Infectious disease experts are beginning to describe modern efforts to quell seasonal and epidemic influenza with vaccines and anti-viral drugs using wording like "potentially dangerous" and "may do more harm than good."
Mass vaccination, unless well monitored, could actually induce a gene mutation that could result in more cases, increased hospitalizations and a larger death toll. In other words, a vaccination that intended to prevent the spread of the disease can instead foster the spread of the disease.
The prevalence of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 flu cases across Europe have increased gradually over time, from near zero in week 40 of 2007 to a startling 56 percent in week 19 of 2008. This means more than half of flu patients treated with anti-virals could face the end of their treatment options.