Complementary Medicine

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Jacob Teitelbaum MD, internist and author of From Fatigued to Fantastic!, researches treatments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia. See full bio

Regular Flu Shots Decrease Effectiveness of Swine Flu Vaccine

Do regular flu shots impact Swine flu shots?

Flu Vaccine ShotThis study of over 12 million Canadians suggests that those who recently had the flu vaccine for the regular flu were less likely to be helped by the Swine flu vaccine. Because of this, many Canadian provinces are recommending that those who are under 65 years of age not get the regular flu shot this year till after the Swine flu season has passed. The research suggests to me that for those under 65, this is another reason to not bother with flu shots this year, and if getting a flu shot this year, to get only one and not both. As there are normally 30,000-50,000 U.S. deaths a year from the regular flu, and so far only about 500 from the Swine Flu, you should get the regular flu vaccine. That the Swine Flu vaccine manufacturer has likely received the OK to bypass safety measures leaves me concerned that the risk of the Swine Flu vaccine may be unnecessarily high.

For more info Study prompts provinces to rethink flu plan.

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