Should I get the flu vaccine?

Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Cathy

It’s that time of year again. Should you get the flu vaccine or not? We are being bombarded by advertisements, doctors, and pharmacies to get the flu shot. Yet, people on social media say you should avoid it. So what’s a person to do?

Last year my husband ended up with the flu and unfortunately, he passed it on to me. I usually never get sick plus I avoid the flu vaccine since it contains eggs and I’m sensitive to eggs. Last year I was working (outside of my home) feeling stressed and ran out of vitamin D. I believe this contributed to my being susceptible to the flu virus.

I have reversed most of my multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms including my heat intolerance. But with the flu, it also came with a high temperature which raised my core body temperature. That is especially bad for many of us with MS. When I woke up the next morning my legs were paralyzed, I couldn’t even roll over in bed. My husband had to help me sit up and make it to the bathroom. It is always scary when you are experiencing a flare even if it is a temporary flare.

The thing I found odd was, that I can stay outdoors for longer periods of time when it is extremely hot (over 100º F or 38º C) and not be affected. Yet, my high fever did affect my MS. I believe the difference may have been due to I’m not spending long periods of time in that kind of heat outdoors. (That is my guess anyway.)

Facts About the Flu Vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the vaccine reduces the odds of getting the flu by 40-60 percent. They recommend anyone over the age of 6 months to be vaccinated each year throughout the flu season. Which typically runs from September through February in the United States.

The flu can cause mild to severe symptoms, it can even lead to death. Once exposed it can take anywhere from 1-4 days for symptoms to show up. You get the flu from an affected person when they sneeze or cough. You can also get the flu by touching an object that has the flu virus on it, such as a doorknob, and then touching your own face.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Sometimes people think they have a cold at first but quickly realize it is more severe. Common symptoms can include:

• Body aches
• Chills
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Sweating
• Vomiting

An estimated 80,000 people in the U.S. died in the 2017-2018 flu season and 900,000 were hospitalized. That is the highest number in the past four decades. The reason was that the flu vaccine did not work very well.

Flu Vaccine Ingredients

The main concern for getting a flu vaccine is what it’s made from. Here is an explanation of the ingredients for the flu vaccine which came from the CDC’s website:

“Chemicals commonly used in the production of vaccines include a suspending fluid (sterile water, saline, or fluids containing protein); preservatives and stabilizers (for example, albumin, phenols, and glycine); and adjuvants or enhancers that help improve the vaccine’s effectiveness. Vaccines also may contain very small amounts of the culture material used to grow the virus or bacteria used in the vaccine, such as chicken egg protein.”

In other words (also from the CDC’s website):

– Aluminum
– Antibiotics (except penicillin in the United States)
– Egg
– Formaldehyde
– Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
– Thimerosal (mercury)

Should I Get the Flu Vaccine?

There is a lot of controversy as to whether you should get the flu vaccine or not. Yes, vaccines come with a lot of horrible ingredients but they also save lives. It was thanks to vaccines that smallpox was eradicated. Before vaccines, smallpox had a 30 percent fatality rate.

Our youngest son was born just as the chickenpox vaccine became available. Since it was new it was not part of the childhood immunization schedule so we didn’t have him vaccinated. At two-and-a-half, he ended up with the chickenpox. Normally, you would think chickenpox isn’t a serious illness, I was one of those people.

Unfortunately, he was one of the rare percentages that chickenpox almost killed him. Okay, it wasn’t chickenpox itself. But the chickenpox turned into strep and then necrotizing fasciitis. Otherwise known as “flesh-eating bacteria!”

He went through major antibiotics and two surgeries. The surgeon told us if the infection spread from his upper leg into the bone they would have to amputate his leg. If it spread to his abdomen there was nothing they could do and he would die. That was the most terrifying time in my life much worse than any MS flare I had experienced.

Fortunately, he had an awesome surgeon who saved his life and his leg. Today, you wouldn’t know he went through that ordeal as a child except for the huge scar on his leg. If he had received the chickenpox vaccine he would have never ended up with flesh-eating bacteria.

Natural Flu Remedies

Even though we went through that experience with our son, this year I’m going to be proactive. To avoid the flu I’m going to use natural remedies instead of the flu vaccine to avoid toxins. The number one thing you can do to avoid the flu or cold this season is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Number two, take plenty of vitamin D.

Yes, vitamin D has the ability to protect you from the cold and flu. Studies show people with lower levels of vitamin D are more likely to get the flu. It is safe for adults to take up to 10,000 IU of vitamin D each day. Especially if you live in an area that gets a lot of cloud cover during the colder months.

If you do get the flu, the Vitamin D Council states:

“The Vitamin D Council recommends adults take 5,000 to 10,000 IU/day, depending on body weight. Children should take about 100 IU/kg/day. Since there is a wide variation in human response to any vitamin D dose, it is important to have your vitamin D blood levels checked after you have taken vitamin D for a few months, to make sure it is > 40 ng/ml. The Vitamin D Council offers a convenient in-home vitamin D test kit or your doctor can order the test. If get influenza, you can safely take 50,000 IU/day for 10 days to help fight off the infection, but there are no clinical studies showing it helps.”

To avoid the flu this season use these tips below to keep your immune system strong to fight off the flu virus.

• Avoid processed foods
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat lots of healthy vegetables
• Exercise
• Get plenty of sleep
• Reduce your stress
• Take a vitamin D3 supplement
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly

In The End

The flu vaccine does not guarantee the prevention of the flu, it only lowers your risk. I can’t tell you to get a vaccine or not, it is your choice. Stop listening to rumors and read the facts so you can make the appropriate choice for yourself.

Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4912669/
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm

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