Flu Shot or Not?

Aside from all the political campaign advertising we have been bombarded with lately, we are also being bombarded with advertisements to get a flu shot.  There are signs on just about every street corner, and even commercials on the radio and TV urging us to get a flu shot.

But should we?

Just like the political campaigns, there are obviously two sides to this issue.  I'm not here to tell you whether or not you should get a flu shot.  What I can tell you is why I choose not to get one.  Personally, getting a flu shot is not the right choice for me, and here are some of the reasons why.

No Guarantee

Let's take a look at what goes into making a flu vaccine.  According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), research centers around the world conduct year-round surveillance for influenza and study influenza disease trends. This information is passed on to the WHO (World Health Organization), which then makes a recommendation on which viral strains to include in the coming year's influenza vaccine.  Each country then makes a final decision on which viruses to include in the vaccine manufactured in their country.  In the US, the CDC makes this decision.

Once the viruses are selected, a vaccine virus must be grown to be used in the actual vaccine.  Even if they identify the right virus for that year, there is no guarantee that the strain grown for the vaccine will be a good match with the actual virus that causes the flu.  If it isn't a good match, it won't offer the protection everyone expects.  There are hundreds of rapidly mutating viruses in three different types (A, B, and C) that can cause the flu in humans.  Picking the the right three is like picking winning lottery numbers.  The CDC even admits they are guessing as evidenced by this quote taken from their website.  "It is not possible in advance of the influenza season to predict how well the vaccine and circulating strains will be matched, and how that may affect vaccine effectiveness."

Personally, I would rather take my chances and keep my immune system healthy, essentially protecting myself from all viruses, not just the three that were pulled out of a hat.

Side Effects

Some people experience minor side effects after they get the flu shot including pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, muscle aches, low grade fever, hoarseness, fatigue, and nausea.  Since most of these symptoms are similar to actual flu symptoms, people mistakenly think they got the flu from the vaccine.  However, these side effects are actually the body's natural immune response to the vaccine.  I'm not afraid of having these minor side effects.  They would just be a temporary annoyance. 

What scares me are the more serious side effects.  There were several documented cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) that were linked to the flu vaccine in 1976.  GBS is a disorder where the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves.  Paralysis begins in the lower extremities and progresses up the body, sometimes resulting in total paralysis.  It is a medical emergency and sometimes requires being placed on a ventilator to support breathing.  There is no cure for GBS, and symptoms can last a few weeks up to a few years.  This type of reaction is extremely rare, but if I have a choice, I am not going to take that chance.

Allergic reactions are also possible.  Some vaccines contain egg protein, so if you are allergic to eggs and opt to get the flu shot, make sure you get one without egg protein.

Toxic Ingredients

Most multi-dose vials of the flu vaccine contain a preservative called thimerosal which contains a form of mercury.  Instead of giving you a full blown chemistry lesson, you can read about the mercury found in flu vaccines here.  It has been removed from virtually all the vaccines that are given to children as a precautionary measure.  Makes you wonder why if there is nothing wrong with it.  Since I have a choice, I'm still not going to put it in my body.  

It's My Body

Perhaps the most important reason I don't get a flu vaccine is because I feel that no one else has a right to tell me what to put on or in my body.  I am the only one who should make that decision, and so should you.  I quit my job as a nurse after 26 years in part because it was mandated that all healthcare workers get a flu shot.  For me, no flu shot = no job.  But that is ok, because now I am doing something that I am even more passionate about, and I am loving it!

The Best Prevention

Getting the flu shot not a guarantee that you won't get the flu, so even if you do get one, or if you decide not to get the vaccine, here are some healthy habits you can adopt to decrease your risk of getting the flu or any viral illness…

• Wash your hands - I can't stress this enough.  Wash them well for at least 30 seconds of scrubbing (tap into your shower singing voice and sing the ABCs, Happy Birthday, or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) with good ol' soap and water.  No need for antibacterial soap.  You want to wash the germs off of your hands, you don't need to kill them.  Wash them often.  
• Teach yourself and your kids to sneeze or cough into a tissue or their elbow, then wash their hands.  This helps reduce the number of airborne germs that can linger in the air.
• Maintain a healthy immune system by eating a nutritious diet comprised of whole, non-processed foods (think lots of colorful veggies and fruits), getting plenty of sleep, and reducing or finding an outlet for stress.
• Wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands.
• Eat and drink fermented foods (sauerkraut, kombucha, miso, kimchi, kvass) - they are an excellent source of probiotics that are good for your immune system.
• Have some elderberry tincture on hand and start taking at the first sign of illness.  See how I make mine here.
• Try to stay away from people you know are sick, and if you are sick, stay home!
• Wash your hands.  Oh yes, I already said that, but it is probably the most important preventive measure you can take.  Seriously!

So many sources say the best way to prevent the flu is by getting the flu shot, but I disagree.  So the bottom line is do your own research and make your own choice if getting the flu shot is right for you.  Don't do it just because someone tells you to (or not to).

By the way, I have never had the flu, even when family members who have gotten a flu shot have been sick with it.  Here's to another healthy flu season!

In Wellness,

Karen