Studies that show getting a universal flu vaccine isn’t effective in preventing seasonal illness may raise the question: Is vaccination right for you?
Resident Medical Authority: J. E. Williams, OMD, FAAIM
There is no clear, easy answer to whether you should get vaccinated every year against the flu. However, there is a good argument why you might not want to get vaccinated. True, some vaccination in theory and practice works. But, it only works really well against certain kinds of viruses. Smallpox is an example of how well it works. Influenza viruses, on the other hand, are complex and constantly mutating, and there are just too many different kinds to develop one well-targeted vaccine.
So, it’s not that vaccines don’t work, it’s that they don’t work most of the time.
There are a lot of emotional issues (and for good reasons) that surround vaccines. However, when your health is concerned and the life of yourself and your children are on the line, it’s best to get real and look at the science. An article in The Lancet in October 2011 that reviewed US vaccination results found,
“Influenza vaccines can provide moderate protection against virologically confirmed influenza, but such protection is greatly reduced or absent in some seasons. Evidence for protection in adults aged 65 years or older is lacking.” [1]
Given that flu vaccines are pushed on American elderly, lacking evidence for efficacy is a sad commentary on universal coverage. Here’s another:
“We conclude that frailty selection bias and use of non-specific endpoints such as all-cause mortality have led cohort studies to greatly exaggerate vaccine benefits. The remaining evidence base is currently insufficient to indicate the magnitude of the mortality benefit, if any, that elderly people derive from the vaccination program.” [2]
If that weren’t effort to question use, here’s another study from China:
“A slight increase in herd immunity against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza was observed in Beijing, China, during the 2010/2011 season. Prior vaccination and immunity had a suppressive impact on immune response toward this novel influenza virus, elicited by 2010/2011 trivalent vaccine.” [3]
First of all, people are not “herds.” That editorial slip is unacceptable. Second, reduced immune response caused by prior vaccination is a powerful consideration for not getting vaccinated every year. Third, read “slight increase.” Does only a little improvement justify the price of development?
I won’t bore you much longer, but I hope my point is well taken: Even the science questions the value of universal flu vaccination every year. If you still have doubts, let’s look at one more study. This one is from France:
“The aim of this study was to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza among hospitalized patients. We found that IVE was lower during the 2004-05 flu season when the vaccine and circulating viruses were mismatched.” [4]
When the epidemiologists and immunologists and virologists and infectious disease experts don’t get a match, it’s not effective at all.
In conclusion, here are both the bottom-line points and my concerns:
1. Universal flu vaccines are not that effective.
2. Effectiveness in elderly people is even lower.
3. When the vaccine doesn’t match the kind of flu that is making people sick, it doesn’t work at all.
4. If you get vaccinated for routine seasonal flu, a vaccine for a pandemic novel strain might not work.
This is what I tell my patients:
- Getting vaccinated is a personal health choice. Only you can decide what is right for you.
- Since the rate of effectiveness is low, unless you’re in a high-risk profession like a paramedic or work in a busy hospital, the benefits of getting vaccinated are simply not there.
- If there is a pandemic, getting vaccinated may be useful, but seasonal vaccination against common influenza is not likely to get your through the winter without catching a cold or flu.
For more information check out Think Twice, Global Vaccine Institute: www.thinktwice.com/flu.htm.
Kev’s Thoughts:
I, of course, am not a doctor, but I can certainly comment on some of Dr. Williams’ thoughts here.
I think the most telling of all statistics here is that even the Lancet — yes, the same journal that disgraced Dr. Andrew Wakefield over his research on vaccines and autism — has published a study that says flu vaccines are relatively ineffective on the elderly.
Considering that the flu shot is meant to specifically protect the elderly and our youth — I’m shocked (and not) that most doctors don’t know this. But this is the way information always spreads — slow and painfully through professional and government circles. I would love for you to pass that study along to a doctor friend of yours and see what they say about it.
Anyway, the public that is aware, you and I, have known this for a while and have taken steps to protect our immune systems which may be our best chance to fight off the flu.
In terms of vaccinating children or the effectiveness of other vaccines, it’s up to you to do your own research and weigh the benefits and negatives of vaccinating your child. We don’t have children yet, so we haven’t had to make this decision yet. I know how we’re leaning, but would rather keep that private (not because of the decision we’ve made, but for fear of possible repercussions for a very misinformed public (not you guys!)) I do know one thing for sure is that the vaccines — if any — can wait.
There’s no need to inject in infant in it’s first year of development with any chemical besides breast milk, if possible. I’ve added the “if possible” here to be sympathetic to the mom’s who want to feed breast milk but for some reason beyond their control cannot — I respect their situation deeply.
Finally, Dr. Williams’ catch of the word “herd” definitely speaks volumes about how we as humans are viewed by scientists who study vaccines. To them, we are herds — we’re disease carrying creatures that need to be controlled. What’s scary about that, is any time in history that powerful people have disconnected with the humanity of the public, it hasn’t turned out very good.
Your Question of the Day: What do you think about the flu vaccine? Were you vaccinated? Would you (or did you) vaccinate your children?
Live Awesome!
Kev
______________________________________
1. Osterholm, M.T., et al., Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis, 2012. 12(1): p. 36-44.
2. Simonsen, L., et al., Mortality benefits of influenza vaccination in elderly people: an ongoing controversy. Lancet Infect Dis, 2007. 7(10): p. 658-66.
3. Yang, P., et al., Seroprevalence of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza and effectiveness of 2010/2011 influenza vaccine during 2010/2011 season in Beijing, China. Influenza Other Respi Viruses, 2011.
4. Amour, S., et al., Influenza vaccine effectiveness among adult patients in a University of Lyon hospital (2004-2009). Vaccine, 2011.
**
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3:06 pm on January 13th, 2012
I don’t get a flu vaccine although I have been employed in an Education Advisory capacity.
When I do contract flu or flu -like virus symptoms, I think, ” That’s one more crossed off my list”
Oleander UK
3:20 pm on January 13th, 2012
Flu vaccines are definitely not on my list.
3:21 pm on January 13th, 2012
On flu vaccines. No talk of metals in the flu shot and possible effect on the brain. Any thoughts? Jenness
3:23 pm on January 13th, 2012
You speak of prevetion. I spoke with my doctor and he claims the flu shot is not meant to be a prevention from getting the flu but to ease or lesson the effects of the flu if you do get it. especially for the elderly. I am 55 and he talked me into getting my first flu shot. Still not sure I made the right decision.
4:15 pm on January 13th, 2012
I recently had a severe histamine reaction to flu vaccine. I am a senior citizen, on Social Security Disability due to severe Fibromyalia and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Recently at my pain management doctor office the Nurse Practitioner strongly suggested I take the flu vaccine but I declined. The next office visit the Dr “pushed” that I take the vaccine. I declined … he pushed more … I “caved in” and took it. At that time my body was still recovering from a relapse of bronchitis which began 3 months prior. Following the flu vaccine injection my body went into a severe Fibromyalgia flare-up unlike any flare ups I had in the past plus I had all the classic flu symptoms but they were multiplied by 10. I will not take any flu vaccine again.
4:21 pm on January 13th, 2012
Flu shots are loaded heavily with a lot of alarming things most people do not even know about. Research
4:22 pm on January 13th, 2012
Great info. i have been wanting to get my 85 year old mum vaccinated but somehow never got around to it.
If i do come down with a flu (plus a cold, running nose, etc) I make a concotion with herbs that works perfectly. They are all stuff that have a high vitamin ‘C’ content anyway. Here it is;
BLEND
- a generous bunch of mint leaves
- 5 to 6 fresh green chilies
- pour into a glass and squeeze about 5 to 6
small lime (here we call it ‘limau kasturi’ in malay or ‘kalamansi’ in tagalog. OR you could substitute with ‘citron vert’ or lemon.
DRINK concotion. It may sting your toungue a bit as chilies are ‘hot’.
Regards,
mary magdalen
4:25 pm on January 13th, 2012
I never get flu vaccines, and apart from my “baby shots” (I was born in 1954 so there were far fewer of them than at present), and will never be vaccinated again — the baby shots made me horribly ill.
My boyfriend does get a flu shot every year, at the insistence of his doctor, because of asthma.
Never had kids, so don’t have to worry about that.
Whatever your personal decision, health and peace.
4:27 pm on January 13th, 2012
I did not vaccinate my last child born in 1985. She is strong and healthy today. She was not a sickly child at any stage. I had a difficult time with the health dept and at one point they said my child would not be allowed to go to government schools. This was not true, just a threat. I lived in Nova Scotia Canada at the time.
4:38 pm on January 13th, 2012
I prefer natural antibodies… so no flu shot for me!
4:41 pm on January 13th, 2012
I have always been against the flu vaccination. In fact I am not keen on any kind of vaccination as I am a vegan and I will do my best to avoid being injected with any kind of organism. As for babies, I agree that they should not be subjected to so many vaccinations before they are even 6 months old. I am quite sure there are alternative natural vaccines that the public should be informed of and therefore be given a choice.
4:43 pm on January 13th, 2012
Please! I beg anyone who may be considering a Flu shot to first go to either the Mercola or NIV (National Institute for Vaccines)websites and read the truth about them. You couldn’t pay me to inject this into my body! Hopefully you will be as outraged and disgusted as I about the false and harmful lies the big “Drug Pushers” have perpetrated upon people. They really don’t care about your health. The almighty dollar is always their bottom line.These sites have crucial info for making this decision. Meanwhile you are more likely to keep from getting the flu by optimizing your Vit. D3 levels, practicing good hygiene (wash, wash, wash those hands!), addressing any stress in your life, eliminating highly (or any) processed pseudo foods, sugar and chemical sweeteners and highly refined carbohydrates that line our grocery store aisles from your diets. Please do not get the flu vaccine until you have read the truth about them.
4:48 pm on January 13th, 2012
A measles “epidemic” recently broke out in Quebec (Canada.) Over 60 % of those who contracted measles had been vaccinated. A relatively large percentage of those ‘cases’ had their shots before the age of 2.
Health Canada’s conclusions? The afficacy of Vaccines for infants under two is questionable.
5:01 pm on January 13th, 2012
I am a home health RN and I do not get flu shots. The corporation I work for requires that I wear a mask whenever I have patient contact once the flu season is declared in my area each year. I can do that. It is my punishment for being non-compliant lol!
5:03 pm on January 13th, 2012
I have never had a flu shot and I have never had the flu. My son came home last year from school with H1N1 (I can’t control his food while at school…). He suffered a high fever for about 4 days. During that period my spouse and I took wild oregano oil drops as a precaution. Neither of us came down with the flu, despite our exposure. It is all about diet and prevention. Meanwhile, I have increased the amount of D3 for my son in the winter and added some zinc. He is also eating better. I think he understands the link now. So far this year he has not had the flu.
5:05 pm on January 13th, 2012
With all due respect to the good doctor, the decision on whether or not to get a flu shot IS clear and easy: DON’T !!!!! The mercury compound should be enough of a deterent. Think, people, THINK. Mercury is the most toxic heavy metal known to man. There actually is NO safe minimum exposure (even tho the “gov’t” publishes such a dose). In addition, there are mycotoxins in all vaccines. Do some research on that…it will cause you to think (hopefully) before you take another round of antibiotics. There’s humungus fungus among us.
Stay warm, healthy, blessed, and prayerful.
5:05 pm on January 13th, 2012
Vaccines are dangerous. There are to many, a lot, enough and deadly side effects to blame on these.
One have to question, are they worth the risk of getting a disease? I do not think so, and if we may discover (like myself) a way to improve your own defenses, our inmnue system, with natural products, that is the way to go.
I use Transfer Factor inmune supplements. They increase your inmune response up to 437%. No flu shall be permitted, our body is also protected from any other type of virus or bacteria, even degenerative diseases like cancer.
Give them a try. You will be more than surprised, you will be amazed !
You may find them at:
http://albertoflorez.my4life.com
Regards, Alberto
5:06 pm on January 13th, 2012
The use of the expression “herd immunity” was not an editorial faux pas. It is a term used in epidemiology. For infectious diseases, one must both be exposed and susceptible. If more people are no longer susceptible (because of vaccines or natural immune processes), then fewer people will be able to spread the disease to susceptibles. That process is herd immunity. It was first observed in other animal populations, thus the use of herd. I believe that community immunity is a more up-to-date expression for this phenomenon in humans.
Personally, I don’t mind being compared to cows and sheep. I suspect they would have more grounds to resent being compared to people!
5:17 pm on January 13th, 2012
I was ‘pushed’ into a flu shot once by a doc and spent a whole year feeling ”off center” is all I can say. I am 72 and try to keep my immunity high. If something starts up , I quickly take Boiron Oscilxxx, Vits A&C; or a spicy tomato drink and whatever it is subsides within a day (thanks!). No more flu shots! One smart axxed dr. said “you’d rather have the flu?” (This reminded me of how early teenagers often respond even tho she was an M.D.!) Oh…save us from such abuse, please!
5:57 pm on January 13th, 2012
My father is general practicer. is this american or english. whatever. he is good in french and german and challanging in english. so if i send him this article he wont understand. actually. he is so critical. That maybe he will get it. Maybe i find a solution how to give him this knowledge. What about other vaccination is there one good one. it depend on the road isnt it.
7:29 pm on January 13th, 2012
My elderly parents received flu shots every year, despite my protests, and every year got the flu, until my mother came under my care, she never got the flu shot and never had the flu.
7:38 pm on January 13th, 2012
No flu shot for me…in fact when I had my annual physical a couple years ago I had to sign a release when I refused the flu shot!
7:58 pm on January 13th, 2012
Some how the medical profession has convinced people that the flu shot protects against the common cold. It doesn’t as that is an entirely different virus.
It also concerns me that the elderly are putting toxic chemicals into their body with the possibility that the heavy metals present in vaccines may get sequestered in their brains and/or heart increasing their of dementa or heart disease.
8:24 pm on January 13th, 2012
Your article is a good reminder to me that people still take flu shots! I know they do, but just doesn’t even compute as an option for any human being in my brain. It’s amazing to think about how many people let their doctors and main stream media dictate their key health choices. I’ve never had a flu shot (unless my well-meaning mom had me get one before I can remember) and I always talk to people who take them to educate them about eating healthy and using food-based micronutrients to supplement to keep their immunity and vitality at their best.
8:35 pm on January 13th, 2012
I like the way some Drug Stores and Supermarkets will give them out dirt cheap or even for FREE. I’ll bet if you followed the paper trail somebody’s getting rich off of this. I don’t get one and don’t want one.
8:37 pm on January 13th, 2012
I am not a doctor and I am aware the anecdotal information doesn’t hold water in medical journals. But…I say the flu vaccine works (at least for me). I am 67 year old senior with diabetes among many other ailments. I have taken the flu shot since it came out and have never missed it. I have not had the flu for at least 10 years (knock on wood). Also, believe it or not the incidence of common cold has been very low also. Having diabetes reduces one’s ability to fight disease especially the flu. So I believe that my taking the flu shot has prevented me from getting the flu. Maybe if a person is very old say 85-100 years old, it may not work as well because people at this age do not metabolism medicines well. I’m glad, however, we still have the choice as what we put in our bodies.
9:14 pm on January 13th, 2012
considering the information available on vaccines, from respected science and research professionals on all sides of question, they are not about health, they are about population reduction and reducing the will to resist.
9:15 pm on January 13th, 2012
Have never had a flu shot – I’m 64 and do not intend to ever get one. Getting the flu is a lot more natural than getting a flu shot. Also, getting the flu ensures that you will never get that strain of flu again and it helps strengthen your immune system. Getting the flu shot works the opposite.
Kevin, speaking of people in power looking at the masses as less than human, I heard a brain surgeon talking the other day about Obamacare and what is going to take place starting 2013. (He had just left a meeting he was called to in Washington DC) He said if a person 70 years or older comes into the ER with a brain trauma (either a stroke or head injury, etc), they are not allowed to give them medical treatment. They can only give them “comfort care”. Which is what you give a person when they are dying. Anyway, in the law, they refer to people not as patients or individuals or people, they refer to them a “units”. He said his parents were from Germany during the time of WWII, and this is they way the Nazi’s referred to people ….. “units”. Just something to be aware of. We are headed down a rough road. Everyone, especially older people, should begin to educate themselves on how to take care of themselves, and if they want to live, find someone that will care for them and about them.
Great information, Kevin. Thank you for always bringing such good articles and info to us.
10:18 pm on January 13th, 2012
The attached quote is from the Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews which in 2010 examined medical databases through June 2010 for randomized, controlled trials of influenza vaccines:
Over 200 viruses cause influenza and influenza-like illness which produce the same symptoms (fever, headache, aches and pains, cough and runny noses). Without laboratory tests, doctors cannot tell the two illnesses apart. Both last for days and rarely lead to death or serious illness. At best, vaccines might be effective against only influenza A and B, which represent about 10% of all circulating viruses. Each year, the World Health Organization recommends which viral strains should be included in vaccinations for the forthcoming season.
Authors of this review assessed all trials that compared vaccinated people with unvaccinated people. The combined results of these trials showed that under ideal conditions (vaccine completely matching circulating viral configuration) 33 healthy adults need to be vaccinated to avoid one set of influenza symptoms. In average conditions (partially matching vaccine) 100 people need to be vaccinated to avoid one set of influenza symptoms. Vaccine use did not affect the number of people hospitalised or working days lost but caused one case of Guillian-Barré syndrome (a major neurological condition leading to paralysis) for every one million vaccinations. Fifteen of the 36 trials were funded by vaccine companies and four had no funding declaration. Our results may be an optimistic estimate because company-sponsored influenza vaccines trials tend to produce results favorable to their products and some of the evidence comes from trials carried out in ideal viral circulation and matching conditions and because the harms evidence base is limited..
10:23 pm on January 13th, 2012
Here is a link to the website I quoted from earlier:
http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD001269/vaccines-to-prevent-influenza-in-healthy-adults
10:59 pm on January 13th, 2012
I too am not keen to fill my body with chemicals and on the two occasions I agreed to have the flu shot I had really heavy bouts of flu. I have tried the website for the National Institute of Vaccines but unfortunately you have to be a member and therefore can’t access the information. If there is another means of accessing it that would be great.
11:39 pm on January 13th, 2012
Thank goodness I left NYC this fall though I have to say, those in NYC who I’ve seen get vaccinated ARE the HERD. The firm I worked at gave it for free, there are needles pointing at you in the drug store as the ‘convenient’ flu shot booth greets your entrance. My sister is a pediatrician who had twins last January. I was not allowed to hold the babies the first week and the second week through the 2nd month I had to wear a mask. I haven’t had the flu in 5 years. Those distant friends and relatives who were able to coddle my niece and nephew up close, drink diet soda, smoke cigarettes, eat whatever and are far less physically healthy than I am/was…and that right there is HERD mentality if you ask me. Too bad the cost to stock up on herbs for immunity are way more expensive than the flu shot and not covered by the keepers of the herd, insurance companies.
thanks for this post Kevin
S
1:01 am on January 14th, 2012
Amazing food for thought from you all. Thanks Kevin for this post. Again you present a difficult problem with a balanced view.
I have got the flu shot every year since I was in my early 50s. I am 73 now and decided not to get one this year. I started my raw food journey the 1st of July. Since then I have had many wonderful results and feel amazingly well. I don’t know if I am any more immune from “the flu” or not, but I just felt I was better off without it.
I do worry, though, that many people don’t even really know what the flu really is. It is not what many people call the flu. It is deadly. Influenza we have seen historically cause so much fluid build up in the respiratory system that you die from “drowning” in your own fluids (mucous). We have not really seen the kind of pandemic that is feared in years. A couple years ago we saw a bit of it. Yet it was called a pandemic. I don’t know why it hasn’t gone that far when we do get a bad strain, but maybe it’s because so many people are immunized. Yet, I choose to not be immunized this year. Partly because the last time we had that big scare, it turned out the the h1n1 virus was not projected nor included in that year’s shot, as I understand it.
I felt that my general immunity is up and because of so many mistakes made in flu shot manufacturing, I am just going to continue doing what I am learning for my health and I believe it is the best choice for me.
My parents didn’t immunize us when we were kids. I always resented it and got a small pox vaccination when I got married. We lived through the polio epidemic of the late 40s and 50s. When the Salk and Sabin Vaccines came out it was as though we were on a path to never be sick again. We were a hopeful bunch then, but it was wishful thinking. I also remember a time before antibiotics. It was really scarey getting sick. Now we have overdone it.
I just think we can’t get cavalier about any of it. We all just have to take responsibility for our own and our family’s health and work toward a better medical industry that is inclusive of alternative health measures. We all need to work toward a healthy food supply so we all can be our best.
Kevin and Annmarie, I am so glad you have given your time and hearts to fight for GMO labelling and many other health issues. Thanks for this site and this post. I learn so much from you. Waiting for my order of Holy Basil. I am now mostly medicine free at 73. My life has turned around in 6 months. I know it’s just a beginning.
1:26 am on January 14th, 2012
I don’t take any vaccines, as I prefer to rely on my own immune system to do the job. After all, that’s what it was designed for. In ant case, getting the flu is usually just a few days of discomfort.
2:23 am on January 14th, 2012
Comment from former State Registered Dietitian.
Forget flu shots, forget vitamin C and zinc in large doses. The single, most important preventative measure you can do to prevent flu is keep your vitamin D3 levels up. My family and myself all take between 2000 – 5000 IU/day. None of us get flu or colds. The evidence is there to back this up. See the Vitamin D councils website. Of course, we have very healthy diets as well.
5:17 am on January 14th, 2012
At age 76 this is my experience.
I was born the fourth son of a doctor (GP) in the United Kingdom. As far as I know I received several childhood vaccinations that were available in the 1930′s.I remember that we all contracted whooping-cough as children.I recollect that I had ‘flu once as a child and measels.
At age 14 I came across Yoga, and, as a result of that, became interested in vegetarian and natural health ideas a couple of years later. From then on, for both scientific reasons and to avoid unnecessary abuse of animals, which are involved in vaccination production, I have had no further vaccinations at all.
I’ve had ‘flu only once as an adult, at a time of great stress, and always refuse the annual ‘flu vaccination. In fact I haven’t even had a simple cold for the last six years.
This seems to show the benefit of a wholefood vegetarian regime with reasonable exercise and a positive mental attitude. Smiling and laughter, climbing stairs, regular dancing and social interaction all seem to help to make retirement the most enjoyable time of my life. I have never heard an account of anyone’s life, however wealthy or pampered, that compares with my daily feeling of wellbeing and happiness. I have no regular aches and pains and take no regular medication. I was persuaded, twenty years ago, to take aspirin (75mg) but am a little doubtful as to its benefits. It gave me a small ulcer two years ago, which bled, but which I healed, even before the doctor’s prescription was taken!
6:06 am on January 14th, 2012
Can someone help me understand why the non vaccinated people are supposed to be the dangerous ones? Do only non vanccinated people carry the bug and infect others? Sorry for my ignorance but I thought any one can carry and transfer viruses and germs-vaccinated or not. I also have only had the flu vaccination once, no ill effects but thought why do I need this if I take care of myself and behave appropriately if I am feeling unwell or around others not feeling well. I notice that those around me who have the shot in general come down with a fairly good dose of a cold and here I am sneeze and runny nose free! woo hoo!!
7:31 am on January 14th, 2012
No. One of my clients was a teacher in the Syossett, NY school system. She never contracted flu for 35 years even though she never was vaccinated. She was vegan. Now raw. And she went to bed early every night. Another client, just a few years ago, a younger woman of 25 from a very large ethnic family went raw. Everyone in her family would get sick over several years, but not her. My assistant has been raw for nine years; never suffers any flu symptoms. My mom too. I’ve been vegan for 27 years, raw for 13. and I too have not been vaccinated since I was a young kid, and I have not suffered flu symptoms either in at least 15 years. I have literally hundreds of pages of studies I have collected over the years about the dangers and ineffective effects of all vaccines as well. But the main proof for me is in people’s daily life year after year, decade after decade that I have monitored.
7:38 am on January 14th, 2012
I have never gotten the flu shot & never will. I was born in 1957 & was vaccinated as a child, but like someone said above, there were far fewer vaccines back then. I did vaccinate my children because I didn’t know any better 30 years ago. They didn’t have any boosters as they got older & don’t get the flu vaccines, but one of my daughter’s had to have certain vaccines when she entered the medical field. She did refuse the ones they allowed her to. Both of my granddchildren have not been vaccinated. They are 6 & 7 years old, & they are both very healthy without vaccines.
10:00 am on January 14th, 2012
Sanofi Pasteur recent released Fluzone High Dose for people. 65 and older as it was found that they need this higher dose FTP develop the antibodies needed for protection.
Maybe Dr willams can share with you the CDC statistics on the number of unvaccinated children and people that die each year from the flu.
It makes getting the flu vaccine the best opportunity you have to prevent something that could kill you.
4:04 pm on January 14th, 2012
I don’t get flu shots. I take neem, an Ayurvedic her, instead which provides wonderful support for the immune system. I am rarely sick.
5:05 pm on January 14th, 2012
THIS MONTH, IN FACT, JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY NOW, ON THE 20th I WILL BE 85 YEARS YOUNG, AND HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE HAD A FLU SHOT, AND ALSO MAY I SAY THAT I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE FLU(have no idea what it’s like), ALTHO’ I’VE HEARD MANY WHO HAVE TANGLED WITH IT AND IT WASN’T AT ALL A SWEET EXPERIENCE…I MAY ALSO SAY THAT IT’S BEEN SO MANY MOONS AGO THAT I’VE EVEN HAD A COLD, SO I DON’T RECALL HOW THAT WAS EITHER..I’M EXTREMELY HEALTHY AS FOR THE MOST PART OF MY ENTIRE LIFE HAVE EATEN WHOLE FOODS, NOT THIS STUFF THAT IS IN THE AISLES OF GROCERY STORES TODAY, AND THEY CALL IT FOOD!!!! YOU JUST CAN’T BEAT VEGGIES, FRUITS, LEGUMES AND SUCH IN MY OPINION…
AS FOR THE FLU SHOTS, METHINKS IT ALL GOES DOWN WITH THE INFLUENCE OF MAKING MONEY…WE ARE NOT HERDS, WE ARE GOD-CREATED HUMAN BEINGS, AND IT’S US TO US AS TO WHAT GOES INTO OUR BODIES…SEEEMS LIKE WE ARE BEING INUNDATED WITH THIS BUSINESS OF SHOTS, WHETHER IT BE FLU SHOTS; ANTIBOTICS, ETC…EAT HEALTHY, WHICH FOR ME IS EATING AS CLOSE TO WHAT GOD HAS MADE AS POSSIBLE, FOR WHEN MAN GETS AHOLD OF IT, MOST TIMES HE’S RUINING IT, MAKING IT INTO SOMETHING THAT IT SHOULDN’T BE…CHECK OUT ALL THE GMO FOODS, IRRADIATED FOODS, ALL YOU WILL NOT FIND OF COURSE, AS FOR US HUMANS, THE LAB PEOPLE ARE STILL BUSY WORKING ON CHANGING ‘REAL FOOD’ INTO SOME SORT OF SYNTHETIC STUFF, WHICH I CALL JUNK!!!!! SOME MAY DISAGREE WITH ME, AND THAT IS OF COURSE YOUR RIGHT TO DO SO……
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND THOSE YOU LOVE…..
8:28 pm on January 14th, 2012
I love the quote from the person who asks why non-vaccinated people are more contagious. I too wonder this. Maybe scientific data. Anyone have it?
6:43 am on January 15th, 2012
Years ago, I had a flu shot. I was sick for a few weeks because of that! At the time, I thought I’d never have another one! Now that I’m more informed, my determination is still there! BTW, I would not allow my children to be immunized!
8:43 am on January 15th, 2012
“If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” is my attitude. I would rather put my effort towards maximizing my immune system to protect me from whatever comes my way, than inject toxins to supposedly protect me from 3 strains of influenza. I work as a nurse in a state-run, inpatient substance abuse rehab facility. Every year they push the employees and patients to get flu shots. They make employees explain (in writing, which goes into our personnel file) why they are declining the flu shot. I say “I don’t take vaccines and I don’t get sick.” If they ever make it mandatory I will say I am allergic to eggs and hope my coworkers do not reveal that I often eat hardboiled eggs for lunch(LOL). For patients there is no informed consent, just propaganda. The consent form says “DON’T LET THE FLU GET YOU! GET YOUR FLU SHOT TODAY!” Sounds more like a piece of drugstore propaganda than informed consent. I give people the information that the “authorities” hide and ask them questions to make them think. I notice this year that a high percentage of our patients are declining the flu shot, even with the propaganda and lack of informed consent. Perhaps people are beginning to get wise.
8:52 am on January 15th, 2012
I do not get the shot. I work in a retirement home, everyone got the flu shot except me and I was the only one who did not get the flu, I was taking care of all of them, I protect myself with adult stem cell nutrition http://jdimlm.com/miracles, vitamins. God bless
9:10 am on January 15th, 2012
It is interesting that it is only when I have taken an emotional knock from life and am feeling “out of myself” that I get sick, be it colds, gastro, headaches, or flu. I have noticed that this goes for my friends and family too. When I, as my own individual self whom NOBODY can control, am centred and in balance, my immunity is strong. Immunity is clearly related to true inner individual identity. When immunity is introduced in a fake way by a vaccine, then it is not one’s own, and one is therefore not in control, but rather one is being led by an external force. This I find truly disturbing. The more individuals who are led off their own unique track by being coerced by those whom they trust to relinquish their own immunity, the faster those whose motives are personal gain and not true caring can make headway in this world. I have never opted for a flu vaccine, and very rarely get flu. When I do – once every four or five years – I welcome it because I know it is a chance to become stronger. I always feel cleansed and fresh – better than before the flu – once the symptoms are gone and the fever has burnt all the cobwebs out.
11:09 am on January 15th, 2012
I’m a little surprised Dr. Williams list of concerns dont include the extreme toxic nature of flu vaccines. Toxins are much more of a concern than effectiveness. Almost all flu vaccines have thimerisol(mercury), formaldehyde (highly carcinogenic), and aluminum (causes brain damage and is cumulative), and other toxins. I dont really care if the vaccine is effective or not, I am not going to inject these toxic poisons into my system on a regular basis. And in fact there are ZERO good, valid studies showing ANY vaccine is safe and effective. For example there has never been a single double blind placebo study performed on any vaccine. And the placebo studies are all rigged in that the placebo is actually a toxin, often containing aluminum.
What is really tragic is that the CDC recommends all people, including pregnant mothers, over the age of 6 months to have an annual flu vaccine. Flu vaccines truly have much more to do with making money for pharmaceutical companies than human health. Billions of dollars are made by these companies at the huge expense of poisoning the population. The same thing is true with drugs, other vaccines, and fluoride.
What truly would reduce the incidence of influenza would be to have massive campaigns for everyone to become sufficient in vitamin D and to encourage people to stop eating so much sugar. Vitamin D is much more effective than a flu vaccine and is non toxic (unless too much is taken). But then big pharma cant get rich off of natural vitamin D3, so they do everything they can to suppress information about vitamin D. After all, they cant have people get healthy and stay in business, the sicker people are the richer they become.
12:19 am on January 17th, 2012
Super GREAT comments regarding those flu shots.
The so called “herd” er, people… are conditioned by the system to follow the piper.
But true to themselves, many break out of that mentality and take health into their own hands.
Yes, we must have a powerful immune system (be healthy) to not attract things that our body does not require. Cleanse our body of accumulated toxins and nourish our body with wholesome live foods that was given to us for nourishment. Since most off-the-shelf food is devitalized we should supplement with whole live foods.
Enzymes, electrolytes, powerful probiotics, wholesome raw foods is the requirement for good health.
More at… ProvenHealthSolutionsdotnet.
Louis Hoolae HR ACS LeadingEdgeHealth@shaw.ca
6:42 am on January 17th, 2012
From the comments one could conclude that those who vaccinate don’t live any shorter or have a poorer quality of life than those that don’t vaccinate. Everyone in my extended family vaccinates. Some get the flu, others don’t. I do not vaccinate and haven’t had the flu in 15 years. The oldest “healthy” living person, George Eberhardt 107 years old, vaccinates as probably do many other centenarians. Maybe we should look to them for advice?
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45046490/ns/today-today_health/t/x-prize-contest-seeks-secrets-dna-very-old/#.Twg8QErEPFE