Posted on 10/10/2004 9:02:30 AM PDT by ml/nj
Why on earth does the U.S. get virtually all of its flu vaccine supply from just two manufacturers? Because only a handful of companies make vaccines for the U.S. market. And why is that? Because federal bulk purchase of vaccines at government-controlled prices has made the U.S. vaccine market a market that few drug companies want to be in.
Henry Miller said it well at a Manhattan Institute conference two years ago:
Why have we seen vaccine development fall into such disfavor? The short answer is low return on investment and exposure to legal liability. And the reason for those factors is a flawed public policy. For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the largest domestic purchaser of vaccines, uses its buying clout to extract deep discounts for purchases. If interference with market forces were warranted, arguably the government should be offering subsidies to enhance profitability and encourage more R&D rather than imposing what amounts to a punitive tax on vaccine manufacturers.
The result has been a cycle of shortages. And it's not just flu shots. As Robert Klein recounted at the Manhattan Institute conference,
Concern for vaccine supply arose because of unprecedented and unanticipated shortages of a number of routinely administered vaccines beginning in 2001. These were significant, extended shortages of vaccines against eight of the eleven vaccine-preventable childhood infectious diseases, including DTaP, that is, diphtheria, tetanus toxoids and the acellular pertussis vaccine; MMR, the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine combination; varicella; and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Adult tetanus and diphtheria toxoids were also in short supply.
Interesting: the flawed approach used by the CDC--that is, using its buying clout to extract deep discounts from manufacturers--is exactly the same approach that John Kerry thinks the Medicare program should use for all prescription drugs, not just vaccines (see below). Lord help us.
Update: Kerry has wasted no time trying to score political points off the flu shot fiasco. Ignoring the underlying problems in the vaccine market and the fact that his proposed policies would export similar problems to other sectors of the pharmceutical market, Kerry bloviated on the issue at a campaign speech in Ohio:
If you can't plan to have enough of that vaccine, what are they doing with respect to other things that could potentially hurt America in terms of bioterrorism, chemical terrorism, other kinds of things?
Excuse me, I'm feeling a little sick.
ML/NJ
Every year there's a hubbub over the flu vaccine--yawn. It's been almost 7 years since I last had the flu--and that's without the "help" of a flu shot.
It may not be much of an issue to you. I guess maybe you're smarter than many of us. Maybe what happened back in 1918 or so was just an aberration. Maybe my doctors' professional opinions that I should get a shot are just salesmanship from greedy men who hope to make an extra ten bucks a year if they give me the shot. But I'd like to be able to buy a flu shot. I can buy bubble gum, and I can buy the complete works of Shakespeare. Maybe you don't care about these either; but I like having the choice. Thanks to the actions of our government, that choice as regards flu shots is disappearing.
ML/NJ
Bush and company should pound away at the Two-Lawyer Ticket. Edwards and his pals are responsible for the lack of vaccine. Who wants to risk billion-dollar lawsuits for a couple of million profits? Thank you, lawyer-boys and lawyer-girls.
Mr. President, please listen!
So Kerry tries to politicize the issue by blaming Bush. Mr Bush should fire back and place the true blame where it really lies. But then you can be sure the Dems and their media mouthpieces will scream "Bush is trying to capitalize on other peoples' misery!!"
Thanks for the suggestion. I had never heard of this. But a quick GoogleGroups search indicates that there may be something to it.
ML/NJ
It is a big deal if you are one of the 36,000 Americans who die of the flu every year.
Flu shots don't even work. This is a bunch of malarky over nothing.
If your healthy, you don't need this junk medicine. It is merely a placebo for the weak and old.
Did you know that there are thousands of strains of flu, and that even if you got a flu shot, which supposedly contains antibodies for relatively few strains, that those strains mutate as they pass from person to person? This natural mutation of flu virus's makes the flu shot innefective.
Best advice is post 3 above by shield.
And when did the flu shot suddenly become a "right" for all citizens? PAY for it, and you will find it's available everywhere.
Shield, is this okay for children, too?
I'm curious what your level of scientific and/or medical education is. Would you tell us please.
ML/NJ
I wont get one again. Will try the advice in post 3 for the family.
Because enviro weinies say elderberries are endangered, so your not allowed to pick them, least you prevent them from reseeding themselves. (I don't know if that's true or not regarding elderberries, but it is regarding other plants in various regions)
Thank you! Paranoia--not the flu--drives the need for the flu shot. My God, how did we ever survive without it!?
What this commentary is about is how the government created an effective monopoly so that this aspect of the market CAN'T work.
Also, are you really familiar with FDA requirements? I once had to take a course on it just to be permitted to support a pharmaceuticals off-site IT requirements. I don't go anywhere near a manufacturing facility, or biologics. It's mind-boggling - and undoubtedly prohibitively expensive.
That the liberals are creating another problem through their good intentions
that the rest of us have to fix
is.
Hmm. Nobody in my family has ever gotten a flu shot.
I don't recall anybody getting the flu lately, either. Personally, I seem to remember having a flu maybe 10 or 15 years ago.
Is it common for people to get flu shots? All these stories about flu vaccines make me wonder if I'm out of a loop or something.
You're not out of the loop--you're exactly right.
Invoking the Ann Coulter Rule! ANy thread about Michelle malkin must have pictures!!!!
The government uses this same flawed logic when it purchases health care for seniors. It pays rock bottom prices for Medicare. It seriously screwed the pooch when it decided to provide healthcare to seniors. It's a wonder we have any health care facilities left open with Medicare, Illegal immigration and tort problems run wild.
John Edwards amassed a fortune worth $50 million dollars via litigation. That's one person. You can bet his law firm relized a fortune off that as well.
Imagine an army of John Edwards out there and you begin to see how much money is siphoned out of our health care industry.
I always see comments about limiting awards. I don't see much talk about limiting attorny's fees.
$50 million dollars? Give us a break John.
ml/nj, can I ask you a question? When is the last time you've had the flu? I don't mean a cold or the sniffles--I mean a can't-get-outta-the-bed-for-three-days flu?
Actually, not only is there mutating, there is also an exchange of genes between flu viruses. The changing, however, is not as rapid as you imply (though it is with the common cold). While, as you conclude, the flu viruses do readily change enough that flu cannot be erradicated or completely avoided, flu vaccines are quite helpful in greatly reducing the number of people who get sick from the flu (thereby reducing the mutation pool). Your point also explains why a populace who has gotten the flu virus in the past isn't invulnerable to waves of flu the next year - though there is SOME crossover in resistance, and the off-chance that a previous years flu will come by again.
There are reasons why most flu strains tend to start in Asia, and relatively few in the U.S. anymore.
Even without vaccines, the minimum viable population for a flu strain is approximately 500,000 people.
Should You Get the Flu Shot?
By Dr. Natasha Turner, ND
It’s flu season again, and in light of the recent SARS outbreak, health departments, government agencies, school boards, as well as corporations are pushing everyone to take the flu shot this year. Before you opt for the flu shot, be sure you are making an informed decision by considering some of the pros and cons associated with flu vaccination.
What is the Flu?
Symptoms of influenza include fever, chills, muscle aches, headache and/or cough. In most cases, the illness lasts three to seven days, but some people have more severe cases or complications that require hospitalization. About 20,000 people in the U.S. die each year as a result of the flu or flu complications. Most of those who die are elderly, young children or people with compromised immune systems.
The flu is different from a cold:
Symptoms
Flu
Cold
Fever 100 to 104 F Usually none
Muscle ache Yes No
Joint pain Yes No
Feel tired Yes Possible
Headache Yes Possible
Cough Yes Yes
Stuffy nose No Yes
Loss of appetite Yes No
Diarrhea or vomiting No No
Pros of the Flu Shot
Flu shots can decrease the risk of upper respiratory illness by 25%.
Flu shots can reduce work absenteeism due to illness by 36%.
Flu shots can reduce doctor visits for upper respiratory illness by 44%.
In addition to helping elderly people avoid an unpleasant and possibly dangerous illness, a flu shot can provide some protection against hospitalization for heart disease and stroke.
Immunizing high-risk people prevents many potential deaths from influenza. Immunization of those who care for high-risk people decreases the potential of spreading the flu from otherwise healthy people to those who are at higher risk of complications.
Cons of the Flu Shot
The influenza vaccine should not be recommended for all people. This is because influenza infection is generally not serious, and it would be enormously expensive and logistically difficult to vaccinate everyone each year. However, certain groups of people who are at increased risk of complications should be vaccinated to prevent death and/or hospitalization. This group includes all people over age 65, all people who live or work in homes for the elderly or chronically ill, all individuals with chronic cardiac or respiratory illnesses (such as asthma) and all individuals with chronic medical disorders.
Even if you get the flu shot you may still get the flu. The viruses that cause influenza change rapidly and flu vaccines are developed each year to protect people from the strains expected to be most prevalent. Studies of healthy young adults have shown flu vaccine to be 70 to 90% effective. In the elderly and those with certain long-term medical conditions, the flu shot is often less effective in preventing illness. However, in the elderly, flu vaccine is very effective in reducing hospitalization and death from flu-related causes.
The flu vaccine contains mercury from thimerosal, a preservative added to prevent bacterial contamination. Mercury is toxic to the brain, nerve cells, arterial linings and has been linked to an increase in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, memory loss, depression, anxiety, ADD, heart disease, hypertension and birth defects.
According to the world's leading immunogeneticist, Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, if an individual has had five consecutive flu shots, his or her chances of getting Alzheimer's disease is 10 times higher than if they had one, two or no shots. This is seemingly related to the gradual accumulation of mercury in the brain which has been found to cause cognitive dysfunction.
All viruses in the vaccine are dead, so it is not possible to get the flu from the vaccine, however, soreness at the injection site or aches and low-grade fever may be present for several days.
Elderly individuals who receive the flu shot are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia or stroke.
As with any drug or vaccine, there is a possibility that allergic reactions, more serious reactions or even death may occur after receiving the injection.
Who Should Not Have the Flu Shot?
The following groups should not get the flu vaccine or should do so only after consultation with their primary care providers:
People with an allergy to chickens or egg protein
People with a fever or illness that is more than "just a cold"
Anyone who has exhibited a moderate to severe reaction after a previous influenza shot
Pregnant women or women attempting to conceive. The flu shot contains a mercury preservative. Mercury has been linked to an increased incidence of birth defects.
Anyone who has ever been paralyzed due to Guillain-Barre syndrome
Confused?
It is proven that individuals who exercise, take vitamin C, manage stress, live a healthy lifestyle and subsequently have a healthy immune system have a decreased susceptibility to colds and the flu. As an alternative to the flu shot, work on preventing the flu by strengthening your immune system.
You got right. I've never gotten a flu shot and never intend too. ;o) The masses have been programmed over the years, when flu season is upon us they line up for there little ole' flu shot. Give me a break; I wish people would think.
Amen to that!
I'm living proof. Always have it on hand. Because it is best to take it when you feel cold, flu, congestion or whatever coming on.
However, the nice thing about this elderberry extract is it's so much stronger and it kills the hell out of any virus; including West Nile.
But, I have to agree. I've never had a flu shot, nor have I gotten sick in at least 15 years. Besides, when the government tells me that it's for my own good, I'll do the opposite.
That's why flu shots are more effective in places like nursing homes, where the same virus spreads in a relatively closed area.
A healthy person walking around in public can be exposed to 10 different strains in a single day. No flu shot can protect you from that. Getting the flu once is just as effective, as it builds up your antibodies naturaly, which in the long run is better for you anyways.
Preventitive medicines aren't always the best thing as good old fashioned exposure, and natural strenghening of the immune system is.
People are getting MORE sick these days, because they actually see LESS natural exposure to viruses and toxins, as say a kid on the farm does.
If you take the city kid to a farm for example, he/she might come home with all sorts of problems, allergies, etc. Where the farm kid is exposed to all that stuff daily, and has developed natural immunity to those same things.
You really notice this phenomina when it comes to asmatic kids who have no immunity at all to pollens, animal dander, etc.
The same thing goes with flu's. You do develop resistance naturaly, and it's a better longer lasting natual resistance to viruses in general.
I can give some anecdotal evidence to counter it, by no means scientific. Every mid-fall for as long as I remember I would get a "knock-me-on-my-keister" cold/flu/whatever. I NEVER got a flu shot.
3 years ago I go the flu shot for the first time. Have not got as much as a sniffle during the period that I was usually kayoed during. Worst I had was a sore arm and swollen lymph nodes for a week after the shot.
Agreed.
I have heard that is why. Whether it is true or not, who knows. Sounds smi-logical to me. Not only that, China is a filthy place. Their bathrooms consist of a hole in the floor.
Actually, almost every flu epidemic can be blamed on one thing: Chinese agricultural practices. That's why they develop the flu vaccines from Asian poultry flocks. The Chinese raise both poultry and pigs together in cramped conditions and they scavenge each others droppings for food. This creates conditions where the flu can thrive and mutate into new strains and be passed from species to species and finally end up infecting humans. If we could get the Chinese to change their farming practices the flu would virtually be a thing of the past.
Maybe your one of those people who are more susceptible than others, then by all means, get the shot. Myself, I can't remember the last time I had the flu, except the 24 hr. flu. :o)
Normal, healthy people shouldn't worry about getting it.
Good post. On another note, to another post, I've been cutting down half my elderberries because they grow like weeds here. Guess I should start farming them.
Actually that knock me down flu I usually got was a short term one, albeit nasty, but with lingering effects. And always hit me in the fall, never any other time. I also laid it to everybody in this house once it got 60 degrees, cranked the heat up to 90. I am one of the opinion that artificial, stale heat is one of the most unhealthy for human but heathy for infection things around.
You're exactly right. There are people who work every day --- working full time jobs who never miss a day of work and they're in their 70's and 80's, they take no medications at all. They never get flu shots. People don't need all the chemicals they ingest or the injections they take.
Probably some people like those on chemotherapy should have them --- but they don't work very well when many of us who have never had a single flu shot never get sick, never miss work but see those who get flu shots calling in sick several times a year --- even calling in sick because the flu shot made them feel bad.
Sometimes the vaccine actually will make you sick.
But, very rarely.
It has never happened to me and I get one every year due to a weakened immune system......and I still don't get sick from the shots.
Great movie...one of my favorites. Those little ole' ladies were helping those elderly old gents out in one strange way. Cary Grant was so funny in that movie. An all time classic.;o)
Man, the ignorance here is insane.
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