Media Helps Generate Fear Among Public to Demand West Nile Virus Vaccine

[Guest guest]

http://www.mercola.com/2004/aug/25/west_nile_vaccine.htm

 

Media Helps Generate Fear Among Public to Demand West

Nile Virus Vaccine

 

 

With news coverage about the West Nile Virus becoming

much more commonplace, so is the drive to develop a

vaccine. As the virus spreads to other parts of the

United States, several drug companies have considered

developing new medications. Although creating a West

Nile vaccine may sound like a no-brainer, drug

companies remain skeptical, especially since a similar

drug for Lyme disease never took off and was

eventually dropped due to low demand.

 

So some companies are moving ahead cautiously, waiting

to see how the disease spreads before committing fully

to a vaccine. The reason companies are monitoring West

Nile: This vaccine’s potential market could exceed

$300 million.

 

Beyond economics, however, public health officials are

feeling a sense of urgency. Though most who catch West

Nile don’t get sick, more than 400 people have died

from it in the last five years. And there’s no cure.

Here’s a breakdown of how West Nile has affected the

public so far:

 

* The elderly and people with weak immune systems

are particularly susceptible

* Twenty percent of those who get West Nile have

symptoms like fever and muscle aches

* Almost one out of 150 contract the worst form of

the virus, an inflammation of the brain

 

Officials believe West Nile, discovered in 1999, will

become a menace, but how big is uncertain. Why?

Because mosquitoes spread the disease, climate and

weather are factors.

 

The Fear Factor

 

The only vaccine for West Nile available is for

horses. To encourage development of a vaccine for

humans, the National Institutes of Health has offered

multi-million dollar grants. Two companies, Acambis

and Hawaii Biotech, have begun the race to the finish

line in that arena. Another variable in the race to

provide a profitable vaccine: The fear factor that

makes people wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants

all the time or avoid the problem altogether by

staying indoors.

 

Such concerns during last year’s flu season drove

demand for vaccines, and have dried up the 100 million

doses available for the upcoming winter season. But,

during a mild flu season, drug makers destroyed

millions of unused and unsold vaccines. And a 2002

report by the CDC found that Lyme disease could be

more easily treated with antibiotics, which soon

signaled the end of the vaccine.

 

And even with two vaccines in development, there are

no guarantees. In trials for the Acambis vaccine, two

people showed signs of protein in their urine, meaning

a sign of kidney damage. In the case of Hawaii

Biotech, their vaccine would eventually require a

booster.

 

Climatic and seasonal changes from year-to-year make

developing a vaccine a gamble because the fear factor

may or may not warrant it. For one executive, it’s a

lot like “trying to analyze fear.”

 

Los Angeles Times August 9, 2004

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

For starters, the so-called " experts " will use fear to

motivate people to take vaccines, but this is just

another health care illusion. Some diseases, like West

Nile and the flu, can definitely be killers and should

not be easily dismissed.

 

Remember, vaccines don't prevent illness--never have,

never will.

 

Another concern: Thimerosal, a vaccine preservative

containing mercury, is still widely used in vaccines,

including those routinely administered to children.

Thimerosal contains close to 50 percent ethyl mercury

by weight. Children are particularly sensitive to the

mercury as their nervous systems are still rapidly

developing.

 

The bottom line is to lead a healthy lifestyle, which

includes eating right, exercising, getting adequate

sleep and addressing stressors, year round.