Is it time for everyone to get the annual influenza vaccine? Don’t flu vaccines save lives? I will let you answer these questions after reading this article.
It is hard to escape the recommendations for all of us to get a flu vaccine. Starting at age six months, every citizen is urged to get a flu vaccine.
The CDC states, “Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Over a period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. During recent flu seasons, between 80% and 90% of flu related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older. For more than 50 years, hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received seasonal flu vaccines.”[i]
Let’s look at the statement from the CDC a little closer.
“Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death.” Yes, influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. Well, driving your car can sometimes lead to hospitalization and death. Does the flu vaccine prevent hospitalization and death from the flu? There is not a single good study that shows that the flu vaccine prevents hospitalization and death from the flu.
“Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.” This statement is true. Does getting the flu shot lower the risk of healthy people getting sick form the flu? When the influenza vaccine is a good match for the circulating strain of influenza, the best of the randomized controlled trials of influenza vaccines have shown that vaccinating between 33 and 100 people resulted in one less case of influenza.[ii] In other words, the best of the flu vaccine studies found that, in healthy people, the flu vaccine fails 97-99% of those that are vaccinated.[iii] In the elderly the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is much worse.
“Over a period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.” I don’t even know where to start here. (Estimate? I estimate that…the world is flat.) The Powers-That-Be scare us with these flu-related death numbers. The problem is that these numbers are fictitious. They simply don’t exist. According to the CDC, the number of deaths due to influenza range from a few hundred per year to 3,697 in 2013 (the last year data is available).[iv] The CDC uses scaremongering tactics by stating that, in 2013, 56,979 died from influenza and pneumonia making it one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. However, they don’t tell you (unless you spend your precious time searching through their charts) that 53,282 of those deaths were from pneumonia. Furthermore, they forget to inform you that the flu vaccine has never been shown to prevent pneumonia or complications from pneumonia.
“During recent flu seasons, between 80% and 90% of flu related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older.” That is a correct statement. The flu vaccine was initially designed to prevent the flu in the most vulnerable population—the elderly. Unfortunately, there is not a single good study that shows the flu vaccine prevents the elderly from getting the flu nor does it prevent the elderly from getting complications from the flu. In fact, in the U.S., the mortality from influenza markedly declined before the mass-vaccination campaigns were instituted in the 1960’s and 1970’s.[v]
“For more than 50 years, hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received seasonal flu vaccines.” This statement is somewhat true as most people do not have obvious adverse effects to the flu vaccine. However, to make a statement that sounds as if there is never an adverse effect from a flu vaccine is false. The flu vaccine has, in fact, been associated with many serious adverse effects including narcolepsy and Guillen-Barre syndrome. I have seen patients have their lives turned upside down after getting a flu shot. Many of the flu shots contain mercury. There is no justification for ever injecting or putting mercury into any living being’s body.
Final Thoughts
Flu vaccines fail nearly all who get them. It is a ludicrous argument to mandate flu vaccines for health care workers and others. The Big Pharma Cartel wants all 350 million of us to get vaccinated yearly in order to prevent the flu. That might be reasonable if the flu vaccine is beneficial to most who receive it. It is not.
In the future, the flu vaccine will be looked upon as another poor medical recommendation. Unfortunately, the list of poor medical recommendations seems to be growing.
Flu vaccine for all? I think not.
To learn about natural alternatives to build a strong immune system during flu season, check out Dr Brownstein’s Immune Support Package.
[i] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed 11.8.15
[ii] Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2010(7):CD001269
[iii] Since 1/33 is 3%% and 1/100 is 1%. Therefore, 97-99% receive no benefit.
[iv] http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_02.pdf. Accessed 11.8.15
[v] Am. J. Pub. Health. 2008.98:938-45
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Le Dr. Brownstein!
Love it!
DrB
The Fluzone High Dose Vaccine 0.5 ml shot contains up to 100 micrograms of formaldehyde, an industrial chemical which is a known carcinogen. Most people recognize formaldehyde as embalming fluid. The formaldehyde is used to inactivate or attenuate the live viruses. Injecting up to 100 micrograms of formaldehyde into the body delivers up to 2 X 10^18 or 2 million trillion molecules of a carcinogen! No one in their right mind should be injecting any formaldehyde, mercury, or aluminum chemicals into the body, no matter how small the dose.
Can someone tell me if I have the right to decline the flu shot if I work in the hospital? Is there any law or clause that would justify me not getting the mandatory flu shot. I do have a slight allergy to egg whites according to my doctor. But I just do not believe flu shots work. Witnessed too many people during 2014-2015 flu season get the vaccine and still get the flu. Also I object due to the trace amounts of mercury and other toxic chemicals that might be in it to help preserve the vaccine. I get plenty of toxic chemicals unfortunately in the food I eat so I don’t need to add anymore, especially a totally unnecessary vaccine.
HJ,
The hospitals can set their own policies–you may decline, but you may lose your job over doing that.
DrB
I am a health care professional in practice for 30 years. I have never had a flu shot in my life. I am well over 70 and given the toxins to the human system known and unknown in the flu vaccine I do not intend to get one. Let me add, to my knowledge I have never had the flu!
I totally agree about the flu vaccine, but have a question about the shingles vaccine. I’ve never had one, but was in a “discussion” with a family member who swears by them. According to her, the statistical data shows these vaccines to be100% effective. I really don’t believe that and would appreciate your input. Thank you!!
Kathie,
The shingles vaccine fails nearly 99% who receive it. Read my blog post here: http://blog.drbrownstein.com/should-you-get-a-shingles-vaccine/
Your family member is mistaken.
DrB
Used to get a flu shot every year and every year I had the flu within 72 hours. Then I stopped getting the shots about 20 years ago and haven’t had the flu since. Lest you think I was never exposed, be advised that for 28 years I have been a 911 ambulance paramedic.
Working as a nurse in a hospital I was required to get a flu shot. Within 30 minutes after receiving the shot I experienced loss of balance, body-wide burning, weaknes and pain and had to go to bed. As it turned out I had a 3 month illness and never felt like I was back to normal with lingering neurological effect.My doctor said to never get another one. I can no longer work as a nurse as my memory and balance are effected. Thanks for getting the word out Dr. Brownstein!
Dr. Brownstein. What can I say but thank you for your care, friendship and truths on this subject. You are so credible to me After following your newsletters and blog articles all these years. Im very cynical of most Drs today, and my favorite doc locally just retired. Thank you again.
So far this year three of my mom’s friends who received a flu shot got very sick within five days of receiving it (bedridden and out of work). Yet still they won’t see the connection or admit that perhaps at the very least the flu shot may have weakened their immune system to the point that they were vulnerable to other germs. The other puzzling tactic is to force an employee who won’t get a flu shot to wear a mask. Last year the masks had to be worn only when interacting with patients. This year the masks need to be worn the minute an employee enters the building until they leave at the end of their shift. No exceptions or they get written up: So if flu shots works why are all of these immunized people so worried about the few who want to abstain?? Duh!
I think this is possibly the best article on this subject matter to date, Dr. B!
Taking the CDC’s own statement and analyzing it line by line is an excellent example of critical thinking and the right use of mental forces! Now is only every American could do the same kind of thinking, wow, what a concept! The power of reasoning plus access to the right data can make a difference. Thank you for sharing both these “gifts” with us!
As a 911 .paramedic, I took a flu shot every year at my employers request and within 48 to 72 hours, I had the flu every year. Then i stopped the shots about 20 years ago and haven’t had the flu since.
My son who works at a hospital is always being told that the flu vaccine prevents complications that lead to getting pneumonia. He is now in medical school as well. He believes everything they tell him. How can I convince him otherwise? I really can’t even have a conversation with him about vaccines because he thinks they save lives. He was even required to get a chicken pox vaccine when he started working at the hospital a few years ago, even though he had the disease when he was 11 years old. They told him that he had no proof of that.
I would always urge my husband not to get the flu shot, but he would always get one and tell me after he got it. His last and final flu shot was 4 years ago, within several weeks he developed a case of Gullian Barre. The case was mild, meaning he didn’t develop paralysis and an inability to breath in a day but that being said it was still disruptive and took many months to get a diagnosis and then many more months to have the insurance approve the very expensive treatment. I think the treatment cost something like $12,000 and he needed 2 rounds of it. 4 years later he is still managing his symptoms with diet and supplements.
I haven’t had a flu shot in 15 years and haven’t had the flu. My children 16 and 18 have never had the shot and have never had the flu. If we were to get the flu we would address it with healthy food, vitamins to support the immune system, natural antibiotics to fight the virus and homeopathy. No shots for us!
Hi Doc,
You were on my radio show in Tampa. I’ve done 922 now.
I enjoy reading and passing on to students your fresh and healthful perspectives!
Could you please list engredients in the flu vaccine. Are there other reasons for not taking it???
I have been very lucky to realize that the flu jabs are harmful to the body. I have never had one thank God.
Dr. Morton Walker wrote a terrific little book available on Amazon for about $4.00 including shipping called Olive Leaf Extract. He loves it for shingles and other illnesses.
I agree with you on the flu vaccine. However, what is your opinion of the shingles vaccine? I am a healthy 74 year old, but at this age, shingles is a concern.
Thanks for any answer you can provide.
My mom received a flu shot and within several days, numbness/tingling began in her left arm (where she had received the shot) and progressed downward through her body. Her legs became paralyzed. Her symptoms continued and worsened for almost 10 years. Doctors said it was not Guillaume-Barre, neither was it a definitive case of MS, though it did behave somewhat like relapsing-remitting MS. The diagnosis of “transverse myelitis” got thrown into the mix as well. No one could prove or disprove that the flu shot was the triggering incident. No doctor offered her any real help or hope. At her death, she was blind and totally paralyzed. Her suffering was immense and multi-faceted as the disease progressed.
As her faithful physical therapist said, “I’d rather have the flu than the flu shot.” What happened to my mom might have been bad luck – one of the few people who have tragic reactions to a vaccination – but knowing that I might have inherited some tendency to react to the shot, I will NEVER have one.
A few years ago, a friend’s daughter who is a nurse had a similar (but milder) reaction to the flu vaccine. When she went to physical therapy for the first time, she was surprised to learn that she was not the only patient there who suffered paralysis/weakness after their flu shot.
2000mg of fish oil daily stopped my colds/flu for more than 20 years. Fish oil helps the immune system. Vit C, zinc, Mg, Vit D3 5000IU and more may help the immune system. Garlic/oil of oregano/mushrooms may help the immune system. Low sunlight triggers the start of flu season. Low sunlight may cause Celiac also which can lower the immune system. No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO or hidden gluten may help the immune system.
Flu shots…I knew people who got the flu after the flu shot. To me the young/old who have a weak immune system should not get the flu shot. Mercury in the flu shot may block thyroid/chemical reactions. The flu shot may not help and may hurt. My friend said the flu shot help her not get colds. I said the flu and colds are different virsues. Creating a shortage of the flu vaccine made some people want it more..didn’t want to be left out. They may see ads on TV for the flu or shingles shot and get fearful and want to take it.
My daughter works for a small library. The only employee, there, that has gotten the flu vaccine this season was out of work for two days right after getting the shot because she became very sick. I am 50 years old and have never received the flu vaccine. I do not intend to every receive it, even when I am 65. I will take responsibility for my health, rather than vaccines out of fear of getting sick. I’ve had the mumps; I have the chicken pox. I am absolutely not afraid of getting shingles. They say we are fear mongering where vaccines are concerned. I say there is much fearing mongering about getting sick.
My bil is a biochemist with the CDC in Atlanta, and he won’t have a flu shot. What does that tell you?
Judy,
At least he is thinking!!!
DrB
Dear Doctor,
We would LOVE to translate and publish Your iodine book here in Hungary. Whom should we contact about this ‘sacred’ matter? The publisher wrote You through Your website about six weeks ago but they didn’t receive a reply so far.
God bless You,
Laszlo
Hello. I am glad to post. I have never had a flu shot & have never been comfortable at getting one. My dad had one & got the flew after getting it. It got a good case of the flu. He never got another one! So thankful for your article to never get one.
The Chemical Hacks will continue to find ways to make their $Billions even if most of us die from them !!!
My grandmother dutifully received her swine flu shot in 1976 when she was in her 80’s. She developed Guillen-Barre syndrome causing paralysis. It was so severe that she had to have her eyelids taped shut because she could not blink. While hospitalized she developed double pnuemonia and had two cardiac arrests. But Grandma was a fighter. She recovered, and to the amazement of her physician, she was able to walk into his office (with the assistance if a walker) almost a year later. She described her experience as the most excruciating pain imaginable. She was the oldest person to survive Guillen Barre and was actually written up in a medical journal. She also successfully sued the Federal government for their part in promoting the vaccine that had not been properly tested. (She lived to 101 years)
When my father-in-law became a resident in an assisted living community he was required to get a flu shot. He suffered from dementia, but his health was ok. He got sick shortly after getting his shot and was hospitalized, developed pnuemonia and died a few days later.
I will never, ever get a flu shot. I will take my chances with the flu.
Now my daughter is a nurse and is required to get a flu shot as a condition for her employment. Does she have any rights to refuse getting these toxic injections?
Janet,
Thanks for the stories. As for your daughter, the hospitals can set their own policies. Only when enough people refuse being injected with a vaccine that fails nearly 99% who get it will things change.
DrB
I forgot to get a flu shot one year. This was about six years ago. I did not get sick during flu season. I cannot even the last time I had even a cold. I eat healthy(clean), exercise, take diet supplements and tinctures. Flu shot? Not me…ever
Thank you again for putting the word out. A worthless vaccine that creates way more harm than good. Also I want to mention last I checked the estimated vaccine revenue for 2016 is $52 billion. Once again profit rules much of our so called ‘stay healthy’ recommendations in mainstream medicine.
Great job at educating the public, Dr. Brownstein!
Prior to 23 years ago, we used to get the ‘usual’ rounds of rhino-viruses and flu-stuff, but then we adopted a practice (from Edgar Cayce’s holistic reading…
Using an eye-dropper full of 1% baking soda solution in purified water, to rinse along the interior of your nasal passages into your throat every night before sleep, we have not had a single ‘cold’ or ‘flu’ for those 23 years…
The theory, as I have pieced together from other sources, is that the virus reproduces much slower in a mildly alkaline nasal/throat tissue surface so that if you don’t weaken your immune system with sleep-less nights and junkfood playtime and such then your immune system easily routs the attackers and adds to your immune system’s resources
Your guess is next…. thoroughly inexpensive, easy, instant, safe and reliable….. or flu-shot? rotfl…. not on your bl#$% life
I get a flu shot every year. I haven’t had the flu since I was pregnant with my son, 22 years ago (I was 38). I just received my vaccine last week and had my first ever reaction. Sore arm, aches, fatigue, felt like I was hit by a truck. I a finally feeling better, after 4 days. I hope I don’t get the flu this year, I may not the vaccine in the future. We’ll see.
Haven’t had a flu shot in over 10 years. Rarely am sick and despite all family members getting sick a couple of years ago with the flu I did not get it. Two of those were my grandkids, which I keep during the week days. I think the supplements I take, including Vitamin D3, do a better job of keeping me well. No thank you to the flu shot!
It has been about 10 years since I had any vaccine. Not sure the last one was for flu or pneumonia.
Rarely get colds or flu symptoms. No vaccine(s) for me.