(Note: I was interviewed for this article which was posted to Newsmax.com.)
It’s fall, and health officials are beginning their yearly push to convince Americans to get the latest version of the flu shot.
Last year’s vaccine was a tremendous dud — a new strain of H3N2 influenza emerged after the vaccine was formulated, and the shot was a poor match. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) admitted it did little to protect against flu.
This year’s vaccine has been designed to protect against the new H3N2 strain, and the CDC hopes it will be a good match for this year’s virus, although the agency admitted in a recent advisory that it’s impossible to predict the upcoming flu season.
Should you get the new vaccine? The CDC says “yes,” and CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., got his yearly shot during a news conference meant to convince others to follow suit.
Not so fast, says holistic family physician David Brownstein, M.D. “In the past, the flu vaccine hasn’t worked for most of us, and there’s no indication that it will this year,” he tells Newsmax Health.
“The flu vaccine has been around for over 30 years, and there is not one single study showing that any flu vaccine has helped prevent the flu in the majority who receive it,” says Dr. Brownstein, author of the newsletter Dr. Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health.
“Nor has it been shown to prevent flu complications, such as pneumonia, hospitalizations and death, in well over 90 percent who receive it. As usual, they are taking their best guess as to which strain of flu will be predominant, but they have no way of being sure,” he says.
Even when the flu vaccine matches the circulating strains of influenza, the shot performs poorly, and does not offer 100 percent protection, Dr. Brownstein argues.
“Whether they are right or wrong, the cases of flu are about the same whether the vaccine is a good match or not because flu shots don’t work,” he says. “A review of 50 studies that included more than 70,000 adults found that 100 people needed to be vaccinated to avoid one case of flu. That means the vaccine failed 99 percent who took it — they received no benefit at preventing the flu.”
Although seniors are especially urged to get the flu shot, some experts say they don’t protect older people, and the government knows it.
Investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson says the government has ignored numerous studies showing the vaccine was ineffective in the elderly, and a 10-year-old study was ignored because the results weren’t what were expected.
“It found that after decades and billions of dollars spent promoting flu shots for the elderly, the mass vaccination program did not result in saving lives,” Attkisson wrote. “In fact, the death rate among the elderly increased substantially.”
Dr. Brownstein agrees.
“There are no good studies showing that the flu vaccine is effective for seniors,” he says. “When you take apart and break down a recent study that the government uses to promote the flu vaccine to senior citizens, you’ll find that 217 elderly people had to take the high-dose flu vaccine to prevent a single case of flu — that’s a 99 percent failure.
“In addition, every single person was exposed to possible adverse effects. It’s vital to always bear in mind that the flu vaccine can cause side effects, including Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), and has been linked with narcolepsy in children and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.”
He also points to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity which found that flu shots aren’t effective in obese people.
Johns Hopkins scientist Peter Doshi, says that although the vaccines are being pushed on the public in record numbers, they are less effective and cause more side effects than admitted by the CDC.
Dr. Brownstein also notes some formulation of the flu shot contain trace elements of mercury and formaldehyde. Although CDC and other health authorities say these preservatives are at levels so low they pose no harm, Dr. Brownstein disagrees.
“There is simply no justification for injecting any living being with mercury or formaldehyde, especially pregnant women,” he says. “I guess I could encourage people to get vaccinated if the flu vaccine actually worked and did not contain toxic additives, such as mercury and formaldehyde. But it doesn’t work, and it does contains toxins, so I advise people to avoid it.
“There’s no real reason to believe that this year’s vaccine is going to be any better than in the past.”
© 2015 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved
To learn about natural alternatives to build a strong immune system during flu season, check out Dr Brownstein’s Immune Support Package.
Read actual flu vaccine damages from ONE lawyer.
http://www.mctlawyers.com/vaccine-injury/cases/
Dr. B
Although my daughter’s MD refuses to admit that the flu shot killed her unborn child (@ 2months and 6 days), the ultrasound taken at ~ 3 months showed the fetus was dead and had stopped growing at 2 months 6 days. That turned out to be the exact day she had the flu shot sprung on her. She, since that time has learned of many other young mothers-to-be who had the same tragic experience. The refusal of those in power to re-evaluate this practice is shocking. It is almost unbelievable to me how so many people can be bought.
Overwhelming evidence abounds that flu shots are not only ineffective, they are dangerous. It makes me sick to think of all these babies and young children being injected with this toxic formula, while the parents have no say. Talk about a dictatorship. What is all this talk about a free country that we live in…….it is getting less and less so, with the few controlling the many for profit. All this talk about evidence based medicine, yet those in power refuse to accept the evidence and then seek to destroy all those who clearly show the evidence. I think of those who vilify Dr. Andrew Wakefield and others, who spoke out because they clearly saw the “evidence” in their patients as the result of some of the vaccines and flu shots. I believe they will eventually be vindicated for their honesty and courage to go against the status quo.
That spirit of revenge from those who haven’t done their own research and/or are on the “payroll” clearly shows the error of their own position. If they have to condemn and seek to destroy others instead of refuting the arguments with facts, it clearly shows they don’t have the facts.
We live in a world of bullies, puppets and victims. We are the victims. I applaud all who speak up for the right, including Dr. Brownstein for his valuable contribution.
Thanks Dr Brownstein!
Dear Dr Brownstein,
I am an ex-medical doctor who bought into the religion and general lies of allopathic medicine, especially including vaccines. I read Suzanne Humphries’ Dissolving Illusions and am super impressed with it and with her. It does seem like isolation was the key for smallpox but she is in a small minority believing or finding evidence for that. I also read Gareth Williams’ scholarly work ‘ The Angel of death’ and although it does contain a great deal of obvious negative truth about the smallpox vaccine, its overarching presumption and conclusion is how effective the combination of the vaccine and isolation were. The effectiveness of the vaccine isn’t questioned and it is presumed to have been a fundamental. Have you read it please Dr Brownstein? It is an extremely well written, detailed and researched book and he seems very open to both sides. However, how can these two polarized views be reconciled? I have never seen this book and Dr Humphries chapter on Smallpox compared and contrasted but it seems essential to me! She is definitely more open to the truth. But his book has much greater detail. I wonder if he even considered whether or not it was isolation mostly or alone that did the trick?
Thank you so much for being such a beacon of light out there Dr Brownstein. We soooo need people like you.
❤ Jason
Jason,
I have not read Williams’ book. I will order it up and get to it! Thanks for the referral.
DrB
Dr. B, I applaud you for speaking out against the Flu vaccine. Fortunately I retiered from my field of nuclear medicine prior to the requirements of receiving the vaccine in order to retain employment. I know of someone who received the flu vaccine while pregnant & contracted GBS, leaving her paralyzed & hospitalized for months. One year later she is recovering but still suffers the effects.
I just turned 65 so,i thought that it might be a good idea to take that Fluzone High Dose (with 4 times the antigenicity) because I catch the flu every year no matter what I do. I got the shot three weeks ago,and my arm hurt like crazy for 2 weeks afterward,and I still came down with the same “stomach flu” that I get every year but,this time with a consistent pain on my left abdomen, which is taking a couple of weeks to recover from,so far! What the heck?
To those of you working in health care and do not want the flu shot,either wear a mask if it is an option (like I do) Or if it isn’t
find another job where they are not forcing you to inject toxins into your body that you don’t want. I know so many employees at my job who tell me they didn’t want the flu shot but took it anyway because they couldn’t tolerate a mask. If a mask wasn’t an option at my job then SEE YA!. That would be the day that I would roll up my sleeve and take a shot that i didn’t want or didn’t believe in just to keep a job! Perhaps you would be better off seeking a new career in holistic medicine where you could actually help people instead of help big Pharma line their pockets
Dear Dr. Brownstein:
I am tremendously grateful to articles such as yours because these vaccines do have serious side effects. My daughter is allergic to peanuts, and many of the vaccines have peanut oil in them. I work at a law firm and review medical records all the time, I have seen some doctors put notes in the patient chart that the patient cannot take the flu vaccine if they are allergic to eggs. Recently, my daughter and I went to Rite Aid where they had major advertisements posted everywhere, so we decided to ask questions. The pharmacist assisting us did not say one word about mercury or formaldehyde. I urged the young girl to go home and read the ingredients of all vaccines which is listed on the CDC’s web-site. California has been ruined by SB277 – many children lose their right to an education (public OR private) if not fully vaccinated. Why are we injecting newborn babies for HEP B when it’s a sexually transmitted disease. In my humble opinion, the pharmaceutical companies are scamming us and making off like bandits. Young parents do not even know that these pharmaceutical companies do not have liability if a child is injured – that is right … YOU CANNOT FILE A LAWSUIT as the government granted immunity. If my car insurance breached its contract; I could file a lawsuit. Doctors that inject children with these poisons should be taught of the side effects.
About 20 years ago the HMO I then used offered flu shots. Not knowing any better at the time, I went there and got one. Soon I was quite sick with flu symptoms, and later I was sick again, only worse. I could hardly get out of bed to stagger to the bathroom. Some flu prevention! I haven’t gotten a flu shot since then and I’ve stayed healthy.
Annually I see “news” stories on TV about how this year’s flu is going to be especially bad, or that there may be a shortage, so the elderly and mothers with small children should rush to get flu shots before there are none left. These news stories are usually accompanied by interviews with mothers and old folks fretting about their fear of no more vaccine being available before they can get their shots.
Nonetheless, outside of every pharmacy in town there are signs saying flu shots are available, and my company even has a day when all one must do is walk down to the conference room to get a shot from visiting medical personnel. When I drop by my doctor’s office for an unrelated matter, the first (and I mean the very first) words out of his mouth,or those of one of his helpers, are “Have you had your flu shot yet?” I say no, and I’m not getting one, either. I suppose he’s afraid of getting stuck with a pallet of the stuff, but I don’t need it. So where is this “shortage” we’re told exists?
Instead of getting a flu shot, your best bet is to stay away from sick people, wash your hands often, and minimize or avoid touching surfaces that others do, such as railings, door handles, etc. Also keep your fingers out of candy jars at work. Keep in mind that everyone else’s hands went in there, too.
What do you think about the theory that the influenza shot introduces the nagalase enzyme into the blood, either by its inclusion in the ingredients or because it is a natural product of the influenza virus in its battle with the immune system, weakening the immune system and increasing the risk of cancer (or worsening existing cancer)? Does consuming apricot kernels block the production of nagalase enzyme? If so should it be given to victims who receive the vaccine?
Stuart,
I am not sure on this one. The research is not complete on nagalase. That is the best answer I can give, at this time.
DrB
I also am an RN currently employed in a hospital that requires flu vaccination, but we have an option for flu-mist (or at least we did last year). Dr. Brownstein, do you have an opinion or any information if the intranasal is better or worse with respect to long term risks?
The intra nasal flu vaccines are no better than the injectables, which don’t work for the vast majority. and, the intrnasal vaccines contain the live flu virus which means individuals receiving this form may shed the virus for a few weeks. Finally, they also contain MSG which is a known excitotoxin which should not be sprayed into the nose.
DrB
I am not anti-vaccine on principle. Vaccines against smallpox or polio were true public health revolutions. But as far as flu is concerned, I simply don’t understand whether the good people at CDC have forgotten their high school biology: according to what I was taught, if they formulate a vaccine against a “currently circulating strain”, they create an evolutionary pressure and while this “current” strain may indeed be suppressed in the population, other strains will merrily propagate and replace it. Evolution at works. So why bother with a vaccine, especially considering the side effects?
On a personal note: several years ago my whole family contracted the infamous at that time “swine flu”. Confirmed by our family physician. For about two days I had a mild fever, not even unpleasant, and that was all. Last winter I got tempted (or rather gave up after my wife’s persistent nagging) and got the LAIV vaccine (attenuated virus, nasal spray). LAIV made me sick for a week, and although the infection was confined to the nasal/throat areas (as intended – the attenuated virus is “tuned” to lower temperatures), for the whole week I was feeling totally miserable. Fever, runny nose, headaches, aching sinuses. So, what’s the benefit? Thanks, CDC, I prefer to take my chances without a flu vaccine this year.
Frankenstein, PhD (biochemistry, virology-related work)
Dr. F,
The story on both polio and smallpox is more complicated. I would refer you to Suzanne Humphries’ book, Dissolving Illusions. Vaccines can decrease the incidence of many illnesses. However, it is certainly not healthy to inject mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum or MSG into any living being.
DrB
@Mark Scheurer, MD — Your comparison, as you wrote it, is not really valid. You wrote:
“Once I realized that more than 99% of people who purchased auto insurance did not use it during a calendar year, thereby failing those 99%, I stopped buying auto insurance, and no accidents for the last 3 years!!
Dr. Brownstein, you may want to check your logic. ”
You may want to check your logic. First, the nature of insurance (auto, life, home, etc) is provide protection against unforeseen circumstances. Just because my house didn’t burn down or I didn’t get into an accident, it certainly does NOT mean the insurance failed me. If one of those situations did occur and insurance failed to cover their obligations (in 99% of the cases no less) then at that point – and ONLY at that point – would it have failed me. I certainly wouldn’t consider a 99% failure rate to be a success, would you?
That is akin to the flu shot. It is designed to provide protection against the flu. It does not in 99% of the cases. Therefore, it can be considered (in my eyes, at least…you may consider 1% to be great) to be a failure. If my relative risk of getting the flu is low (or even if it’s high), why would I use a product that’s 99% ineffective? Would I buy or use any other product anywhere in my life that is 99% ineffective? Of course not. The you add in the fact that it does have harmful ingredients which can (and do) introduce side effects…tell me again why I should take it? Does the effectiveness of the vaccine even outweigh the risk of an adverse reaction?
That said, I’m all for allowing people to make their own decisions in the matter. They should, however, understand the risks of getting the flu (relative and absolute), the risks of the flu shot, and the overall ineffectiveness of the shot itself.
As an RN, I am now forced to take one every year, even against my wishes for fear of losing my job. I don’t think it’s right that we’ve gone this far off the deep end and I am not entitled to my rights as an individual because it’s my “duty to protect patients.” Their logic is if I am exposed, then I risk passing that exposure on to other patients. I say proper hygeine is what’s best, and that if I’m exposed, I still risk passing it on if the patient themselves is not vaccinated. I’ve only had the flu twice in my life, and that was when I was close to someone (in high school) that gave it to me.
DrB,
Nice Animal House reference, It appears that half of the US appeals to authority, and logical fallacies.
When experts continue to make bad calls, we should recognize that they are no longer experts.
-Senator Blutarski
Thank you Senator Blutarsksi.
DrB
I do not get the flu shot unless forced as a condition to remain on a hospital staff. I have seen both Guillain-Barre and encephalitis as a result of the flu vaccine. I do not want to be a statistic, thank you.
I took the flu shot for years – no reactions – ever. Then I developed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity after I was exposed to chemicals in a new home construction. Soon after, I had a flu shot and nearly collapsed in the store. My liver was no longer able to detoxify the chemicals in the vaccine. I experienced panic, severe dizziness, and confusion. That was five years ago and I will never submit to another one in my life. Moreover, I’ve never had the flu. My reaction proved to me that there were toxic excipients in the vaccine that no one should have injected into their bodies. Thank you for this article. I hope people will educate themselves in this matter.
CLUELESS???? I firmly believe you are the clueless one who is in desperate need a statistics refresher. “A review of 50 studies that included more than 70,000 adults found that 100 people needed to be vaccinated to avoid one case of flu.” This is NOT a failure rate. This is NNT. Obviously the lower the NNT to prevent one case is better, an NNT of 100 is NOT an example of an ineffective measure. I would also like to point you to the Cochrane database metaanalysis on influenza vaccine in the elderly. It does NOT say it is ineffective. It says that the studies were of such poor quality that NO CONCLUSIONS could be drawn. As for children? I will point out the Cochrane review on influenza vaccination in HEALTHY children. ” Evidence from RCTs shows that six children under the age of six need to be vaccinated with live attenuated vaccine to prevent one case of influenza (infection and symptoms).”
You, sir, are doing a major disservice to the public. As for the “mercury free” vaccine that you recommended above, I would argue once again, that your command of the medical literature is less than stellar. While elemental mercury is a neurotoxin, there is NO evidence that a mercury free vaccine results in fewer cases of autism. In fact, since the ‘scientist’ that falsified data to produce a report liking vaccines to mercury, I would once again argue that you are basing the “need” for a mercury free vaccine on bogus data. This man was not only discredited, but had his knighthood removed, and barred from the Australian medical association The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the United States National Academy of Sciences, along with the CDCand the UK National Health Service,[85] have found no link between vaccines and autism. Ten of Wakefield’s twelve co-authors of the paper in The Lancet later published a retraction of an interpretation; he has been removed from the UK medical register and is currently on the list of WORST doctors.
There is no need to remain delusional. This break with reality can come to an end if you take your meds. And your flu shot.
Susan,
If you are ok with a vaccine/drug that works 1% of the time, and is associated with adverse effects AND contains toxic elements, there is not much I can say to you. You are Big Pharma’s dream patient.
DrB
Rally in Atlanta at the CDC to stand up for Truth, Transparency & Freedom- http://www.CDCtruth.org- Oct. 24
Dr.B.
Among the many voices who contribute to our understanding, I appreciate that you are not afraid to ‘voice’ your concerns and offer your recommendations.
It always makes me crazy to discover that mercury and formaldehyde are used as preservatives in vaccines. I do not consider the risk of getting very sick or worse acquiring Guillain-Barre Syndrome acceptable risks! I served for many years as an Industrial Hygienist in the occupational health and safety field. My tests in the field often revealed exposures to chemicals that were harming employee health and sadly there were times when the levels were low enough that they did not exceed regulatory standards. But there was a problem, the regulatory levels are often far below more current standards like those published by the American Conference of Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). And so people were being exposed, getting sick, and there was nothing I could do to help them.
I know from my studies in chemicals and exposures to them that a person’s body can develop a negative reaction, break out in hives, be challenged with ‘chemical pneumonia’ and other awful end results at very low levels especially if there are repetitive exposures at these low levels. Mercury damages the nervous system, therefore it is not acceptable as an injectable component of a vaccine. That is the bottom line for me.
And just as an aside to the comment above by Dr. Scheurer his comment could have held far more value if he’s been upfront and offered what research he might have to offer, rather than submitting a pithy comment. Mainstream media often does not have all the facts, digging and looking thoroughly at research often surfaces alarming facts.
So…just want to say thank you for publishing this post in your blog and helping people at least have the facts so they can make knowledgeable decisions.
Linda
There are literally thousands of scientists, doctors, researchers, and health care professionals that do not agree with the current vaccine paradigm. There are literally hundreds of independent peer reviewed studies that question both the safety and efficacy of vaccines. There are exactly zero studies that examine the safety of the combination of all cdc recommended vaccines. This is no longer a scientific argument and no longer a battle against disease. This has become a political a guest and a battle against greed and corruption in order to preserve our freedoms and health.
RickO,
You are correct; There are zero studies that have concluded that the current vaccine schedule is safe. Why? Because there have been zero studies done. “Zero point zero, Mr. Blutarski.”
DrB
I work in a hospital, and we are mandated to get the flu vaccine or risk losing our job. I work in the laboratory so I don’t even have patient contact. But every year, there is a push to get close to 100% compliance. I read somewhere that the hospital gets some reimbursement for getting their employees vaccinated. I hate being forced to get chemicals injected into my body that I don’t want, but I don’t know what else to do. My mother in law got her flu shot every year, and she ended up getting Alzheimer’s at an early age.
I went to visit my Doctor here in Torquay Devon UK yesterday and they had posters all over the reception area advertising the flu jab. I thought that what fools people are listening to their Doctors, without doing any research.
Astrid,
It is too bad that docs in the UK are just as clueless as the docs here.
DrB
I think Dr. Mark Scheurer, may want to check HIS insurance logic. The comparison of the flu shot and car insurance should read more like this. “I have purchased car insurance for the past 3 years, I have been in a wreck yearly for the past 3 years and the insurance company has refused to pay out for the wreck and damages.”
And the LOGICAL person would then say: “I think I am going to try a NEW insurance”
And to be quite honest the comparison of the flu shot as insurance against the flu and the purchase of car insurance is pretty absurd. The flu shot is marketed to PREVENT influenza. The purchase of car insurance actually PREVENTS nothing. So where is the LOGIC in the comparison to begin with.
And to his last point that Dr.B does not print those with differing opinions- I have seen Dr. Brownstein post MANY comments and articles of those that do not agree with him. These statements along with his detailed reply of why he believes differently or the fault in their own logic as he sees it.
Other than greed, why are vaccines pushed on us? Why are so many needed for kids to be allowed in school? Are there any vaccines that are shown to work and that we should have during our lifetime? After taking a look at the PI on the flu shot, who would want that injected into our bodies??
I was told that Derby Middle School in Birmingham was providing flu clinics for the kids at school. I was also told they were giving the flu mist, which sheds for up to 28 days. At the same time, they are kicking unvaccinated kids out of school with one case of chicken pox and yet they are spreading the flu virus all over the school. Who is putting the immunoompromised at risk? Somehow somewhere the voice of reason needs to reach the schools of our state.
Dr. Brownstein,
Many of us who work in hospitals are mandated by the employer to get a flu shot. I dont think there is much we can do about it. Also as a resident of California, the State just passed a law that all children need to be fully vaccinated in order to begin school.
Marilyn,
At least consider getting a flu vaccine that does not contain mercury.
DrB
I have only gotten the flu shot once, long ago, in my early 20s, before I started educating myself on the dangerous practices of Western medicine, and the benefits of treating the body holistically. Within 2 days afterward, I was terribly sick, and remained so, for an entire week. My Dr., as well as others, told me that I must have been exposed before I got the shot….I didn’t buy that explanation, and I’ve never subjected myself to another one. In 24 years, I have only gotten the 24 hr. variety of the flu, twice.
Thank you for telling the truth and for explaining the statistics and how Big Pharma and the FDA manipulate them.
I had a doctor at one time who, when I asked about having a flu shot, said no, it protects for the flu from two years ago, but that the virus mutates every year. He was honest. But a couple of years later I asked him again and that time he hedged and said it was a good idea. I had no intention of ever having a flu shot, but I wondered if he had somehow been threatened to change his story.
My mother taught third and fourth grade for 30 years and the only two years she got the flu were the two years she had the flu shot. She never had it again and years later after she had a stroke and was in a nursing home I wouldn’t let them give it to her. She lived to be 95.
Once I realized that more than 99% of people who purchased auto insurance did not use it during a calendar year, thereby failing those 99%, I stopped buying auto insurance, and no accidents for the last 3 years!!
Dr. Brownstein, you may want to check your logic.
I love how you refuse to print contrary opinions.
Dr. Sheurer,
At least when you buy auto insurance, you are not subjected to adverse effects. And, at least you don’t get a toxic dose of mercury or formaldehyde with that auto insurance policy. So far, auto insurance sounds like a better deal to me. I am more than happy to read and post your contrary arguments about the flu vaccine (or auto insurance).
DrB
My father-in-law worked for the railway for almost 50 years, and never missed a day of work. After retiring in 1996 at age 65, he got a flu shot. Unfortunately, he was one of those rare people that promptly developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome. After suffering through that he recovered reasonably well, but the disease definitely impacted the quality of his retirement.
In Australia we have just had one mother of a flu season….and guess what….the vaccine did not cover the strain that knocked everyone around!
I guess if one were brain dead they might get a vaccine.
Dr. Brownstein, what is your recommendation for healthcare providers (I’m an NP) that are “required” to have flu vaccines or face sanctions or being forced to wear masks while rounding in hospitals from October-March? I’m starting to question the validity of being forced into these mandated flu vaccinations considering i”m not employed by a hospital, but rather a private practice group. thanks
Laura,
There is nothing you can do. But, you can request a mercury-free version of the flu shot. That is better than taking the mercury-containing flu vaccine.
DrB
You’re the best Dr. B!
For anyone looking to prevent the flu make sure your vitamin d levels are in range (40-60ng/mL 25-OH-D)! A pubmed search of vitamin d immune system will yield a lot of info!