What's in the Vaccines?
MMR is a live vaccine. The bacteria are attenuated or weakened. Pertussin, injectable Polio, Hib and Meningitis C are made with killed viruses, inactivated by heat, radiation or chemicals. Diphtheria and Tetanus are toxoid vaccines. A toxoid is the poisonous product of the organism rendered "harmless" by chemical treatment.
. Antibiotics, e.g. neomycin, streptomycin and polymyxin B. Found in Diphtheria, Pertussin, Tetanus, Hib, injectable Polio, Rubella, MMR, Chicken Pox and 'Flu vaccines.
. Formaldehyde inactivates bacteria for toxoid vaccines. Studies have linked it to leukaemias and cancers of the brain, colon and lymph tissue. Found in Diphtheria, Pertussin, Tetanus and injectable Polio vaccines.
. Thiomersal is a preservative made from 49.6% mercury ('Flu and Hepatitis B vaccines). A common cause of allergic or sensitivity reactions and immune suppression. Neuro-toxic for babies born prematurely or whose brains are still developing. After Sept 2004, Thiomersal has been removed from Diphtheria, Pertussin, Tetanus and Hib vaccines.
. Adjuvants in vaccines: these are used to improve the "efficiency" and intensity of the vaccine reaction in the body. Examples of adjuvants include aluminium sulphate, aluminium hydroxide and possibly peanut oil.
. Aluminium helps vaccines to stimulate production of antibodies. It may play a role in hypersensitivity reactions, auto-immune disease, seizures, bowel disorders, constipation. Found in Diphtheria, Pertussin, Tetanus, Hib, injectable Polio and Hepatitis B vaccines.
. Chick embryos contain egg protein. Found in MMR and flu vaccine.
. Monosodium Glutamate is a stabiliser normally used as a flavour enhancer in foods, and a suspected neurotoxin. Found in MMR vaccine.
. Polyribosylribitol phosphate and sorbitol are artificial sweeteners.
. Animal cells are used to make vaccines, e.g. SV40 virus, taken from monkey kidney cells and used in the oral Polio vaccine, which from October 2004 may still be used to control an outbreak of Polio. The new injectable Polio vaccine is cultivated on Vero cells, which are African green monkey kidney cells.
. Cow's brains are used to culture the Hib vaccine.
. Human foetal tissue is used in the Chicken Pox and Rubella vaccines.
. Phenol is a disinfectant and dye; a suspected cardio-vascular toxin akin to carbolic acid.
. Ethylene Glycol is the main ingredient of anti-freeze for cars.
. Methylparaben is a preservative and anti-fungal agent.
. Benzethonium Chloride is an antiseptic.
. 2-Phenoxyethanol, a preservative, found in combination vaccines from 2004.
. Medium 199, which is a complex medium of amino acids, mineral salts, vitamins, polysorbate 80(an emulsifier)