posted on Aug, 16 2009 @ 01:22 AM
The vaccine is likely, by and large, to be safe.
Now, I use the word "safe" advisedly. In this context I mean "safe" assuming certain conditions.
1) This vaccine is identical to all previous flu vaccines with the exception of the identifier for this particular strain. By identifier I mean
"antigens". The vaccine is essentially the same year on year, the only variable is what antigens are being targetted. Can you imagine conducting
trials for a flu vaccine that is different every 12 months? It would never be administered to the public.
2) As for reactions to the vaccine, this is two separate issues as I understand it. The adjuvant is what stimulates the immune system to promote an
inflammatory immune response against whatever the target is. The foreign antigen is introduced to the antibodies which eventually produce something
called a "B cell". This is the "memory" that sits dormant until the virus crops up again and then goes, "Aha, we know how to deal with this one.
Attack."
The adverse reaction that befell some in 1976 (and more since) is something very well documented and referred to as Guillain-Barré_syndrome. The
antibodies can get confused due to the virus looking very similar to the coating on your nerve endings. You can imagine the rest, the ultimate
friendly fire.
On a personal note, I won't take it because of RFID, cancer, GBS, Hg, egg allergies etc. I just don't think it'll be of any use to me.