Swine flu jab link to killer nerve disease: Leaked letter - concern of neurologists over 25 deaths

[BadDonkey]

Source: Daily Mail

A warning that the new swine flu jab is linked to a deadly nerve disease has been sent by the Government to senior neurologists in a confidential letter.

The letter from the Health Protection Agency, the official body that oversees public health, has been leaked to The Mail on Sunday, leading to demands to know why the information has not been given to the public before the vaccination of millions of people, including children, begins.

It tells the neurologists that they must be alert for an increase in a brain disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), which could be triggered by the vaccine.
GBS attacks the lining of the nerves, causing paralysis and inability to breathe, and can be fatal.

The letter, sent to about 600 neurologists on July 29, is the first sign that there is concern at the highest levels that the vaccine itself could cause serious complications.




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206807/Swine-flu-jab-link-killer-nerve-disease-Leaked-letter-reveals-concern-neurologists-25-deaths-America.html

[mbperrin]

1. Nobody could have foreseen..

you know the rest.

[Robb]

2. Sigh.

There are concerns that there could be a repeat of what became known as the ‘1976 debacle’ in the US, where a swine flu vaccine killed 25 people – more than the virus itself.

Oh dear god no. Elevens. :eyes:

[sam sarrha]

3. the acceptable "Collateral Damage" for Iraq/Afghanistan in an assignation attempt is 26 for 1, that

is why they are always dropping 1000 lb bombs on weddings...

so technically that amount deaths aren't so bad if you support the wars

[BadDonkey]

4. Thanks for that Cheerful comparison...

...Jesus Christ this world is fucked up?

[malaise]

36. A profound observation

I'll take my chances with the virus

[rd_kent]

52. "is why they are always dropping 1000 lb bombs on weddings..."

WTF is up with that? Who is "they" and is this really "always" happening?

[peacetalksforall]

5. If a select number of people are becoming wealthy un undogly information and they

proceed, they too are ungodly. If there are politicians who enable pharmas and lobbyists by words or actions, they are ungodly.

[Ian David]

6. This is about the Swine Flu vaccine made in 1976, NOT the current one being tested.

<snip>
It refers to the use of a similar swine flu vaccine in the United States in 1976 when:

More:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206807/Swine-flu-jab-link-killer-nerve-disease-Leaked-letter-reveals-concern-neurologists-25-deaths-America.html

[Bluenorthwest]

9. Nope, they refer to the 70's vaccine, but they are addressing this one

The article begins with this:" A warning that the new swine flu jab is linked to a deadly nerve disease has been sent by the Government to senior neurologists in a confidential letter."

Note that is says 'the new swine flu jab' not the 1976 version. The concern is that they are using the new one without adequate testing. The article is clear as a bell.

[Ian David]

23. But the headline is misleading. It gives the impression that the NEW one caused problems.

The real point is that the OLD one from 1976 caused problems, and that they urge caution in case the new one ALSO MIGHT cause problems.

[uppityperson]

72. It also says "which could be triggered by the vaccine". "could" being the weasel word here

of course it "could" and should be watched for. So should GBS be watched for after every viral disease and also just in general because sometimes it comes after a vaccine, a virus (like one that causes diarrhea) or for no known reason.

But this is irresponsible journalism, trying to cause fear in people. Good grief of course docs should be aware to watch for GBS as they already are.

[snagglepuss]

10. You seem to have misread the article. It is about concerns with the current vaccine

"One senior neurologist said last night: ‘I would not have the swine
flu jab because of the GBS risk.’"


snip


Dr Tom Jefferson, co-ordinator of the vaccines section of the influential Cochrane Collaboration, an independent group that reviews research, said: ‘New vaccines never behave in the way you expect them to. It may be that there is a link to GBS, which is certainly not something I would wish on anybody.

‘But it could end up being anything because one of the additives in one of the vaccines is a substance called squalene, and none of the studies we’ve extracted have any research on it at all.’

He said squalene, a naturally occurring enzyme, could potentially cause so-far-undiscovered side effects.



snip


The purpose of the survey is for us to assess rapidly whether there is an increase in the frequency of GBS when the vaccine is released in the UK. It also increases consultants’ awareness of the condition.

[Ian David]

24. We should test the vaccine on Republicans first since govt has no business regulating things.

If a bunch of Republicans die, then market forces will determine that the vaccine is unsafe, without needless meddling by government bureaucrats coming between people and their doctors.

[Politicalboi]

45. But we still wouldn't know

If it caused brain damage.

[Ian David]

46. True. It would be hard to tell the difference. Maybe if they started supporting Ron Paul? n/t

[Matariki]

61. rofl - duzy alert...

:rofl:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

30. No, read the opening paragraph here

A warning that the new swine flu jab is linked to a deadly nerve disease has been sent by the Government to senior neurologists in a confidential letter.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206807/Swine-flu-jab-link-killer-nerve-disease-Leaked-letter-reveals-concern-neurologists-25-deaths-America.html#ixzz0ONHXo7PO

[Warpy]

7. This looks like antivax disinformation again

They have no idea if this vaccine has a higher than usual rate of GB as a complication because they haven't started testing yet.

This is a bunch of nervous nellie antivaxers claiming because swine were a vector in 1976 and swine are susceptible to the 2009 variety of flu that there just has to be a link.

They're talking through their holes, the ones cake doesn't go into.

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. Will you be the first to stand in line for a jab?

I'm just sayin'...

[Warpy]

56. I'm not a healthy young adult

and that's the first group the vaccine will be tested on.

I don't suppose you knew that, either.

[The Backlash Cometh]

60. Actually, I heard it would be offered to susceptible people first.

Like pregnant women and seniors.

Does that make sense? No. Not if these side effects are real.

[Maru Kitteh]

62. You heard wrong or you weren't listening.

And I'd be happy to volunteer for the human trials.

[The Backlash Cometh]

82. If this thing is due for mass use in September, as they were planning to do,

then testing is already occurring.

Check Binka's comment.

[Warpy]

65. Yes, after testing

it's being tested now.

Tested. Not in general use.

There is no way the OP is correct, which is rather the point.

[The Backlash Cometh]

81. Warpy, I think people are already being tested.

This would not surprise me. When I had stomach problems I was given a pill that was suppose to reduce acid burn. My skin turned yellow. I found out later that one of the sideeffects was liver damage. A year or two after my experience, the drug went on the market. To this day I wonder how it was possible for that time sequence to occur. At the time, however, that was just one little weird thing that happened, in a host of weird things that happened, and no one would help because I was caught up in an HMO in the 90s. HMOs were the 90s version of the human round-ups for medical experimentation. I'm convinced of it, because I fell through the crack.

I just hope that with this National Health Plan, they keep the doors open for litigation for mal-practice. Otherwise, you all will experience what I experienced in the 90s.

[MineralMan]

8. Those cases of GBS were in 1976!

There is a tiny risk of GBS with all flu vaccines. Very tiny. A lot tinier than the risk of dying from complications of the flu. A lot.

This doesn't really belong in LBN, IMO.

[deminks]

11. This is misleading. The 25 deaths occurred in 1976.

The letter is just cautioning people to watch for the syndrome. I am quite sure that everyone is watching carefully because of the hoopla in 1976. It does not say that GBS has occurred with the new vaccine.

It is this kind of irresponsible yellow journalism that needs to be brought out and corrected.

Here is another article from a British newspaper with a little less yellow:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6036326/Link-between-swine-flu-jab-and-deadly-syndrome-will-be-probed.html

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has asked doctors to check for increases in a brain disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) once the national vaccination programme begins.

Its letter refers to the use of a swine flu vaccine in the United States in 1976, when 25 people died from GBS, while just one died from swine flu.

(snip)

In a letter sent by the HPA on July 29, neurologists have been asked to monitor closely any cases of GBS as the vaccine is rolled out.

It alerts them to the use of a swine flu vaccine in the US in 1976, which was followed by more than 500 cases of GBS, including 25 deaths. The US programme was stopped after 10 weeks because of concerns over its safety, and the Government paid out millions of dollars in compensation to those affected.

(snip)

Last night, the HPA insisted that it did not expect to find links between the new vaccine and GBS, and said it wanted to monitor any connection between the flu virus itself and the syndrome.

Professor Miller at the HPA said: "This monitoring system activates pandemic plans that have been in place for a number of years. We'll be able to get information on whether a patient has had a prior influenza illness and will look at whether influenza itself is linked to GBS.

"We are not expecting a link to the vaccine but a link to disease, which would make having the vaccine even more important."

(end snips)

There is much speculation about the 1976 swine flu vaccine. Including a theory that it might have contained live virus. There were many production problems. GBS has not been linked with modern influenza vaccines.

see here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza

[Bragi]

28. we need to be alert for anti-vaccine propaganda

such as what is shown in this article.

[Maru Kitteh]

63. And it should go straight to the nuthouse dungeon, where it belongs.

[Posteritatis]

29. And there were some 40 million vaccinations involved

While I understand that nobody these days knows how to think about risk - or wants to - I'm perfectly comfortable with odds like those.

[snagglepuss]

12. Thanks very much for postinga and welcome to DU

:hi:

[MineralMan]

13. I guess we need to be ready for the anti-vaccine posts.

This is the second posting of this Daily Mail story today. Once testing is well underway for the H1N1 flu vaccine, we'll get more and more of these posts. I wish there was a test in my area. I'd have signed up for it immediately.

The anti-vaccination conspiracy theorists are very vocal, so we can count on them coming in and posting incorrect or irrelevant stuff in increasing numbers in the next couple of months, as the time for seasonal flu vaccinations approaches.

And there it is...

[enki23]

14. Misleading bullshit. Check. Irresponsible journalism. Check.

.

[Wiley50]

40. The Daily Mail has a rep for that n/t

[Binka]

15. My 79 Year Old Father received The Swine Flu Shot May 10 2009

He was hospitalized on May 17th and diagnosed with GBS. He died on July 31 2009. OMFG!:cry: Jesus Gawd. Did this shot kill him? :cry:

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. Are you serious, Binka?

[hedgehog]

I hesitate to say this because of course I am sorry to hear of your loss,

but I don't think there was any swine flu shot available back in May. I'm wondering why he would have received any flu shot at that time of year.

[DeschutesRiver]

25. There isn't even a swine flu shot available right now for the general public

It took quite a few months just to get the vaccine ready to be tested quickly right now, and hopefully ready to go by October (though I will not be among the first to field test a rushed vaccine. I won't pose a danger to anyone else, as I can self-quarantine by SIP for months if necessary).

I read about how they develop the vaccine and it is not a quick process at all. There was no vaccine for this version of swine flu to be given back in May. I am sorry for Binka's loss very much, but hoping more will be posted that clarifies exactly what vaccine was given that resulted in a death, since from everything I've read, it wasn't a swine flu vaccine.

ETA: I would love to stand corrected if my info is mistaken. If there was a swine flu vaccine back in May, it was developed months and months earlier. This would be major breaking news world wide if true.

[Binka]

26. My father had his shot at Leesburg General on May 9th (not the 10th)

That is in central FL. He got a nasty GI infection the next day, within the week he was paralyzed and was admitted to the ICU. The vent followed, he continued to decline, and was then transfered to Kindred in Ocala. He passed there on July 31.

I last heard him speak in a phone call on May 10th as it was Mothers day, and he called to wish me a good one. He was already feeling ill.

My younger sister and I worried from the beginning, she is a nurse. GBS was diagnosed almost immediately after his hospitalization. His death certificate states GBS as the cause of death.


on edit: he said he got the swine flu shot in our conversation NOT a routine flu shot, I asked him several times.

[pitohui]

33. well it's apparent he got a flu shot and then died of the GBS

he got the vax presumably because of swine flu hysteria, regardless of whether the actual vax could do anything for that form of flu, it seems clear that he died as a side effect of whatever vax he did receive

i am sorry for your loss but your next step is talk to an attorney, NOT to post anything further on DU

he may have been hustled into an unnecessary vax, that would not have even done anything aga. swine flu, and he paid with his life -- i would certainly look into it in your shoes

my dad had a heart attack subsequent to getting a flu shot, cause and effect, who knows? but we do know that side effects of any medical treatment can be more severe in elderly patients

you need to confer with a professional, not us speculators, to learn the truth and what if anything you can do about it

[Blue Diadem]

41. It appears to be rare but according to the CDC, it can happen from a regular flu shot.

http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/about/qa/flushot.htm

•Guillain-Barré syndrome: Normally, about one person per 100,000 people per year will develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an illness characterized by fever, nerve damage, and muscle weakness. In 1976, vaccination with the swine flu vaccine was associated with getting GBS. Several studies have been done to evaluate if other flu vaccines since 1976 were associated with GBS. Only one of the studies showed an association. That study suggested that one person out of 1 million vaccinated persons may be at risk of GBS associated with the vaccine.

Information on how to report adverse reactions at the link, including a phone number to report it yourself.

Binka, I'm so sorry. :hug:

edited to add: Binka, your Dad may have thought it was the swine flu vaccine due to that being the period of time it was being so widely talked about.

[Binka]

44. As A Naval Officer He Was Totally Anal Retentive

And kept all his ducks in a row. All I know is that he died on July 31, 2009. He said he got a swine flu shot, if it was a flu shot, the outcome is still pretty shitty.

[Blue Diadem]

47. Yes it was shitty. Please, if you can, report it so that it's on record.

The hospital should have reported it but may have never made the connection to the shot. I wonder how many other times that it happens and no one makes the connection.

I am so very sorry. Your Dad sounded like a healthy man and to have that happen is just awful.

[Maru Kitteh]

64. Swine flu shots are not yet available. He must have been mistaken. (links)

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090717/swine-flu-vaccine-fast-track

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32312913/

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090717/swine-flu-vaccine-fast-track

[BadDonkey]

21. You are kidding right?

[BadDonkey]

22. helooo Binka.... please confirm that your atement is for reaaallllz? Dates are off a bit?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

32. Her Dad just past over a couple of weeks ago and she should know what he was diagnosed with.

This is heartbreaking.

[malaise]

37. Binka told us precisely what he was diagnosed with

and had a long discussion with DUers about letting go. I believe her.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

39. Same here.

It was heart wrenching for a lot of us, and me personally because of my Mom's recent passing.

[Binka]

42. Thanks Friend. I Was Not Going To Post His Condition But I Needed Support

Now I am glad I did. The swift onset of GBS in a man that rode his bicycle 100-150 miles a week is odd indeed. His heart was FINE, his BP that of a very healthy 50 year old, his diet great, and he never had a medical condition in his entire life. He stood 6 feet and weighed 190 pounds.

He swam and rode his bike every day. Then out of the blue he is diagnosed with GBS? After a vaccination? This stinks. He has so many friends around the world that we are planning a November ceremony at Fort Rosecrans in San Diego, it will take that long to make sure all his buddies and buddetes will be able to attend.

The Navy took him all over the world, he will now rest with my mom in San Diego.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

43. Hugs to you again. My mom's and dad's ashes are about 45 minutes from

where your parents rest.

I do recommend that you take the advice that one of the poster's gave to seek immediate legal assistance with this and not discuss it any more here. If the vaccine was a direct cause of your dad's passing, people have to be aware of it and this must stop.

With love to you and another hug.

[malaise]

49. Yep I'm glad you posted the details

Hope you're healing. :grouphug:

[elehhhhna]

59. aw, honey --

so sorry. HUGS.

[uppityperson]

73. My condolences Binka

[BadDonkey]

78. sorry about your loss... I wish my life will be as active as his was at his age..

I have to tell you how surprised I am that there are so many folks posting that are not ok with the fact that the vaccination may have lead to his diagnosis? I have never had a problem with vaccines, but after reading about the swine vac and seeing what happened to you... I will definately think twice in the future - thank you

[BadDonkey]

80. wasn't questioning anything...

...just trying to get verification on what type of shot this was... letting other folks know is importantant and I want to have my story straight.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

31. OMFG! I am so sorry Binka!

:hug:

[Warpy]

57. That's pretty amazing since it's not available

and only in the earliest stages of testing.

You misunderstood something, somewhere.

[Gormy Cuss]

68. Binka, it's possible.

As rare as the GBS-after-vaccination is, I knew a senior who contracted GBS after a routine flu shot.

[mzteris]

16. The Daily Mail??

Yeah, that's a credible source.

:eyes:

[BadDonkey]

17. I thought that too... but this seems well researched... would CNN or ABC have been more credible...

After the whole John Edwards thing... I have learned to have an open mind when it comes to alternative sources.

[The Backlash Cometh]

18. Hate to break it to you all.

But this is one of the sideeffects that the right-wing was worried about, at least a month ago. Not everything they say turns out to be wacko.

I'm just sayin'...

[pitohui]

34. this information is from the 70s, so we ALL knew about it

it is not something secret that only wingers knew, anyone around during the ford administration remembers the swine flu hysteria and the kids who were paralyzed as a result of the vax, it was a scandal of the day

[The Backlash Cometh]

38. I read the article and it sounds like they are using what happened in

the 70s as a warning to what they're currently experiencing today. It is still applicable.

[Bragi]

27. This article is crap

This is just are rehash of the issues with the 1976 vaccine, and a warning to ensure surveillance is on the lookout for any similar occurrences.

It is misrepresented in the article as a specific concern about the current formulation of the vaccine, which is still being tested with no reported adverse reactions (at least at this point.)

[LeftishBrit]

55. Exactly...

And this tabloid should NEVER be taken as trustworthy, especially perhaps on matters to do with medicine (though its hate campaigns against immigrants, gypsies, etc. are really the worst!)

As I said it another post, it's hardly news that medics are trying to avoid the problems of the 1976 vaccine.

[caseymoz]

35. Idiot journalism. There have not been any cases with this vaccine.

They are staying alert to an adverse effect that occurred in the US the last time they rushed a swine flu vaccine, in 1976-- out of about thirty million vaccinations.

Apparently, the Daily Mirror is counting on its reporting of the deadly, worldwide pandemic to boost readership this fall.

[uppityperson]

48. Bullshit journalism. GBS can be triggered BY a virus.

It can be triggered by a relatively mild virus also. Have a friend who got it after viral diarhhea episode.

[Gormy Cuss]

70. It can also be triggered by vaccinations.

I've known two people who had GBS. One was a senior who became symptomatic after a routine flu shot, the other was a person preparing for international work who had had a bunch of vaccinations just prior to the GBS. In both cases the vaccinations were assumed to be the cause.

[uppityperson]

71. I also know someone who got it after a vaccine. But I know many many more who

did not get the disease after getting the vaccine.

GBS can be set off by a vaccination, by a virus, or by an unknown cause. I know all 3 sorts. It is a nasty thing to have and would not wish it on anyone.

[Recursion]

79. Yeah, it's a rare complication of pretty much any alteration to your immune system

Any infection or vaccination can (very rarely) trigger it.

[KamaAina]

50. Many vaccines are associated with GBS

check out the ads for Menactra (meningitis vaccine), for one.

Maybe it's time we figured out why this is. Then maybe we could figure out who might be susceptible and not vaccinate them (relying instead on herd immunity).

[Saphire]

77. Our daughter had GBS when she was 15...there are many vaccines

that she should not get now. It is a horrible, frightening, debilitating syndrome that I wouldn't wish on anyone.

p.s....it's been 2 years now, and she is just fine. It took 2 weeks in ICU and 75K (we are uninsured) but only a few lingering symptoms.

[Strong Atheist]

51. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[cwydro]

53. No flu shots for me.

The only one I ever had was the swine flu shot in 1976; I was sick for a week after it.

I've only had the flu once in my life that I'm aware of and my immune system is quite capable of dealing with it.

[LeftishBrit]

54. The Daily Mail is our equivalent of Rush Limbaugh's talk-show crossed with the National Enquirer

They sensationalize everything.

We knew that the '76 vaccine was linked to an increase in GBS, and that medics are trying not to make the same mistake. This letter just demonstrates this fact - not some sinister plot.

At present, the safety of the vaccine is still being tested.

[yost69]

58. WooHooo makes me want to run right out and get one.

I think not.

[TeeYiYi]

66. This topic...

...would fit nicely in one of our 'health' forums... :sarcasm:

TYY --->> ...trying to help organize and categorize the general discussion forum.

:hide:

[Th1onein]

67. My mother got a flu shot every year....and then in 1999....

She got the flu shot and got GBS and died.

[ControlledDemolition]

76. I'd like a close look to be taken at all the jabs given to Africans before the AIDS breakout! n/t

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

69. Nothing like reporting GBS cases from 1976. Idiots.

[Quantess]

74. There are no easy answers. (no text)

[ohheckyeah]

75. I remember the swine flu hysteria in the 70's.

Didn't get a shot then and won't get one now. Yes, I could get the flu and die and then again, probably not. Life's a crap shoot.