Swine Flu Vaccine Additives Complex Issue: Vaccination Adjuvant Squalene Not In 2009 Batch, But Could Be Added

As concern over the swine and seasonal flu increases, some vaccination safety groups feel government and drug companies are promoting panic and putting profit above public safety.

The issue of vaccination additives is complex and requires consumers to conduct their own balanced research. Anyone considering the swine and seasonal flu vaccines may want to consult three information sources before deciding for or against getting the vaccine:

Flu Vaccine Additives: Helpful or Harmful Money Makers?

Adjuvants are sometimes added to vaccines to elicit a long-lasting and heightened immune response in the body. Super charging the immune response allows vaccine makers to drastically reduce the amount of the viral antigen needed.

"Less vaccine required per person," says leading natural health writer Dr. Joseph Mercola, "means more individual doses available for mass vaccination campaigns. Coincidentally, this is exactly the goal of government and the pharmaceutical companies who stand to make millions from their vaccine."

Adjuvants such as aluminum and more notably, squalene, are under fire by vaccine watch dog organizations much like the mercury-containing preservative Thimerosal has been. Thimerosal was removed from children's vaccines by 2001 but remains in many flu vaccinations.

Adjuvanted vaccines with aluminum are approved in the United States against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. Squalene however, is not.

According to Australian scientist Viera Scheibner, Ph.D., "The chemical nature of adjuvants, their mode of action and their reactions are highly variable in terms of how they affect the immune system and how serious their adverse effects are due to the resultant hyperactivation of the immune system. “

Squalene Adjuvant Safety in Vaccinations

Squalene is an oil-based adjuvant produced by the liver that helps metabolize cholesterol and combat physical injuries. It is safe in its natural state and can even be consumed in olive oil for its health benefits.

Yet when squalene is injected, the body attacks the "foreign" invader, going after the squalene in the body as well as the squalene in the vaccine. The result can lead to autoimmune reactions.

A study published in the 2000 American Journal of Pathology found that squalene "can trigger chronic, immune-mediated joint-specific inflammation.” Results raised questions about adjuvants and their role in rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Squalene in Gulf War Anthrax Vaccinations

Researchers in a Tulane study published in Experimental Molecular Pathology found that “the substantial majority (95%) of overtly ill deployed Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) patients had antibodies to squalene. All (100%) GWS patients immunized for service in Desert Shield/Desert Storm who did not deploy, but had the same signs and symptoms as those who did deploy, had antibodies to squalene.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Defense deny squalene was used in the anthrax vaccines administered to the Persian Gulf War military personnel, or in vaccines involved in the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP).

"It is now known that squalene was not added to the vaccines administered to these veterans, and technical deficiencies in the report suggesting an association have been published." (WHO website).

Swine Flu Vaccines and Squalene: Pandemic Emergency Use Only

To date, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved a squalene adjuvanted vaccine for influenza.

Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a statement in July 2009 announcing that HHS "will commit $884 million to purchase additional supplies of two key ingredients for potential H1N1 vaccine to further prepare the nation for a potential resurgence of the 2009 H1N1 virus. The funds will be used to place additional orders for bulk H1N1 antigen and adjuvant on existing contracts with Sanofi Pasteur, MedImmune, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis."

The government appears to be bypassing the rigorous clinical trials the FDA requires to release new substances to the marketplace. In preparation for a pandemic swine flu emergency, where mass vaccines would be needed quickly, the U.S. is testing the squalene adjuvant on 25% of 12,000 Americans who agreed to serve as paid clinical trial participants for the H1N1 vaccine.

The National Vaccine Program Office, in a 2009 presentation on the vaccine and immunizations strategies for the novel H1N1 virus wrote, "Safety: Since new technologies are involved in the production of some pandemic vaccines, which have not yet been extensively evaluated for their safety in certain groups, it is very important to implement post-marketing surveillance of the highest possible quality."

In other words, the government is prepared to closely monitor vaccine injuries after they occur.

Current Swine Flu Vaccines

While the current batch of swine and seasonal flu vaccines do not contain adjuvants, the multi-dose vials of most inactivated (injected) H1N1 swine flu vaccines do contain small amounts of the preservative Thimerosal.

The live virus nasal spray will not contain Thimerosal or the unlicensed adjuvant that may be later added to inactivated H1N1 vaccines.

The vaccine additive issue remains dynamic and complex. Anyone interested in learning about flu vaccinations should follow a three-pronged decision approach: Consult with a doctor, review government website recommendations, and refer to credible vaccine safety consumer advocacy websites.

Mercola, Joseph, DO., "Squalene: The Swine Flu Vaccine's Dirty Little Secret Exposed," July 2009.

Scheibner, Vera, Ph.D, "Adverse Effects of Adjuvants in Vaccines," http://www.whale.to/vaccines/scheibner_a.html, 2000.

Calrson, Barbo C, et al, "The Endogenous Adjuvant Squalene Can Induce a Chronic T-Cell-Mediated Arthritis in Rats," American Journal of Pathology, June 2000.

Asa, PB, et al.,"Antibodies to squalene in Gulf War syndrome," Experimental and Molecular Pathology, February 2000.

West, Edda, "A Glimpse into the Scary World of Vaccine Adjuvants," Vaccination Review Awareness Network Newsletter, Winter, 2005.

Newborg, Herb, "Swine Flu Scare: It’s All about The Adjuvant!" Accessed Online: October 8th, 2009.

National Vaccine Program Office,"United States Vaccine and Immunization Strategy for Novel H1N1 Virus: Communication Challenges," Presentation, July 7, 2009.

Oct 17, 2009 11:26 AM

vaccineswork :

This comment is dedicated to the public domain. Use as you choose.

The article above should be replaced by the following or something similar

ADJUVANTS AND SQUALENE

This is the situation with the swine flu vaccine and adjuvants, especially one you may have heard about called squalene.

The current situation is this: There is no adjuvant, no squalene, no alum, no aluminum salt in any of the swine flu vaccine that will be used in the United State. It's expected that no adjuvants, squalene, alum or aluminum salt to any swine flu vaccine for the 2009-2010 swine flu season.

There's a very small chance that the CDC might add an adjuvant that contains squalene to the swine flu vaccine. As you know, the strain of flu virus that infects people a month from now can be different from the one that infects people today. It's possible that the new strain might be much more dangerous than the one infecting people now. The CDC and others who think that vaccination is safer than not getting vaccinated say that even if the new flu strain is much more dangerous, that the vaccine they're using now will be pretty good.

So why would the CDC add squalene? They'll do it because if you add squalene.to the vaccine you get vaccinate four times as many people. And if getting infected is more dangerous, some of the people who decided not to get vaccinated may change their mind and want to get vaccinated as soon as possible. If that happens, the only way to quickly vaccinate them may be to add squalene to the vaccine.

I don't believe that the vaccine works now and I don't believe when they say the flu strain can be more dangerous and yet the vaccine will work...... Inset anything desired here.

I support swine flu vaccination. But what I've written above is pretty flat.

Anyone who opposes vaccination shouldn't have any problem with an article like this after adding some flourishes. People opposed to vaccination believe that the public isn't being told the truth they need to know to decide whether they're going to get vaccinated. That's all my suggested article does, it give the public information that's as accurate as possible so they can decide to get vaccinated or not on the facts.

Oct 18, 2009 11:49 AM

Laura Owens :

Hi,

I appreciate your comments. I encourage readers to refer to my sources/resources at the end of my article.

I also encourage open dialogue regarding the flu vaccines. There appears to be a mis-perception that groups are "anti-vaccine." While some individuals/orgs ARE, several consumer-based groups are simply interested in vaccination safety and presenting credible, well-documented research results (and updates).

All organizations, government, research, and consumer-advocacy groups should post clear, truthful, and THOROUGH information. In turn,the invididual needs to do their homework. Check out the CDC/WHO and NIH websites. Talk to your doctor and review some of the vaccination-safety consumer sites (all at the end of my article).

Make a choice based on the facts, and what works for you and your family. While I know everyone is busy and doing this much homework seems impractical, it's worth the effort. Take a couple hours one week and do it.

I can appreciate your point that there is only a VERY small chance the adjuvant will be added, and if so, only in the case of a pandemic.

I personally would not want any vaccine that had any adjuvant, particularly squalene, regardless of the fact that doing so allows manufacturers to maximize production/available doses (because less vaccine is needed to evoke the desired immune response in the individual) in the case of a shortage or pandemic.

While my personal philosophy on the seasonal and swine vaccine is to NOT get it; (I prefer to boost my immune system and avoid people who are ill), this is based on a well-researched personal choice. I also, however, have zero risk factors.

My daughter received all her childhood vaccinations but will not get the the flu vaccines. She also won't be getting the Gardasil vaccine. Too new, too many unknowns. I will also find out how she can get her 7th grade DTp with the least amount of preservative (thimerosal) possible.

As for the flu vaccines, if I was pregnant or had a two year old or younger, a child with risk factors; I might re-consider. That being said, I would INSIST on the preservative-free (single dose), dead virus form.

The public should do their own homework. Never blindly follow doctor or government recommendations, always ask questions. As well, do not follow consumer advocacy groups that seem unusually inflammatory, and more importantly, are not well-documented (backed by research.)

Thanks for your time,
Laura

Oct 22, 2009 10:16 AM

Guest :

I am confused about squalene and adjuvant. They say there is a vaccination with and without adjuvant but not with or without squalene. So, do I want a vaccination without BOTH squalene and adjuvant?
My sister is a thalidomide baby, I don't take ANY of what they say about safety of the vaccination at face value. Nor does the family who is in court about PAxil their daughter took and killed herself...and neither should you!

Oct 22, 2009 1:23 PM

Laura Owens :

Hi,

To your question about adjuvant and squalene. Squalene is an oil-based form of an adjuvant and is NOT in the current swine or seasonal flu vaccines.

Only in the event of a pandemic when large doses would be needed quickly would the government add squalene. There ARE small trace amounts of the preservative thimerosal (mercury) in the injected, multi-dose form of the swine flu vaccine, not in the live, nasal spray.

From the National Vaccination Information Center:

"Thimerosal WILL be added as a preservative in multi-dose vials of most inactivated (injected) H1N1 swine flu vaccines, although there reportedly will be a limited supply of single dose vials of inactivated swine flu vaccine that do not contain thimerosal.

The live virus nasal spray H1N1 vaccine being created by MedImmune will not contain the preservative thimerosal (and live virus swine flu vaccine will not contain an unlicensed adjuvant that may be added to inactivated H1N1 vaccines)."

Laura