Get flu shot Because of bad bout with the flu several years ago have personally
been getting my flu shots annually. Each year's vaccine contains three virus strains likely to hit us in the upcoming winter and the estimate is usually right on. Influenza vaccination has been shown to reduce mortality by 41%—75% for those who had been vaccinated previously [Lancet 346:591;1995]
Influenza vaccination: policy versus evidence by Tom Jefferson in the October 28, 2006 issue of the British Medical Journal reported after a thorough analysis of current research that, “Evidence from systematic reviews shows that inactivated vaccines have little or no effect on the effects measured…Little comparative evidence exists on the safety of these vaccines…Reasons for the current gap between policy and evidence are unclear, but given the huge resources involved, a re-evaluation should be urgently undertaken.”[1] The author argues the reason any benefits are reported for flu vaccines may be that those who get vaccinated are more active, healthier and wealthier people than those who do not get vaccinations—and because of these superior health qualities of these people—not the vaccination—they had better outcomes.
Comment: I am often asked whether or not I recommend getting a “flu” shot. I have changed my opinion on this many times over my thirty-five years of medical practice and I reserve the right to change my opinion again in the future. As a young doctor in the late 1970s, I ran a general practice during a time when an epidemic of swine flu was predicted—but that viral infection never occurred. However, two of my patients developed permanent paralysis below the waist after immunization with the swine flu vaccine, and some people believe that was not a coincidence. This left me no longer recommending flu shots.
Years later, after I personally had suffered from a couple of episodes of brutal flu, and when the research I was reading seemed to support flu shots, I began to take a more positive stand. However, I continued to have concerns about their effectiveness and safety. The vaccines are based on the three strains of influenza viruses that were common the previous year—they are not based on a virus that will infect people the year they are vaccinated. Second, these vaccines contain mercury and aluminum.[2,3] Mercury is a recognized poison, suspected to be linked to autism; and aluminum is known to be toxic to the nervous system and is involved in the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. The mercury is used as a preservative and the aluminum enhances the immune response to the killed viruses in the vaccine.
A letter to the editor[4] that followed questioned the effectiveness of flu shots. The writer pointed out, “A 2005 US National Institutes of Health review of over 30 influenza seasons could not correlate increasing vaccination coverage after 1980 with declining mortality rates in any age group and concluded that observational studies substantially overestimate vaccination benefit.” [5]
Where do I now stand? For several years I personally did get a flu shot, but the last two I have not. I now recommend that people who are old and frail err on the side of getting their annual flu shot, because complications, such as pneumonia, from a bout of influenza could easily be fatal. I worry that many people believe the flu shot will protect them from getting a very deadly viral disease known as avian (bird) flu—this is not true. I also think it is long overdue for the pharmaceutical companies to start making safer vaccines, without the aluminum and mercury.
In the US, national guidelines for receiving an annual flu vaccine extend to almost everyone over the age of six months old. Nevertheless, I recommend that my patients of all ages not take these incessantly promoted immunizations, primarily because of their lack of effectiveness.
In addition, there are some risks from influenza vaccines, including injection site pain, allergic reactions, fever, fatigue, headache, and narcolepsy (excessive sleepiness).
2012 Cochrane Review showed little benefit for children: "No benefits for those two years or younger. Twenty-eight children over the age of six needed to be vaccinated to prevent one case of influenza.
2012 Lancet Infectious Disease Review showed little benefit in adults: "… evidence for consistent high-level protection was elusive for the present generation of vaccines, especially in individuals at risk of medical complications or those aged 65 years or older."
2013 Cochrane Review found no benefits for healthcare workers or for preventing influenza in elderly residents in long-term care facilities.
2014 European Review found that the 2012-2013 influenza vaccine had low to moderate effectiveness, and recommended that seasonal influenza vaccines be improved to achieve acceptable protection levels.
2014 Cochrane Review found the preventive effect for healthy adults was small: "…at least 40 people would need vaccination to avoid one influenza-like illness...no effect on working days lost or hospitalization seen…benefits for pregnant women were uncertain or at least very limited."
(2015) The Benefits of Flu Shots Oversold
(62 mins, 2015) McDougall Research on 1615 Patients, Flu Shots, Arsenic in Rice
22:03 Flu shots
26:16 Should I Get A Flu Shot?
27:31 Do Flu Shots Work?
28:12 Why Flu Shots Don't Work
Dr Klaper
(3 mins, 2020) Flu Vaccine - Should We Take The Flu Shot? Part 1
Youtube video summary:
Dr. Klaper shares his thoughts on if and why to take a flu shot. He tells us that the vaccine is based on the previous year's virus strains and has a 40-60% efficacy rate. There is some debate if the flu vaccine has any impact on COVID-19 (coronavirus). Be sure to watch both parts of this 2 part series.
(7 mins, 2020) Flu Vaccine - A Vegan Option For Staying Safe In The Flu Season - Part 2
Youtube video summary:
Dr. Klaper shares his thoughts on influenza and public health for folks who have public-facing jobs. This flu season you may want to take a flu shot to avoid the 'twindemic' - the flu plus the current pandemic. After more research, he details that there are forms of the vaccine that are not animal-based. Be sure to watch both parts of this 2 part series.