The Flu Shot: Effective or Not?
Flu season is knocking at our back door. Everywhere I go there are signs posted, “Get Your Flu Shot Here!!”
It actually infuriates me! I always see a lot of elderly people in line for the shot, but I know it’s the last thing that their body needs. I wouldn’t wish the flu shot on anyone: children to elderly adults. I think it is an unnecessary vaccine that introduces more harm to the body, than good.
I know I am most likely contradicting everything you have heard from your doctor. But, I’m asking you to look a little closer at the flu shot. And then ask the question …is it worth the chance? Let me give you a safer alternative for flu prevention that will boost your immune system naturally.
A Toxic Chemical Blend
First of all, I want to tell briefly how the flu shot is made.
We have all been told that the flu virus strains are picked “specifically” for this year. What they don’t tell you though is that they pick them a year in advance!! These scientists are literally guessing at what viruses will be prevalent a full year before! They do this by looking at what’s prevalent in Asia at the time. I’m definitely not gambler, so knowing this is enough to convince me the flu shots are not very effective.
Most people would never think to ask what’s in their vaccine. So, let’s talk about the several toxic chemical ingredients in the flu shot. Sometimes they vary amongst pharmaceutical brands, but the toxicity of flu shots stays pretty equal. Most of the toxins used are added as preservatives, which in my opinion, should never enter a human’s body!
Here are a few of the most common added toxins in the flu vaccine.
- Thimerasol – This toxin is over 40% mercury by weight! Mercury is highly toxic, killing brain cells, causeing severe damage to the nervous system, kidneys, digestive system and a host of other tissues in the body. Mercury toxicity can lead to complete kidney failure… and more.
- Polysorbate 80 – Side-effects can range from allergic reactions to cancer.
- Triton X-100 – A detergent and derivative of mercury.
- Formaldehyde – A cancer causing toxin (Yes, this embalming liquid is being put into LIVE people!)
- Ethylene Glycol – This is antifreeze and extremely poisonous!
Proven Ineffective
If what I have listed above it not enough to convince you avoid the flu shot, then let’s talk about its effectiveness (or more like its ineffectiveness).
There are pages of research pointing proving the flu shot is nearly useless.
- Scientific researchers have even stated that they believe the flu vaccine’s effectiveness has been greatly exaggerated. (1)
- In 2006, there was a systematic review of over 51 studies involving over 260,000 children. They concluded that the flu vaccine was no more effective than the placebo. (2)
- The rate of flu vaccination in the elderly has increased by over 40%! (3) But this has not changed the rate of flu and pneumonia caused deaths.
Something isn’t working!
The flu vaccine makes many people sick because it lowers their immune system. If your immune system is lowered, then you’re likely to catch another virus traveling around. Amazingly, flu vaccines don’t actually immunize anyone! They just sensitize the body against those specific viruses.
Natural Flu Prevention
You’re not out of luck now for flu prevention. There are natural supplements that work wonderful at preventing the flu from even starting! And if you do happen to get it, they can greatly reduce its time and severity.
I just put in an order for the following items for my whole family because I know flu season is coming up fast! I do not want to be ill prepared. Here is what is on my list and I recommend they be on yours, as well.
5000 IU Vitamin D
Now that the sun isn’t out much, I will be getting my vitamin D in supplement form. Vitamin D is probably the MOST important thing you can take for flu prevention. Vitamin D increases the activity of your killer cells. Without adequate D in your body, your killer cells may not do their job effectively. (which is to kill viruses!)
I take 10,000 IU a day and give my kids 5,000 IU. Many doctors are now recommending about 45 IU per pound of body weight. Get your levels checked if you’re unsure. Over 60 ng is an ideal vitamin D level. Mine tested at 80 ng and I was quite proud!
Probiotics
A healthy body starts with a healthy gut! 80% of your immune system lies in your gastrointestinal tract! The best way to keep it healthy is adequate levels of good bacteria, or probiotics. Eating a cup a yogurt a day is not enough either. Try a probiotic supplement that contains at least 20 billion CFU and at least 6 different bacteria strains.
Vitamin C
We all know vitamin C is great for the immune system. I am a huge fan of the fat-soluble form, Ascorbyl Palmitate. It has all the benefits of regular C, but doesn’t flush out of the body. I recommend 1000 mg a day for adults during flu season.
Colostrum
This isthe (cow) mother’s first milk. It is an immune super power. Bovine colostrum contains IgG, which is an antibody that provides systemic immunity.
A Flu Prevention Revolution
I would love to see flu prevention propaganda that doesn’t include the flu shot. But, it’s not likely to happen. Pharmaceutical companies rake in BILLIONS of dollars from flu shot’s each year. And until we all wake up and realize they do more harm than good, things won’t change.
But now you know and knowledge is power! Tell your friends and your neighbors! Spread your knowledge about the dangers and ineffectiveness of the flu vaccine and the effective natural ways to prevent it. Together we can create a flu prevention revolution! I’m hoping for a healthier world, and with your help we can see it happen!
Comment below. I’d love to know if you get your yearly flu shot. And if you do, are you now reconsidering getting the flu vaccine?
Further Related Reading:
- The Flu Shot: Its Dangers and Healthy Alternatives
- Staying Healing Through the Holidays
- Are You Flu Proof?
Sources:
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?orig_db=PubMed&db=pubmed&cmd=Search&term=%22The%20Lancet%20infectious%20diseases%22%5BJour%5D%20AND%20658%5Bpage%5D%20AND%202007%5Bpdat%5
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16437500
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?orig_db=PubMed&db=pubmed&cmd=Search&term=American%20journal%20of%20respiratory%20and%20critical%20care%20medicine%5BJour%5D%20AND%20527%5Bpage%5D%20AND%202008%5Bpdat%5D
Comments
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I and my wife have not taken any flu shots for over 20+ years. Actually. I am a proponent for better health and have kept up with the latest in terms of why people should not take the flu shot and consider taking higher doses of vitamin D3 as well as to also cover the aspects of breast cancer, colon cancer and heart disease with combinations of D3, Arginine, Citriline and antioxidants that far out weigh the cost of pharmaceutical drugs. It’s called Prevention Before Intervention. I also have family members (not my family, but sisters and my mother who religiously take this shot, just because their doctor said so). It is a slow process in terms of educating people, especially your
own family to think outside of the box so to speak. I have many relatives and friends who
continue to believe that pharmaceuticals are the total answer that for me it is a continuous upward
battle to help change peoples ideas. Even today with health care cost on everyone’s minds, very little is said about alternatives that would ultimately help bring down the high cost of our health care cost, just by adding a bit of prevention in their lives. Thank you for this opportunity to share my views. I continue to be a better health proponent. [email protected] -
I had my first and last flu shot about sixteen years ago. I got it against my doctor’s recommendation because I have Thermerisol on my list of allergies. I had requested it because I’d had the flu the year before and had been sick for a months and I work(ed) with children. They say one can’t get the flu from the flu shot, but I certainly got flu-like symptoms the day after I got the shot and was sick for two weeks. Later, during flu season, I got the flu and was sick another two weeks. I decided that benefits (if indeed there were any) did not outweigh the risks. I never had the flu again until last year.
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No i will not be getting the flu shot this year.i am 59 yrs. old and beleive in a healthier more natural approach to warding off the flu or colds.Vitamins, handwashing and proper sleep and food,are some of the things i do.
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The last time I got a flu shot, I got the flu twice and so did my elderly friend. That was 15 years ago. While I was pregnant they said we all had to get the Swine Flu shot. I was terrified, but did not get the shot, nor did I get the flu. Two years ago my Father who had dementia, got the flu shot and six months later died from the flu after getting pneumonia from the flu. It took 3 days of the flu to give him pneumonia. He had never been sick a day in his life, not even a cold. He also had the pneumonia shot. The only reason I allowed the vaccinations I thought the doctors probably knew more than me and was afraid to take any chances with my Dad. I wish every day he was still here.
They also don’t tell you if you are allergic to eggs to not get one. -
I haven’t taken a flu shot in several years.
I’ve been wondering about the shingles shot. Is it any good? -
I’m 83, have taken a flu shot every year for eight years, have not had the flu during that time, nor any side-effects from the flu shot.
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I have never gotten a flu shot. I am 53 years old. My mom and dad both in their mid-eighties get their flu shots yearly. I try and tell them don’t do it, but my mom has a tendency toward pneumonia so she feels and her Doc feels that she definitely needs it. I do not feel she needs it. She was very adamant this year for me to get a flu shot and I told her I could not do it. If I get the flu she can tell me ” I told you so” but I will know better as I am getting more and more educated reading articles such as ones from Barton publishing. Thank you for your information. I will send it on to others.
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I have not had the flu shot for over 20 something years. Your suggestions are great, in addition to those recommended, I also keep handy a bottle of Colloidal Silver, and when I feel the symptoms of a cold/flu, I take a shot of this stuff.
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I agree with many of the points in this article — I don’t get a flu shot myself. But I’m concerned about one particular claim made.
The article claims, “In 2006, there was a systematic review of over 51 studies involving over 260,000 children. They concluded that the flu vaccine was no more effective than the placebo. (2)”
But when I click on the actual study, it seems to say the opposite: “live vaccines showed an efficacy of 79% (95% confidence interval (CI) 48% to 92%) and an effectiveness of 33% (95% CI 28% to 38%) in children older than two years compared with placebo or no intervention.”
It doesn’t look like the study says the vaccine is “no more effective” — it says it is 33% more effective. That may not be a LOT more effective, but 33 isn’t 0. (True, the study only says it is effective for children over two, but the article doesn’t make that caveat — it says it’s no more effective period.)
Again, I agree with the article overall. But it seems like that study is misrepresented here, and I wanted to point that out — if I’m just missing something, please share.
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It is great to see this information getting out. I am a horse professional and natural medicine advocate. Because of the rampant use of vaccines on horses we often have to use remedies such as Natural Cellular Defense, bentinite clay, etc. to treat the auto-immune symptoms and liver problems caused by vaccines as well as the lack of nutrition from the scarcity of organic natural forage for horses. It is a very serious problem and it is dificult to get people to understand these ussues, so the more people are talking about it, hopefully the more serious people will take it.
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All the “natural” ways you speak of just boost immunity, not prevent the FLU….
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[…] The Flu Shot: Effective or Not? […]
I used to get a shot every year, as it was recommended due to my career. I retired 4 years ago and stopped getting the shots. Last year my doctor asked me if I wanted the shot and I got it. Within hours, I was feeling very sick. Not flu-like, but not well either. I called the doctor and he said it couldn’t be the flu shot, but I still doubted him and I did my own research. That’s when I found out about the mercury in the shot. I am on ZERO medications and I am very careful about what I eat. I was appalled to know about this additive. I will not get a shot this year, nor do I intend to ever again!