A group of vaccine experts and pharmaceutical reps are meeting at the World Health Organization -- busy trying to make a decision about what to recommend regarding a swine flu vaccine. They may recommend a separate swine flu shot or that it be included among the components in the fall flu vaccine.
All of this, of course, assumes that there will be some significant benefit from such an injection. Health officials, medical doctors, and the public also assume the shot will be safe. But a systematic review of the research published nearly three years ago in the British Medical Journal says otherwise to both presuppositions:
"Evidence from systematic reviews shows that inactivated vaccines have little or no effect on the effects measured."
That is, flu shots don't appear to have much, if any, benefit.
"Little comparative evidence exists on the safety of these vaccines."
And we don't know that they are safe.
Whatever the recommendations coming out next week turn out to be, you might be justified in thinking that the results will be a big waste of taxpayers' money. Instead of getting a shot, have yourself a tea party of some kind -- at least that is known to have health benefits.