76 thoughts on “Johns Hopkins Scientist Slams Flu Vaccine”

1. I have had a flu shot since 2001, because I worked with school kids. I am 70 years now and would like to know this means to me. Thanks, Wondering

2. I couldn’t agree more…finally someone said it!

   Kim Gonza
   Registered Nurse

3. I had the flu shot for the first timewhile I was in school, it was manditory. Soon after I was diagnosed with alopecia after noticing patches of hair missing. I truly believe it was cause by the shot.

4. That’s quite a lovely bunch of statistics you’ve got there, but where are all the citings and links and references to where you got your information from? Anyone can make up a statistic and make it sound believable. I’d like to see where you got your numbers from. Thanks.

5. Which stats Alyssa – the article, which is lined above, has the references at the bottom of it. As I borrowed this article, I left the link to provide support for the initial publishing website. If you cannot find the source there, though I think they are all there, let me know!

6. Lola, it will mean nothing for you. At 70 years old, you should continue to get the flu vaccine each year based on the latest research. This article is riddled with flaws and is statement bending throughout. The flu kills approximately 36,000 people per year in the US (signficantly higher worldwide). Compare this with something as knowingly devastating as breast cancer, at a rate of around 42,000 per year. Hopefully that puts in perspective the scale we are looking at. Additionally, there is an annual hospitalization rate in US of 1,000/100,000 for infants and adults >65.

   If your choice (which is yours to make, but please inform yourself first) is to no longer vaccinate, you need not worry about any bad side effects from the flu shot you’ve received in the past. These “studies” listed in the article are inconclusive and correlation based. Further, I’d like to address some statements in the article: “It offered people in nursing homes some immunity against the flu — at best one-third — but that was only if they picked the right vaccine.” First, yes it is true that the flu vaccine varies in its effectiveness each year. However, the formula in the vaccine is not randomly guessed at; it is carefully formulated based on the viral strains present from the previous year, along with viral antigenic patterns creeping up in other parts of the world before the US flu season hits. Most of the time it is highly effective. Second, preventing 1/3 more people (who are ailing and would likely *die* if they contracted the flu because they are immunocompromised) from getting the flu who would have otherwise gotten it is VERY significant. This is why it is especially important for the elderly to get vaccinated.

   Next,”A study released in February found that the flu shot was only 9 percent effective in protecting seniors against the 2012-2013 season’s most virulent influenza bug.” What a terrible statement to make. “Most virulent influenza bug” is incredibly misleading to the general public. That study showed very different results on the effectiveness of the flu vaccine against getting influenza in general. Every year there are many different strains, and to cherry pick one subset with extremely limited study participants in that subset is ethically wrong and misleading to the general public who do not know how to decipher dense and intimidating research articles but who can manage to read malignant posts like this one that are incredibly misleading and potentially dangerous. I’m surprised you didn’t tell people not to vaccinate their children because it will cause autism. As a physician, I’m alarmed and annoyed that these articles make it out for the general public to read with little to no knowledge otherwise that they are false.

7. There’s a reason why Dr. Blaylock referred to Doshi’s article as “a breath of fresh air.” It’s because the vast majority of information collected by clinical reviews of the flu vaccine on age populations ranging from toddlers to seniors point to their overall positive effectiveness. While Doshi’s claims point to a very reasonable pronouncement of inconsistency about the perceived risk of influeza and the efficacy of it’s most popular treatment at the moment, Blaylock takes Doshi’s call for reexamination a bit too much like an excuse to set the forum on fire.

   Firstly, the News Max article seems a bit confused about the terminology used to rate the statistical qualities of a flu vaccine, particularly its clinical efficacy and its surveyed effectiveness.
   reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_vaccine#Efficacy_and_effectiveness

   Take the optimal case outlined by a sample of studies to which the above article refers in it’s sixth paragraph:

   “Even when the vaccine is closely matched to the type of influenza that’s prevalent, which doesn’t happen every year, randomized, controlled trials of healthy adults found that vaccinating between 33 and 100 people resulted in one less case of influenza”

   From these report on vaccine efficacy, a well-matched flu vaccine should reduce the percentage of healthy adults who contract the virus anywhere from 1-3.3%. From the CDC’s _Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report_ on the summarized activity of influenza during the 2011-12 season:

   “Nationally, the weekly percentage of outpatient visits for ILI to health-care providers participating in the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) met, but did not exceed, the national baseline level of 2.4% for 1 week (the week ending March 17, 2012) during the 2011–12 influenza season.” Furthermore, “[t]he proportion of specimens testing positive for influenza during the 2011–12 season … peaked at 32% during the week ending March 17, 2012.”
   source link: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/765740_7

   Applying baseline level to adults, assuming visits for ILI to be mostly uniform across age groups and that everyone got vaccinated (usually less than 50% do), about 0.77% of adults visiting health care providers tested positive for flu. If the earlier mentioned efficacy trials translated into an ideal estimation of effectiveness for the flu vaccine that season (it’s typically lower, regardless of the season), then the percentage of flu-stricken adults visiting health care providers, in the case that no one received vaccinations beforehand, should instead be somewhere between 1.77-4%. This would suggest, granting the assumptions made thus far, that the effectiveness of the vaccine lie within 56-83%. (It’s usually a little over 60%, so that heavily supposed doesn’t seem too unreasonable; source link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/01/11/flu-shot-60-effective/1823673/)

   However, this example only applies to adults.

   “The government also says that every baby over the age of six months should have a vaccine, and they know it contains a dose of mercury that is toxic to the brain,” says Dr. Blaylock. “They also know the studies have shown that the flu vaccine has zero — zero — effectiveness in children under five.”

   The effectiveness of flu vaccines distributes somewhat normally across the age of its recipients. That is, the effectiveness peaks with healthier, younger adults and slopes off as the age (and associated frailty) of the recipients deviates from the main cluster. This trend bears less weight concerning child recipients, with whom flu vaccines have proven significantly efficacious and especially effective at reducing the risk infection for the elderly- a principle often regarded as “herd immunity”, or as the News Max article perhaps calls it, the “healthy-user effect”.
   source link(s) referenced: Id., “wiki…Efficacy_and_effectiveness”

   In the very least, the claims that flu vaccines contain toxic forms of mercury or recipes for harm rely upon firmly discredited misinformation, like some other myths concerning the vaccine.
   source link: http://www.livescience.com/24354-6-flu-vaccine-myths.html.

   Granted, the issue of vaccination has a lot to do with the money at stake for the healthcare industries concerned, and wether for the welfare of their associates or for the appreciation of their message by the public, the CDC has no reason to play down that issue. No doubt partly for this reason, there does not appear to be overwhelming amounts of evidence clearly asserting the cost-effectiveness of flu vaccines for the general population. (Of course, this is uncertainty has largely to do with the immense complexity of such economic analysis about the problem.) However, apart from other, “flu-like” illnesses, influenza is still a rather serious disease, exceedingly more threatening than the current standard of vaccination to prevent and subdue the virus. Moreover, companies concerned with ILI would still exist even if, heaven forbid, they weren’t allowed to produce vaccines, instead having to resort to curative treatments. (Personally, I would rather they spent their time on preventative methodologies, but that’s me.)

   Whatever anyone cares to read out of the reposted article, I would encourage them to consider the following paraphrase of one its passages. “For too many people, and even some profoundly silly neurosurgeons, 1 PhD from a medical school comprising nearly 4000 faculty members need only question the regard of flu vaccines’ effectiveness, and it is assumed that there must be solid research behind it.” In fact, Doshi is highlighting a want for solid research, not an abundance.

   For anyone interested in a more thorough (or dare I say, even a credible) review of Doshi’s dilemma, Pamela Weintraub does an excellent job of critiquing the relevant British Medical Journal paper.
   source link: http://experiencelife.com/article/the-debate-about-flu-shots/

8. Lola,

   To add to the advice Concerned doctor had to offer you, there’s a section in the last article I linked that contains some very valuable tips for natural means to prevent flu infection. I’ll reposted the relevant section here: http://experiencelife.com/article/the-debate-about-flu-shots/#naturalprevention.

   I would also caution you to instead read the last point about “avoiding sanitizers” as “moderating your usage of them”. That is, use them as appropriate during times of no especial concern, but in keeping with one of the earlier points, clean your hands frequently during flu season to reduce your risk of contracting the disease.

   Best,
   -J

9. Concerned doctor’s post is great however it’s not substantiated by anything other than his or her claims. Nothing is cited. There are no sources. What annoys me is the “Do as I say because I say so” expectation. Show me the proof of your claims or what you’ve said is meaningless.

10. 1- why can’t “concerned doctor” use a real name?

    2-while I am not keen on shoving multiple vaccines into the human body at once, I have had both influenza A and B over the last 5 years. I do not wish that much pain on anyone! Both years I had received the vaccine! Both times I went to the ER and got more benefit from IV fluids than any other thing.

    3-Since I have a degree in biology, I know that studies can be flawed. However, correlation studies should not be dismissed! They should be used as a reason to find the link of cause! They can be valuable pointers to the right direction.

11. People need to quit believing everything they read. Article is garbage. Go get your flu shot. 🙂

12. It’s funny how this “concerned doctor” leaves out the most important part of the article, definitely the part that would make me personally start questioning the ethics behind medicine if I was a doctor. “The mercury contained in vaccines is such a strong immune depressant that a flu shot suppresses immunity for several weeks” from my personal experience I have to say that this is %100 accurate! The only time I was pretty much forced to get the flu shot turned into the worst, most godawful, flu filled winter of my life! Two weeks after getting the shot I started getting the symptoms and they continued that entire winter. I was one of those people who thought the flu shot had given me the flu but now I find that I was shooting mercury into myself while pregnant. I cannot have more than 2 cans of tuna because of the amount of mercury but it’s ok to inject myself with a much higher dose of it right? Well this pregnancy isn’t going to involve any flu shots, so far much better, let’s see what happens. I have a feeling that it’s going to be like most winters where I may or may not get a slight cold at worst, which my body kicks pretty quickly on it’s own.

13. Couldn’t agree more…we practice real food immunity boosting and overall health and nutrition, and neither of my children have ever had the flu.

14. Without attempting to sway too strongly, or attack too aggressively. One of the benefits of running a high volume clinic, is that we see many people, but we don’t just “see” them. I get to hear them. We have seen 500-800 patients a week for a decade.

    One of the least scientific, yet most profound observations I have seen from simply listening, is that the majority of individuals who have taken a flue shot for consecutive years, have positive flu tests in those years. Where those who have not taken the shot, have had limited positive tests.

    I have a patient who wrote a letter for me to publish in the office. She described how she went to the doc to see if she had influenza, a test was given. While she waited for the doc to return, she got up and inspected the test. Negative. The doc walks in and looks at it, and says “positive, tamiflu it is”. She responded, “it says negative??”, he responds “it is positive, you need the treatment” and throws it in the trash. She dug it out, brought it to me, and indeed, we asked her to write her story, then we copied it for all patients to read, with her test dead center in the middle of the page.

    The reason why I mention this, is not because all doctors are manipulating liars. But it is a strong indication of what they must be feeling. They have been indoctrinated into a world, a world that right or wrong, is driven by protection of profit more than anything else. He felt like he needed to be in the right, so much so that he let himself fall into a blatant lie. I bet that doc regrets it, perhaps even thinks about it today, years later. So, all I ask, is that you consider everything you hear, or read. I recently wrote a daily sprout that was focused on the “philosophy” of health, as your philosophy should be the lens which you view all information. It is that important. Thanks for the responses, be well and be blessed – Dr. E

15. Does anyone else find it odd that Dr. Eric made it all the way through medical school, yet doesn’t have a grasp on some basic spelling? Hmmmm….???

16. The CDC wants to lead everyone to believe that the risks for adverse reactions is rare. All you have to do is go to the internet and read the the testimonials from individuals who have had adverse and life threatening reactions to the influenza vaccine my daughter fell victim last November. She’s a RN employed by a hospital that made the the flu vaccine required for all employees. She had anaphylactic shock from the flu vaccine. The initial onset of adverse reaction was in less than 20 minutes following injection she reported yo her manager who just brushed off her complaints of tightness in chest and feeling of SOA. To shorten this story she was seen in ER. Admitted to telemetry floor, spent 6 nights in the hospital, had her Gallbladder out secondary to the septicemia from the anaphalxis. In the months following her discharge she had influenza A and B plus she had one of them again in the spring each time she was tested. I found it interesting that every Dr she followed up after discharge advised she never take the vaccine again and said they never take it, and they really don’t see the benefit. We have since found out the Government also makes a one time payout to persons who have allergic reactions to vaccines, she is in the process of following the steps required. The flu vaccine unlike MMR, chicken pox, polio, etc. changes every year, it’s a guessing game, huge $$ for Sanofi and the government .
    Prior to this event , as a RN I was a advocate of the flu vaccine. Let me decide what. Is good for me and my family. With the exception of my daughter no one in our family has ever tested positive for the flu.

17. My Dr. agrees 100% with the article. He was very strong in telling me 3 years ago to stop. He feels the side effects are very real and dangerous. I stopped. No flu yet. Children especially.

18. I have for years told people to avoid the flu shot…quit with the medical double talk and share the truth. this is a mass marketing campaign put out by the pharmacutical companies to make massive amounts of money. the very concept of how the “vaccine” works tells you it is flawed…the fact that there are so many different influenza strains and they guess at which one to give you….the proof of so many people that get “:flu like” symptoms after the shot (i experianced that myself)…the numbers of people that still get the flu …its a hoax. DO NOT GET THE SHOT! your body will fight it off sand you will become stronger because of it

19. This shorts almost cost my life, I PREVENT by taking a B12 short every 3 days, never get sick and have a wonderful healthy life, 75 years old and NO NO DRUGS. Do not forget DRUGS are chemicals and our BODY is not made from chemicals, so learn to PREVENT. This is why health care in germany works, they PREVENT

20. 36,000 people don’t die from vaccine preventable flu every year. This is a fabricated number using inferences. This number is non verifiable. I believe that the main purpose is to incite fear per the CDCs influenza vaccine marketing policy, called “recipe” for immunization. Usually much less than 1000 people die from any influenza virus per year while tens of thousands die from pneumonia. For some peculiar reason, these numbers are lumped together in the CDC’s mortality statistics.

    Some may say “well influenza leads to pneumonia and if we vaccinate for influenza we will decrease these influenza/pneumonia deaths.” But this type of logic lacks critical thinking and is flawed. First off, there are many causes of pneumonia. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, like staph or MRSA, and fungi. Most hospital caused pneumonia are caused by bacteria. Other types of viruses such as RSV and many “influenza like virus can cause pneumonia. Many pneumonias are caused by medical standards of practice themselves. Chemotherapies can reduce immune functions and result in pneumonia death. In fact this is how the found or Benihanas’ died. Acid suppressing drugs make one susceptible to pneumonia by reducing bacteria killing acid and then inhaling. Getting intubated increases pnuemonia risk. I’ve even seen case studies where a rare cause of pneumonia was caused by a common type of anti-depressant. These are all instances where a vaccine would be ineffective.

    Next, is what type of person dies from pnuemonia/influenza? When the government/pharmaceutical company partnerships start making blanket recommendations, these are important questions to ask. Because the evidence of such recommendations might not even include me. When one looks at the mortlity chart. He/she can see that hardly any deaths occur in the 5-55 age group. Zero in many categories. The number starts increasing at age 55 and significantly goes up after age 65 with most in the over 75 age group. And usually less than 100 in the 2 and under group. So in general, healthy people do not die from the flu. Can they? Yes, but that tends to be the exception.The ones at risk are the frail elderly those with immunosuppression and comorbidities. These groups are at risk from multiple threats not just the vaccine strain influenza. Getting vaccinated doesn’t assure anything and may not any difference whatsoever.

    So there is a paradox with the flu vaccine. The healthy don’t need the vaccine. But the group that could benefit the most if it worked ,the frail and immunocompromised, respond poorly to not at all. Simply because their immune systems can’t muster a response. (0-30% antibody response which doesn’t mean immunity)

    The evidence does not show a decrease in influenza deaths with an increase in vaccination rates.In 1989, only 15 percent of people over age 65 in the U.S. and Canada were vaccinated against flu. Today, more than 65 percent are immunized. Yet death rates among the elderly during flu season have increased rather than decreased.

    Hence, you see the 36,000 scare mongering number year after year after year.

21. Please read this and ask yourself if your vaccine has any mercury . http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM096228ury? Read the very bottom chart. So one must read the package insert to see if the vaccine has any mercury. I read all my food labels before purchase, so why not vaccines and medications? Seems like only multidose vials have mercury. I have never had a flu vaccine out of a multidose vial. I would prefer never to have any medication out of a multidose vial due to contamination. Please do your own research before making any decisions about anything.

22. Hazel – LOL! I can spell just fine, I simply cannot type. I am glad you would think that my spelling has somehow limited my ability to make wise judgments. 🙂 Best of luck utilizing the opinions of great spellers only!

    From: http://www.englishryan.com/plus/view.php?aid=153
    Fact 1 – Einstein was a horrible speller. After moving to the US, Einstein became completely bilingual but could never recall how to spell words correctly in both German and English.

23. Doesn’t anyone want to get some good attorneys and sue the corrupt
    ‘officials’ involved in this scam? I mean, come on people….your
    leaders are corrupt….let’s just name it…sue their ass…get
    rid of them…and move on…

24. Please read this excellent response to Peter Doshi’s flawed work: http://thepoxesblog.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/non-epidemiologist-tries-to-do-epidemiology-feeds-anti-vaccine-activists/

25. Is it ironic that most medical schools and associations are funded by pharmaceutical companies?
    This is precisely why I have not and will not vaccinate my children

26. It would be really nice that everyone that comments here give their background and training ( degrees or classes or current profession). Qualified people are the people that we should listen to. I believe that the issue is Benefit vs Risk.
    Maryke, BS in Chemistry and two graduate level courses in statistics
    Hazel – grow up!

27. Interesting that Dr. Marshall points us to an article that copies the CDC’s statement and then sums things up with this… “Told you.” This sounds like my 9 year old arguing with his sister.

    On top of that the author of said article has closed off commenting.

    At least Dr. Marshall was given the opportunity to offer his opinion in this forum.

28. I took both the influenza and pneumonia shots one year and got the strains not covered by either of them so I haven’t taken either again-Don’t know the cosmic meaning of that but just didn’t seem to be of much benefit to me

29. I’m 39. I’ve had the flu two times in my life: once when I was 9 (I still remember every awful moment); and when I was 20. The infection at nine years old was your run of the mill, naturally occurring illness. However, the one contracted at the age of twenty, was shortly after receiving a flu vaccination, while I was serving in the Navy. I have yet to receive another vaccination, or have the flu. In all actuality, I’ve not had more than a mild cold, in the last 19 years.

30. Had a terrible reaction to my flu shot this year, but then I am taking herceptin for Stage IV breast cancer……If I am alive next year at this time, I will NOT get the flu shot!!!!

31. I’ve heard things in the past, but I’m convinced now reading this article. This is the last time I’m taking it.

32. I’m 69 years old and have never accepted a flu jab, and I never will.
    The human body can defend itself through a wonderful defence system, and should be left alone to do the job it was made for as often as possible!
    However, I do believe in infant immunisation!

33. A single (one) scientist goes on a a rant and that makes him right and ALL the rest of the medical community is wrong ?? I f you don’t want to take the shot here’s your excuse.

34. Concerned doctor is just repeating the standard line from the CDC that 36,000 a year die from the flu. If you actually look at the CDC Vital Statistic Reports, you will see on average since 1979, 1,314 people a year die from the flu. check out the reports and you will see I am telling the truth. There is no year anywhere close to 36,000. It is a made up number so you will get a flu shot

35. I do not recommend anyone to have it. Watch the obits in your area around Nov-Jan after the flu vaccine is given. You will see an increase in elderly dying after it is given to them. The Obits on a daily basis will almost double with the deaths of people over the age of 60 and up.
    In 1993 the only time I got the vaccine I was sick all winter long and the Nursing home I worked at 2-3 weeks after the vaccine was given we went under quarantine when many residents became sick with signs and symptoms of URI, SOB, elevated temps. 13 residents died.
    I will never again with my consent ever have it!!!

36. Since vaccination is not within the scope of practice of a chiropractor, a chiropractor should not be discussing or giving advice on vaccination.

    If you want to know the risks and benefits of the flu shot, talk to a public health nurse or to your Medical Doctor (M.D.).

37. Dr.Doctor Steve,
    Should Medical doctors not be allowed to give out health or nutrition advice because that’s not their expertise? Or are you speaking from a legal scope of practice standpoint? Which patient was specifically told not to get a flu shot?

    Vaccines are a medical sacred cow. Since foxes guard the hen house, are only foxes allowed to talk about hens?

    Medical policy is philosophical and therefore a political issue. It’s not a scientific issue, It’s a “how to apply a technology to the masses of people with or without their consent” issue.

38. Agree with Levi on this one Dr. Steve. If your practice is loaded with individuals asking questions, your WORST response is “Sorry, I am not allowed to have an opinion on that, so you should just go listen to your doc. And if you don’t think you agree with him, but you want me to provide my opinion which might validate, or perhaps not validate your feelings, I am sorry, but that is private.”

    Legal scope – “Patient – it is your decision, and you can ask medical advice from a medical doctor. But if you want health advice, I am able to provide you with that. From what I have read, I do/don’t believe X.”

    As an individual who has made a commitment to protect my flock, I will scream my beliefs from the top of my lungs, and I will provide REASONS for those beliefs, and I will wear those reasons transparently everywhere I go.

39. Anyone ever consider that mass immunization is a possible vehicle for mass infection by terrorists? I am an RN, haven’t had a flu shot in over 15 years. Use sensible precautions every season against cross contamination when in public and when working, use flower essence drops to keep body in balance, and haven’t had the flu in same period of time.

40. One of my moms friends got the flu shot because he was older and he ended up getting Guillain-Barre syndrome. The poor guy almost died and couldn’t walk for a long time. He finally got better but still had to use a walker.

41. This is bogus. For one, all that information about vaccinating children is incorrect. Under the guidelines, you are not allowed to vaccinate a child under the age of 9. And even if you were giving it to children (or adults for that matter), most vaccines are single doses and therefore preservative free. Which means it contains no mercury. Also, MANY studies have been done to prove that receiving vaccines containing mercury has nothing to do with contracting other diseases such as autism. The few studies out there that “confirm” this myth have been proven to be FALSE because the author of the study handpicked the 12 (YES 12! It was only based on 12 patients!) and completely convoluted the data to fit his conclusion. The FDA looked into this falsified data and retracted the studies, but the myth has stuck regardless.

    I could go on forever, but I’ve got better things to do than preach to people who don’t want to hear it. Just don’t be a fool. GET YOUR FLU SHOT. It might not be to save YOUR life, but maybe to keep you from getting sick in order to save another person’s life. Your actions affect the people around you. That’s why we use herd immunity and mass vaccinate the public.

42. I haven’t had a flu shot in over 30 years. I stay healthy, keep my immune system working well and it is enough to keep me from getting the flu. I think that is the ticket here, stay healthy, eat well, learn what is good for you, avoid what isn’t, exercise and avoid sugar, salt and know your body. I get some pretty funny looks from people at the pharmacy when I say I don’t get the flu, so why would I take a vaccine and give it to myself just so I won’t get it? It makes no sense to me. I’m 62 and feelin’ fine!

43. The ignorance of people like F.T. is common. Sadly, F. T. thinks they have knowledge, when they have indoctrination. I love this herd immunity argument, and F.T. you better be really good if you want to draw me into a debate. Though it is the most simplistic response, it is by far the most valid – if your immunity is so effective, then why would it matter if I am coughing influenza (A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus) all over you?

    You’ve been vaccinated for that exact strain, and of course you believe it is highly effective. You should not care at all about the herd. All whom you care for have been vaccinated.

    Furthermore, I am passionate about my beliefs, as you are yours. But to use words like “prove” and then to say “contracting other diseases like autism”, suggests a significant amount of immaturity in your world view. Prove is a non existent story. There has been no such study, I would know, as I have read them… all. Now, if you mean, that when you read the summary (in the periodical journal) written by the journalist who read the abstract (from the peer review journal) that was conducted by the scientists whose grant came from the pharmaceutical company (that produced the vaccine in question), then sure, you might think something has been proven.

    All the medical side has ever proven is that they are fully indoctrinated, and their religion shouldn’t be questioned. Or else. Sad.

44. I will NOT take any more flu shots because of the Mercury content in them as well. It’s pretty much down to us allowing them to inject poison into us and Thanking them for it.. NO way.. No more, Ever. Besides, I don’t sick, even the flu (no shot in 5 years).

45. My son received the DPT vaccine and right after that first set of shots he developed brain fever and was hospitalized. He lost his ability to speak and developed autism. I don’t know if it was the presence of mercury as a stabilizing agent or just being given too many viruses at once that overwhelmed his system. I do believe ( and i am not the only parent of an autistic child who had the same kind of thing happen) that he vaccination caused the autism. He might have been genetically predisposed to have a bad reaction but I am positive that the vaccination caused him to develop it.

46. For F.T. What is Thimerosal? From FDA.gov- There are six (6) vaccines listed that contain Thimerosal that are “routinely recommended for children 6- SIX Years and younger”. This same age group of children used to be in cigarette commercials as well!

47. I am a chiropractor with 32 years in practice, involved in chiropractic research and teaching and writing. Anyone who ignores the research questioning the benefits of the flu vaccine is acting ignorantly, whether they are a nurse, doctor or otherwise.
    If a vaccination or drug is not effective for the intended purpose, then you especially need to think about the potential risks.
    I firmly disagree with the previous chiropractor’s comment about discussing this topic with patients. There is a difference between giving medical advice and sharing information based on research. My patients receive science related information to help the make informed decisions, whereas I don’t tell what to do.
    The evidence strongly suggests that the flu vaccine is likely to be more of a risk than a benefit for most people.

48. I have been getting a flu shot for the last 10 or 12 years. The worst side effect is sorness at the site of the injection and mild flu symptoms. All the shots have been covered 100% by my insurance. Maybe if I had to start paying for the shots I might take a second look at the article. If you look at any drug there are side effects. If you take a minimal amount of side effects and blow it all out of proportion than some people will be scared to leave their home during flu season. There are always arguments on both sides.

49. For the chiro who said we should not comment on vaccinations–you can give your opinion just as.md is going to give theirs. If you want your family vaccinated your right. But I hav the right to also inform ask parents to be informed and educated. Not herd mentality just common sense. I am certain my body is programmed to fight the flu or allow.me to re over if I get it. Dont think I need extra formaldehyde, thimersol, animal cells,ethylene glycol plus the best guess.of cdc to not get the flu. Do what you think but dont deny your pts the opportunity to informed. Ask your md if they get the flu shot and their kids–you would be surprised at the answer.

50. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/16/the-greater-good.aspx

51. I got the flu shot for the first time this year and 3 day’s after getting it I became Ill.. I didn’t go to the Drs at first I just thought it was a cold. I fought it for 2 weeks before I went down hill and went to the E.R.. They told me I had viral pneumonia… I am never again going to get any kind of shot..

52. What about medical field staff who are FORCED to get a flu shot every year? Or an elderly man/woman who takes the advise of his physician to get a flu shot because the risk of them not doing so and getting the flu could be fatal for them due to underlying medical conditions…..what is your suggestion on that?

53. I have been kept this secret for the past 46 years. Now I have to let it go to the public. Fall of 1967, I was a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Kentucky as well as working full time with an engineering firm Watkins & Associates, Inc. in Lexington, Kentucky. I was only 26 years old and they were offering free flu shots to the employees. I was in excellent health and I told my peers that I don’t need a flu shot and I am just fine without it. However, they were nudging me with the idea that it is free and what do I have to loose by taking the shot. Stupid me! Finally I moved and took the shot. It was at the end of summer break. When I finished my previous semester, I was just fine reading everything on the board sitting at the very back row. For a week my eyes were blurry as if I had severe cold. I thought it was just temporary and ignored it. Two weeks past and the fall semester started and I was back in the class sitting in the very back row of chairs. My vision was still blurry. After a week I decided to check with an ophthalmologist who confirmed that I have lost my 20/20 vision and that I have to wear glasses. No other choice and I was forced to wear glasses. I was pretty certain that the flu shot was the culprit and since then whether it was free or not I did not go near the flu vaccination. After twenty five years of wearing glasses I was getting pretty irritated and decided to shed the glasses and started practicing a version of eye yoga derived from “Kaaya Kalpa Yoga” (The yoga of eternal youth) gained my eye back and I do not wear glasses for the past twenty years. I AM CONVINCED THAT THERE IS NO BENEFIT WITH FLU SHOT> RATHER THERE MAY BE SIDE EFFECTS WITH WHICH YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH!

54. Crystal – if there is no value to the flu shot, there is not value. If you are elderly and the concern is that you would die from the flu, then you need to reduce your risk of getting it. But if the shot is useless, that should not be in the plan to not get it. Improving the immune system, reducing exposure and rest are paramount.

55. I am a medical speech therapist working on long term care. Currently, I work in SNF. I am not required to get the flu shot. I’ve gotten in the past, but not every year. I start a new job in December, and a hospital. I will be required to get the flu shot. If I don’t, I will have to wear a nose/mouth mask from October through March. I’m a speech therapist, so CLEARLY, that is NOT an option for me. Now, I’ve gotten the flu shot in years prior w/o any side effects. But this year and last year, I have reserve: I worked with a young man (early 50’s) who, 3 days after receiving his FIRST flu vaccine ever, developed Guillain Barre Syndrome.. Couldn’t swallow, or breathe on his own. Could not move. It was confirmed that he developed GBS as a result of the flu shot, which does have a link to those with GBS and other associated autoimmune d/o. (Do a web search for Guillain Barre Syndrome and flu shot…be selective in your choice of sources). He made some great recovery, but life was forever changed. Now, I’m reluctant to have the flu shot, but will be forced to for my new job. Had I not ever received the flu shot before and if I did not know already that, to date, I have never had complications, I would absolutely choose another job.

56. I work in healthcare, and I have seen more people with reaction to the vaccine this year compared to last. It is not needed, over used, and another scam on the American public.

57. I was a healthy 18 year old female and got Guillain Barre Syndrome and was paralyzed from the head down after the flu shot. Lucky for me I recovered. I will never get one again. I work in the ED and will have to wear a mask at work this season. It is ridiculous

58. I swore to the hospital that i wouldnt tell anyone, but When I got the flu shot there was a crazy side effect that effects me today, ten years later. Now I am not only responsible for normal day to day living tasks, but I must also struggle everyday to protect the public from the dangers of criminals since the flu shot gave me the curse of being able to fly. With this unexpected and unwanted side effect….I am now subject to Uncle Ben’s policy that with great power comes great responsibility…. I hate you flu shot!!

59. Of course the flu vaccine is found only to be 80% effective, however, many of the possible side effects of getting the vaccine do not outweigh the fact that people can die from having the flu. I work for a pediatric doctor and the part about mercury being in the vaccine is untrue for ages 6-35 months. They took it out. So wherever he is getting his information from is wrong. If you choose not to get the vaccine don’t be mean to people that do get it. It’s their decision not yours and they don’t any help making it. And rather than this Phd telling me satistics, show me. He is not giving any sources to his information. And how do we know these studies haven’t been proven otherwise. Its a shame that people with medical backgrounds all have different opinions. Aren’t they all learning the same things? There is never going to be a right or wrong answer here.

60. I work in the health field. We are forced to take the flu shot, if we don’t take it we lose our jobs. We don’t have the option of a mask anymore. Take it or don’t work. So wrong

61. How about we stop giving the flu shot for one year. If the death rate jumps way up then the men who did this study should go to jail for killing millions of people. I have worked at a nursing home for 3 years and have gotten the flu shot for about 5 years and I have never seen any side affects or anyone die. This is a load of shit. Even ifs it’s only affective for 10% of people, that’s 10% of lives that are getting help.

62. I work in health care: pediatric urgent care. We are “forced” to get the flu shot, in fact, the majority of us opt out.

63. Out of the millions of flu shots given each year, how many people have complained about what they think is a reaction to the shot?. What is the chance of any one of those millions of people getting ill from various other causes close to the time of the flu shot? We are a very superstitious creatures who often forge a link between events that are close in time in time when in fact the events are merely contingent.

64. Last year I had Flue shot and I almost died from Flue. I had never been in this condition in my life.
    I decided I will never get Flue Shots again.

65. Folks; I am a 91 year old male individual in reasonable health .(I have no major afflictions other than the wear and tear of haveing been a working man for all of those years) I have been taking the flu shot since it’s inception, and have not had the flu, perhaps because I worked outside as well as inside all of hos years ( I am still working- though rather limited at this age) I wsonder where those that have the piled higher and deepedr get all of thein information, is that all they have to do ??Perhaps is they were to come outside and do some manual labor, and be exposed to the many causes of flu that we encountr, they would be less inclined to holler wolf, when perhaps all that is at their door in a hound dog.
    have a wonderful day

66. Last year the school I worked in offered free flu shots to all staff. I felt we all needed to comply even though it was not verbally said we had to. A few minutes after getting the shot, I had an anaphylactic allergic reaction and could have died. They called an ambulance and I was rushed to the hospital. The doctors told me too never get a flu shot again. They believed it is the preservatives in it but we’re not sure. Apparently you can request a preservative-free shot. So if your job is forcing you too get one,can at least request that. I was also told there was mercury in it. Are you kidding me?????? Never again!!!!! That was a terrifying ordeal and I don’t wish it on anyone.

67. My daughter developed a rare skin disease known as PLEVA shortly after receiving her first flu vaccine in her early teens. Her pediatrician pushed it even though she has asthma and a slight egg allergy both being contraindications. Online blogs of people with PLEVA seem to have many cases that coincide with the flu vaccine. I work at a medical clinic and will never have one and have always been healthy. I miss less work than all the people that get them:)

68. As a health care professional, It is highly encouraged at my job to get the flu vaccination, or you have to wear a mask. In the past I have received it, and there are times when I didn’t get the vaccination. My “gut feeling”, or “nursing intuition” tells me not to get it. I then how ever will get a “write up” which I have never gotten before on my job, and will not get a raise, plus have to wear a mask for a few months during the flu season. I believe I’d rather get a write up and no raise then to risk the side effects, if not short term but possibly long term. I’d rather get sick from the flu, which I’m rarely sick anyway, then increase my risks for alzhiemers, which is a devastating disease.

69. @Stephanie,
    The death rate would not go up because of the fact the flu death is not a large percentage of overall deaths. And for the people who make up 90% of flu deaths, the flu shot works very poorly.

    In 2004, flu vaccine production fell behind causing a 40% decrease in immunization rates. Yet, mortality did not rise. In 1997 the vaccine did not match the circulating virus. Yet mortality did not rise.

    In 1989, only 15 percent of people over age 65 (90% of influenza deaths) in the U.S. and Canada were vaccinated against flu. Today, more than 65 percent are immunized. Yet death rates among the elderly during flu season have increased rather than decreased.

70. I’m 26 years old. I have always had allergic reactions and complications from all vaccinations. I cannot claim that vaccines do not have have any benefit. I can only say that I cannot gain any benefit from them. My pediatrician told my parents when I was around 8-9 That I needed to avoid vaccines. I have never had the flu since. Not once.

71. To the commenter saying that it is not true, and that mercury was removed…You are highly misinformed. There are still traces. If someone told you that you had a 9% chance of it being effective and risked convulsions, allergic reactions that are actually life threatening then that’s worth it? ONLY if you are so immune compromised should you really take the chance. A healthy person does not pass from a flu. NOTICE I said HEALTHY. If the government backs it, there’s something in it for them. They couldn’t care less about our health. They shut down for weeks and let clinical trials go on hold that kept kids alive. Tell me they do it for our best interest and I’ll call you an idiot!

72. In the name of science things we do might kick back. However, without it, we could contaminate everything we love – the world. http://www.nicewriters.com

73. For those of you refusing to take the vaccine, please do others a favor and stay in your homes during flu season. The many that do care about the vaccine and not getting the flu would greatly appreciate it.

74. Pingback: Flu Shot Failure | HealthSprout

75. http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/flushot.asp

    Read it!

    1. LOL – reading a snopes article with hopes of gaining knowledge. Funny.

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