Flu Shots - Yes? No?

The problem with any issue in which there are two sides is that both sides oftentimes are not being completely honest and when we look into the arguments of both sides, we don’t get the whole picture.

Each side seems to cherry pick the data they use, quote “experts” who are just as biased as non-experts, exaggerate their case, and attack anything and everything that is contrary to their stand.

This is why I do what I do. I don’t have a dog in these fights. If you believe me or not, it will not affect my income, my state of mind, my happiness, or the choices I make in the future.

I am, however, open to any logical, cogent argument presented with all the facts.

And so it’s time again to talk about vaccinations.

It’s the cold and flu season, and the media. as well as Walgreens, WalMart, and my VA Hospital are advertising flu vaccinations.

And, as I have stated in the past I am not anti-vax, I am anti-bad science. If I find good science either supporting or opposing vaccinations, I will present it to you, the reader, with the same clarity and examination I’d give to any other subject.

However, there is no science “opposing” vaccines. There is science that warns of problems, but overall, vaccines work. Really, really good science will one day eliminate all of the problems we’ve found with vaccines but to eliminate a problem, you have to first admit you have one.

Or as the recovery clinics in Minnesota are want to say: How can you drop something if you won’t admit you’re holding it?

And really, really good science will start by testing vaccines outside of the grasp of the pharmaceutical industry. Vaccines, for the most part, are tested in-house, or with the funding coming from the companies manufacturing them.

In the past we’ve shown how conflicts of interest interfere with the outcome of studies.

In a recent newsletter (July 2016), I posted a link to a paper entitled: Combining Childhood Vaccines at One Visit Is Not Safe. Ultimately, and beyond the evidence they present, is the simple fact that administering multiple vaccinations in newborns has never been tested outside the grasp of pharmaceutical money. There has never been “independent” testing, and real doctors, practicing doctors, are starting to call for these studies.

However, in this paper (above), Dr Paul Offit is quoted, that based upon immunological and mathematical assumptions, “each infant would have the theoretical capacity to respond to about 10,000 vaccines at any one time.”

Dr Offit is the co-inventor of a rotavirus vaccine. He sat on the board that determines which vaccines should be mandatory for school children. His vaccine was approved to go on that list. Dr Offit sold his portion of the vaccine for millions of dollars and was quoted saying (something to the effect of) “I feel like I won the lottery,” except that people who win lotteries don’t get a chance to rig the lottery in their favor.

Now that is one heck of a conflict of interest.

The Skinny on the Flu Vaccine (here are the facts)

The flu vaccine every year is a guess. The flu breaks down into four major categories, A, B, C, and most recently, D. Within these categories, there are many, many variations, and since the viruses mutate, every year a new variant crops up. Scientists feel that the safest vaccine would be one that will take on three strains (trivalent). Most flu vaccines will protect you from three strains, but still, they’re guessing at which strains will hit us this season.

Thus the odds of the vaccine protecting you will be between 60% and 23%.

If you are elderly, weakly, or a child, this could mean the difference between life and death. The flu kills 40,000 people a year (mainly the elderly, the weakly, and children).

No. You cannot catch the flu from a vaccine. The viruses used in those vaccines are dead. Were they alive, everyone getting vaccinated would come down with the flu.

However, some people are sensitive to vaccines, and you can have a reaction such as a fever, body aches,and/or nausea.

Next, we must talk about additives. There were so many problems with mercury in the past (thimerosal) that it has been removed nearly completely from vaccines.

That is, “except” for the flu vaccine. According to the CDC, “Flu vaccines in multi-dose vials contain thimerosal to safeguard against contamination of the vial. Most single-dose vials and pre-filled syringes of flu shot and the nasal spray flu vaccine do not contain a preservative because they are intended to be only used once.” Thus, if you are pregnant or you are bringing in your child for a flu shot, you will want to check with your doctor beforehand to make sure the shots are mercury free.

Finally, it comes down to how healthy you are going into the cold and flu season. Let’s face it, if your immune system is not well, even a 23% chance of protection (that could save your life) is pretty attractive odds.

One more thing, I've just perused three articles that brought up the subject of flu shots and it seems doctors aren't sure how long they'll actually protect us, so they all suggested waiting to get them until the end of October or the beginning of November.

Our Alternative

I cannot recommend anything at this site. I can just tell you about things. I’m not a physician or health care practitioner.

I am allowed to tell you how I’ve beaten colds and flu at least 30 times over the years. I use Del-Immune V and BACO.

Here are the two articles we posted a few years back. They’ve been updated. If you want to kick the flu in the butt using these, feel free. Otherwise, the flu shot is still a pretty solid option.

How to Beat the Cold & Flu Season

Finally, Conquering the Common Cold