How Are Vaccines Tested?

This Washington Post article details the treatment of 150 volunteers being used to test vaccines against the H5N1 virus, more commonly known as bird flu or avian flu. The volunteers were randomly assigned to one of two categories, one of which received two doses of a saline placebo, and the other one the active vaccine. The active group was further divided, with some getting as little as 7.5 micrograms of killed virus per shot, and others getting more than 10 times that much. A regular flu shot contains 45 micrograms blended from three viral strains. In Stage 1 of the test, the volunteers were told to keep a one-week diary of any discomfort, side effects or complications, and they took their temperature daily during that same period. Afterward, they had their blood drawn. Stage 2 allowed those who had received a dose of the active vaccine to continue to volunteer for another shot and another six months ofmonitoring. Washington Post December 8, 2005 Dr. Mercola's Comment: If you read my blog with any regularity, you know how dangerous and health-harming vaccines can be. Imagine what it's like for patients who volunteer for a vaccine study ... If you want to protect yourself against the dangers of vaccines, an essential resource to aid you in learning more about this vitally important issue -- including how to protect your children --is Vaccines: What CDC Documents and Science Reveal, a two-hour video by world-renowned vaccine expert Dr. Sherri Tenpenny. The video is the culmination of Dr. Tenpenny's three-year investigation into the true story behind vaccines. The facts on several crucial areas are covered including: The volunteers in the study described in the Washington Post article were compensated a few hundred dollars for their efforts. No amount of money could compensate patients who took an active vaccine, however, for the potential harm they may have done to their bodies, especially in light of the fact the avian flu -- despite what you may have heard -- is likely no epidemic at all. The bird flu epidemic hoax reminds me just how uncommon "common sense" is. Folks, where is the sound basic science here? How do they make the giant leap of faith that less than 70 deaths worldwide will translate to 2 million, or even 200,000, deaths in the United States from a virus that does NOT readily spread from birds to humans, or humans to humans? Most of the people who acquired this infection were bird handlers who were in continuous contact with these sick birds. Does anyone in their right mind envision similar circumstances in the United States? Predictions this ludicrouswould typically beignored if theydid not strongly support some ulterior purpose. What might the purpose of these scare tactics be you ask? Well, how about the United Statespurchasing huge quantities of antiviral drugs and an increase in flu vaccine production, along with purchasing 20 million doses of the highly questionably effective Tamiflu.Guess how much one treatment of Tamiflu costs? Give yourself a slap on the back if you guessed $100. So those 20 million doses the government has authorized will cost U.S. taxpayers $2 BILLION. Unless you are a full-time bird handler in a third-world countrywho has a seriously challenged immune system you probably have a much better chance of wining the lottery than dying from the proposed bird flu epidemic. To truly protect yourself against flu, review the simple lifestyle measures I have outlinedthat will serve to boost your immune system to not only address any form of the flu but also other infectious illnesses like the cold. When you have a healthy lifestyle and follow basic steps of the Total Health Program, for the most part you just don't get sick.