During the 2012-2013 flu season, the flu vaccine's
effectiveness was found to be just 56 percent across all age
groups reviewed by the CDC —in essence, the statistical
equivalent of a coin toss
In average conditions, when a flu vaccine at least partially
matches the circulating virus, 100 people need to be
vaccinated in order to avoid just ONE set of influenza
symptoms
Most deaths attributed to the flu are actually due to
bacterial pneumonia, and these days, bacterial pneumonia can
be effectively treated with advanced medical care and
therapies like respirators and parenteral antibiotics
A “universal” flu vaccine under development is based on the
finding that people who have more virus-killing immune
cells, known as CD8 T cells, either don’t get sick or
experience only mild flu symptoms
While a vaccine can be used to stimulate the production of
CD8 T cells, previous research shows that vitamin D is also
known to have a direct immune-modulating effect on CD8 T
cells
By Dr. Mercola
Did you know that during the 2012-2013 flu season, the flu
vaccine's effectiveness was found to be just 56 percent across
all age groups reviewed by the CDC —in essence, the statistical
equivalent of a coin toss. In seniors, aged 65 and over, the US
flu vaccines were only
nine percent effective.
The 'gold standard' of independent scientific evaluation and
analysis, the
Cochrane Database Review, has issued no less than five
reports between 2006 and 2010, all of which decimate the myth
that flu vaccinations are “the most effective flu prevention
method” available.
In average conditions, when a flu vaccine at least partially
matches the circulating virus, 100 people need to be vaccinated
in order to avoid just ONE set of influenza symptoms, according
to Cochrane’s findings.
Yet as another flu season approaches, all these facts are
wholly ignored by conventional medicine and media alike, and
you’ll certainly never see them mentioned in any flu vaccine
promotion campaign.
Unfortunately, in addition to the fact they may not be nearly
as effective as advertised, flu vaccines
can, and do, cause harm. The featured video is a potent reminder
of what vaccine damage can look like, and why it’s so important
to make well-informed decisions about all vaccinations,
including “routine” ones.
While death and complete disability from a flu vaccine may be
rare, so is dying from the flu itself. So I strongly recommend
weighing the risk of suffering a debilitating side effect of the
flu vaccine relative to the more likely potential of spending a
week in bed with the flu.
Remember, most deaths attributed to influenza are actually
due to bacterial pneumonia, and these days, bacterial pneumonia
can be effectively treated with advanced medical care and
therapies like respirators and parenteral antibiotics.
Also, it is important to remember that only about 20 percent
of all influenza-like illness that occurs every year is actually
associated with influenza viruses because many types of
respiratory illnesses with flu-like symptoms can be mistaken for
influenza. About 80 percent of cases of suspected influenza sent
to the CDC for analysis lab test negative for type A or type B
influenza.
Vaccine Choices Abound This Year...
This season, your choice of flu vaccine is more diverse than
ever. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently
approved several new flu vaccines, including trivalent (three
strain) and quadrivalent (four strain) vaccines. As reported in
Time Magazine1
last month, available choices this year will include:
Standard three-strain flu vaccine. This year’s version
includes influenza strains H1N1 and H3N2, and an
influenza B virus
Egg-free vaccine (FluBlok), in which the influenza
virus’ were grown in caterpillar cells instead of
chicken eggs
Quadrivalent, or four-strain vaccine, which includes two
A class of viruses and two from the B class, which tends
to cause illness primarily in young children
High-dose vaccines, promoted for seniors aged 65 and
over
Nasal spray, called FluMist. This year it will contain
four strains opposed to three, matching the quadrivalent
injection
Intradermal vaccine, promoted for those afraid of
needles. The vaccine is delivered through a panel of
micro-needles rather than a single needle
Universal ‘Flu Vaccine’ May Already Exist—In the Form of Vitamin
D
Scientists are also inching ever closer to the creation of a
“universal” flu vaccine— one that would protect against all
forms of influenza. One hypothetical universal vaccine type
targets so-called “stalk
antibodies.” However, recent research in pigs has raised a
huge red flag, calling into question the validity of
this hypothesis, as it appears such a vaccine might actually
magnify the impact of some strains of the virus and cause more
severe disease.
Another universal vaccine being developed by the
pharmaceutical company Sanofi is based on the finding2
that people who have more virus-killing immune cells, known as
CD8 T cells, either don’t get sick or experience only mild flu
symptoms. The idea behind this vaccine is that by stimulating
your body to produce more CD8 T cells, it may protect you from
getting the flu, or at least from having severe symptoms.
However, while the drug company researchers brag that they
know how to use a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to
produce more CD8 T cells, they fail to mention that vitamin D is
also known to have a direct immune-modulating effect on CD8 T
cells. This was revealed in a study3
published three years ago. Other research has proposed that
deprivation of sunlight and vitamin D at higher latitudes
worsens CD8 T-cell deficiency.4
So, it may be, then, that a ‘universal flu vaccine’ doesn’t need
to be created at all because it essentially already exists in
the form of vitamin D!
Research Proves Vitamin D Is a Potent Weapon Against Influenza
Robert Edgar Hope-Simpson was one of the first to discover
the link between a deficiency in solar radiation and seasonal
influenza. Then, in 2006, the journal Epidemiology and
Infection5
published Dr. John Cannell’s paper "Epidemic Influenza and
Vitamin D,"6
which presents the hypothesis that influenza is little more than
a symptom of vitamin D deficiency.
Clearly, just because you’re exposed to a virus does not
automatically mean that you will get sick. On the contrary,
studies7
have shown that even in people without any antibodies against a
particular virus, the majority do not develop any symptoms at
all when directly exposed in experiments.
The fact of the matter is that if your immune system is
operating optimally, your chances of contracting a cold or
flu-like illness or influenza are very slim. Vitamin D is an
important player in overall healthy immune function, but it’s
also an effective antimicrobial agent in its own right,
producing 200 to 300 different antimicrobial peptides in your
body that kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. So optimizing your
vitamin D levels will help combat viruses in more ways than one.
Dr. Cannell followed up on his hypothesis with another study
published in the Virology Journal8
in 2008, and his findings were again
confirmed in 2009—this time by the largest and most
nationally representative study of its kind to date, involving
about 19,000 Americans. That same year (2009), it was discovered
that almost two-thirds of the children who died from H1N1 swine
flu complications had underlying health problems such as
epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or other neurodevelopmental
disorders. Neurological and immune disorders have been
associated with childhood vitamin D deficiency, which could also
have made the children more susceptible to swine flu
complications.
A 2010 study9
that didn't get any widespread attention also demonstrated the
effectiveness of
vitamin D as a preventive strategy against influenza. In
fact, children taking just 1,200 IUs of vitamin D3 per day,
which is considered a low dose, were shown to be 42 percent less
likely to come down with the flu. I firmly believe that
optimizing your vitamin D levels is the single most important
and least expensive action you can take to help strengthen
immune function and protect against getting sick during the flu
season, and would STRONGLY urge you to have your
vitamin D level monitored to confirm your levels are
therapeutic at 50-70 ng/ml year-round.
The Best Way to Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels
Research on vitamin D is moving forward swiftly, so you’d be
well advised to stay on
top of the latest developments as recommendations are
refined and updated. I will cover the latest developments here,
so you may want to share this article with your peers.
Sun exposure is by far the best way to optimize your vitamin
D levels as your body has built-in “fail-safe” mechanisms that
help prevent detrimental side effects from occurring. Vitamin D
from sunlight acts as a pro-hormone, rapidly converting in your
skin into 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or vitamin D3. A viable
alternative is to use a safe tanning bed, i.e. one that has an
electronic ballast, opposed to a magnetic one.
Sun exposure may also be more beneficial due to the fact that
when your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces cholesterol
sulfate, which is important for optimal brain and heart
function. Cholesterol sulfate also appears to play an important
role in reducing LDL cholesterol, which is associated with
cardiovascular disease. So there’s more to gain by getting sun
exposure than “just” protecting yourself against influenza and
flu-like illness.
The problem, of course, is that it can be difficult to get
enough sun exposure, especially during winter months when you
need it the most. Last year, I created a
video to help you determine if you can get enough vitamin D
from sun exposure in your area at different times of the year.
If you decide to take supplements to boost your vitamin D
levels, based on the latest investigations by Carole Baggerly,
director of GrassrootsHealth, the average adult dose required to
reach healthy vitamin D levels is around 8,000 IUs of vitamin D
per day. For children, many experts agree they need about 35 IUs
of vitamin D per pound of body weight. Here, it’s important to
remember that if you’re taking high-dose vitamin D supplements,
you ALSO need to take
vitamin K2, and monitor your levels via blood testing to
ensure that they’re within the optimal range.
Diet and Sleep Are Also Important Factors
Besides vitamin D, addressing your diet and sleep pattern can
go a long way toward warding off the flu. When it comes to diet,
perhaps the most important factor is to avoid processed foods
and sugar (especially fructose), as sugar decreases the function
of your immune system almost immediately. Be aware that sugar
(typically in the form of high fructose corn syrup) is present
in foods you may not suspect, like ketchup and fruit juice. A
high-sugar diet will also decimate your beneficial bacteria and
feed the pathogenic yeast and viruses. Clearly, if you are sick,
or specifically want to reduce your chances of getting sick,
then sugar is the last thing you should be eating.
It’s important to remember that the bacteria in your gut have
enormous control of your immune response. In addition to
avoiding processed food and sugar, you’d be wise to add in
fermented foods on a regular basis, which will help reseed your
gut with a wide array of beneficial bacteria.
Sleep is another important factor. Just like it becomes
harder for you to get your daily tasks done if you're tired, if
your body is overly fatigued it will be harder for it to fight
the flu. Be sure to check out my article "Guide
to a Good Night's Sleep" for some great tips to help you get
quality rest.
Other Strategies to Protect Yourself Against the Flu Without
Vaccination
If you want to avoid a serious case of influenza, you need to
focus on maintaining a robust and well-functioning immune
system. As mentioned, I believe optimizing your vitamin D levels
is one of the most potent preventive strategies available,
followed by diet and sleep. There are other factors that can
come into play too, of course. The following guidelines will
also act in concert to support your immune system:
Have Effective Tools to Address Stress.
We all face some stress every day, but if stress becomes
overwhelming then your body will be less able to fight off
the flu and other illness. If you feel that stress is taking
a toll on your health, consider using an energy psychology
tool such as
the
Emotional Freedom Technique, which is remarkably
effective in relieving stress associated with all kinds of
events, from work to family to trauma.
Get Regular Exercise. When you
exercise, you increase your circulation and your blood
flow throughout your body. The components of your immune
system are also better circulated, which means your immune
system has a better chance of finding an illness before it
spreads. Be sure to stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids,
especially water.
However, it would be wise to radically reduce the intensity
of your workouts while you are sick. No Peak
Fitness exercises until you are better.
Take a High-Quality Source of Animal-Based
Omega-3 Fats. Increase your intake of healthy and
essential fats like the omega-3 found in krill oil, which is
crucial for maintaining health. It is also vitally important
to avoid damaged omega-6 oils that are trans fats and in
processed foods as it will seriously damage your immune
response.
Wash Your Hands.
Washing your hands will decrease your likelihood of
spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people. Be
sure you don't use antibacterial soap for this –
antibacterial soaps are completely unnecessary, and they
cause far more harm than good. Instead, identify a simple
chemical-free soap that you can switch your family to.
Tried and True Hygiene Measures. In
addition to washing your hands regularly, cover your mouth
and nose when you cough or sneeze. If possible, avoid close
contact with those who are sick and, if you are sick, avoid
close contact with those who are well.
Use Natural Immune-Boosters. Examples
include oil of oregano and garlic, both of which offer
effective protection against bacteria, viruses, and protozoa
in your body. And unlike pharmaceutical antibiotics, they do
not appear to lead to resistance.
Avoid Hospitals. I'd recommend you stay
away from hospitals unless you're having an emergency and
need expert medical care, as hospitals are prime breeding
grounds for infections of all kinds. The best place to get
plenty of rest and recover from illness that is not
life-threatening is usually in the comfort of your own home.
Protect Your Right to Informed Consent and Defend Vaccine
Exemptions
With all the uncertainty surrounding the safety and efficacy
of vaccines, it's critical to protect your right to informed
consent to vaccination and fight to protect and expand vaccine
exemptions in state public health laws. The best way to do this
is to get personally involved with your state legislators and
the leaders in your community.
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY.
Mass vaccination policies are made at the federal level but
vaccine laws are made at the state level. It is at the state
level where your action to protect your vaccine choice rights
can have the greatest impact. It is critical for EVERYONE to get
involved now in standing up for the legal right to make vaccine
choices in America because those choices are being threatened by
lobbyists representing drug companies, medical trade
associations and public health officials, who are trying to
persuade legislators to strip all vaccine exemptions from public
health laws.
Signing up for NVIC's free Advocacy Portal at
www.NVICAdvocacy.org
gives you immediate, easy access to your own state legislators
on your Smart Phone or computer so you can make your voice
heard. You will be kept up-to-date on the latest state bills
threatening your vaccine choices and get practical, useful
information to help you become an effective vaccine choice
advocate in your own community. Also, when national vaccine
issues come up, you will have the up-to-date information and
call to action items you need at your fingertips..
Share Your Story with the Media and People You Know
If you or a family member has suffered a serious vaccine
reaction, injury or death, please talk about it. If we don't
share information and experiences with each other, everybody
feels alone and afraid to speak up. Write a letter to the editor
if you have a different perspective on a vaccine story that
appears in your local newspaper. Make a call in to a radio talk
show that is only presenting one side of the vaccine story.
I must be frank with you; you have to be brave because you
might be strongly criticized for daring to talk about the "other
side" of the vaccine story. Be prepared for it and have the
courage to not back down. Only by sharing our perspective and
what we know to be true about vaccination will the public
conversation about vaccination open up so people are not afraid
to talk about it.
We cannot allow the drug companies and medical trade
associations funded by drug companies or public health officials
promoting forced use of a growing list of vaccines to dominate
the conversation about vaccination. The vaccine injured cannot
be swept under the carpet and treated like nothing more than
"statistically acceptable collateral damage" of national
one-size-fits-all mandatory vaccination policies that put way
too many people at risk for injury and death. We shouldn't be
treating people like guinea pigs instead of human beings.
Internet Resources Where You Can Learn More
I encourage you to visit the following web pages on the
National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) website at
www.NVIC.org:
NVIC Memorial for Vaccine Victims:
View descriptions and photos of children and adults, who
have suffered vaccine reactions, injuries and deaths. If you
or your child experiences an adverse vaccine event, please
consider posting and sharing your story here.
Vaccine Freedom Wall:
View or post descriptions of harassment and sanctions by
doctors, employers, school and health officials for making
independent vaccine choices.
Connect with Your Doctor or Find a New One That Will Listen and
Care
If your pediatrician or doctor refuses to provide medical
care to you or your child unless you agree to get vaccines you
don't want, I strongly encourage you to have the courage to
find another doctor. Harassment, intimidation, and refusal
of medical care is becoming the modus operandi of the medical
establishment in an effort to stop the change in attitude of
many parents about vaccinations after they become truly educated
about health and vaccination.
However, there is hope.
At least 15 percent of young doctors recently polled admit
that they're starting to adopt a more individualized approach to
vaccinations in direct response to the vaccine safety concerns
of parents. It is good news that there is a growing number of
smart young doctors, who prefer to work as partners with parents
in making personalized vaccine decisions for children, including
delaying vaccinations or giving children fewer vaccines on the
same day or continuing to provide medical care for those
families, who decline use of one or more vaccines.
So take the time to locate a doctor, who treats you with
compassion and respect and is willing to work with you to do
what is right for your child.