FLU SHOTS, GOOD OR BAD?

As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you the reader come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary with astounding results.
Visit http;//www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more super information.

FLU SHOTS, GOOD OR BAD?

The flu season runs from Oct 1 until Mother’s Day and peaks mid February.  It was estimated there would not be enough vaccine available this season.

But here we are at the height of the flu season and more than half of all adults have no intention of getting a flu shot.  Recent survey showed only 30% of adults were vaccinated by mid November and another 17% planned on getting vaccinated.   Over 57% of health care workers and caregivers had no plans to get a flu vaccine, despite the Center for Disease Control recommending it for all adults. 

The CDC says the inactivated influenza vaccine is safe for everyone over 6 months of age, including those people with high-risk conditions.  Another vaccine with live attenuated influenza vaccine, marketed as FluMist is approved fro uses among healthy people 2-49, but is not recommended for pregnant women.

The largest effect, says the CDC, was found if all children under 16 were offered the vaccine. Up to 97 per cent of cases of influenza A were  prevented along with 96 per cent of influenza B.

Scientists are now investigating whether all children should be protected against flu or only certain age groups.  Our government apparently has come to its conclusion.

The new economic stimulus bill just passed, designates nearly a billion dollars for new vaccinations of children.   $954,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount to carry out the immunization program authorized by section 317(immunization program).

COMMENTARY

 Many unresolved questions need answering. 

Is vaccinating children on an annual basis a good use of resources? 

Can our elderly, who have very little immunity, be given another virus to overcome?

 Why must every nursing home insist that the vaccine be given?

 Should the elderly and people at risk of complications with long-term conditions like lung disease, multiple sclerosis or severe asthma be routinely vaccinated?

 Do mass vaccinations for non-fatal diseases actually improve the health and lives of those who receive them?

The pro-vaccine camp believes that the human immune  system is a technological failure and that chemical intervention is the only way to protect children. The anti-vaccine camp believes that exposure to non-fatal infections actually strengthens the immune system, creating stronger protections against future infections.

New research is showing that human health improves when it is EXPOSED to full-strength pathogens and infections that force the body to activate an adaptive response. There is some evidence that over vaccinating the  public may increase their risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Thus, vaccines may actually interfere with normal, healthy immune function while injecting children with dangerous chemicals and substances derived from sick, diseased animals.

Of course its better to not get infected!   Or, at least, that's the conclusion most doctors choose to endorse.  Yet,  they the medical caregivers choose to ignore the Center for Disease Control recommendations and do not get themselves vaccinated.  What do they know that you don’t? 

Poor GlaxoSmithKline is hurting, but not for long.  The billion dollars of stimulus money is heading their way.

What do you think?

Visit www.drneedles.com for more commentaries on controversial medical subjects.

Source: ACOG TODAY FEB. 2009