[SaneVax: Multiple studies have recently been released questioning the efficacy of annual flu vaccines. Despite this fact, the CDC is now promoting flu vaccines for pregnant women, children above the age of six months and everyone else, every year. Does this make medical sense or is it simply good marketing of vaccines? What is wrong with this picture?]
Flu Vaccine Usefulness Seriously Questioned
By Vaccine Injury Lawyer
Researchers reported that influenza vaccinations provide only modest protection for healthy young and middle-age adults, and little, if any protection, for those 65 and older, who are most likely to succumb to the illness or its complications.
Tis’ the time for the flu and some are questioning the value of getting the flu vaccine.
Scientists at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota released a report seriously questioning the efficacy of the flu vaccine.
Researchers reported that influenza vaccinations provide only modest protection for healthy young and middle-age adults, and little, if any protection, for those 65 and older, who are most likely to succumb to the illness or its complications. Moreover, the report’s authors concluded, federal vaccination recommendations, which have expanded in recent years, are based on inadequate evidence and poorly executed studies.
“We have over-promoted and over-hyped this vaccine,” said Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, as well as its Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance. “It does not protect as promoted. It’s all a sales job: it’s all public relations.”
Dr. Osterholm, who says he is concerned that confidence in current vaccines deters research into identifying more effective agents, comes from the world of public health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A bioterrorism and public health preparedness adviser to Tommy Thompson, the former health and human services secretary, he served on the interim management team during a transition period at the C.D.C. in 2002.
“I’m an insider,” Dr. Osterholm said. “Until we started this project, I was one of the people out there heavily promoting influenza vaccine use. It was only with this study that I looked and said, ‘What are we doing?’ ”
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