Infectious disease experts say that the composition of a flu vaccine is a difficult prediction at best. They say "Although these are educated guesses, they clearly are guesses".
Officials from the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), CDC (Centers for Disease Control), WHO (World Health Organization), and other institutions study virus samples and patterns collected throughout the year from around the world. Based on those studies, the FDA decides on the three strains that manufacturers should include in their vaccines for Americans.
Some officials at the CDC state that last year's flu vaccine was only 44% effective; they guessed wrong. It is nearly an impossible feat because by the time they decide what the prevalent strains are around the world it's almost too late for manufacturers to produce a viable vaccine in sufficient volume to get to market in time. This year the most prevalent strain wasn’t even available.
Vaccines are designed to protect against the strains identified by the FDA. But, there's always the chance that the scientists' best guesses will fall short, as was the case during the 2007-08 flu season in the United States. Last year's flu season was the worst in four years, due, in part, to a vaccine that wasn't a good match for certain circulating flu strains, U.S. health officials said.
Additionally, we are very concerned about the materials in the flu shot that are called additives. Most of us know about the dangers of the preservatives Thiomersal (which is mercury), Aluminum, formaldehyde and others. Check out the list of ingredients in each manufacturer’s vaccine. You'll be amazed, and probably shocked by what you see! Remember, it’s not a good idea to get a flu shot if you are allergic to eggs.
Let me suggest a better approach:
PREVENTION, PROTECTION and TREATMENT!!
PREVENTION: Remember that TOUCH is your biggest enemy. Become aware of everything you touch and who has touched it before you. Become a Howard Hughes in the next several months! Simple things like using a paper towel, napkin, handy wipe or even your sleeve to open doors. Use a cleansing agent on your hands that will kill most germs and do not use isopropyl alcohol (which is ineffective). We have topical gels available for just this purpose that you can carry with you. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR EYES unless using a tissue as this is the major method for transferring viruses.
PROTECTION: Make sure your immune system is as strong as possible. Consider the other ‘assaults’ on your immune system that are out there, including:
- Pollen (which makes people sneeze and have itchy eyes — after they rub their eyes, where will their hands go next — and lots of people nowadays do not cover their nose when they sneeze ... Yikes!!!)
- Stress
- Sugar (yes, totally avoid sugar and simple carbs during the flu season as they are one of the top immunosuppressants!)
- Lack of Sleep
We have a high potency Immunostim Vitamin C IV that we have found to be one of the top preventive therapies to increase your protection against the flu. The IV takes 2 hours (in a comfy chair)!
TREATMENT: We recommend UVB/Ozone; a quick IV therapy! This is the only procedure we have seen that effectively takes a major bite out of flu viruses. We all do this therapy at the clinic and have not missed more than a couple of days of work in the past several years during flu season!!
Consider lost wages from being home sick versus the government’s guessing game (where they may or may not tell manufacturers to produce the right vaccine) and you'll probably never get a flu shot again — you'll be coming to TIFM instead!!
Visit our website for more information, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.
