Veterans Affairs & Disability Benefits
I was with the Canadian Forces in 2009, was ordered to get the H1N1 shot (AREPANRIX by GSK GlaxoSmithKline) and had an adverse reaction to the vaccine. I received PERMANENT neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory symptoms: dizziness, vertigo, irregular heart rhythms, shortness of breath, muscle weakness and pain, and numbness in hands and feet. My physical fitness changed from special forces fit to that of a 70 year old in a matter of days. Veterans Affairs has denied disability benefits. The Department of National Defence (DND) claimed the vaccination was voluntary but advised "It could cause a virtual shut down of military operations", " Just because you've never caught the flu in the past is not a valid reason to not get the H1N1 shot this year", "Be proactive. We all have a role to play in minimizing our risk and being prepared", "Personnel ... must provide proof of the vaccination ... otherwise, they will be required to attend the clinic (flu)" and "Without your past record (of immunization), you will have to be re-immunized". Prior to the vaccination the DND provided information advising side effects "having mild chills and fever a few days following the shot means it is working", and "There is a 1 in 1,000,000 chance of acquiring a serious neurological complication". According to GSKs product information provided by Health Canada, "neurological disorders" are "very rare (may occur with up to 1 in 10,000 doses)" and "if any of these side effects occur, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately" which differs from the information provided to soldiers. The DND also stated "It is not a live vaccine so it cannot give you the flu". According to Dr. Danuta Skowronski, an epidemiologist and an influenza expert at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, "In the early weeks of the pandemic people who got the flu shot (H1N1) for 2008-09 winter seemed to be more likely to get infected with the pandemic virus than people who hadn't received the shot". The DND listed 3 of the 28 side effects, two of which were the most common and least bothersome. The DND also contrasted the effects of the vaccine to "Symptoms of H1N1 Pandemic Influenza: Almost always: Sudden onset of cough and fever, Common: Fatigue, Muscle aches, Sore throat, Headache, Decreased appetite, Runny nose, Sometimes: Nausea Vomiting, Diarrhea, Most Patients say its like getting 'hit by a bus'!!". Thus soldiers were faced with the choice of chills and fever versus getting hit by a bus. Other studies link narcolepsy, a neurological disorder, to the H1N1 vaccine, "Narcolepsy in association with pandemic influenza vaccination", September 2012, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. You may also query the National Vaccine Information Center database of adverse reactions to vaccines (VAERS) which includes more than 11,465 events (adverse reactions) to the H1N1 vaccine, 3,390 symptoms and 61,500 reactions (more than 5 reactions per record). In the UK, the "FINAL PUBLIC SUMMARY - UK Suspected Adverse Reaction Analysis, Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccines - Celevanpan and Pandemrix, 26 March 2010" details more than 8,600 suspected reactions classified into 650 reaction names. Other information to consider is from Richard Warrington, President of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, "Vaccination with Arepanrix has led to far more reports of anaphylaxis or significant allergic reactions than is normally expected for a flu vaccine." According to "Product Information Leaflet Arepanrix H1N1 AS03-Adjuvanted H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Vaccine - Version 4 approved 20 April 2010" originating from the manufacturer GSK and listed on Health Canada's website, the vaccine consists of a "two-component vaccine ... an H1N1 immunizing antigen, ... and an AS03 adjuvant", "The antigen is prepared from virus grown in... embryonated hen's eggs", "The virus is inactivated with ultraviolet light treatment followed by formaldehyde" (Health Canada states "formaldehyde can cause cancer"), "The AS03 adjuvant ... composed of a tocoherol, squalene and polysorbate 80", in addition the vaccine contains "Preservative content is 5ug Thimerosal" (according to the FDA "Thimerosal is a mercury containing organic compound ... there is an increasing awareness of the theoretical potential for neurotoxicity of even low levels ... the FDA has worked with, and continues to work with the vaccine manufacturers to reduce or eliminate thimerosal from vaccines"). The Arepanrix leaflet states "Contraindications: History of anaphylactic reaction (i.e. life-threatening) to any of the constituents or trace residues of this vaccine" (According to the US Government MedlinePlus "a contraindication is a specific situation in which a drug ... should NOT be used, because it may be harmful to the patient."). The leaflet goes on to state "Anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions have been observed in persons receiving Arepanrix", "Non-clinical Safety Data: Non-clinical data reveal no specific hazard for humans ... Two reproductive studies were conducted ... Although no definite conclusion could be reached ... In the first study, there was an increased incidence of fetal malformations ... In the second study, there was an increased incidence of post-implantation loss (loss of the fetus)", "This leaflet is part of a package insert and is specifically for Consumers. This leaflet is a summary and will not tell you everything about Arepanrix H1N1. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the vaccine.", "Health Canada has authorized the sale of Arepanrix H1N1 base on limited clinical testing in humans". You may also ask your doctor and other Health care workers if they received the H1N1 vaccination and if they plan to remain up to date with all vaccinations. Reports from Canada, US, India, Hong Kong and other countries note a 50% vaccination rate among those who recommend and administer the immunization. According to Fox News "Most said they would pass on the H1N1 shot ... because they were afraid of side effects and doubted how safe and effective it would be." I asked my doctor and he didn't hesitate in saying "no way". Be informed and please choose wisely if you do plan to have your next flu shot or vaccination.
