I recently called a pharmacy to phone in a prescription for a patient, but before I could speak to anyone, I had to listen to this message: “Flu shots are available at this pharmacy location. Please ask the pharmacists or the pharmacy staff for details on protecting yourself and your loved ones against the flu.”
Oh, really? Despite the hard sell, several review studies involving hundreds of clinical trials and several hundred thousand people have concluded that, for most children and adults, there is little scientific support for annual influenza vaccinations. Even if they prevent the flu—a big “if”—80 percent of all flu-like illnesses are caused by viruses and bacteria not targeted by the vaccine. So getting a shot is no guarantee you won’t still get sick.
Furthermore, many flu vaccines contain thimerosal, which is 50 percent ethyl mercury, the most toxic biologic poison on earth. Ethyl mercury is so toxic the EPA requires full protective gear and self-contained air for workers cleaning up wastewater containing 200 parts per billion (ppb). A flu shot contains close to 25,000 ppb!
I’m not your doctor, so I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell you that I’ve never had a flu shot, nor do I recommend them to my patients. Instead, I tell them to seek broader protection during the winter by taking 2,000-5,000 IU of vitamin D3 (aim for blood levels in the 40–60 ng/mL range), 1–3 g of vitamin C, probiotics, and additional immune boosters.
For more health tips on steering clear of the flu and cold season click here.
