The FDA approved the steps to add the H1N1 Vaccine to the standard flu shot. So this means that during the 2010 - 2011 period anyone getting a "seasonal flu vaccine" will also be getting an H1N1 vaccine as well! In the past these were kept separate.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended the change based on evidence that yearly flu shots are a "safe and effective preventive health action with potential benefit in all age groups," and concerns that a "substantial proportion" of young adults may be susceptible to H1N1-like viruses that continue to circulate. Substantial proportion? Continues to circulate? It looks like the H1N1 virus has joined the ranks of Elvis and Big Foot.

I already covered the fact that there's was NO PANDEMIC.. even according to the World Health Organization - the group credited with fanning the flames that a Pandemic was eminent - in a recent blog post here. And from the looks of it, vaccines are doing nothing to ward off flu related deaths. One simply needs to look at the number of deaths each year from the seasonal flu - between 250,000 and 500,000 worldwide!

So why would the FDA agree to include the H1N1 strain in the new seasonal vaccine? Well..... maybe its because so many pharmaceutical companies invested in producing an H1N1 vaccine that NO ONE USED and now they're trying to find ways to recover their unearned profits!

The seasonal flu vaccine will be marketed as Afluria (CSL Limited), Agriflu(Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics), Fluarix(GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals), FluLaval(GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals), FluMist(MedImmune Vaccines, Inc), Fluvirin(Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Ltd), and Fluzone/Fluzone High-Dose(Sanofi Pasteur, Inc). Safety labeling for Afluria will be updated to inform physicians and clinicians about the increased rate of fever and febrile seizure seen in young children receiving the shot. Most were under 5 years of age. Wait, isn't it the very young and very old who are supposed to get the seasonal flu shot? And it has known side effects in the very young? What the hell!

Well I don't know about you but I haven't had a seasonal flu shot since the one time I got one around 1985 when I lived in Vegas. During a conversation with my mother she asked if I was getting it. I said no. She said I should. So like any good Italian boy I listened. I got the shot and the next day was so sick I was in bed for a week. Never Again! But that's just me. If you're thinking about getting the seasonal flu shot you may want to consider the new risks of being exposed to the H1N1 strain. Maybe if no one gets the NEW seasonal flu shot the FDA will get the idea that we don't want to be exposed to the H1N1 strain and the pharmaceutical companies will remove it next season. Remember what I've always said. We vote with our dollars.