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Important Info about the Dangers of Flu Shots
Source: http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=Article&ID=483
A. Paralysis
1) Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
The relationship between influenza-vaccination and GBS was proven after the 1976 A/New Jersey mass vaccination in the USA. In eleven states, comparable samples of vaccinated and non-vaccinated proved that in those vaccinated GBS occured in 1,55/million, compared to 0,17 in non-vaccinated (9,11 times more frequent in those vaccinated). (Hennessen quotes different figures: 8,0/million in vaccinated compared to 1,8/million in non-vaccinated 8). 31% of cases were over 60 years old. Only 12% occured within 7 days after vaccination, 74% between 8 and 28 days, and 14% even after one month 9. Most cases were diagnosed between 2 and 4 weeks after vaccination. Single cases occured up to 9 weeks after vaccination. Ehrengut & Allerdist mention that, within 3 weeks after vaccination, the frequency already is up to 3,12 cases per million vaccinees 4, which would raise the risk factor for vaccinees to 18,35. Ehrengut and Allerdist describe a case which progressed from paralysis of the extremities to affection of the intercostal muscles and facial paralysis (4). This complication may occur in normal, healthy individuals without any preliminary disease. More cases were described during an IABS Symposium in Geneva, 1977 (10).
2) Facialis paralysis
This symptom generally occurs as part of a Guillain-Barre Syndrome (4, 8). 3) Paralysis of the extremities Paralysis of both upper limbs occured in a 40 year old man, with severe pain, atrophy of deltoideus muskles and hypoesthesia of the right arm after inoculation in the left upper arm (4). Paresis of both lower limbs in a 58 year old man (4). Wells describes two cases of myelitis transversa (7). 4) Landry syndrome (8) 5) Hypoglossus nerve paralysis (11)
B. Polyneuritis
Polyneuritis may occur in hands and feet, eventually accompanied of paralytic symptoms (4). Cases of polyradiculitis, polyradiculomyelitis and polyganglioradiculitis are documented.
1) Hypoesthesia
2) Paresthesia (formication and numbness) have been noticed (4, 8).
3) Neuralgia
a) Trigeminus neuralgia (8)
b) Ischialgia (right sided) (8)
c) Intercostal neuralgia (chestpain) (8)
d) Sensory brachial plexus neuropathy (Parsonage-Turner Syndrome) (8, 12,
13).
C. Meningitis
Meningeal infection and a stiff neck with positive lumbar punction can exist separately, or as part of a GBS syndrome (4).
D. Encephalitis
Encephalomyelitis and encephalopathy after influenza vaccination have been documented. A case was described by Ehrengut & Allerdist with loss of sight, then complete loss of consciousness and paralysis (4). Case 10 described by Hennessen had encephalitis with central disturbance of the N. Vestibularis (8). Also case 13 in the same study had encephalitis. Case 20 & 21 were diagnosed as meningoencephalomyelitis. Woods describes a case of encephalitis in a healthy seven year old girl in 1963 (14), Warren in 1956 (15), and another two cases were documented in 1962 (16).
E. Multiple Sclerosis
Some authors described a "recurrent encephalomyelitic syndrome" after vaccination (17, 18). Hennessen et al saw a similar case, where they were able to make the certain diagnosis of MS (8). An exacerbation of symptoms was noticed in 1 out of 93 MS-patients vaccinated against influenza 19, 20.
F. Ataxia
Difficulties in walking in a 34 year old man were noticed, nine months after his influenza vaccination. The sensitive polyneuritis which also started shortly after vaccination had not subsided by that time. Right sided ataxia of lower limbs (8).
G. Headache
A strong headache (8) occuring within hours after vaccination is suggestive for meningeal or brain irriatation and deserves immediate further investigation.
H. Disorientation about places (8)
I. Unconsciousness
Multiple drop attacks occured in a case described by Stör & Mayer (21).
J. Trembling of upper limbs (21)
K. Automatic motions of fingers and toes (21)
L. Aphasia (loss of speech) (8)
II. Respiratory Infections
A. Bronchitis
A strong bronchitis with fever was noticed in a 29-year old man who also developed GBS later on (4).
B. Bronchopneumonia
This occured in a 41 year old man, where symptoms started with paresthesia of fingertips, and ended up with death, 4 weeks after vaccination. Pneumonia 14 days after vaccination (8).
III. Gastro-intestinal problems
A. Vomiting
This happened to a man 13 days after vaccination; paralytic symptoms were noticed later on (4).
B. Nausea (8)
C. Rectal incontinence (8)
IV. Urinary symptoms
Dysuria or paralysis of the bladder
Difficulties with urination bothered a man 13 days after vaccination; a distention of the bladder was diagnosed. Complete paralysis of the bladder with necessity of catheterisation followed. Paralytic symptoms of the extremities were noticed later on (4).
V. Sexual problems
Impotence Lessening of sexual potency lasted for over 3 months in a patient who suffered GBS (4). Sexual impotence (4).
VI. ORL
A. Vertigo
Vertigo with tendency to fall to the right side, 5 days after vaccination, accompanied an encephalitis in an eighteen year old male 4. Vertigo with nystagmus, within minutes after vaccination, so strong that the 13 year old, healthy boy could not even stand up or sit anymore (4). Affection of the N. Vestibularis in combination with encephalitis (8).
B. Noises in the ears (8)
C. Impeded hearing (8)
VII. Eyes
A. Prooptosis (8)
B. Oedema of the retina (8)
C. Diminished vision; blurred vision (8)
D. Diplopia (8)
E. Nystagmus (8)
F. Paralysis of eye muscles (cranial nerves VII & IX) (8)
VIII. Circulatory problems
A. Collapse (8)
B. Transient livid discoloration of the hands (8).
C. Allergic thrombocytopenia in a 58 years old man 7 days after
vaccination.
D. Disturbed blood pressure (both increased of decreased) (8).
E. Angor pectoris (8).
F. Collapse (8)
Hennessen et al describe some cases, both in elderly men with either hyper- or hypotonic crises, but also in a young man with ophistotonus, and tonic-clonic fits within minutes after vaccination.
IX. General symptoms
A. Fever
Fever occurs together with other syndromes, e.g. meningitis or GBS.
B. Somnolence
This may also be part of a larger neurological syndrome, such as GBS (4), (8).
C. Fatigue
Fatigue can be part of a general decrease of functional capacities (21). Chronic fatigue is known to last for years after the infection subsided (4).
D. Anaphylactic reactions
Typical for anaphylactic reactions is the short incubation time. Ehrengut & Allerdist describe such a reaction in an allergic person 1/2 h after vaccination (4). Warren describes a case where the reaction followed 4 to 5 hours after vaccination with fever, coryza and bronchospasms (15).
X. Mental problems
A. Difficulty in thinking (21)
B. Loss of initiative (21)
C. Confusion (14)
D. Hallucinations (14)
XI. Emotional problems
Sadness (21)
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Age Distribution
The many case descriptions available in medical literature prove that all age groups are susceptible to side effects.
Particularly important is the frequency of patients with serious side effects after the vaccine had been given for several years without any problem. This means that a lack of side effects after a vaccination is not a guarantee of safety of administration of the same vaccine in that patient later on.
From those who suffered GBS after vaccination, 11% were under 30 years of age, 58% were between 30 and 59, and 31% were 60 and more.
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