Dangerous New Flu Vaccine for Seniors

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“Fluzone High-Dose” is a new influenza vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur. The new vaccine was created specifically for seniors, 65 and older.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are quick to reassure seniors that Fluzone is just as safe as regular seasonal flu vaccines. If you read the details on the CDC website, however, you will quickly realize that Fluzone may not be as safe as claimed. .

Fluzone appears to cause a lot more side effects, including fevers.

According to the CDC:

“The safety profile of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is similar to that of regular flu vaccines, although adverse events (which are also reported after regular flu vaccines) were reported more frequently after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose.

The most common adverse events experienced during clinical studies were mild and temporary and included pain, redness and swelling at the injection site and headache, muscle aches, fever and malaise.”

Why do Seniors Get a Higher Dose Vaccine?

One of the primary differences between the ‘regular’ Fluzone vaccine and Fluzone High-Dose for seniors is that the latter contains four times as much microbial antigen—the lab altered flu viruses – that prompt your body to produce antibodies to the three different influenza strains contained in the flu vaccine.

The idea is that seniors need more antigen in order to provoke the desired immune response, because studies have found that the flu vaccine creates only a weak immune response in the elderly. In essence, they’ve realized that the flu vaccine does not work in the elderly, and the belief is that upping the dose will do the trick.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Judith H.

11:23AM PST on Jan 15, 2012

Vaccines only benefit the manufacturers. I'm not against vaccines entirely, however, today, there is no study into their safety and far too many are given while we are told that we must get more. We have become a vaccine nation. I think just getting back to some common sense on how to protect yourself against things such as the flu. Eating a healthy diet, taking good supplements, practicing good hygiene, etc

send a green star

Chad A.

2:28AM PST on Jan 15, 2012

I should be careful... I have never had a flu shot and do not know what to look for.

James D. V.

9:22AM PST on Jan 14, 2012

I've gotten sick for weeks after getting a flu shot for years. Three years ago, I got a shot at the end of October and basically was confined to bed for the next 2 months. On New Year's Day I visited the ER because the symptoms were so bad. It took another month and 2 rounds of antibiotics to finally knock everything out. Since then I haven't had a flu shot and guess what? Haven't had the flu, colds are less severe and of short duration, and I no longer have recurring sinus infections. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Marie W.

8:36PM PST on Jan 11, 2012

Wouldn't touch with 200000 foot pole.

Olivia S.

6:15PM PST on Jan 11, 2012

Everything Big Pharm comes out with is dangerous...thanks

Kath R.

1:09PM PST on Jan 11, 2012

I've gotten the flu shot twice in my life...both times I got REALLY sick.

aj M.

1:08PM PST on Jan 11, 2012

good to know.

Neil A.

1:07PM PST on Jan 11, 2012

Certainly Tamiflu & some others are a con & just to make large profits for the Pharmaceutical companies. mostly make sure you are healthy with a good diet.
I usually have a flu jab in UK but then they are more careful with what you are given.

Jerry t.

12:52PM PST on Jan 11, 2012

I will say again. Pharmacy should be a public trust, not a corporate profit.
The damage these people do to the whole vaccination arena is regrettable. Not only vaccines, all medicines seem to come with a built in class action potential.
Death and disorder effects are nothing but statistical risk to them.
I don't focus on the cost of medicare, I focus on the price of medicine.

Genevieve L.

10:42AM PST on Jan 11, 2012

(*reprise of last paragraph):

Now, I know there have been problems with some versions and batches of flu virus in past years. I'm not saying flu vaccines are the solution to everything and everyone should get one. What I AM saying is that if you're in one of the groups most at risk from suffering dangerous complications after a flu, then it's a good idea to get one. I know pharmaceutical companies are not altruistic and noble and that they are often guilty of presenting biased results, but let's not generalize and discredit all vaccines on the basis of a few riskier ones.