http://www.redflagsweekly.com/confer...004_oct07.html

Annual Number of flu deaths: it’s a guess

By Sherri Tenpenny, DO
www.nmaseminars.com

I have received many requests for a specific reference to the following statement made in my article “The Flu Season Campaign Begins” :

“Even though less than 175 people actually died from influenza in 2003, anticipate that exponentially more messages regarding the “deadly flu” will be pushed through the news media this year.”

After weeks of intense research to locate the full source for that statement, I have unearthed some interesting and powerfully useful information.

Recapping Last Year’s Flu Season

During the 2003--2004 season, influenza activity in the United States began earlier than usual (October 2003), peaked between late November and early December, and then declined rapidly during January-February, 2004. The CDC scrambled as it was discovered that neither of the trivalent influenza vaccines used (Fluzone® or the new intranasal vaccine, FluMist®) contained the strain A/Fujian strain, the most prevalent virus in circulation. By Jan. 15, the CDC issued a press release admitting that ongoing testing showed that the year's vaccine "was not effective or had very low effectiveness" in the test subjects. [i]

As of the week ending March 27, 2004, laboratories at the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) had tested 115,222 specimens and only 21.0% of the samples were found to be positive for influenza viruses. [ii] During the four most recent influenza seasons (1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, and 2002-03), the number of specimens that tested positive for influenza viruses ranged from 23.9 to 30.9% [iii] In other words, over the last 5 winters, 70-80% of the sniffles, fevers and body aches generally characterized as “the flu” were not caused by influenza viruses, but by organisms not covered by a vaccine, regardless of the strain that was used.

Influenza-associated pediatric deaths received considerable attention last year, prompting the CDC to request state and local health departments to report influenza-associated deaths in persons less than 18 years of age. As of May 31, 2004, 152 “influenza-associated deaths” in children had been reported by 40 states. [iv] Most of the children who died in last year's flu season were younger than 5 years of age. Because no similarnational data were collected previously, whether this numberof pediatric deaths represents a change from previous seasons is unknown. [v]

Beginning in 2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)began to recommend that all childrenaged 6-23 months and close contacts of children aged 0-23 monthsreceive annual influenza vaccination. With the increased reports of pediatric deaths in 2003, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) approved an initiative to add “all pediatric influenza-associated deaths” to the list of nationally notifiable conditions on June of 2004. [vi] This will turn out to be a boon for flu vaccine manufacturers as the media doggedly tracts and then morbidly reports this season’s statistics, placing fear in the hearts of parents who will in turn demand the flu shot for their children.

It should be noted that this initiative was undertaken after the influenza vaccine was added to the pediatric vaccination schedule, protecting the manufacturers from liability under the rules of the National Vaccine Injury Act.

Therefore, my statement that “less than 175 people who died” was technically incorrect and should have read, “less than 175 children died” in last year’s flu season. However, as few as 175 adult deaths could have occurred too. Here’s why…

Predicting 36,000 deaths

The CDC claims that influenza is “a highly contagious virus that causes an average of 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. every year.” But how does the CDC determine the number of deaths related to influenza? Where is the tangible, annual report somewhere in the CDC’s database with an actual number of reported deaths among adults, such as the 152 reported deaths among children? These questions deserve answers. Upon intense investigation, I uncovered a startling truth.

The CDC receives information on influenza cases from a several different sources. During each October to May period, the CDC receives weekly reports from approximately 120 World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories in the United States regarding influenza virus isolations. In addition, reports from several hundred “sentinel physicians” are received regarding the total number of patient visits and the number of visits for influenza-like illness (ILI). Sentinel physicians are randomly selected physicians who work in the community or for local health departments who collect nasal swabs on patients reporting flu-like symptoms. These swabs are sent to laboratories for organism identification and quantification.

A third source is the state and territorial epidemiologists who estimate the level of local influenza activity. The final source, the vital statistics offices for 122 cities across the country, report the total number of death certificates filed and the number of those in which 1) pneumonia was identified as the underlying cause of death or 2) influenza was listed anywhere on the death certificate. These reports from death certificates are filed throughout the year. From the number of positive nasal swabs and the complied data from epidemiological death certificates, the CDC “determines” the number of deaths per year from influenza. [vii]

A CDC spokesman, Mr. Curtis Allen told Insight Magazine last year,

“There are a couple problems with determining the number of deaths related to the flu because most people don't die from influenza - they die from complications of influenza - so the numbers [of deaths] are based on mathematical formulas. We don't know exactly how many people get the flu each year because it's not a reportable disease and most physicians don't do the test [nasal swab] to indicate whether [the symptoms are caused by]influenza.” [viii]

Hence, the oft-repeated “36,000 deaths nationwide” is nothing more than a computer-generated, ominous-sounding guesstimate, rather than an actual number.

NOTE: Between Oct 1, 2003 and Apr 9, 2004, the CDC identified 863 antigenically DIFFERENT influenza viruses. [ix] Therefore, even if one assumes that the flu vaccines work for the three chosen strains, it is important to understand that the vaccines will not provide protection against the other 860 influenza viruses known to be in circulation.

Hence the CDC’s statement about the flu is correct:

Yearly, adults can average one to three and children three to six influenza-like illnesses (ILIs). The vaccine does not prevent influenza-like illnesses caused by infectious agents other than influenza [strains found in the shot], and many persons vaccinated against influenza will still get the flu. [x]

Special thanks to Mrs. Lujene Clark and Mrs. Dawn Richardson for help with
this research.

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CDC fact sheet. Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Studies. Jan. 15, 2004.
MMWR. Update: Influenza Activity --- United States, 2003--04 Season. April
9, 2004 / 53(13);284-287
MMWR. Surveillance for Influenza --- United States, 1997--98, 1998--99, and 1999--00 Seasons. October 25, 2002 / 51(SS07);1-10.
2003 - 04 U.S. INFLUENZA SEASON SUMMARY.
JAMA. Vol. 292, No. 12. Sept 22-29, 2004. Also MMWR. 2004;53:547-552.
JAMA. Ibid.
MMWR. Surveillance for Influenza --- United States, 1997--98, 1998--99, and 1999--00 Seasons. October 25, 2002 / 51(SS07);1-10.
Insight Magazine. Jan. 19, 2004. “Flu Secrets You Should Know”, by Kelly Patricia O’Meara Insight Magazine. Ibid.
MMWR. November 9, 2001 / 50(44);984-6
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Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Classical Homeopath
Well Within & Earth Mysteries & Sacred Site Tours (worldwide)
Vaccination Information & Choice Network
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/homeo.htm
homeopathycures@tesco.net
ANY INFO OBTAINED HERE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION TO VACCINATE IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE
Voicemail US 530-740-0561 UK phone from US 011-44-1874-624-936

HYPE HYPE HYPE

CDC actual plan..........."The most important part of the program, "The Seven-Step Recipe for Generating Interest in, and Demand for, Flu (or any other) Vaccination,"(1) is designed to methodically manipulate the general public. "

http://www.hpakids.org/current%20news.htm

The Flu Season Campaign Begins

By Dr. Sherri Tenpenny
New Medical Awareness Seminars
www.NMAseminars.com

As predictable as the return of yellow school buses and Monday Night Football, the arrival of fall also brings the first fearful chatter about the approaching flu season. But this year there is a twist: the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has devised a portentous new blueprint to ensure the economic success of this season's flu vaccine.

Concerned over data documenting that almost 65% of people surveyed in 2003 did not receive the flu shot-including nearly 47% with chronic illnesses and 78% of children aged 6-23 months-a new strategy has been devised. The plan is fully disclosed in a 51 slide communiqué called "Planning for the 2004-05 Influenza Vaccination Season: A Communication Situation Analysis," prepared by Glen Nowak, Ph.D., the Associate Director for Communications at the National Immunization Program.

The most important part of the program, "The Seven-Step Recipe for Generating Interest in, and Demand for, Flu (or any other) Vaccination,"(1) is designed to methodically manipulate the general public. Language within the presentation reveals the intent of the government and their drug company "partners" to use major news media (newswires, TV) to send scheduled, fear-based messages in an attempt to convince the unsuspecting public that not only is the flu shot necessary, but to motivate them to demand it. This will amount to millions of dollars of free adverting for flu vaccine manufacturers.

Here is a synopsis of the CDC's plan:

Step 1: Start discussing the flu at the beginning of the "immunization season."

Posters, fliers and media campaign materials are generally mailed to public health departments and healthcare provider offices in mid-August, "planting the seeds" in the minds of patients so that they request the flu vaccine when it arrives.

Step 2: The media will begin to make pronouncements that the "new" influenza strains anticipated this year "will be associated with severe illness and serious outcomes."

Right on cue, the government announced on August 25, that it is "preparing for the world's next big flu outbreak." A report released to the Associated Press suggests that a bad flu season could kill up to 207,000 Americans. To fuel the hysteria, the CDC and the Department of Human Services announced that they are jointly issuing "The Pandemic Influenza Response and Preparedness Plan" which will stress "ways to speed up vaccine production, limit the spread of a super-flu, and care for the ill." (2)

Step 3: The build up will continue throughout the early fall, as local and national "medical experts and public health authorities publicly (e.g., via media) state concern and alarm (by predicting dire outcomes)-and urge influenza vaccination." (3)

Here's one example:

"We know we're going to have a pandemic because, historically, we're overdue for one," said Neil Pascoe, epidemiologist in the infectious disease division of the Texas Department of Health. "When it happens, it's going to be huge. It will be global, and everyone is going to be affected…it could be terribly fatal. Imagine 4 million Texans [becoming] infected, and 20 percent of them die." (4) Be prepared for many similar statements in major newspapers and on national TV stations as the weeks progress.

Step 4: Reports from medical experts will be used to "frame the flu season in terms [that will] motivate behavior." Language to be used includes, "very severe," "more severe than last or past years," "deadly")." (5)

Last year, there were 1026 messages sent via the media between September 21-28. Phrases used included, "this could be the worst flu season ever," "the flu kills 36,000 people per year" and "the flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu." (6) Even though less than 175 people actually died from influenza in 2003, anticipate exponentially more messages regarding the "deadly flu" will be pushed through the news media this year.

Step 5: Continue to release reports from health officials through the media that influenza is causing severe illness and/or affecting lots of people "helping to foster the perception that many people are susceptible to a bad case of influenza."

Step 6: Give visible and tangible examples of the seriousness of influenza by showing pictures of ill children and affected families who are willing to come forward with their stories. "Show pictures of people being vaccinated, the first to motivate, the latter to reinforce."

Step 7: List references to, and have discussions regarding, the influenza pandemic. "Make continued reference to the importance of vaccination."

The language used to describe Steps 5, 6, and 7 was taken directly from Nowak's presentation.(7) This should leave little doubt that the government intends to use the media to create hysteria that will increase the demand for a pharmaceutical product.

Vaccine manufacturers often cry the blues about revenues lost by producing vaccines. However, last year, Chiron, one of the two largest vaccine manufacturers, made 38 million flu shots, accounting for nearly $230 million in revenue. And even though sales of FluMist, the intranasal flu vaccine, reportedly "failed miserably,' the company stillmarked $33 million in revenues from sales of the product.(8) Not exactly the stellar returns MedImmune had hoped for, but clearly revenues were made.

Health officials are expecting that, through the publicity generated by last year's flu hype, coupled with a carefully planned and implemented new strategy, record numbers will seek vaccination this year. Perhaps understanding the tactical maneuvers of the CDC-Big Pharma-Media partnership will result in another "bust" year for the flu vaccines.

Many thanks to Mrs. Lujene Clark, President of NoMercury.org for her research, bringing this to my attention. (Article first published at www.redflagsdaily.com)

[1] Nowak, Glen, Planning For The 2004-05 Influenza Vaccination Season. A Communication Analysis

[2] "Government Preparing For World's Next Big Flu Outbreak", August 25, 2004

[3] Nowak, slide 28

[4] "County To Offer Flu Vaccinations Early," Sherry Jacobson, The Dallas Morning News, August 26, 2004

[5 Nowak, slide 28.

[6] Nowak slide 16.

[7] Nowak slide 29.

[8] "Record Number of Flu Vaccines To Be Made", Paul Alias, AP Biotech writer, San Francisco . July 23, 2004

See what parents need to know about the new flu vaccine recommendations

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Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Classical Homeopath
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm

Wouldn't it be interesting (some might say essential for decision making purposes) to know how many people died or were crippled for life from taking the influenza vaccine?

Richard Knapp
Database Programmer/Analyst
Institutional Research and Planning
University of Missouri System

Why? Why do alternative health care providers NEED to gloat over the failure of allopathic treatment?

It is not to gloat
far from it

one would hope rather, to raise public awareness about the sheer , oh, I don't know the right words, but crass, stupid, evil, misguided,...ways of the pharmaceutical industry and even then are there enough of us to take over the medical care of people?

But, sadly, people seem to have become accustomed to these kind of statistics to make sense of life and their decisions....

Caroline

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline Spear It is not to gloat far from it. One would hope rather, to raise public awareness about the sheer , oh, I don't know the right words, but crass, stupid, evil, misguided,...ways of the pharmaceutical industry and even then are there enough of us to take over the medical care of people?

Here is the mistake. The "pharmaceutical industry" merely reflects and provides >>what the public wants<<: Quick, easy, immediate, now...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline Spear But, sadly, people seem to have become accustomed to these kind of statistics to make sense of life and their decisions....

"People" want whatever is the most direct route to non-suffering..."People" couldn't care less about "statistics" and "studies"...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth Salls Here is the mistake. The "pharmaceutical industry" merely reflects and provides >>what the public wants<<: Quick, easy, immediate, now...

Hm. They don't advertise, lobby or influence doctors' practices? Or fund their own studies or suppress unfavorable results? What noble folk... :-) And ah, that wicked "public", to disdain the careful efforts at lifestyle instruction education that our noble pharmaceutical companies so scrupulously offer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth Salls "People" want whatever is the most direct route to non-suffering..."People" could care less about "statistics" and "studies"...

Many folks are pragmatic enough to be fairly educable -- when anyone takes the time to try. But since most of us don't have access to "revealed wisdom", we *do* need to have information to guide our choices, and as computer folk say, "Garbage in, garbage out!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth Salls "People" want whatever is the most direct route to non-suffering..."People" couldn't care less about "statistics" and "studies"...

SOME people..............there are varying levels of involvement. Some, just a little more information would tip the scales into awareness.

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Classical Homeopath

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth Salls Why? Why do alternative health care providers NEED to gloat over the failure of allopathic treatment?

Oh, dear Ken........always the adversary

It would be important to prevent further damage and deaths

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Classical Homeopath

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheri Nakken "We know we're going to have a pandemic because, historically, we're overdue for one," said Neil Pascoe, epidemiologist in the infectious...

Overdue for one? Gosh, why don't they tell us the pandemic schedule. This is like the stuff about some areas being "overdue for tornadoes" - as if they know. Gee, if they know, they can share the schedule with us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheri Nakken Last year, there were 1026 messages sent via the media between September 21-28. Phrases used included, "this could be the worst flu season ever,"

Heh - in this morning's newspaper there was a blurb about the vaccine shortage with a little box that said something like: For tips on how to prevent getting the flu if you can't get the vaccine, see page so-and-so.
--
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.