years, apart from a sore arm I havnt had the flue, yet no one talks about the ingredients, like mercury, I also have amalgamated filling and I am on Pristique for major depression, I suffer worsening mental fatigue, memory problems, dyslexia, pibmyalgia and weight gain, iam a walking disaster, I used to be so energetic and active, even though I am 65 I should be more active, I am coming off Pristique slowly and have begun one tablet every 2nd day, it's a nightmare, I feel like a jelly head, iam in patient, where I use to be so patient, I get short frustration bursts, I get a system where I can't cope with heat in the body, I get really physically traumatised, I hate summer I just feel like a boiling sauspan with a lid fused on, I feel dizzy in the head and I can get words out like I use to, is it all the corporate rich bastards trying to control us, I wonder. The rick get to control the world and most us which will be poor and sick by the next centaur day will have been DISTROYED by these evil so and so's, life sucks and is getting suckier.

VERONICA

Posted: 10/16/2014 8:18:54 PM

My 92 years old mom has been receiving the flu shot for 3 years and she has gotten sick with flu for over a week. This year I pray I am doing the right thing and told the nurse not to give her the flu shot. I also pray that she doesn't get deathly ill from not having the flu shot.

jeremy n

Posted: 11/13/2014 6:52:05 PM

I have never had the flu shot and have actually contracted the actual flu once in my life so far ( im 31) and i see no need to be vaccinated for the flu every year.

Jim

Posted: 11/14/2014 11:05:56 AM

I got a bad case of the flu when I was youger and I was sick as a dog for 4 days. I get the flu shot every year, have never had a reaction or the flu. It will not protect you completely but based on the science, it's better than nothing.

Sheldon

Posted: 1/4/2015 4:21:30 AM

I have only had the flu shot once or twice in my life as a kid. As an adult I never get sick. I get the flu once every 6-7 years if anything. And its gone within a day. The flu shot is useless and harmful. Why are they trying to make us take these??

David

Posted: 1/4/2015 10:37:01 AM

I'm 68, never had a flu shot, haven't had the flu for 10 years even though I've been around family who have had flu. If I get the flu, I simply rest and it's gone in 2 to 3 days, and then I'm back to work. In Canada, we are (still) free to refuse or accept flu vaccinations. <http://www.globalresearch.ca/obama-administration-launches-deceptive-swine-flu-propaganda-blitz/15860>

Lou

Posted: 5/11/2015 7:56:51 PM

"It [flu shot] will not protect you completely but based on the science, it's better than nothing." Oh how wrong, wrong, wrong this thinking is. ALL Medical interventions carry RISK. The flu shot provides little "protection" the risks are often INVISIBLE but here is one we dare not ignore. "We have found that clinically normal individuals aged 60-65 who receive influenza vaccine three or four times during a five-year period, will five years later have an incidence of Alzheimer's disease 10-fold greater than age-matched individuals who did not receive it." Doctor H. Hugh Fudenburg, MD, Note and CDC cannot figure out where Alzheimer's is coming from. Right! 90% of our seniors are getting the "flu vaccine" toxin. Seniors if you do NOTHING else but reject this USELESS TOXIC Alzheimer's producing "Flu Shot" you will have eliminated 90% of your Alzheimer's risk. Ever wonder where the neuron tangles of Alzheimer’s come from?

Melissa

Posted: 9/23/2015 12:05:27 PM

I have only received the flu shot 3 years in a row and had been sick at least 3 times each of those years. The year I decided I would never do it again, I was sick once and with the proper fluids, food, and rest, I was well in 3 days. I will NEVER buy into that flu shot thing again. I just thought I would give it a try for a few years to see what happened. I'll tell you what happened . . . . a bunch of sick days!!! I can't believe I tried it to begin with. I am 45 years old and barely take ib prophen. You know, to come to think of it, I and many of my coworkers have been diagnosed with chronic dry eye. Could this be due to the flu shot (possibly some autoimmune disorders). I have never heard of chronic dry eye before, and all of a sudden approximately 7 of my co-workers have it.