Flu Shot or Not?
Flu Shot or Not?
I have never had a flu shot. Kind of always figured they were for the already vulnerable and elderly. I have also never given it to my kids and, well, they tend to get the flu every year and are miserable and get over it and move on just like I did when I was a kid.
But I have to admit I am starting to cave under the pressure of the media and all these weird and scary viruses emerging: swine, bird, brown bag…oh wait that one’s different. Anyway I went out in search of some good info on the subject and here is what I found:
On the CDC website, it talks immediately about the fact that the SEASONAL shot is different from the H1N1 (swine flu) shot and you can choose to get both this year! There is definitely more controversy around the H1N1 shot. Call me paranoid but I don’t really want to be the first to try out that vaccine.
After reading about the seasonal shot, I am still not convinced I need it. The CDC seems to communicate that it is really needed for people at “high risk of having serious seasonal flu related complications” so basically those with already compromised immune systems and every one else it’s sort of your choice, but a good idea. Flu does kill over 36,000 people each year, most over 65 though. What struck me as interesting are the possible side effects of the flu shot and flu mist:
• runny nose
• wheezing
• headache
• vomiting
• muscle aches
• fever
• cough
Um, isn’t that the flu?
According to the CDC when the flu shot is a “match” to the prominent circulating flu virus of the year, it is 70-90% effective in preventing the flu in most people. That sounds great! Of course it kind of begs the question how often is it a match, more often then not? I couldn’t find the answer. They are very adamant that NOONE can get the flu from the flu shot. If you do get sick it is because you were exposed to the virus shortly before the shot or during the 2 week period it takes for the vaccine to kick in.
This article from the Washington Post seemed quite pro shot and gave some good but maybe a bit sensational statistics. All in all I don’t walk away more convinced to get the shot. I am obviously a natural girl and like to allow nature to take its course. I can feel when I am getting run down and know that sleep, vitamins, lots of water and healthy food usually keep illness at bay for me (eating more raw food has absolutely kept me healthier). I fully realize that in a couple of weeks I may be laying in bed regretting these words but so far I am not a believer in the flu shot.
Let me know your thoughts though. Help me understand the other point of view. I am interested in hearing from my friends on this.
Add a Comment
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Comment by Angus on November 13, 2009 at 11:46pm -
"Um, isn’t that the flu?"
Exactly. And only some are lucky enough to get those SYMPTOMS after a vaccine shot.
The flu is a reaction from the body to eliminate pathogens/toxins/poison.
The FLU IS YOU. unless you don't have it. then you aren't the flu. you are you.
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Comment by Lockheart on November 13, 2009 at 10:40pm - The flu shot is fine... don't let a bunch of "health freaks" stop you from doing what you feel is right. Nobody has died from the H1N1 Vaccine but close to 4000 have died from H1N1.... Those figures are quiet different!
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Comment by Madhava on November 13, 2009 at 9:47pm
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Comment by Barron on November 13, 2009 at 7:56pm -
Hiya
Please do some reading here Veronica.... www.theflucase.com and www.fluscam.com
Blessings and good health.
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Comment by Marte on November 13, 2009 at 4:55pm - http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,637119,00.html
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Comment by foxy man on November 13, 2009 at 4:09pm - of course NOT......................................eat your fruits & veggies and there is no need for any shot up your arm..............................
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Comment by Raw Mama Bear on November 13, 2009 at 3:42pm - Oh don't let them scare you!! I am SO sick of the scare tactics and unreasonable, unprovable things the CDC and doctors will tell you just to push their products on you. I had to hear it about the Gardisil vaccine and everything else that's been either causing serious problems and already been snatched off the market. I'm almost 7 months pregnant and I WILL NOT get a flu shot or a swine flu shot. Death threats do not intimidate me. I have never had the flu in my life, doubt I'll start now...
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Comment by Vampirella on November 13, 2009 at 2:15pm - why are you listening to the CDC?
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Comment by LOVEBUG on November 13, 2009 at 2:11pm -
i hear you on this topic. i am not concerned for myself but often wonder if i were in someone else's shoes, what i would do.
if you are an overall healthy person, as far as i know rest, eating right, juicing and supplementing vitamin D during flu season should steer you clear of any nasty sicknesses. luckily, i started seeing a naturopath at the end of the summer and she has me on vit D and other vitamins. she also offers a natural "flu shot" which basically boosts your immune system even more.
so, its safe to assume that i will not be getting any kind of vaccine. i am confident in the way that i eat and the supplements i take. also confident in my instinct. not many people understand that they can "listen" to their body. you know when its working overtime...that is the time to take it easy, rest up & let ur body do what it's designed to do!
however!...my sister & sister in law are pregnant right now. i feel so so so awful for them and all the fear going around about the swine flu and even the regular flu. their doctors have basically flat out told them "if you get the flu OR the swine flu, you and your baby will die." Is this really true? i'm not sure. i think it depends on a lot of personal conditions. my sister & sister in law are healthy, but according to their own standards. my sister did get the seasonal flu shot and wanted the h1n1 shot but her doctor ran out. which i find odd bc pregnant women and younger children are apparently dying from this which should put gynos and pediatricians on the top of the list for this vaccine. anyways...she ended up receiving the shot from a friend of the family who is a pediatrician. this woman said she gets 20-30 cases of swine flu in her office A DAY. and as fearful as i was about her getting the shot, i'm almost relieved that she has one less thing (hopefully) to worry about now. (as if pregnancy alone isn't stressful enough!)
basically in my opinion, i think it sucks that the majority of the world doesn't know what their options are. you CAN take your health in to your own hands. and if you start today, you will not have to worry about being put in to the "high risk" categories for stuff like this. i am forever thankful for all the help from my naturopath and forever and ever and ever thankful for ever finding the power of raw foods. i wish i could send all my knowledge in my tiny little brain over to my pregnant sister...over to my aging father with high blood pressure...over to my sister who suffers year after year with strep throat and yeast infections...over to my mother who has a heart condition...over to my best friend who has chronic migranes....over to everyone. it tears me apart inside that this simple, healthy and useful information isn't more available to every living human being.
whew...that is all! :) take care veronica...i wish you a happy, healthy & flu-free season!
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Comment by Rawzilla on November 13, 2009 at 1:54pm -
Oh, and that number of 36,000 has been called into question. It used to be a little over 200 per year, according to the CDC's own data, but they kept saying 36,000. So when they were questioned about it (including by the journal BMJ), they kind of reconfigured things, so you can only see deaths related to pneumonia and flu.
Not only that, but they are calling the swine flu a pandemic, claiming 1,000 people a month are getting it (also, that was a lie, busted by CBS News). Even that phony number only adds up to 12,000 per year, a third of the regular seasonal flu numbers they are touting.
I highly recommend these sources:
http://vimeo.com/7298827
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxTHz4WK8gc&feature=PlayList&p=D763EC330F4A67FC&index=0&playnext=1
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