Several times in the last few weeks and months I have written about ME/CFS, Swine flu and the wisdom or danger of getting a vaccination. (See more posts about ME/CFS in children and young people later on this week.) Recently out of the UK, there is more news about these topics.

I encourage you to do 2 things: search this Health Matters Show blog/podcast and website for all of the entries on the appropriate terms. Then check out this new link at the ME Association. See their QuickLink tabs on the left.

Researchers in the UK are taking note of the correlation between getting a Swine Flu vaccination and the reactions of people with ME/CFS. Your reaction and your symptoms are important to them. The researchers only have 16 replies and they need a lot more.

What’s fascinating to me is that some people who submitted to the Swine Flu vaccination have had no reaction to getting it at all. “However, three people (3/16) have reported a more prolonged and serious exacerbation/relapse of their ME/CFS.”

Of particular concern is a single report of a previously fit adolescent who has developed a number of ME/CFS type symptoms four days after his vaccination. Whilst this link to the vaccination may be pure co-incidence, we do know that ME/CFS can occasionally be triggered by vaccinations, including the normal flu vaccine.

This case is being reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) by The MEA on the Yellow Card reporting system. And it is very important to make sure that doctors in the UK report all suspected adverse events to swine flu vaccination to the MHRA.

If you’re reading this from the UK, please help by reporting your experience with the Swine Flu vaccination and your ME/CFS symptoms. New symptoms or a worsening of symptoms is bad enough in adults; in young people it can be tragic and alter their entire futures. This is not the first time that a vaccine has been implicated in such damage in young people. Read the story of a young girl named Kenzie.

Thanks for dropping by and best wishes,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Most people have mixed feelings about vaccines. They don’t want to be sick from a preventable illness, yet they also do not want to put foreign substances in their bodies or in the bodies of their children. (Negative consequences of such actions are becoming more well known and horrify most people.)

You may want to re-think maintaining a middle-of-the road attitude about vaccines:

1. If you’ve been hurt by the administration of a vaccine, you probably slant your view in the direction that more caution and information are needed. You can get exactly that at a new upcoming vaccine conference outside of Washington, D.C. I urge you to empower yourself and get the answers you need.
2. If you’ve been injured by a so-called preventable illness, you may lean more in the direction of prevention first, ask questions later type of super caution. “Keep me safe no matter what! Give me that vaccine!”

However, I ask you, “What really is the safest position?” What is the most sensible response to the question of whether or not to take vaccines? In these months before the new fall flu vaccine comes out and you hear more and continued warnings about the Swine Flu epidemic, this is very topical.

In this country and most of the world, you and I are the ones receiving messages meant to induce fear in us. Worry! Beware! Take every precaution to stay safe! If you don’t, you may die!

Note: Take a few moments to research the terms 1) Gardasil, then 2) Swine flu here on this website. There are several posts of interest, one concerning a young girl named Gabi whose life is irrevocably changed after taking Gardasil. You can carry out this search by finding the “Search this blog” box that’s located near the bottom of the middle column.

I urge you to never lose sight of the fact that you are in charge. Because the deep pockets of the drug industry (a.k.a. big pharma) are now combining with the vaccine industry’s powerful lobby and marketing messages, and now the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), you are being fed a steady diet of fear and danger… not health. Hear their call of seduction? “Be sensible. Get your vaccine. Take your medicine.”

The sad fact is we’re used to hearing and reading these types of fear-based marketing messages. They are everywhere we turn. And they are powerfully effective! If you’re not entirely convinced, consider today that 69 vaccine shots are administered to babies, all starting within hours of birth! They continue for months and years.

What are the ramifications?

What are we doing to our children’s developing Immune Systems?

How can we keep doing this without studying and being more cautious? When illness rates explode instead of fall?

Why can’t they explain the amazing statistics in the rise of autism and developmental disorders?

Dear one, if you possibly can get to the 4th International Public Conference on Vaccination October 2 – 4, 2009 in Reston, Virginia, go. Go for yourself. Grab every bit of data you can for your family and loved ones at this important international vaccine conference. Get informed. Then make the best decisions you can.

(Note: You may want to hurry. There are only 3 days left for early registration discount. I have no financial interest in this event. I simply believe in its sensible message and the reality of being prepared!)

When you make decisions based on only a small amount of information, those decisions can cost you a whole lot more in terms of the resulting long term health consequences. The price can be incredibly steep… more than you’re willing to pay. Your actions (or inactions) can affect not only today, but your entire future.

My whole life has been affected because of an altered immune system. If I had had to take 69 shots as an infant, I know there’s a good chance that I would not be alive today.

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show