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
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