Anne from Boise, ID, asked:
Hi Julie,
I wondered what you think about getting the flu shot? I’ve gotten one every year for the last 5+ years and haven’t ever gotten the flu, but recently I’ve been reading about their efficacy and potential ties to diseases.
One blog I read said: “According to the research of Hugh Fudenberg, MD, a leading immunogeneticist, an individual is ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease if they have received 5 flu shots in their lives, as opposed to others who have have 0-1 flu shots. This is attributed to levels of aluminum and mercury. Most of the flu vaccine for this current season (2012-13) will contain Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative as well as aluminum. The flu vaccine has also been linked with other serious health conditions such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome, vascular disorders, and narcolepsy. In addition to mercury and aluminum, the shots often contain known toxic additives such as polysorbate-80 and formaldehyde. Does the short term (potential) benefit of the vaccine outweigh the long term risks? Not from where I stand.”
What are your thoughts?
Thank you as always, Anne in Idaho
Hi Anne,
Great question! Flu shots and vaccines in general are a highly debated and oftentimes emotionally-charged topic. So, with that in mind, I suggest everyone needs to educate themselves on the risks and rewards before getting a vaccination needle stabbed into them or their children.
Fact is, there isn’t one virus that causes the flu and there isn’t one flu vaccine that will protect against all strains of the flu. Each year, a different flu vaccine is developed and is based on assumptions about which strains will materialize during that flu season.
By most accounts, in any given year, the flu vaccine is around 50% effective. Recent data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows the flu vaccine was 18% effective in the 2014-2015 season and 56% effective (9% effective for senior citizens) in 2012-2013. Those aren’t great odds.
Other concerns include the toxic chemicals and preservatives you mentioned above. One little known secret is, single dose vials of vaccines don’t contain Thimerosol, a mercury-based preservative that seems to cause so many of the reported side effects. Only the multi-dose vials contain this toxin. If you or anyone in your family is being vaccinated for anything, demand vaccines from single-dose vials!
To answer your question, when I ask if it’s in anyone’s best interest to get a flu shot? I get a “yes”. The CDC recommends healthcare workers and anyone with a chronic health condition get immunized.
When I ask if it’s in the majority of the population’s best interest to get a flu shot, I get “no”. That would be the rest of us.
Regardless of whether or not you decide to get a flu shot, here are some things we all can do to boost our immune systems and remain healthy:
1) Stay hydrated
2) Eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables (onions and garlic are natural antimicrobials)
3) Take vitamins and include Ester C, Zinc, and D3
4) Get your sleep
5) Exercise
Hope this information helps.