Ok, I will no longer waste my time commenting to these ridiculous main stream media articles that try to perpetuate BS. Most of the comments are right on. No longer trust the big business aspect of the health industry. Love and forgiveness, Wayne

some interesting FACTS:

1. conclusion from Epidemiology Unit, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne Australia from a study which was conducted on 223 influenza patients from May- Sep, 2009 and 53 patients from 2007 and 2008 ...
"... There was no evidence of significant protection from seasonal vaccine against pandemic influenza virus infection in any age group".

2. According to the FDA's own data ... Shark meat has 3 times more mercury than canned Albacore Tuna, which has 3 times more mercury than canned Light (non-albacore) Tuna. The canned light tuna is listed in the category "Fish and Shellfish With Lower Levels of Mercury" - so Shark meat has NINE times more mercury than the canned tuna that people are afraid of ...

3. Squalene is a natural substance found in the livers of most vertebrates. Squalene from Shark Liver Oil is used as an adjuvant in H1N1 vaccine. Now this next statement is not a fact, but a question (because I could not find any relevenant information on it) ... if Squalene is made from Shark Liver Oil, and shark meat has 9 times more mercury concentration than canned light tuna, and the liver as we all know is a concentration/collection point for toxic substances in the body, how much MORE mercury is in the Squalene in H1N1 vaccine, and do I really want to be putting it into my body?

I'm not getting one because too many doctors (including one in my area whose spouse is a nurse)are saying that they will not get the H1N1 vaccination and the later two are not letting their children get it at school. This makes me wonder!!!!. If these professionals are refusing to get it knowing that they will most likely be exposed to the virus what are they really more scared of, the flu or the vaccine?

I encourage people to look deeper into 'scientific findings'. In most cases language is hedged, to the benefit of the scientist to further his/her own objectives. Doing a close read of the H1N1 vaccine pamphlet scared me. I have a child who had febrile seizures following routine immunizations. To see your child have a grand mal seizure, urinate, defecate, knock unconscious, and have to be resucitated is terrifying. I'm not saying that all those who get the vaccine will experience this- but to those who say vaccines are 'safe'- think twice. Seriously compare the risks and benefits-before jumping headfirst into something that has not gone through scientific testing in certain populations(children), and has not reached scientific 'closure' as to effectiveness or dangers.

Please, please, people! Please research the different kinds of mercury! There are safe forms and very very dangerous forms. Guess what? They use the safe forms in the vaccines! Even if thimerosal cause autism (which has only been stated in one study that all but 1 of the scientist involved has renounced - and that one scientist was being paid by the parents of the 12 children with autism - talk about biased)...isn't it better than an iron lung? Seriously, what do people think will happen if we all stop vaccinating? You're choice not to vaccinate your children (I'm not talking about H1N1 or flu shots) puts my infant as well as my unborn child at risk. Please stop acting like I should be happy you've chosen not to vaccinate, and please be gratefull that I am protecting your child by vaccinating mine! Check out my blog post on how I feel about vaccines if you're interested - http://cmunro11.blogspot.com/2009/10/vaccinations-reason-its-touchy-issue.html

Im not going to reiterate the pros of getting a vaccine...
Getting the H1N1 vaccine will only benefit and protect you! It will not harm you!!!!!
Why risk your life otherwise??

The first poster (and a lot of posters on other blogs) is suspicious of squalene. Sounds like some cooked-up-in-the-lab and possibly nasty chemical, right?? Well, no. It comes from shark livers (other fish have it in lesser amounts). In Europe, the naturopathic/homeopathic/alternative medicine practitioners have promoted the stuff for ages. Solid scientific research shows that it reduces the risk of heart attack and sudden death, and it has been promoted by the herb/vitamin folk for many other illnesses, including cancer, the side effects of chemotherapy, vitamin deficiencies, Alzheimer's, arthritis, and the list goes on.

As for mercury, there is more in one can of tuna than in the H1N1 vaccination.

Back in 1918, the science of pharmacology was in its infancy, and many medications were not sufficiently purified, not just vaccines. Even in the 1970s I had problems with insulin that needed better purification. So looking back so far in time to find examples of medications that did not work as predicted makes little sense. Even thalidomide, which caused terrible deformities of babies whose mothers were given it for morning-sickness (including my older sister) is now used successfully to treat people suffering from Hansen's disease (leprosy) and multiple myeloma (cancer of white blood cells).

I am a diabetic and am opting not to get the flu shot. I am 51 years old and even being in a so called "high risk" category, I still make the choice to refuse this vaccine. I am not as at risk as others, in my opinion, because I have very limited social contact. I would rather that my vaccine went to someone who really needs it.
I think even despite my situation, I would still opt not to get the vaccine. That additive that is in it that is not safe for pregnant women, that makes me extremely leery. If it's not safe for one group, then to me, it's not safe for anyone.

Vickie, a few comments. For one the first vaccine wasn't made until the 1940's so it would be kinda hard to have a vaccine in 1918. They didn't even know that was a virus that caused that one. Second, the reason the adjuvant isn't recommended for pregnant women is because they haven't tested it exclusively on pregnant women. Quit reading crap you find on the internet and believing its true without doing your own research. And no I don't work for a pharmaceutical company or anyone else with a vested interest in vaccines.

People need to pay attention and do research. The plain and simple fact is that any immunization will give you the disease it is to fight. The idea is that it will help your immune system know what exactly to fight against. mercury and Squalene injected into the body are not good for you no matter what the doctors say. The best thing for anyones immune system is to allow it to work on it's own without help from man. Eating whole organic foods is like giving yourself an immune boost because of the germs you may ingest. A much more natural way to keep the immune system working.

You should be careful with the squalene. Your body produces it. Pretty much every animal with a liver produces it. And bigger surprise, most cosmetics that you put on your face has squalene as an ingredient. The mercury content in the Canadian flu shot has a micro-gram of murcury in it. That translates to roughly one millionth of a gram. GBH affects roughly 2 out of 100,000 people every year. The evidence shows that roughly one out of a million people that get the flu shot are affected by this. I deal with the public every day. I am normally get the seasonal flu shot every year. This year I am getting both.

They banned lead shotgun pellets to stop wildfowl from getting deathly ill, but have no qualms against injecting the much more toxic mercury, along with formaldehyde and aluminum salts into healthy human bodies. Also, the relationship between thimerosal and autism has far from been "debunked". Don't forget, there are still doctors and scientists working for tobacco companies claiming that smoking doesn't cause cancer. Let's use our heads here folks. Big Pharma - Big Profit

What a bunch of misinformation you people are posting here! There was no vaccine in 1918 -- that's why millions of people died! And if you're so concerned about the preservative in the vaccine, you better seal yourself in a Ziplock bag, because you get more toxins in your body when you eat a can of tuna (mercury, tons more than what's in the vaccine), fill your car with gas (benzene) or paint your house. Don't fall victim to the "experts" everywhere putting forth their political or social agendas in the name of "science", and do some research yourself! The amount of ignorance and pure garbage I've seen, heard and read in the past few weeks leaves me seriously worried for the intelligence of this country.

For those that don't get the H1N1 vaccination, you only have Luck for protection. Luck worked well for my 1 eyed 3 legged dog Lucky!

It really is quit interesting to see everyone's views. I personally believe that anything that has mercury or lead in it should not enter the human body. Also the additive which they label mf 59 I think or squalene was used in the Influenza A vaccine in 1918, which killed 10,000 soldiers and there was a 200% increase in Lou Gerigs disease. Apparently this vaccine has more squalene in it than the 1918 version. And if this vaccine is suppose to be safe, why are pregnant ladies not allowed to take the adjuvent version but everyone else can. If it is safe it should be safe for everyone. And another thing, if it is so safe why do they have a protection clause saying that no one is allowed to sue if something horrible happens to them. There is already reports coming in of paralysis and muscle pain and also neurological disorders. Research everything and trust those that have no invested interest in this vaccine...

For those who want to learn the other side of the argument for raw milk I strongly suggest you google Dr. Weston Price and read about his 10 year study on nutrition and physical degeneration. I'm not going to tell anyone what to think. I only suggest that you find out the details and then decide for yourself. The unpasturized dairy was only part of his findings. There's a lot more about what connects food to health.

Here is an interview with a retired neurosurgeon and his view on vaccines: http://www.blunt.fm/index.html
I found it interesting. Another perspective from a doctor just as qualified (if not more so) than those who gave the information above.

First educate yourself by noticing how you body responds to what ever you put in it. If you want to safeguard your heath learn how to feel what works for you. Stress will kill more people every year than any virus or bacteria. I know many people who have contracted H1N1 and are now back to there everyday life. THe key is take care of yourself, eat well, rest, get some exercise, etc. Dont let people tell you whats good for you take responsibility for your your own health.

I took my chances with the Avian flu, Mad Cow disease, SARS, Sidney Flu... I'm taking my chances with this one too.

Doctors!

When I became paralysed with GBS after having the flu shot for the first time ever, I was the one who asked to see a neurologist - after several weeks of muddling around with my "mystery" illness. The neurologist diagnosed me after a half-hour of testing.

You're right... Getting the vaccine doesn't mean won't get the flu for sure. There are many different strains of influenza. The vaccines are designed to target the most common and the most threatening of the strains. It is a good idea to get the vaccine and to also take precautionary measures such as wash your hands frequently, carry hand sanitizer with you, don't put your hands near your face... especially in your mouth or nose as these are the areas where the virus enters the body. Also, when you are sick STAY HOME!!! No one else wants to be near someone that is coughing, sneezing and blowing their nose all over the place. If you are sick and have to go out, sneeze and cough into your elbow and always keep your hands washed and sanitized.

Actually here's how it works: when you get a vaccine, you are being injected with a deactivated virus. Because it's foreign to your body, your immune system creates anti-bodies to attack and destroy the foreign invader. Then, if you do happen to come into contact with a live virus of the same illness, your body already has the required anti-bodies to fight off the infection. This way you will either be sick for a lesser amount of time, or your body will fight it off before you even notice any symptoms. You'd be amazed at how often you have probably been in contact with bacteria and viruses but haven't noticed because it's destroyed before it can do any damage.

I personally do not understand the skepticism surrounding vaccines. Vaccines have saved millions of lives by eradicating horrible diseases such as Polio and Small Pox from the face of the earth.

It is true that the pharmaceutical companies make lots of money and it is also true that pharmaceuticals on occasion make mistakes (such as Thalidomide, a morning sickness pill on the market from 1957-1961 which resulted in approximately 10,000 birth defects)

However, the benefits have far outweighed the costs.

Go and do yourself, and everyone else a favour (through positive externalities) and get a flu vaccine this fall.

Hmm, a traditional doctor of western medicine who is advocating vaccinations and immunizations? What a shock! I would be more intrigued to read information from a variety of sources including homeopaths/naturopaths. Perhaps some statistics about immunization and illnesses arising from them.....I am not pleased with seeing the same information from the same sources over and over again!

Who writes these articles? Organic foods can cause infections??? Yes there have been past issues as there has been with chemical grown fruits and veggies. I would rather take my chances with bugs than pesticides that cause cancer...geez get a grip on!

Strange enough at my work place the people that got flu shots every year they are often than not more sick than the majority of us that don't or refuse to get the flue shot, so I am wondering who's truth and myth is this article written for

that is true, you can get the flu still but symptoms will be alot less severe as your body now has the antibodies to fight the virus

I love the conspiracy theorists posting their statements already.

No one cares about your and your tin foil hat; the rest of us get our vaccines that don't promise immunity, they offer better resistance.

I'm sick and tired of all this bias when it comes to H1N1.

All of this is very confusing ... too many people with too many opinions ... Does a person even get the flu shot or not???

Well thats one point of view, now... the truth please. History proves that medications, vaccines and such has/have/will cause serious health side effects. I do clean my food and I am an all natural girl. I hope to stay that way.

i find it strange that no mention is made of vitamin D to prevent or cure viral infections. perhaps it is because it takes 5000 IU per day to do so or is it because the discovery was made by a doctor that works in a prison and his work is not recognized!!!!!!!!!!

Previous two comments are from idiots and should be ignored. Obviously vaccination programs are effective and helpful. How many people do you know with Polio? Morons.

If you get vaccinated, you will NOT get the flu strain from which the vaccine was produced. As there are between 2-5 different widespread flu strains every year, vaccines are not always produced against the most virulent or the most widespread, but they will protect you (by working with your immune system) from the specific strain (i.e. H1N1) for which you were vaccinated.
As a PhD graduate in molecular sciences, I can attest that what this article says about viruses, bacteria and vaccines is true.

Still wondering who signs the paycheck for all the scientists and doctors who encourage us to get the vaccines. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

"Vaccines work with your immune system to help you fight infection" -- Ha! Somehow that is hard to believe!
Even if you do get a vaccine does not mean your not going to get the flu.