Each fall our children go back to school, the days get shorter and the Center for Disease Control starts their media campaign for the flu vaccination. Some get their flu shot out of fear of contracting the virus; others see it as a simple preventative measure, while some see the vaccination as an unnecessary intrusion. Whether one gets the shot or not is not the issue; rather do you know enough to make an educated decision is critical.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel of 15 experts, this year has recommended that all Americans over the age of 6 months — accept those who are allergic to eggs—receive a seasonal flu shot. In any given year only a third of Americans are immunized against the flu despite the CDC’s recommendations that cover 85% of the population.
The influenza virus is a contagious respiratory condition whose season peaks in the United States sometime between December and March. The flu, which is virtually indistinguishable from the common cold, causes symptoms such as fever, body ache, extreme fatigue and a dry cough. Only specialized tests administered in the initial phase of illness can properly identify the influenza virus.
Make no mistake, the flu can be fatal; on average 1137 deaths each year are directly attributed to Influenza. But that number is small in comparison to the approximate 5-20 percent of the American population that contracts the virus each year and the roughly 200,000 who will require hospitalization. According to the National Vital Statistics Reports compiled by the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 36,000 Americans die each year for Influenza and Influenza Associated Pneumonia and Cardiovascular deaths. This estimate has been culled from 3 decades of flu seasons starting in 1976-1977. Over 90% of these deaths occur in individuals over the age of 65 and those with chronic health issues.
When we look at the other population most at risk, the very young (children having the highest rate of contraction), there is little evidence to the efficacy of the flu shot. In the U.S. and Canada, only one study exists that tested the vaccination on 6-23 month old children. That one study showed no benefit or ill effects from the vaccination.
If you are on the fence when it comes time to vaccinate another perspective outside of statistics to consider is the chemical content of the flu vaccine. In 2009 two-thirds of the flu vaccinations contained thimerosal. Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound used as a preservative in a number of biological and drug products, including many vaccines, to help prevent potentially life threatening contamination with harmful microbes. According to the FDA, Thimerosal has been removed from or reduced to trace amounts in all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. The amount of mercury contained in the flu shot is 250 times the safe dosage recommended by the EPA. Also commonly found in the flu shot are, Ethylene glycol (antifreeze), Phenol, also known as carbolic acid (this is used as a disinfectant, dye), Formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing agent, Aluminum, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease and seizures and also cancer producing in laboratory mice (it is used as an additive to promote antibody response), Neomycin and Streptomycin (used as antibiotics) have caused allergic reaction in some people.
The decision to vaccinate yourself and your family is a very private and serious matter. Hopefully this article helps you make an educated decision and not one out of fear.
Sometimes the best medicine isn’t medicine,
David Marcon, DC, CCSP
Marcon Chiropractic & Wellness Center
Cincinnati, Ohio 45255
www.drdavidmarcon.com
No comments:
Post a Comment