Flu Shot – Should I take it?

Dear Dr. Mitch:

There is so much talk about the flu shot.  What is your take on it?  I remember the last time I received one a few years ago, I got sick.  Is it OK for the elderly to take it as well?  My parents are thinking about getting one too.  I’m 48 year old female.

N.K.  Ohio

Dear N.K.:

Here are the ABCs of the flu (influenza) shot which all boils down to benefit versus risk. Let me just give you the facts so that you may make your own determination at the end of the day.  Due to the scare and fear imposed on our country, typical of medicine in general.  A study in 2011 demonstrated that almost 50% of people agree with statements such as, “I don’t need it” or “I don’t believe in flu vaccines”.  Flu vaccines by definition have lower rates of efficacy than any other means of immunization.  A mumps vaccine has a 97% rate of preventing somebody from getting the disease.  The flu vaccine in contrast is about 60% effective.  Some people don’t respond because of genetic reasons and the older you are, and therefore the more immuno-compromised you are, the less likely you are to respond to the flu vaccine.  

Be aware, the flu vaccine mutates every year and therefore, it’s effectiveness is decreased as well.  The flu vaccine also causes in many people side effects, such as fevers, and in other cases neurological disorders like Guillian Barre.  Flu vaccines contain amounts of aluminum, mercury, MSG (monosodium glutamate) and detergents, all of which do not only cause neurological consequences and damage but can create autoimmune diseases.  I think it is best understood by a study done at the University of Minnesota, which looked at 12,000 studies about it’s effectiveness going all the way back to the 1930s.  It basically showed (as stated above) that 59% of adults between the ages of 18-65 were protected and far less effective in the elderly.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)  have stated that 30% of all flu vaccines come with adverse reactions.  That’s HUGE!  SIx percent will have serious effects, including death.  In 2011, the CDC reported 51 deaths from the fu vaccine, 232 life threatening events, 116 permanent disabilities, 739 hospitalizations,139 prolonged hospitalizations, 4039 emergency room visits, and 6221 not serious reactions.  You have to think that less than 1% of adverse vaccine reactions are ever reported.  The question always is are there any natural alternatives with little or serious adverse effects AND that show efficacy.  For that information on how to do this naturally, write to my website at   drmitch@drmitchshow.com   and mark in the subject area FLU and I’ll be happy to send you the protocol.which you can discuss with your health care practioner.

Keep healthier,

Dr. Mitch

E-mail your medical and sex and relationship questions to Drmitch@drmitchshow.com,  he personally answers all questions!

Check out Dr. Mitch’s website at www.drmitchshow.com
Follow him on twitter: @drmitchshow
LIKE him on Facebook 
View Dr. Mitch on YouTube

Tags: adverse reactions, CDC, Flu, natural alternatives, reactions, vaccine