flu season: mandatory vaccines, risks, and natural protection.

If you work in healthcare, you are probably well-aware that many are forced to get a flu vaccine. And, if it is mandatory and one refuses to get the vaccine there are often punishments, like wearing a mask from November to March while you are at work, or even being terminated. As someone who works in healthcare myself, I am constantly advocating for myself and others, and I think it is an atrocity to force employees to get vaccinated with the flu shot, particularly when you actually look at all of the evidence (like this study which demonstrates no differences in the prevention of the flu in patients of long-term care institutions when workers were required to get vaccinated). There is also pressure to vaccinate children, pregnant women, those who are “high-risk,” and those over the age of 50. While I believe that vaccinating is a personal decision, I also think that if more people were aware of the inconsistencies in the literature they might opt for lower-risk, natural immunity-boosting protection against all illnesses. I will present multiple research articles here regarding the flu shot, and then offer advice on how to protect yourself during flu season and what you can do to opt out of the flu shot, whether or not it is “mandatory.”

First, let’s start with the flu vaccine itself. What is in it? The ingredients differ based on dose; however, on the CDC website you’ll find that ingredients include thimerosal (mercury), monosodium glutamate (MSG), egg proteins, polysorbate 80 (aka Tween 80), formaldehyde, octoxynol-10, and a host of other preservatives and potentially toxic ingredients. These ingredients are associated with cancer, infertility, developmental disorders, autoimmune reactions/disorders, seizures, and brain injuries. I wouldn’t expose a “high-risk” person or child to these ingredients, and I certainly wouldn’t touch it with a 10-ft pole if I was pregnant – we know that the flu vaccines cause inflammation and that maternal inflammation is linked to a variety of disorders in the child-to-be (eg autism, schizophrenia, bipolar and depression, cerebral palsy, brain damage including mental retardation, issues in social behavior as adults, miscarriage and stillbirth). In fact, researchers who studied three flu seasons found that pregnant women who received a flu shot had a higher likelihood of miscarriage or stillbirth (the prevalence increased at least ten-fold, and is likely underreported!).

Next, let’s get into if the flu vaccine even works at all. The flu vaccine (like any vaccine) tricks the body into thinking it was exposed to a disease. However, like anything artificial, it’s never as good as the real thing. Your immune system doesn’t want to be tricked – especially not with something that interferes with it’s functioning and makes it weaker. When one is exposed to germs naturally (which doesn’t necessarily cause illness), there is a process in which the immune system protects itself, and then maintains a long-term memory of how it protected itself so it knows what to do in the future. When you are exposed to just the antibodies as you are when vaccinated, this process is circumvented and long-term immunity does not occur. The process is kind of like a fake tan – sure, you’ll be some shade of orangish-brown for a little while (ie the short-term, fake immunity), but that color will fade away… and you’ll be left cleaning up the internal chemical damage without the immune-supporting vitamin D that the real sun would have offered. A good real-life example is what we are experiencing with chicken-pox and shingles – click on the link for more info.

There is even research that suggests those who receive the flu vaccine are more vulnerable over time. One study compared immunity in vaccinated and non-vaccinated children, and found that those who were vaccinated had weaker immune systems due to less antibody protection across a wide-range of viruses, which puts vaccinated children at higher risk over time. Furthermore, there were other studies that demonstrated those who were vaccinated had higher chances of catching the flu the next season.

In addition to higher vulnerability, there is also a chance that the vaccines don’t work better than placebo, anyway. One study looked at children aged 6-23 months and found the vaccine worked no better than placebo. Yet, the CDC recommends that children as young as 6 months should be vaccinated. A review analyzing data on the efficacy and effectiveness of flu shots in the elderly was unable to come up with clear conclusions, and recommended that a placebo-controlled RTC be done to determine if the flu shot should be administered in this population. Even the CDC admits the problem in vaccinating the elderly, noting that only 9% of those of 65 were protected against one strain of the virus last season. Yet, the CDC recommends that those over 50 get the flu shot, anyway. Lastly, another review concluded that the flu vaccine only protects 1.5 adults of every 100 who took the jab.

There is also risk for adverse reactions to the vaccine. Many who have taken the flu shot know there is a high chance of fever, body aches, chills, soreness at the injection site post-jab. Some even come down with the full-blown flu from the injection. Additionally, the protection (if there is any at all) doesn’t kick in for a full two-weeks, which leaves the vaccinated person vulnerable considering the suppression of natural immune functioning. Even more severe are those who develop Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) after the flu shot. While researchers note that the risk for GBS is small, they also describe difficulty in detecting the risk because of poor safety monitoring in vaccine programs. Narcolepsy is another severe reaction associated with the flu shot, and the UK is now compensating those who have irreversible damage post-injection. The point is that we don’t fully understand the adverse effects for each round of the flu shot. This is because it is not possible to conduct long-term research on these vaccines due to the manner in which they are developed – rapidly and for high, high profit. Who knows – perhaps some of the increases in a variety of illnesses we are experiencing today are, in-part, a result of the vaccination programs?

The fact is that the flu vaccine changes so often that there is no way for it to be tested well, which makes anyone who gets it a guinea pig. The doctors give you the jab, then wait and see what happens as the season progresses. And, despite what is presented in the media, there is a big risk when you get an injection and the risk might not be less important than the supposed benefits to you – because no one knows, not you, not your doctor nor your nurse, if there will be an adverse event post-vaccination. If you have done the research and feel confident that you should get vaccinated, all the best to you. However, if you feel the same way I do, here is what you can do to protect yourself from blanket health recommendations that don’t factor in the individual’s (eg YOUR!) needs:

1. Protect yourself from the flu by taking good care:

• Get a good amount of sleep. The research suggests 7-9 hours, going to sleep around 10 and waking up around 6, ideally.
• Balance stress levels by engaging in yoga, meditation, slow diaphragmatic breathing, spending time in nature and with animals, and other relaxing activities.
• If you exercise, don’t overdo it – this can adversely affect your immune system. Listen to your body. Are you exhausted and sore after your workout or sustainably invigorated and energized? Only you know what makes you feel good, despite the push for insanity workouts , crossfit, and marathons…
• Eat well (eg organic, non-GMO, non-processed, fresh, local, nutrient-dense foods). Incorporating foods/herbs that are natural antibiotics/antiviral will help (eg garlic, oregano, rosemary, ginger peppermint, citrus, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar (raw, unfiltered), coconut oil).
• Reduce sugar, nicotine, alcohol, and allergenic/inflammatory foods.
• Stay hydrated.
• Avoid antibacterial/viral soaps and gels – regular soap and hot water will do. Wash hands often, for at least the amount of time it takes you to sing “happy birthday.”
• Take a whole-food, organic (if possible) multivitamin and vitamin D, non-GMO probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids (eg fish oil), which will help you maintain your health and wellness, even if others around you are sick.
• Avoid being around people who are sick when you are feeling run-down. Take a mental inventory of how your body will be able to protect itself if it encounters an illness. As healthcare workers it is a part of our job to take care of ourselves so that we can serve others. If you need to take a break and do this, that will make you a stronger, more effective healer.
• If you notice you are starting to feel run-down, listen to your body. Rest. Take some time off. You are only human and if you want your body to work well for you, you need to honor it. Be sure to take oscillococcinum at the first sign of illness to reduce the severity and duration of any illness.
• If you notice you are getting sick, read this and follow instructions as needed.

2. Stand up for your rights as an individual:

• Know your federal and state laws.
• Know that despite federal and state laws, you are still and individual, and no one has the right to tell you how to take care of yourself, especially when it comes to your healthcare.
• Talk to your doctor. If they are pushy, rude, and unwilling to listen to your concerns, you can and should find a new doctor.
• If you are required to get vaccinated at work, talk to your HR department and share your concerns. Show them the research. Let them know that you want to continue working for them and that you are unable to take this injection for health, religious, or philosophical reasons. Share the risks. If they are insistent, ask them to sign a waiver saying that they are responsible for any damages related to mandatory vaccination – they won’t and then you will have won your case – they can’t guarantee you won’t have a life-threatening/damaging reaction so they cannot make you take the injection. This is even more the case if you have experienced an adverse reaction in the past. Feel free to let them know of any past issues that you’ve had with vaccinations, chemicals, preservatives, heavy metals, egg allergies, autoimmune issues, chronic illnesses, etc.
• If you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant, present the research linked above and then ask for the waiver to include not only you, but your unborn child.
• If all else fails, find a lawyer. You shouldn’t be bullied and if you are it is your duty to make your voice heard in order to protect your rights and the rights of others.
• Look for a new job that is sensitive to your beliefs, health issues, make the switch when you feel comfortable. No one likes working for a company that doesn’t respect their individual needs.
• Get involved with state and federal leaders who have the ability to shape policy.
• DON’T FORGET IT IS ALWAYS YOUR CHOICE. I hear so many claiming, “I had to…” No, you didn’t. You chose to, and that’s okay if it is your choice. You can also choose differently if you want. There are many who are here to empower you – take advantage of your resources.

Disclaimer: If you have questions about your health, or making decisions related to your health, it is best to consult with a licensed healthcare practitioner. Keep in mind that integrative practitioners are typically more open to working with a patient’s individual needs.