There is no question that the existence of the H1N1 virus and the vaccine created as a result have become hotly debated issues in the media, by bloggers and perhaps most fiercely, by moms. There is so much information out there, that it can be overwhelming to sort out. Since I personally fit into high risk category number one: pregnant women, and have two bambini that fit into high risk category number two: young children, this is an issue I have spent many hours researching. In an attempt to save you the hours of reading medical studies and reports so boring they can cure pregnancy insomnia, I have compiled the information I found below. As a Nutritional Consultant, I will also offer some basic recommendations for preventing and treating the flu should you or someone you love contract it. (Part Two to be released on Friday)

It seems there are two safety issues this flu season: the flu itself and the vaccine currently being manufactured. The H1N1 influenza virus has thus far proven to be less dangerous than officials originally predicted. It resembles a regular flu with common symptoms of fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, coughing, sore throat and stomach disturbances in some people. Like the seasonal flu, it is a viral infection of the respiratory track. For most people, symptoms are mild and clear up after several days or rest and proper hydration. In most cases, those who experience further complications already suffer from an immune compromising condition or have actually contracted bacterial pneumonia, a much more dangerous illness.

Ironically, while pregnant women, elderly, small children and medical workers are the high risk candidates for contracting the H1N1 virus, the majority of the documented cases so far have been in young adults under 30. Factors like obesity and underlying  conditions such as diabetes or heart disease proved to  increase risk for complications from the virus.

The vaccine itself is manufactured like the seasonal flu vaccine in an egg substance with certain adjuvents (additives) to elicit an immune response. Thimerosal, a mercury based adjuvent, will be present in multi-dose vials of this vaccine, though some single dose vaccines may be made without it. Thimerosal has long been suspected to be tied to autism, though it has only actually been proven to be related in one case. Other additives that might be present in the seasonal or swine flu vaccines are:

• Aluminum — a neurotoxin that has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease
• Triton X-100 — a detergent
• Phenol (carbolic acid)
• Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
• Betapropiolactone – a disinfectant
• Nonoxynol – used to kill or stop growth of STDs
• Octoxinol 9 – a vaginal spermicide
• Sodium phosphate

(Taken from Mercola.com. Read the full article here)

The H1N1 vaccine will be tested for up to three weeks before being released for public use, according to FDA documents. Additionally, any testing would be on the H1N1 vaccine alone, and not in combination with the seasonal flu vaccine, which could mean as many as four doses of flu vaccine for some. According to the official website about the flu put out by the government, “The CDC is encouraging people to get both vaccinations (swine and seasonal).”

No testing has been done on the effects of these vaccines, alone or in combination, on the unborn children of pregnant women who receive them, though:

A recent study showed exposure flu viruses among women during pregnancy provoke a similar gene expression pattern in the fetus as that seen in autistic children. (Full article)

Another important point to consider when weighing the risks and benefits of the flu vaccine(s) is their effectiveness. There are no controlled studies that demonstrate any decrease in cases of the flu among those who have gotten the vaccine. The insert in the FLUVAL vaccine for the 2009-2010 formula specifically states:

” FLULAVAL is an influenza virus vaccine indicated for active immunization of adults 18 years of age and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. This indication is based on immune response elicited by FLULAVAL, and there have been no controlled trials demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with FLULAVAL.”

From my perspective as a mom and nutritional consultant, and after the limited research I have done, my family and I will not be getting either of the flu vaccines this year. I am yet to see any evidence that the benefits outweigh the risks, especially to small children. Obviously this is a highly controversial issue, but that is my take on it. I have some other links on vaccine safety and effectiveness on my Resources page.

Some of the more informative sources I found while researching were the National Vaccine Information Center, Mercola.com, and Dr. Tenpenny.

More posts on seasonal vaccines and flu prevention to follow.

Here’s to a healthy home!

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