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Investigative journalist Sharyl Attkisson revealed this week that the government’s own studies on the effectiveness of the flu vaccine for the elderly show that they are not only not effective in preventing the flu, but that the death rate of those vaccinated increased.
While still a reporter for CBS News, Attkisson tried to interview the lead researcher of a “mainstream” flu vaccination study they assumed would show that the flu vaccine was effective in preventing the seasonal influenza virus. However, the National Institute of Health (NIH) blocked the interview, and Attkisson had to interview the co-authors of the study instead, since they were independent researchers, and not paid by the government. Attkisson writes: “These study authors who were honest, at their own career peril, should be commended.”
While this study was done several years ago, recent data about the effectiveness of the flu vaccine for the elderly is not much better, and this can usually be ascertained simply by reading the package insert for the vaccine. Earlier this year, Dr. Brownstein broke down the data published on last year’s flu shot marketed for seniors. While the manufacturer was selling up the benefits for seniors, the actual study proved just the opposite (See: Dr. Brownstein: New Flu Vaccine Worthless).
Reading the packet insert of the senior flu vaccine from last year reveals some other interesting data: there were 226 “serious” adverse events and 23 deaths out of only 3,833 participants in the drug trials developing the flu vaccine (See: 23 Seniors Died After Receiving This Year’s Flu Shot Sold by Pharmacies).
Govt. Researchers: Flu Shots Not Effective in Elderly, After All
by Sharyl Attkisson
SharylAttkisson.com
An important and definitive “mainstream” government study done nearly a decade ago got little attention because the science came down on the wrong side. It found that after decades and billions of dollars spent promoting flu shots for the elderly, the mass vaccination program did not result in saving lives. In fact, the death rate among the elderly increased substantially.
The authors of the study admitted a bias going into the study. Here was the history as described to me: Public health experts long assumed flu shots were effective in the elderly. But, paradoxically, all the studies done failed to demonstrate a benefit. Instead of considering that they, the experts, could be wrong–instead of believing the scientific data–the public health experts assumed the studies were wrong. After all, flu shots have to work, right?
Read the complete story here.
Reader comments from our Facebook when this article was posted:
My grandmother was unresponsive less than 15 hours after her flu shot and died just a day after she got it. NO one should be getting this! – Jamie
That’s how my grandmother died. She was healthy but living in extended care. 100 years old – never had a flu shot in her life. The facility decided to give shots one year without consent. She died shortly afterward. Very tragic way to go for someone who took such good care of themselves all their life 🙁 – Kim
I had an elderly client who at 70 was paralized by the flu shot. It took him 5 years to get out of the wheel chair. He had a paraplegic son to take care of and it was really hard on him. At 80 he was still planting a garden. I myself have only had one flu shot and was sick the whole year. Have not had another one since. That was 25 ywears ago and I just do not get sick anymore. – Linda
I had a conversation with a retired man last week, he said his wife was In bed with the flu, trying every medication to get rid of it, I said to him has she just had the flu vaccine by any chance, he said yes, she has it every year!? – Melissa
Got the shot once at the prompting of someone else… Sick within the week and ended up with pneumonia, never had the flu before the shot or after that first bout with pneumonia and I am now 71, and never intend to get another vaccine for anything! – Barbara
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