FDA gives OK to H1N1 vaccine for kids as young as six months

I don’t believe there’s enough champagne in France to accommodate all the celebrating that must be going on at drug companies these days.

Well, not ALL drug companies. Just the five that have a sweet piece of the H1N1 vaccine action.

So far, the U.S. has ordered 195 million doses of the vaccine. But don’t be surprised when that number goes higher. A few days ago, the FDA approved the use of Australia’s CSL Limited H1N1 vaccine in children 6 months and older. Previously, the approval was only for teens and adults, 18 years and older.

And an added bonus: The approval includes CSL’s seasonal flu vaccine. So just imagine the delirious joy this news must have brought the vaccinators at CSL.

The vaccine is available in two forms: 1) A single dose that’s preservative-free, or 2) a double dose that contains thimerosal, the mercury-based preservative.

Hmmm. Now, why in the world would they make one form with a double dose of mercury, and another single-dose form with zero mercury?

Could it be because many parents who (wisely) suspect the shot is unnecessary would quickly opt out if their only choice included thimerosal?

Television medical pundits are quick to dismiss any link between thimerosal and autism. They call it “junk science” and no one ever questions them. But the mercury is still there. And mercury is still a neurotoxin. And many parents (wisely) ignore the assurance that it’s perfectly safe to inject this heavy metal into ANYONE – particularly infants.

To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson

Source:
“FDA Expands Approved Use of H1N1 Vaccines to Include Infants and Children” FDA Note to Correspondents, 11/12/09, fda.gov