CDC studies are “simply implausible” and likely the product of the ‘healthy-user effect’ (a propensity for healthier people to be more likely to get vaccinated than less healthy people). Continue reading
Category Archives: Influenza
Flu Shots for Elderly Only 9 Percent Effective
“It turns out that this year’s flu shot is doing a startlingly dismal job of protecting senior citizens, the most vulnerable age group.” Continue reading
Posted in Influenza
This year’s seasonal flu vaccine poorly effective among seniors
The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report notes that the overall effectiveness of this year’s seasonal flu vaccine was 56%. But the seasonal vaccine failed to protect seniors 65 years and older. Continue reading
Posted in Influenza
More Severe Flu Seasons Predicted Due to Climate Change
“It appears that fewer people contract influenza during warm winters, and this causes a major portion of the population to remain vulnerable into the next season, causing an early and strong emergence.” Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, Influenza
Early flu season accelerates; no peak yet, CDC says
How’s that vaccine working out? Don’t ask the CDC. Continue reading
Posted in Influenza
Ind. hospital fires 8 workers who refused flu shot
The flu shot is a crapshoot… it may or may not work, even when the vaccine matches with the predominant virus. Continue reading
Posted in Influenza, Pharmaceuticals
Climate change could increase levels of avian influenza in wild birds
Rising sea levels, melting glaciers, more intense rainstorms and more frequent heat waves are among the planetary woes that may come to mind when climate change is mentioned. Now, two University of Michigan researchers say an increased risk of avian influenza transmission in wild birds can be added to the list. Continue reading
10 deaths linked to anti-flu vaccines
TEN deaths have been linked to the nation’s flu immunisation program since the 2009 swine flu pandemic, including elderly patients and unborn babies. Continue reading
U.S. Infectious Disease Chief Urges Flu Scientists to ‘Engage,’ Support H5N1 Research Moratorium
A voluntary moratorium on potentially dangerous experiments aimed at understanding highly virulent strains of the H5N1 influenza virus should continue for the time being, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony Fauci told a meeting of flu scientists here. But, he added, scientists should redouble their efforts to engage with the larger public to gain support for the vital but risky work. Continue reading
Bird flu strain sickens seals — could it strike humans, too?
We know deadly influenza can come from birds. We know it can come from pigs. Now it appears humans may face a danger of pandemic flu from seals, as well. Continue reading
Posted in Influenza
Swine flu vaccine linked to increased risk of rare nerve disorder
The 2009 human “swine flu” vaccine given to millions of Canadians was associated with twice the normal risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome — a rare but potentially paralyzing nerve disorder, Quebec researchers are reporting. Continue reading
Freeze on mutant-flu research set to thaw
But some fear that if more labs work on the viruses, the risk of accidental release will multiply Continue reading
Bird Flu Type Could Be Transmitted Through Air
In an experiment showing how the virus that causes bird flu might trigger a human pandemic, scientists induced five genetic changes in the bug, transforming it into a type capable of airborne transmission between mammals. Continue reading
Convulsion Risk From CSL Flu Vaccine Linked To Components
Convulsions in children immunized with a CSL Ltd. (CSL) flu shot probably were caused by an excessive immune response to viral components in the vaccine, according to preliminary findings of a two-year study. Continue reading
Powerful New Approach to Attack Flu Virus
An international research team has manufactured a new protein that can combat deadly flu epidemics. Continue reading
How to make bird flu fly, part one
The first of two controversial research papers is published Continue reading
Mutant-flu paper published
Controversial study shows how dangerous forms of avian influenza could evolve in the wild. Continue reading
Publishing risky research
Imperfect global biosafety standards and a threat to researchers’ motivations from biosecurity concerns are among the significant risks in current flu research. Continue reading
The world’s deadliest bioterrorist
Nature likes biological weapons more than human villains do. The best defence is more research, not less Continue reading
Mutant-flu researcher backs down on plan to publish without permission
Virologist will apply to Dutch government for export permit before submitting his paper to Science. Continue reading
Posted in Influenza, Risk assessment
