No humans harmed in making of H1N1 vaccine

Mexico Swine FluWhen state health officer Jason Eberhart-Phillips briefed the Kansas State Board of Education on the H1N1 virus last week, board member Kathy Martin of Clay Center asked him whether human embryonic stem cells were being used in the vaccine’s development, suggesting that people might refuse vaccinations if that were the case. He assured her the vaccine is being developed using chicken eggs. A Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokeswoman later told The Eagle editorial board in an e-mail: “Current supplies of seasonal influenza vaccine are manufactured by growing the influenza virus in eggs. The novel H1N1 virus has been reported as growing well in eggs, and the same manufacturing techniques are being used as with seasonal influenza vaccine.” Although the research on some vaccines has involved components derived from human fetuses, to the consternation of the Vatican, that’s not the case with the vaccines for either seasonal or H1N1 flu.

7 Comments

  1. Daniel
    Posted August 16, 2009 at 7:36 am | Permalink

    Jason Eberhart-Phillips squandered a golden opportunity to strengthen the species. He should have testified that embryonic stem cells were indeed being used in the vaccine’s development, stepped back, and watched Darwin work his magic.

  2. Political_mama
    Posted August 16, 2009 at 9:04 am | Permalink

    Just remember that Gullain Barr is a potential side effect of vaccines. It is serious and can take years to recover from if at all.

    Vaccines should not be taken lightly. More mandates for using them widespread should not occur.

    I do agree that since most vaccines were created by using fetal cells, why aren’t the fundies refusing to vaccinate?

  3. Political_mama
    Posted August 16, 2009 at 9:05 am | Permalink

    http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/114488

    Ohhh seems that this is a higher risk for Guillain Barre.

  4. writerdog
    Posted August 16, 2009 at 10:52 am | Permalink

    Perhaps there is a need to make clear when eggs are said to be used. The it does not involve Human embryos. Maybe the next time you eat breakfast at Denny’s you will see a sign on the door:

    IN PREPARING YOUR BREAKFAST, THE ONLY HUMAN EMBRYO INVOLVED
    WAS THE COOK”.

  5. Phantom
    Posted August 16, 2009 at 11:21 am | Permalink

    Protect the Eggs!

  6. Phantom
    Posted August 16, 2009 at 11:22 am | Permalink

    Good editorial today on Tiahrt and health care.

  7. Politico
    Posted August 16, 2009 at 12:39 pm | Permalink

    The thing about mandates is they are mandated. You do not get to pick and chose pmom. But do not fear Obama is here.