Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Natural News Spreads Misinformation About Flu Epidemic


Natural News continues to spread misinformation about vaccines to readers.  In a recent post, writer Mike Adams declares that most people with the flu are those that received the flu vaccine.

Using the very unscientific method of “…making phone calls to a large network of friends and professional contacts…” has led Natural News to state that two-thirds of people vaccinated against the flu, have the flu.  Natural News uses this “data” to deduce that the flu shot makes people more susceptible to the flu.

Natural News continues that vaccinated people are acting irresponsibly, and that drug companies have zero ethics and are trying to make people sick.  Natural News urges readers to prevent the flu through Vitamin D supplements.

Using the article in Natural News as a source, World Truth TV published a similar article.  World Truth TV stated that the study by the Lancet that is used to determine effectiveness is being misinterpreted by world health organizations.  World Truth TV failed to note the final sentence of the Lancet study, which states:  “New vaccines with improved clinical efficacy and effectiveness are needed to further reduce influenza-related morbidity and mortality.”

In yet another article, Health Impact News Daily blasts the flu shot as only 10% effective while causing harm to the heart, infant and fetus.  Vaccine Watch checked the sources linked to the article and found that some of the scientific articles being referenced were published as far back as 1975, while others were from foreign countries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that this year’s vaccine is 62% effective. Widespread illness reached 47 states, partly due to a lack of vaccination.    As of early January, twenty children had died from the flu epidemic.   Adults aged 65 and older have been hardest hit by the flu this season. The flu virus changes quickly and is therefore difficult to create a 100% effective vaccine for.

According to CDC researchers:  "…these early [vaccine effectiveness] estimates underscore that some vaccinated persons will become infected with influenza.  Therefore, antiviral medications should be used as recommended for treatment in patients, regardless of vaccination status."

Blatant misreporting like the articles on Natural News, World Truth TV, and Health Impact News Daily serve no purpose except to scare people and create an atmosphere of fear and mistrust.   Epidemics like the 2011 measles outbreak are caused by fear-based propaganda leading to a lack of vaccination.  Sound research has proven that vaccinations are effective.