# 3892
Adjuvants are additives to vaccines, designed to enhance the body’s immune response, and reduce the amount of antigen needed per shot.
While they are not used in any of the flu vaccines offered in the United States right now, they are part of the vaccine mix for Canada, the UK, Europe, and much of the rest of the world.
Helen Branswell, ace medical reporter for The Canadian Press, gives us a Q&A session on vaccine adjuvants today. One that will hopefully dispel some of the myths, rumors, and concerns that surround them.
This report from the Toronto Sun.
Flu vaccine additive helps immune system
By Helen Branswell, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Last Updated: 26th October 2009, 3:07pmSix months ago, most Canadians probably didn’t know what a vaccine adjuvant was.
But now, as Canadians and many Europeans mull over whether to line up for an H1N1 flu shot that includes an adjuvant, many have Googled this addition to their vocabularies. And lots are wondering whether they are comfortable with the idea of having vaccine mixed with one of these additives injected into their arms.
Ms. Branswell asks, and answers the following questions for her readers:
Q: What is an adjuvant?
Q: Why is Canada buying adjuvanted vaccine?
Q: So we’re using vaccine with adjuvant to benefit someone else?
Q: But what’s this about adjuvanted flu shots hurting more?
Q: What is the safety record for adjuvants?
Q: What are adjuvants made from?
Q: Isn’t squalene dangerous? Didn’t it cause Gulf War Syndrome?
Q: What’s that about autoimmune disease?
Q: Squalene used commercially is sourced from shark’s liver. Does that mean people with fish allergies should avoid this vaccine?
