Bill Maher is wrong about the swine flu

Friday night a week ago on Real Time with Bill Maher, Bill made some strong assertions about the H1N1 vaccine. He was WRONG then and he was wrong again tonight. He reiterated his unsupported opinions again tonight on the last episode of his show for this season. Clearly, Maher is defensive on this issue. He claims he is only asking people to think about it, but that is not what he advocated.

First, let's try to separate fact from fiction.

1. Swine flu or H1N1 is a real strain of influenza and it has killed and sickened many people around the world.

2. Ordinary flu kills thousands of people every year.

3. The cases of H1N1 (swine flu) in the U.S. are on the rise and certain parts of the population are at at more risk than others.

4. The Centers for Disease Control have recommended vaccination for certain parts of this population -- younger people, people with immune deficiency, children, and pregnant women.
And if you don't trust the CDC, this URL is from WebMD which has no particular profit to be made from vaccinations. Pregnant women are significantly more likely to have complications or death from swine flu, for a variety of reasons.

5. Many people question the effectiveness of vaccines in general, and there are legitimate questions that can be raised. How effective was the regular flu vaccine during the 2007-08 season? Below is some factual information about the effectiveness of vaccines.

The effectiveness of the vaccine depends in part on the match between the viruses in the vaccine and influenza viruses that are circulating in the community. If these are closely matched, vaccine effectiveness (VE) is higher. If they are not closely matched, vaccine effectiveness can be reduced. During well-matched years, clinical trials have shown VE between 70% and 90% for inactivated influenza vaccines in the prevention of serologically confirmed influenza infection among healthy adults.

Interim results from a study carried out this season with the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin found overall vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 44% for the 2007-08 flu shot. This included VE of 58% effectiveness against the predominant influenza A (H3N2) viruses, but no effectiveness against influenza B viruses. No influenza A (H1N1) viruses were seen in the study population, so VE against these viruses could not be assessed. A higher VE against H3N2 viruses than against influenza B viruses was likely because the circulating H3N2 strains and H3N2 strain in the vaccine were closely related while the circulating B viruses were antigenically and genetically much different from the influenza B virus in the vaccine and there was little to no cross-reactivity.

CDC has other systems for estimating vaccine effectiveness. These systems cover multiple sites across the country, which provides vaccine effectiveness data on different populations in areas where different influenza strains may predominate. However, vaccine effectiveness estimates using these systems are not yet available.

6. There is a lot of fear-mongering about the dangers or effectiveness of vaccines, particularly swine flu vaccine. But if you look at the sources of this information, they come from less than credible sources. People who warn against vaccinations do so most often with very little evidence that can be corroborated. News articles and individual physician opinions are not always accurate or based on more rigorous scientific evidence.

This is where Bill Maher is absolutely wrong and actually dangerous. He is suggesting that pregnant women should not be concerned, but he gave NO evidence to support his assertions other than his assertion. Dr. Frist totally disagreed, based on evidence from researchers but Maher didn't listen to him.

This flu season there will be illness and death. There always is. But if you are in a high risk group, not to be vaccinated seems like a big risk to take. And whatever you decide, don't base it on Bill Maher. Base it on whatever good information you can get from sources you can trust. Hopefully those sources will be from physicians, clinicians and people who understand data and evidence. Not entertainers.

UPDATE: Apparently both Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh agree with Bill Maher about the dangers of swine flu vaccine. Strange bedfellows indeed.

Comments

[mumsies57]

Thank goodness we aren't battling polio and small pox in the current times, folks think getting the disease is a better risk than taking a vaccine, incredible.

[Loretta Callahan]

Until the AMA and drug companies get serious about research, complete facts about risks for their medicines, I'll take my chances with getting the flu. Their number one motive is profit.

[KLovesFreedom]

Well said, Loretta!

[Sheldon101]

The US has a database of all reports people send in of adverse events after vaccination. That database is publicly available with a neat tool to use it. Search for VAERS, read the page and follow the link to CDC-Wonder. Read the disclaimer carefully. You'll be amazed at how little people report.

AMA has nothing to do with research except they have a peer reviewed journal

This is great
(2004)
http://www.medicine.emory.edu/id/ecirve/faculty_speaker_slides/Iskander_Influenzavaxsafe_EmoryOct05fin.ppt

This is technical (2008)
http://cdc.confex.com/cdc/nic2008/recordingredirect.cgi/id/3667

Are you going to call or am I going to call your Doctor to get set up for an early vaccination?

[KLovesFreedom]

While I agree that Bill is not the most qualified person when it comes to the flu shot movement, I seriously doubt and laugh at the idea that his anti-flu rhetoric will cause a "loss of lives", considering what is being said and done in today's current climate. What Ms. Bergthold did get right is that people should become well informed about vaccinations, using reliable, scientific sources. Dr. Tenpenny, very well-known and one of the country's leading experts on vaccinations has done, in my opinion, an outstanding job covering the scientific data that exposes the hard truth about vaccinations and illnesses. Definitely an eyeopener for those of you that are pro-vaccin­ation.....­.
http://drtenpenny.com/the_truth_about_the_flu_Shot.aspx.

[Sheldon101]

I've never asked this before. Was the comment above written by Dr. Tenpenny? Seriously.
Having checked her bio. It's clear she has zero credentials on vaccines, viruses, or public health.
So she and I have the same formal credentials: None.

I looked at the linked web page. It's the middle of October and the CDC told everyone months ago that NO US FLU VACCINE WOULD BE ADJUVANTED but according to Dr. Tenpenny Novartis will probably add it. She spends a 1/4 of the page on mandatory vaccination nonsense. I can't believe she's serious about that. Nobody can seriously believe that. Yes, the laws are in place.
So here's what I think she's all about. She's made up her mind and not only will nothing change her mind, she won't stop at anything to get you to agree.

If you oppose vaccination, stay away. This one's way, way, off the deep end. Hell, compared to her Dana Ullman (whose still all wrong) is a paragon of accuracy and fairness.

[KLovesFreedom]

No, Shelodon101, the comment was not written by Dr. Tenpenny. But since you have made the assessment that she and her work is BS, please feel free to share your research, sources, and insight....

[wetdog2]

Thanks for this important article. With his blind criticisms of evidence-based medicine, Bill Maher has demonstrated that he is more of an ideologue than a rationalist.

It's pretty simple: Tens of thousands of Americans die annually from the flu. The government, in the interest of protecting its citizens, strongly urges us to cough in our sleeves and get flu shots. The science shows that these policies, while not foolproof, do have some efficacy.

If you choose to ignore the data, don't get a flu shot. Just like if you choose to ignore the Surgeon General's warning about the hazards of smoking, puff away.

[JTCan]

my question is...how many of those people who died from the flu HAD flu shots?

[mofmars333]

FINALLY!

THE CALVARY HAS ARRIVED.

NVIC Launches Research Fund To Study Health & Vaccination

http://www.nvic.org/NVIC-Vaccine-News/October-2009-(1)/NVIC-Launches-Research-Fund-To-Study-Health-Vacc.aspx

Help the chidren by passing this good news on to everywhere you can.

[mofmars333]

Information for those who may have missed:

PLANS TO TAKE CHILDREN FROM SCHOOLS FOR MASS VACCINATIONS AND QUARANTINES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kka3K4RqcjU

The guy at the end of this video asks a most important question.

((((WHERE IS IT?)))

I did a search & could not find one word about it.

Here's information on the International Swine Flu Conference he's talking about that took place on August 19, 20 & 21st but where is the follow up?

Not one word!

http://www.new-fields.com/ISFC/brochure.pdf


Hating to use Fox news as reference but as they say "even a
broken clock's right twice a day so here's Judge Napolitano on Forced Vaccinations in Massachusetts;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXSB2oca7f8


A most revealing & eye opening video on this most urgent matter, ever made.

This must see video says it all & should be used often to help educate as many as possible to help save our children & future generations from injury, disease & sometimes, even death:

"Vaccination Nation"

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6531447125053615129& hl=en#

[mofmars333]

Thank goodness healthcare workers came out in protest against mandatory vaccinations as it helped considerably to raise public awareness.

They filed their federal case, Docket No. 1:09-cv-01924 (US District Court, District of Columbia.

http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=3617

"New York lawyer Patricia Finn Esq. will be in court Wednesday seeking an injunction on a NY state court challenge to the "emergency" regulation."

Her number is: 845-398-0521

Other actions happening in other states, including FL, WA, CA.

Other lawyers in New York are also seeking to bring actions.

"HealthCare Workers Revolt Over Swine Flu Vaccine"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ6ZVL_0yD4&NR=1

They say the vaccine will probably unleash the very pandemic claimed they're trying to avoid!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7slquv-wus

Makers of H1N1 refuse to take it so what does that tell "US", people?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4SmFxyust0

Read more fact to the swine flu matter at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chairman-ed-towns/are-we-ready-for-a-flu-pa_b_311588.html?show_comment_id=32621589#comment_32621589

[mofmars333]

Editor of Natural News, Mike Adams;

"The vaccine brainwashing game has now been widely exposed as a fraud. More and more people are openly revolting against swine flu vaccinations for thoughtful, rational reasons"

Mike goes into the five main reasons why swine flu vaccine just doesn't add up.

He explains it all:

http://www.naturalnews.com/027222_swine_flu_flu_vaccine_swine_flu_vaccine.html

Also:

The Alliance for Natural Health is calling for a scientific inquiry into the dangers of cervical cancer vaccines in the UK:

http://www.naturalnews.com/027218_health_vaccines_cancer.html

Did you know children are being exposed to medically-­unjustifie­d levels of harmful radiation through unnecessary CT scans?:

Read more here:

http://www.naturalnews.com/027221_trauma_CT_scans_NaturalNews.html

[quindy]

The most important information I got from my doctor, when he diagnosed me with swine flu, was that there is a 48 hour window when treatment must start in order to be effective. I got my medication within hours of first symptoms and got over the flu in few days. My daughter waited over 24 hours and had much longer recovery. I don't understand why is this information not everywhere? If you get symptoms go to the doctor immediately.

[frosty101]

Pregnant women should be more concerned about the toxins going into their unborn baby than catching the flu and being sick for two weeks. Catching the flu would actually build added immunity into the baby's system for when it's out in the real world. Good for Bill Maher.

[seattle music]

And your qualifications to make this recommendation are ... ???

[dugmaze]

PubMed.

I would assume you've already researched PubMed for studies on mercury crossing the placenta barrier. If not here they are:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

Another good source is Neuroscience for kids:
"These forms of mercury are soluble in lipids and cross the blood brain barrier and placenta easily."
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/merc.html

[mofmars333]

I'd bet Frosty's qualification have a lot to do with common sense coupled with logical thinking.

I'd bet his qualifications come from paying attention without taking any one's word for fact but by adding all information together & deciding for himself.

Yes, I'd bet that could be the case & if so, I'd say his qualifications are pretty good.

[Sheldon101]

Let's see: Flu vaccine incredibly safe and adds tiny amount of flu antigen to body, gets immune response.

Flu: Nasty, sometimes dangerous and can kill. Adds lots of antigens.

[Gladys1963]

Love Bill Maher, but he's not a doctor, so I won't be taking medical advice from him.

As someone with a compromised immune system, I will talk to my doctors about the pros and cons of the H1N1 vaccine.

[Tommygun264]

Dr. Bill Frist and the chain of hospitals he and his family own are going to make a hell of a lot more money treating people who have been hospitalized with complications from Swine Flu than they will selling swine flu shots. When he was a Senator, Frist was instrumental in making sure that the US government would not be able to negotiate prices with drug makers and would have to pay the top retail price for medications for patients as part of Medicare Part D and he never backed any legislation that meant reduced profits for the health care industry. The Swing Flu put Rachel Maddow, a healthy, physically fit 36 year-old woman who shovels the snow out of her driveway in the hospital for a week. Will I be getting my H1N1 shot as soon as possible? Hell yeah!

[souler]

I wouldn't shoot anything in my veins that wasn't proven to be safe. Don't believe everything the gov tells you.

[seattle music]

Do you drink anything or eat anything that has high-fructose corn syrup in it?

You'll get more health risk from consuming the high-fructose corn syrup in colas, juice-drinks, flavored yogurts or commercial­ly-prepare­d cookies than you will from an annual flu shot.

Don't even get me started on sushi.

[Michael McElroy]

I don't know if this is where you were going with this, but just in case you weren't aware, the human body metabolizes HFCS in exactly the same way as it does normal sugar.

[dugmaze]

What's wrong with sushi?

[mumsies57]

A gee, the vaccine is given intramuscularly not intravenously...

[euthman]

I had the misfortune to view the Bill Frist appearance on Bill Maher's show Friday night. As an enthusiastic fan of Maher and a committed detractor of Frist, I was embarrassed and humiliated to see Maher making one ridiculous, ignorant, paranoid assertion after another, only to be countered by Bill Frist, who calmly stuck with facts and legitimate science. Had I slipped into some alternate universe?

[Doris]

Maher is an extremist when it comes to what goes into his body so consider the source.

He should not be making this political.

[grailknight]

What do you mean by "Maher is an extremist when it comes to what goes into his body?"

[Gladys1963]

I love Bill Maher, but that segment reminded me of Tom Cruise playing psychiatrist.

[euthman]

Indeed. Good comparison!

[wetdog2]

I had the same response. I'm a Maher fan and Frist hater. But in this case it seems that science won out over snarkiness. I came away thinking that Maher is an ideologue who believes in some sort of social iconoclasm over rationality. But maybe it was good in shaking me up to be more critical of my heroes, I guess? Next, you're going to tell me that Stephen Colbert is a Catholic Sunday School teacher. Ha. That'll be the day.

[seattle music]

My baby grand-nephew -- eight months -- just got out of the hospital with H1N1 complications.

His oxygen saturation was dropping and he was fighting for air, poor little guy, with some fluid in his lungs.

He spent three days on oxygen and being treated for the impaired lung function.

He's fine now -- thank goodness -- but the flu is no joke in babies and small children.

[dugmaze]

Thank God he's alright.

I worry about a percentage of the children out there who may have some type of immune system damage.

I saw a video the other night about two young overweight girls with asthma who had a very hard time and almost died. I don't know if wieght had anything to do with it but I heard the asthma does. My mother in law has bad asthma and is about 60.

[Doris]

yes, I think it's the asthma. Since flu is a respiratory illness.