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from the cough-cough-great-idea-cough-cough dept.
Despite push for a universal flu vaccine, the 'holy grail' stays out of reach
It is the holy grail of influenza science: a universal flu vaccine that could provide protection against virtually all strains instead of a select few. A burst of recent headlines have suggested that we might get one soon. Just last week, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases released a strategic plan for the development of a universal flu vaccine, prompting the White House science office to proclaim on Twitter that the goal is "closer than ever."
Experts, however, say we're really not there yet. And to be honest, we can't necessarily even see there from here. "I don't think we're that close at all," Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy. "I think the kind of work that's gone on has been critical and important, but it's only the first 5 feet of what would need to be a 100-foot rope."
There's no doubt that there is some momentum. The release of the strategic plan — which outlines for scientists the research that NIAID sees as critical and that it would be willing to help finance — signals renewed interest in the quest for a universal vaccine. So, too, does a bill — introduced by Sen. Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts — calling for $1 billion in government spending for the project.
Previously: Progress Reported on Universal Flu Vaccines
Related: Susceptibility to a Flu Determined by Your Very First Virus Encounter
(Score: 2) by Entropy on Saturday March 10 2018, @06:37AM
At least I had a citation. Having an organo mercury compound(more easily absorbed than metallic mercury) in something you inject is bad. If you're scared of lead based paint, I think it's pretty reasonable to be scared of injecting mercury into your veins. Yeah, it's a quote from wikipedia. If you think organic mercury compounds are good things to inject, be my guest. I don't think comparing them to table salt is fair, though.
Thiomersal is very toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and in contact with skin (EC hazard symbol T+), with a danger of cumulative effects. It is also very toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environments (EC hazard symbol N).[20] In the body, it is metabolized or degraded to ethylmercury (C2H5Hg+) and thiosalicylate.[11]
As to how useful the last flu vaccine was it's well known it was nearly useless. I'm just suggesting the entire flu vaccine product is not only useless, but actively harmful and a scam to siphon money into the rich's pockets based on people's fears.