Positive Health Online

Abstract

TOMLJENOVIC and SHAW, Neural Dynamics Research Group, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L8, Canada. lucijat77@gmail.com  discuss that despite research demonstrating the potential of aluminium used in vaccine adjuvants to induce serious immunological, inflammatory and neurological harm in humans, that the notion that aluminium in vaccines is safe appears to be widely accepted.

Background

Aluminium is an experimentally demonstrated neurotoxin and the most commonly used vaccine adjuvant. Despite almost 90 years of widespread use of aluminium adjuvants, medical science's understanding about their mechanisms of action is still remarkably poor.

Methodology

There is also a concerning scarcity of data on toxicology and pharmacokinetics of these compounds. In spite of this, the notion that aluminium in vaccines is safe appears to be widely accepted.

Results

Experimental research, however, clearly shows that aluminium adjuvants have a potential to induce serious immunological disorders in humans. In particular, aluminium in adjuvant form carries a risk for autoimmunity, long-term brain inflammation and associated neurological complications and may thus have profound and widespread adverse health consequences.

Conclusion

In our opinion, the possibility that vaccine benefits may have been overrated and the risk of potential adverse effects underestimated, has not been rigorously evaluated in the medical and scientific community. We hope that the present paper will provide a framework for a much needed and long overdue assessment of this highly contentious medical issue.

References

Tomljenovic L and Shaw CA. Aluminum vaccine adjuvants: are they safe?. Source Current Medicinal Chemistry. 18(17): 2630-7. 2011.

Comment

The above research opens a long-awaited door whereby there can be a rigorous evaluation of whether vaccine benefits may have been overrated and the risk of potential adverse effects underestimated. This has been further elaborated in PH Online Issue 201: www.positivehealth.com/article/letters-to-the-editor/letters-to-the-editor-issue-201