Just got this from Mercola.com...
How Effective is the H1N1 Vaccine, Really?
"Specific levels of HI antibody titers post-vaccination with inactivated influenza virus vaccine have not been correlated with protection from influenza virus. In some human studies, antibody titers of 1:40 or greater have been associated with protection from influenza illness in up to 50% of subjects."
You will find that paragraph in all the vaccine inserts.What that paragraph says, is that the vaccine only works in half, or less, of those individuals who attain the specified level of seroconversion after vaccination. The FDA defines seroconversion as achieving an antibody titer of 1:40.
This means that if a vaccine was 100 percent effective at achieving this level of seroconversion, it would protect up to 50 percent of the recipients of the vaccine.
But none of the vaccines are 100 percent effective at achieving seroconversion.CSL's vaccine insert, for example, (see pages 11-12), states that their H1N1 vaccine provides seroconversion for:
- 48.7 percent of people aged 18-65
- 34 percent for seniors, 65 and older
That means that, at best, their vaccine works in one out of every four people! (49 percent of 50 percent).
Which, of course, means that the vaccine does NOT work in three out of every four people…
Is it REALLY worth it?
This is good too. I haven't read it all, it's pretty long but skimmed it.
I'm not sure if I'm just looking for an excuse but I don't think that international travel right now is really that great of an idea. I'd feel like I should get the vax but I don't really think that's a good idea. Then what if we do get sick. I wouldn't want to be sick there, not just because it ruins a vacation but b/c who want's to be sick when they're not around their own doctor and never mind only around doctors they find suspect (not that they all are or that the care is subpar or that they ride burros but you know).
