The Flu Shot

This may be the most important health tip I have ever written, at the very least it will be the most controversial. It is currently the time of year when the Pharmaceutical Industry is pushing the flu shot vaccine. Before you make your decision to get jabbed, as they say in the United Kingdom, here are some new interesting facts concerning the shot and the flu itself. As always, make any decision based on the facts of the matter. Weigh the pros and cons and then make the best decision for yourself. The flu shot contains mercury, aluminum and formaldehyde as additives. There is some evidence to link the aluminum in the vaccine to Alzheimer's disease. The mercury, whether right or wrong, (the debate still rages on) has been implicated in autism. Adverse reactions to the flu shot that have been reported include joint inflammation, arthritis and allergic reactions. Whether you feel the additives are not an issue or are of big concern, the actual effectiveness of the flu vaccine has also been brought into question. A Group Health Study found that the flu shot does not actually protect the elderly against the flu and definitely does not protect them from pneumonia which is a complication of the flu. Vaccine coverage in the elderly has increased from 15% in 1980 to 65% now and yet there has been no decrease in the amount of deaths from the flu or pneumonia in that time period. As far as children are concerned, the October issue of Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine states that vaccinating young children against the flu has had no impact on the amount of flu-related hospitalizations or doctor visits. They also concluded that vaccine effectiveness could not be demonstrated for any season, age, or setting. In addition, a systematic review of 51 studies involving 260,000 children age 6 to 23 months found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo. Since November is National Flu Awareness Month, the next few Health Tips will revolve around flu prevention and care.

Sources: LewRockwell.com October 3, 2008 EMS Responder September 9, 2008 WebMD October 6, 2008 Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine October 2008; 162(10):943-51

Thought for the Week: "Sickness is the vengeance of nature for the violation of her laws." ~Charles Simmons

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Another common question is, if we have no pain, how can we know it's time to see a chiropractor? Says Dr. Gentempo: "In today's fast-paced environment it is normal that people have physical, chemical and emotional stresses beyond the individual's ability to remove or even adapt to. As a result, spinal misalignments and nerve disturbance are extremely common. There is abundance medical and scientific evidence that even a small amount of nerve disturbance or pressure can cause altered nerve function. Thus, I can't overemphasis the importance of regular trips to the chiropractor, even before symptoms appear, to check for spinal subluxations. This is preventive, so that an individual may optimize their potential for good health and at the same time prevent future health challenges before they become severe." -------- Dr. Patrick Gentempo, wiretap from the Prudent Press Agency