Here in Texas, the swine flu continues to remind of us its existence. Several summer camps had epidemic hits of the H1N1 flu, sending sorrowful campers home weeks early to recover at home. Now with the school season upon us and the knowledge that our kids will inevitably catch some bug at school, we continue to worry about swine flu. Eventually, we will all need to evaluate the decision to vaccinate ourselves and our children. Vaccinations save thousands of lives each year and have a place in preventative medicine. However, the swine flu vaccine currently under development is using a new adjuvant, squalene, and the environmental community is wondering if this is a safe substance.
Squalene is a naturally occurring substance in sebum and is manufactured in the liver as an intermediate in the synthesis of cholesterol. It is also found in olive oil and would appear to be a harmless substance to the body. When squalene is injected into the subcutaneous fat or intramuscularly, it causes a large immunogenic response. Unfortunately, in some individuals, this immunogenic response is not only for H1N1, but for healthy cells and tissues in the body.
The military has been using squalene in their vaccines for many years, and it is from the military population that the adverse effect profile was first discovered. Studies from symptomatic Desert Shield/Desert Storm soldiers diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome showed that almost 95 percent tested positive for antibodies to squalene. Military members vaccinated with the same vaccine, but without symptoms of GWS, failed to show antibodies to squalene. The question of chemical exposure linked to GWS was ruled out as some military members were never deployed, and thus not exposed, but did receive the vaccine. Therefore, the single common denominator for GWS was vaccination with squalene adjuvant.
Studies to determine the pathological process on cells have begun on animals. These studies, performed on rodents, demonstrate rodents with a genetic predisposition injected with squalene develop an autoimmune reaction.
While some Persian Gulf War veterans became ill with GWS, many did not. It is this information that makes those considering the swine flu vaccine difficult to advice. It seems wise from the literature above that any child age (5-14) with a mother, father or sibling with autoimmune skin disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s disease, lupus, etc. should cautiously evaluate the need to vaccinate with a squalene adjuvant vaccine as this subpopulation may carry a genetic predisposition to precipitate a full autoimmune reaction.
Alternative options for this subgroup of children include supporting the immune system to resolve the flu quickly. These children should receive proper nutrition, exercise and sleep. Stress levels can be modified by play, music, art, reading, etc.
