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Flu Vaccine Frenzy
The Flu is coming! The Flu is coming!
Every few minutes on TV, Walgreen's is telling us to get vaccinated. There are big "Get Your Flu Shots Here" signs posted all over. Our doctors are encouraging us to get flu vaccines. There is a huge hype but what does it really mean? How does the flu vaccine protect us, is it safe and do we really need it?
The way the flu vaccine works is that the Centers for Disease Control pick three strains of flu viruses
they predict will be predominant for the following flu season. This is usually done 9 months prior and differs year to year. The way the actual vaccine works is that your body recognizes the flu virus vaccine as a foreign invader and
produces antibodies to it. The next time your body encounters the flu virus, it will remember that it is a hostile invader and quickly launch an immune attack to kill off the virus. Keep in mind that there are hundreds of different strains out there and the vaccine only will protect you against the three that are in the vaccine.
Now that we know how it works, does the flu vaccine actually protect us against the flu? There is disputing data. While the CDC admits last year's protection for Seniors over 65 was abysmally low with a protection rate of just
9% which translates to a flu hospitalization rate of 0.116 percent - and no, I didn't misplace the decimal point. The CDC also claims a 59% protection rate of everyone else. It sounds pretty good.
 However, the numbers reported suggest otherwise. There is just 3.2 percent of Americans that visited doctors with flu-like symptoms, according to a recent CDC report. Going by the stats,
more than 80 percent of them won't actually have the flu. But let's assume
for a moment all 3.2 percent did have the flu. If they had gotten the shot, their risk would have fallen down to 1.5 percent - an absolute difference of just 1.7 percent. Bottom line, there was marginal protection against the flu.
no value in the flu vaccine based on the effects of flu vaccines in healthy adults aged 18-65.
What about the safety of the Flu Vaccine. The CDC openly admits they all contain ingredients such as
aluminum, mercury, MSG and formaldehyde. In particular, we know that aluminum and mercury cause
neurological damage which may contribute to Alzheimer's and dementia. Keep in mind that there are
always risks associated with any vaccine.
Finally, are there any other ways to protect yourself against the flu. Absolutely!
- Take Vitamin D3-make sure it is D3 and don't be afraid to take over 5,000 ius per day. Most of us are deficient in D3 and this can be our best source of protection against the flu and cold.
- Exercise to build up that immune system.
- Avoid sugar and processed foods as this suppresses the immune system. (If you do get get sick, be sure to definitely avoid these for faster recovery).
Bottom line, you do have a choice with how you protect yourself from the flu. Education is power to make the best decision for you and your family.
I f you have any issues you would like to discuss, please feel free to contact me for a free initial consultation so you can Let Us HEALTH You.
What do you think? Let's have a conversation on
Jill the Health Coach FB page
All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication;instead readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.
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