The H1N1 virus responsible for the 2009 global pandemic is back. The CDC says that the flu has been killing at epidemic levels since mid-January. They say that the flu usually disproportionately affects the very old and the very young.
“Fluzone“, a new flu vaccine, out since 2009, is 4 times as strong as the standard dosed flu vaccine is available. It is 24% better at preventing the flu than the standard flu shot, the doctor said describing the results of the study.
Do you want to get the new flu vaccine?
Maybe not, if you look at the numbers.
In the trial the new flu vaccine was more effective in seniors and the flu study reported a flu rate of 1.45% compared to 1.89% rate for the regular flu vaccine. This is the relative risk difference and where the 24% better number comes from.
But the absolute risk reduction means that it takes 217 elderly people to receive the new flu vaccine to prevent one case of the flu. In other words, that for 216 out of 217 elderly people the new flu vaccine did not work any better. This does not sound like a very effective way to prevent the flu. They received 4 times the dose and risks of dangerous side effects for next to no improvement in preventing the flu.
“This new flu vaccine is worthless and too expensive-it is double the price of the regular, which is also worthless,” says Dr. Brownstein, a family practice physician in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
Many patients ask me about the risks and benefits of vaccines. Here are three good places to start learning more about vaccines:
- Dr. Brownstein’s website, blog and free newsletter @ www.drbrownstein.com
- Dr. Garry F. Gordon’s website, blog and free newsletter @ www.gordonresearch.com
- www.vactruth.com – free ebooks and newsletter; including a list of 97 powerful books on vaccines
Stay tuned next month for the natural, alternative ways to prevent and treat the flu and colds without drugs or vaccines.
Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Lawrence
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