Flu Season in Full Swing
Vaccines For Sale in a Grocery Store Near You
Dr. Phil Maffetone
I made a rare appearance in a grocery store the other day. As I passed by one of the many junk food aisles, there was a table set up with people selling flu shots. I just shook my head in disbelief.
Getting ready for flu season means updating your information to discuss the dangers of flu shots, and the healthier alternatives, with friends and family members, and for healthcare professionals, with patients. This is best done using real, non-emotional information rather than media driven hysteria and hype.
The latest compelling publication regarding vaccines was published in the Cochrane Reviews, with its findings based on 36 studies of 80,000 people on the effectiveness of inactivated vaccines. This review found that in a typical flu season, 7 people per 100 (7%) develop flu-like symptoms, but only 1 in 100 actually are infected with influenza. The flu-like symptoms in the rest result from one of the more than 200 different viral agents that live among us. This means that influenza is a relatively rare cause of fever, cough, achiness and other influenza-like symptoms. The authors of the medical review state that, “In these circumstances, influenza vaccines have a low probability of hitting such a target and producing sizeable benefits. This needs to be contrasted with the large costs and time involved in vaccinating whole populations.”
The Review also showed that for each 100 people vaccinated, prevention of one set of symptoms would occur in only one person. But this is not prevention of the flu, just the relief of symptoms.
The Review also showed that half or more of the published studies in medical journals were funded by the industry with financial interests in vaccines. Certainly, the media cited these industry-funded studies more often because the journals that publish them have powerful marketing departments that promote their publication’s materials to all media outlets.
Many researchers, clinicians, concerned individuals and other have for many years pushed for objective research on the effectiveness of vaccines. However, the authors of the review conclude that, “it is unlikely that these will be done because influenza vaccines are centre stage in an ‘industry’ upon which government departments, pharmaceutical giants, the media and researchers depend.”
The flu vaccine is most effective in healthy individuals—not surprising since these people are the least likely to get the flu, and those getting the flu are least likely to have serious side effects.
The flu vaccine is not the best defense against illness—it’s a healthy immune system, and a healthy body overall, that is the best defense against any illness.
Feel free to link to my website, or copy my articles for your own site, or print the articles for your friend, colleagues, patients and even strangers. As is the policy of my website, you have permission to do this but must give proper reference and the website address as the source.
One of the clear dangers of the vaccine is the mercury-based preservatives they contain. This is enough of a reason to avoid them.
For those who want more in formation on this issue:
- The full report of the Cochran Review, found here:
http://www.cochranejournalclub.com/vaccines-for-preventing-influenza-clinical/#article
- There’s a great podcast summary by one of the authors of the Cochran Review here:
http://www.cochrane.org/sites/default/files/uploads/podcasts/issue7_2010_influenza_final_last.mp3
- The same page also has PowerPoint slides you can download.
