Flu Drugs Inappropriate for Healthy Adults: Study

Flu Drugs Inappropriate for Healthy Adults: Study
August 21, 2009, ABC News

The flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza may not be worthwhile to treat seasonal influenza in healthy adults, British researchers reported on Friday. "Recommending the use of antiviral drugs for the treatment of people presenting with symptoms is unlikely to be the most appropriate course of action," wrote Jane Burch of the University of York and colleagues. Their study, published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases, supports an advisory from the World Health Organization that says healthy patients who get H1N1 swine flu without suffering complications do not need to be treated with antivirals. Burch's team reviewed many different published studies on Tamiflu and Relenza. "We present the results for healthy adults and people at-risk of influenza-related complications," they wrote. Both drugs shaved about half a day, on average, off the time patients were ill, they found. Influenza usually affects people for about a week. The drugs worked a little better in people who have a high risk of complications, such as patients with diabetes or asthma, with Relenza cutting sickness by almost a day and Tamiflu by three-quarters of a day, on average. This suggests the drugs should be reserved for people who need them the most, the researchers concluded.

Vaccines: Mandatory Swine Flu Vaccine Risks

"Department of Homeland Security officials are declaring that any disease outbreak is a matter of homeland security. Department of Defense officials are defining public demonstrations as 'low level terrorism.' In some states ... doctors have persuaded legislators to quickly pass pandemic influenza legislation that will allow state officials to enter homes and businesses without the approval of occupants; to investigate and quarantine individuals without their consent; to require licensed health care providers to give citizens vaccines and to ban the free assembly of citizens in the state."
-- Barbara Loe Fisher, President of the National Vaccine Information Center, 6/18/09

Dear friends,

The swine flu has turned out to be little more dangerous than the average flu. The majority of those who have died of swine flu have had other health complications which played a decisive role in mortality. You may rememberour messages at the beginning of the outbreak about the unbridled fear-mongering taking place, as happened previously with the avian flu. Yet the pandemic of fear continues as plans are well underway for a massive vaccination of the public with a vaccine that has only recently been developed and has undergone very limited testing for possible severe side effects.

According to the CDC, approximately 36,000 people die each year in the U.S. from the regular flu. That averages to about 100 people a day. The total number of confirmed mortalities in the U.S. from the swine flu since the virus was identified in March is less than 200, less than the number of people who die in two days from the regular flu. Yet don't be surprised if you soon start to see propaganda for mandatory vaccination, starting with our children. Mandatory vaccines bring billions of dollars to big pharma and more control for politicians.

Plans have been made and laws have already been passed to restrict constitutional rights during a pandemic. And in spite of the low severity of the swine flu, a pandemic of the highest level has already been declared by the WHO. At worst, these new laws can be used to declare martial law and suspend constitutional rights. At best, many will likely be injured or die from vaccine side effects, like during the swine flu pandemic in 1976, in which a national emergency was declared even though only one person died of the flu. Dozens died that year as a direct result of the massive government vaccination program against the greatly feared flu.

Now is the time to educate yourself on the power of the multinational pharmaceutical companies to manipulate government, to incite fear, and to reap huge profits. Read the revealing words of the former editor-in-chief of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine at this link. By educating ourselves and those around us, we can stop the greedy drug companies from wreaking havoc on our health and political systems. Please read the excellent article below on this topic by the president of the National Vaccine Information Center, and do your part to spread the word and take action for the good of all of us. Thanks for caring.

With best wishes,
Fred Burks for PEERS and the WantToKnow.info Team
Former language interpreter for Presidents Bush and Clinton

Swine Flu Vaccine: Will We Have A Choice?
by Barbara Loe Fisher, President of the National Vaccine Information Center

This fall, many parents are wondering what will happen to their children when they enter the schools. Some public health doctors want to turn schools into vaccination clinics where children will be the first to be injected with experimental swine flu vaccines. [1]

Less Than 50,000 Swine Flu Cases Worldwide

Every day we are being warned by doctors at the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to worry a lot about the H1N1 influenza A virus, which was first identified in Mexico in April 2009 and is being called the new swine flu. As of June 15, 2009, the World Health Organization states that 76 countries have reported more than 35,000 cases, including 163 deaths. 108 of those deaths have occurred in Mexico. [2]

We are being told that nearly 18,000 Americans have gotten sick from the new swine flu virus, with about 5 percent being hospitalized and 45 dying. [3] It looks like people, who are in poor health to begin with are at greater risk of having complications and dying from the new swine flu, which has symptoms just like regular influenza. [4][5] This is not surprising because people in poor health are always at greater risk of having complications and dying from infectious disease.

Most Flu-Like Illness Not True Influenza

What a lot of people don’t know is that true type A or type B influenza only causes about 20 percent of all flu-like symptoms that people experience during any given flu season. [6] 80 percent of all flu-like illness in a normal flu season is NOT caused by the type A and B strains of influenza for which annual flu shots are given. And vaccine acquired immunity is temporary, while immunity gained after recovering from influenza is longer lasting. [7][8]

1968 Flu Pandemic Killed 34,000 Americans

The new type A H1N1 influenza virus public health doctors say is making people sick around the world is an unusual combination of human, bird and pig viruses. [9] Nobody seems to know exactly how this new virus was created and why it suddenly emerged from Mexico in mid-April - or if it will behave like past pandemic influenza viruses that caused 68,000 American deaths in 1957 and killed 34,000 Americans in 1968. [10] (The CDC states that 36,000 Americans die from influenza complications annually, with most of those deaths occurring in the elderly and those in poor health). Influenza pandemics usually start with mild symptoms and progress to more severe symptoms before populations acquire immunity to the virus and it dies out.

Older Americans May Have Antibodies Against Swine Flu

The good news about the new swine flu going around is that there are signs those of us born before 1957, may be naturally protected and at LOWER risk of being infected. [11][12] Why? Because we recovered from influenza caused by similar influenza strains that circulated in past decades and have long lasting antibodies that help us resist infection. So the aging baby boomers have something to be happy about.

Vaccinated Children Don’t Have Natural Antibodies

But will health officials allow our children and grandchildren to get those same kind of natural protective antibodies to type A and B influenza, including this new swine flu? It doesn’t look like it. First, doctors in America have been insisting for the past few years that every child from six months old to age 18 must get an annual flu shot. [13] Second, there are now calls by U.S. health officials to give American children the first doses of experimental swine flu vaccines in the school setting. [14]

WHO Declares Phase 6 Alert; Public Health Doctors Exercise EUA

This is because the response by doctors at the World Health Organization, who immediately went into high gear within days of identifying the new swine flu virus emerging out of Mexico, was to declare a public health emergency. Now, they have increased the pandemic flu fear alert to Phase 6 [15], which is the equivalent of the U.S. Homeland Security’s Code Red warning of an imminent terrorist attack. [16] Doctors at the Centers for Disease Control, who followed the lead of the World Health Organization, have done the same and are exercising unprecedented power that Congress handed over to them after 9-11.

Fast Tracking of Experimental Vaccines With Novel Adjuvants

Whenever the CDC declares a public health emergency, that declaration allows the Food and Drug Administration to permit emergency use authorization for drug companies to fast track creation of experimental drugs and vaccines that do not have to be tested as thoroughly as vaccines that go through the normal FDA licensing process. [17] In this case, Congress responded to the public health emergency declaration by giving a group of drug companies one billion dollars [18] to fast track experimental swine flu vaccines that may include whole live [19], killed or genetically engineered human and animal influenza viruses, chemicals, and potentially reactive oil based adjuvants that manipulate the immune system to boost the vaccine’s potency. [20][21][22]

States Enact Stronger Quarantine & No Free Assembly Laws

In some states, like Massachusetts, public health doctors have persuaded legislators to quickly pass pandemic influenza legislation that will allow state officials to enter homes and businesses without the approval of occupants; to investigate and quarantine individuals without their consent; to require licensed health care providers to give citizens vaccines and to ban the free assembly of citizens in the state. [23][24]

What Can You Do?

What does this declaration of a public health emergency in the U.S. mean for you and your family? It means that, right now, you need to become educated about vaccination, influenza, vaccine risks, and the public health laws in your state. You need to find out what your rights and options are under new public health laws that may require you and your children to get vaccinated or be quarantined. [25]

Take Action Now

Go to and learn more. Register now to attend the Fourth International Public Conference on Vaccination Oct. 2-4, 2009 in Washington, D.C. and help organize in your state to protect your right to informed consent to vaccination. Call and write the state legislators you elected to make public health laws that govern you and your family. Make your voice heard.

Homeland Security, Department of Defense & CDC

As Department of Homeland Security officials are declaring that any disease outbreak is a matter of homeland security [26][27]; as Department of Defense officials are defining public demonstrations as “low level terrorism;” [28] as CDC officials make plans to re-route airplanes to designated airports with quarantine centers to screen all passengers for signs of swine flu [29]; and as fast tracked experimental pandemic flu vaccines are being created to be given to American children first, it is time for all of us – whether we are public health officials addressing what we believe is a true public health emergency or whether we are ordinary citizens simply trying to protect our health and the health of our children - to act in rational and responsible ways.

Protect Health Choices

Every pharmaceutical drug, including vaccines, carries a risk and those risks are greater for some than others. In this time of fear, we cannot let that fear take away our freedom to make voluntary health choices, including vaccine choices, so we have the power to make sure that the cure is not more dangerous than the disease.

Note: The above essay was originally published on the NVIC website. A video of this message is available here.

What you can do:

• Inform your media and political representatives of this important information. To contact those close to you, click here. Urge them to pay attention to where the dollars flow as a result of the swine flu situation and to work towards building community support rather than promoting fear.
• Learn more about the powerful influence of the drug companies over Congress at this link.
• Read concise summaries of highly revealing major media reports on the flu scares available here.
• Explore inspiring ideas on how we can build a brighter future for all by reading this short essay.
• Spread this news to your friends and colleagues, and bookmark this article on key news websites using the icons at the bottom of this page, so that we can fill the role at which the major media is sadly failing. Together, we can make a difference.

Final Note: WantToKnow.info believes it is important to balance disturbing cover-up information with inspirational writings which call us to be all that we can be and to work together for positive change. Please visit our Inspiration Center at for an abundance of uplifting material.

Endnotes:

[1] Neergaard, L. Associated Press: Kids may get swine flu shots first. June 16, 2009.

[2] World Health Organization. Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response: Influenza A (H1N1), Situation Update and Maps. June 15, 2009 (Update 49).

[3] Centers for Disease Control. Novel H1N1 Flu Situation Update (June 12, 2009).
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

[4] Discover Magazine. Risk factors for severe swine flu include lung ailments, pregnancy and obesity. May 20, 2009.

[5] MMWR. Hospitalized patients with novel influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection – California April-May 2009. May 22, 1999/58(19); 536-541. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5819a6.htm

[6] Fisher, BL. The Vaccine Reaction. Flu Vaccine: Missing the Mark. Spring 2005.

[7] Wendelboe AM et al. Duration of immunity against pertussis after natural infection or vaccination. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2005. May; 24(5 Suppl): 558-61. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15876927

[8] Aaby P, Cisse B et al. Waning of vaccine-induced immunity: is it a problem in Africa? Am J Epidemiol: Vol. 149. No.4, 1999.

[9] CDC. Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You. June 16, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm

[10] DHHS. NVPO: Pandemics and Pandemic Scares in the 20th Century.
http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/pandemics/flu3.htm

[11] Health Day News. Older adults may have some immunity to swine flu. May 20, 2009.

[12] MedHeadlines.com. Older people may be naturally safe from new swine flu. May 22, 2009.

[13] CDC. Children, the Flu and the Flu Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm#vaccination

[14] Roth M. Pittsburg Post Gazette: Experts: vaccinate kids against H1N1 first. June 5, 2009.

[15] World Health Organization. Statement to media by Margaret Chan, M.D.: World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic. June 11, 2009.

[16] Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security Advisory System.
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/laws/gc_1214508631313.shtm

[17] Barker T., Barrett P et al. The H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) Outbreak: HHS Emergency Authorities to Respond. Foley-Hoag. April 30, 2009.

[18] Shapiro L. Dotmed.com: Flu slowing down in most parts of U.S.; vaccine makers get $1 billion. May 27, 2009.

[19] Rosenwald MS. Medimmune wins key contract to develop swine flu vaccine. Washington Post. June 2, 2009.

[20] Gaouette N. U.S. asks Glaxo, Novartis to start swine flu vaccine (Update 3). Bloomberg News. May 22, 2009.

[21] Pharmafocus.com. Companies poised for swine flu vaccine drive. June 1, 2009.

[22] Tritto E., Mosca F, DeGregorio E. Mechanism of Action of Vaccine adjuvants. ScienceDirect.com. February 5, 2009.

[23] Commonwealth of Massachusetts. An Act Relative to Pandemic and Disaster Preparation and Response in the Commonwealth (Senate No. 2028). http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/186/st00/st00018.htm

[24] Associated Press. Mass senate approves pandemic flu prep bill. April 28, 2009.

[25] NVIC. Model State Health Emergency Powers Act.

[26] Department of Homeland Security. Press briefing on swine influenza with Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Disease Control and White House April 26, 2009.http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1240773850207.shtm

[27] Presentation by Dr. Asha George, Senior Professional Staff, Committee on Homeland Security (Democratic Majority), U.S. House of Representatives on Preventing Pandemic Outbreaks at the Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Conference sponsored by the Black and Hispanic Caucuses of State Legislators. June 13, 2009, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

[28] Oakland Tribune staff. Defense Department sees protests as terrorism. Contra Costa Times. June 15, 2009.

[29] Turnbell M, Powers S. MIA may be a quarantine site in pandemic. Miami Herald. June 10, 2009.

See our archive of revealing news articles at

Your tax-deductible donations, however large or small, help greatly to support this important work.
To make a donation by credit card, check, or money order:

Explore the mind and heart expanding websites managed by the nonprofit PEERS network:
- PEERS websites: Spreading inspiration, education, & empowerment
- Every person in the world has a heart
- Dynamic online courses powerfully expand your horizons
- Reliable, verifiable information on major cover-ups
- Strengthening the Web of Love that interconnects us all

To respond to this message, visit
To subscribe to or unsubscribe from the WantToKnow.info list (one email every few days):