Flu Vaccinations – Is it right for you?
Cypress Natural Medicine believes it is in your best interest to become informed about your health and treatment options before making any decisions about your health. Review the following information to become better prepared to determine if the flu vaccination is the best option for you or family members.

Information on the influenza virus:

 Millions of individuals develop the flu each year and only experience mild
Symptoms.

 There is a two day incubation period before symptoms of fever, cough, chills,
sore throat, body aches, fatigue or headaches appear.

 Influenza virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, direct contact with
contaminated surfaces and objects or unwashed hands.

 Flu symptoms usually subside after two to three days and disappear within a
week.

 Once an individual has had the flu, their body will have produced antibodies that
protect them from the same strain of virus for a prolonged period of time.

 Complications from influenza infection are very rare and may occur in individuals
with an underlying medical condition, those greater than 65 years of age, and
young children that have a predisposition to respiratory infections. Pneumonia is
the primary complication of influenza and can result in hospitalization or death in
those that are at extremely high risk for complications.
Information on the ‘flu’ vaccination

 The ‘flu’ vaccination, more correctly termed the influenza vaccination, is a vaccine
against specific strains of the influenza virus.

 There are over 500 different viruses that can cause flu like symptoms. The
vaccine is formulated from the three most common strains seen in the previous
year. The vaccine is a best guess as to what virus will be most prevalent this year.

 The influenza virus is constantly changing. A flu vaccine is only effective against
the same strain of influenza virus used to develop the vaccine.

 It takes about two weeks after the flu shot to develop sufficiently high levels of
antibodies to protect you from the influenza virus. These antibodies start to lose
their effectiveness within a few months.

 According to Health Department , the influenza vaccination is recommended for
individuals at high risk for developing serious complications if they were to
contract the influenza virus.

 High risk groups include all people aged 65 years or older, people with serious
long-term health problems, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, immunosuppressive
disorders, children on long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA/
aspirin); as well as, health-care workers, residents / workers / volunteers of
nursing homes, chronic-care facilities and retirement homes and women who will
be more than 3 months pregnant during the influenza season.

 The research from Health Canada suggests that the flu vaccine that closely
matches the current seasonal influenza strains temporarily prevents the flu in
healthy persons less than 65 years old about 70% of the time.

 In individuals over 65 years of age the efficacy rate of the flu vaccine is reported
to be less than 30%.

75% of individuals have prolonged (up to 2 days) soreness at the site of the
injection.

 Children are at the greatest risk of side effects including: fever, body aches,
allergic reactions and potentially a severe paralytic illness.

 There is a rare risk of allergic reaction in individuals with an allergy to eggs.
Warning signs include: breathing difficulties, hoarseness, wheezing, hives,
paleness, pronounced weakness, rapid heartbeat, or dizziness.
Reported concerns and contraindications to the flu vaccine.

 According the manufacturer of the vaccines, the flu vaccination should NOT be
given to persons with an acute respiratory infection or with any other active
infection or serious febrile (fever) illness.

 Vaccination is also not recommended for individuals who develop anaphylactic
type reactions (hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing,
hypotension and shock) when they eat eggs. Immunization should be avoided in
patients with an active neurological disorder until they are stabilized.

 The normal immune response following influenza vaccination may not develop
properly in individuals undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. This includes
those taking high doses of systemic steroids.

 Thimerosal, a mercury containing compound, is commonly used as a preservative
in flu vaccines. This is in the process of being taken out of vaccines in California.

 There is a mild risk of a paralytic disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Points to consider before making a decision on flu prevention:

1. If you already have had the influenza virus this year, your body will have developed antibodies to the influenza virus. Antibodies, developed by the body, when one has actually have the flu are more robust than antibodies from the flu vaccine and will protect one for a longer time.

2. The selection of the influenza strains that make up the vaccine is a hypothesis or guess. There is no way of knowing what strains will be the most prevalent in any given season.

3. The flu vaccine only promotes temporary (about 2 months) immunity to the viral strains or closely related viral strains contained in the vaccine.

4. The only way to acquire natural and long term immunity to a strain of the influenza virus is to recover naturally from the flu.

5. The process that is used to destroy the viruses and create the vaccines often uses formaldehyde, heavy metals (mercury) and chemicals. There are concerns and need for more extensive research about the effect that these substances on the human body and the lack of long term safety associated with their use, especially with the potential for increased risks that yearly vaccinations might entail.

6. Vaccinations prevent the body from naturally responding to external pathogens like viruses and bacteria. Individuals, who regularly maintain a strong healthy immune system will protect themselves from any adverse effects of the flu, will build permanent immunity and will decrease the potential for developing unknown side effects from long term exposure to vaccinations.
The flu vaccination was developed by the allopathic (conventional) health care system to decrease the risk of contracting the influenza virus. However, the best way of preventing any flu or complications from any flu is through prevention. The main focus of prevention needs to be on daily healthy habits that ensure an optimum immune system and overall health. A strong immune system is the most effective prevention strategy against the flu or any other virus.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please discuss these with your Naturopathic doctor or other health practitioner. Drs. Destia and Bryan Skinner use homeopathic vaccination program for those who can not or choose not to receive the flu vaccination. Remember that Juice Plus+ is shown to raise your immune system and is a great way to prevent the flu. The best protection from infectious diseases is a robust immune system and daily healthy habits.