Should You Get The Flue Shot

Should you get the Flu Shot?

Another influenza season is beginning, and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will strongly urge Americans to get a flu shot, often in combination with the COVID vaccine.  In fact, the CDC mounts a well-orchestrated campaign each season to generate interest and demand for flu shots. But do you need the flu shot?

I haven’t had a flu shot in twenty-five years.  That was about the time I graduated from school and learned how to support my immune system so I choose to do that instead.  Have I had the flu?  Yes, maybe 5-6 times that I can remember.  I did get COVID, but only a mild case that lasted about four days.

Three Reasons to Reconsider Flu Shots

1. The majority of flu sots contain 25 micrograms of mercury; an amount considered unsafe for anyone weighing less than 550 pounds! And which groups are most sensitive to the neurological damage that has been associated with mercury? Infants, children, and the elderly.
2. No studies have conclusively proven that flu shots prevent flu-related deaths among the elderly, yet this is one of the key groups to which they’re pushed.
3. If you get a flu shot, you can still get the flu (or flu-like symptoms). This is because it only protects against certain strains, and it’s anyone’s guess which flu viruses will be in your area.

Be aware that in the decade between 2005 and 2015, the influenza vaccine was less than 50% effective more than half of the time. The 2017/2018 flu vaccine was another example of this less-than-impressive trend. The overall adjusted vaccine effectiveness against influenza A and B virus infection was just 36%.

This is a quote from the CDC, “When flu vaccines are not well matched to one or more circulating influenza viruses, it is possible that vaccination may provide little or no protection from illness caused by those viruses.”  Do you realize that the flu vaccine is formulated almost one year in advance?  The pharmaceutical companies look at the flu viruses circulating in the Southern Hemisphere during their “winter season” to determine how to make the vaccine for our Northern Hemisphere.  How much can change from year to year?  I would say quite a bit!

In addition to mercury, flu vaccines also contain other toxic or hazardous ingredients like:

• Formaldehyde — a known cancer-causing agent
• Aluminum — a neurotoxin that has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease
• Triton X-100 — a detergent
• Phenol (carbolic acid)
• Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
• Various antibiotics: neomycin, streptomycin, gentamicin – which can cause allergic reactions in some people

What to do Instead?

Fortunately, other methods exist to help you stay healthy during the flu season and all year, and they’re far safer than annual flu vaccination. Vitamin D testing and optimization have been shown to cut your risk of respiratory infections, including colds and flu, in half if you are vitamin D deficient, for instance. So, first thing you want to do is get your vitamin D tested.  You want to be between 50-80 ng/ml for optimization of your immune system.

Good ole vitamin C is a foundational supplement to have on hand.  We are one of the only mammals who do not make our own vitamin C.  When studies are done on mammals that are put under stress, they start producing their own vitamin C.  When we are stressed or starting to feel like we are coming down with “something”, we need to start taking some vitamin C!  Vitamin C normally has a half life of 30 minutes, but when we are stressed or fighting a virus, your body will pick up 1,000mg easily and put it to work. 

Zinc is another tool to have in your arsenal of immune boosters.

Zinc helps the immune system fight off bacteria and viruses. It also helps regulate the acquired immune system through T-lymphocyte activation and B-lymphocyte function. You may have zinc in your multi-vitamin, however, when you are starting to fight a virus you want to add in extra, around 60mg, until you are back to normal.

Olive Leaf Extract is another power house.  It’s easily available at most health food stores and a good item to have in your “medicinal herbal and supplement” cabinet. Active against all viruses tested, including numerous strains of influenza and para-influenza viruses.

Diet

• Avoid sugar
• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet, such as a Mediterranean diet
• Eat garlic all the time!
• Exercise – if you are stressed out, make it moderate exercise
• Sleep is super important!
• Lower your stress

There are other herbs and supplements that can be great immune boosters and you may have your favorites.  The bottom line?  If your body is given the tools it is well able to fight the flu!

In health,

Chris Mckee

Certified Nutritionist at Achieve Integrative Health

DISCLAIMER:

Please note that neither Chris or Jimmy are physicians, so legally we can not make any recommendations for you in regards to vaccinations, medications, or surgery.  The above article is for informational purpose only it is not our recommendation for you.  It is what we personally do and what we advise our family members to do.  Again legally, we are required to tell you to consult with your physicians when making a decision about any medical treatments.