Monday, October 5, 2009

Still not convinced about the flu shot debate?

If you are still thinking that the flu shot is a good idea, take a moment and read this from Dr. Mercola's website. How can you possibly think that the flu shot is a good idea after understanding what is in it and what it really is. I would love to hear any good debate. If you are for it, surely you are uneducated on the matter. Please get educated. If you want it, do it for yourselves but please, please, leave your kids out of it!


This year it is more important that you protect your children and loved ones from the flu vaccines than influenza itself. This article on Lew Rockwell discusses how:

  1. The swine flu is simply another flu. It is not unusually deadly.

  2. This is the first time both seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines will be administered. Both seasonal flu and swine flu vaccines will require two inoculations. This is because single inoculations have failed to produce sufficient antibodies. This is an admission that prior flu vaccines were virtually useless. Can you trust them this time?

  3. Adjuvants are added to vaccines to boost production of antibodies but may trigger autoimmune reactions. Some adjuvants are mercury (thimerosal), aluminum and squalene. Why would you sign a consent form for your children to be injected with mercury, which is even more brain-toxic than lead?

  4. This is the first year mock vaccines have been used to gain FDA approval. The vaccines that have been tested are not the same vaccines your children will be given.

  5. Over-vaccination is a common practice now in America. American children are subjected to 29 vaccines by the age of two. Meanwhile, veterinarians have backed off of repeat vaccination in dogs because of observed side effects.

  6. Modern medicine has no explanation for autism, despite its continued rise in prevalence. Yet autism is not reported among Amish children who go unvaccinated.

  7. Researchers are warning that over-use of the flu vaccine and anti-flu drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza can apply genetic pressure on flu viruses and then they are more likely to mutate into a more deadly strain.

  8. Most seasonal influenza A (H1N1) virus strains tested from the United States and other countries are now resistant to Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Tamiflu has become a nearly worthless drug against seasonal flu.

  9. Public health officials are irresponsible in their omission of any ways to strengthen immunity against the flu. No options outside of problematic vaccines and anti-flu drugs are offered, despite the fact there is strong evidence that vitamins C and D activate the immune system and the trace mineral selenium prevents the worst form of the disease.

For even more reasons, please review the full article on LewRockwell.com.


21 comments:

Carie said...

My 14 year old was diagnosed with the swine flu on Saturday. The only reason his doctor even tested him was because I have an immune compromised child. They pushed me using Tamiflu for both kids,even though my immune compromised son does not have the flu. I got the tamiflu because they pressured me that there was a shortage and so I better hurry and get it. It was not cheap! When it came down to it, I couldn't make myself give it to my kids, so I have it, but refuse to use it! The swine flu just is not that big of deal. Yeah, my son is sick, but he has been sicker with strep! The media certainly has hyped this up, and it makes me angry! Having experienced the swine flu, I would take the swine flu any day over even considering the shot!

Tiff Hunt said...

This is awesome information. I have usually given my little girl the flu shot, but have decided against it this year. It's sad and scary the fear that the government and media are putting into the American people.

Anonymous said...

I am so irritated that dr's and the media are saying that 99% of flu cases right now are swine flu without even testing them. They don't know what strain it is without a test. My kids are down right now with the flu going on 4 days. I'm just pushing lots of fluids, rest, and vitamins, and we are doing just fine. I'm 9 months pregnant and my ob told me they recommend the regular and the swine vaccine. Not for me or my family. We used to get them but haven't for the last several years. Thank you for all your info Shari!

Rachel said...

I think this info is so interesting! Thanks so much for sharing. I will definitely be letting my friends know. My kids have been sick with 101* temps and headaches. Everyone keeps telling me that their friends child had it and it was diagnosed as H1N1. (Seems like everyone knows someone that knows someone). If it truly is, which I highly doubt, its the mildest form of the flu we have ever had.

the DeCampos Family said...

I looked thru your blog and couldn't locate anything regarding shots for babies, I might just have not seen the post if you blogged about it. I will be having my little boy in March and I want to give my baby only one shot at a time and wait till he is not a newborn, maybe 4 months old? Do you have any advise or a shot schedule you used with your kids? Or is this not a concern for you? I hear that doctors can pressure you when you say you want to wait and I want to make sure I know what I am doing.
THanks, your info is the best!!

Shari Goodman said...

http://toddabbyfam.blogspot.com/search/label/Vaccines

This is a group of posts from my friend, Abby Runyan about vaccines that are great. If you scroll down, you will see a suggested vaccine schedule. I am out of this department now with no little ones but if I was...I would wait one year, get one at a time only if they are totally healthy and only get the shots from the naturopathic Dr.s that are mercury free. I would also select which vaccines I would get. We get way too many in the US. While we give around 29, other countries get around 11. Wonder why we lead in autism and other related issues??? HMMM.

RJ said...

Thanks for the awesome info. How do you get the "trace mineral selenium" into your diet? Thanks!

Jan said...

I know this blog is read by one extreme of the population and I am probably talking to the wrong crowd. But your assumptions are often so un-factual, it's ironic when you tout that flu vaccines are not evidence-based. I don’t have time to argue every point and I shouldn't even be spending time on this but I just had to make a few points.

First, regarding thimerosal, this is what Dr. Amy Tuteur had to say about this:

“The current fear mongering surrounding thimerosal…rests on two factors, ignorance of basic chemistry and ignorance of the existing research on thimerosal.

To hear vaccine rejectionists tell it, all mercury containing compounds are dangerous and therefore thimerosal is dangerous. But that’s not how chemistry works. The toxicity of a substance depends on how atoms are arranged, not simply which atoms are present. The fact that some mercury compounds are dangerous does not mean that thimerosal must be dangerous because it contains mercury.

Consider the example of sodium. Sodium is both poisonous and explosive. That does not mean that compounds that contain sodium are either poisonous or explosive. Table salt (sodium chloride) contains sodium, yet we do not worry that salting our food will result in an explosion at the dinner table.

Similarly, mercury is poisonous, but that does not mean that any compound that contains mercury is also poisonous. Some mercury containing compounds, like methyl mercury, are poisonous. Methyl mercury is the found in fish and is the reason why restrictions of fish consumption are recommended for certain groups. Thimerosal is ethyl mercury and is not poisonous.

The safety of thimerosal is more than simply theoretical. Contrary to the claims of vaccine rejectionists, thimerosal has been studied extensively in large populations. There have been many studies that demonstrate the safety of thimerosal.”

I have to admit I don't agree with everything Dr. Tuteur has to say on OTHER subjects, but these are the facts. Still, the flu vaccine is also available in a preservative-free version. Organizations such as the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA, the Institute of Medicine and various medical associations have already taken a position that the alleged link between thimerosal in vaccines and autism, or other neurological disorders, is unsupported by all credible scientific evidence.

Adjuvants such as aluminum are a natural element found in the environment that has been used safely in vaccines for 75 years. Aluminum is in food, water, infant formula and even breast milk. Again, it depends on the dose and exposure. Even chlorine is toxic but is found in our water or it would not be safe to drink.

Another argument I saw on a previous post that the flu vaccine is associated with profit-making companies who are out to get you is a little over the top. Yes, there is profit-making involved in vaccines but it does not mean that makes it non-beneficial. That is how business works. That is the result of a market system. Last time I checked, companies selling you essential oils and vitamins are making a profit as well. I'm not against these things. I am all for nutrition, good sleep, and vitamins, etc. but I don't like the bashing of the medical community or false facts relayed as truth to conjure fear. I mean most of you are all for injection of epidural medicine into your SPINAL SPACE during labor while your baby is still inside you, as if that’s not intrusive….

I also don't like the accusation that I am "uneducated" because I have a different opinion or decide to vaccinate my kids. I really am not so die-hard and I actually think spacing vaccinations is a great idea, but I want to propose the opposition because I think there is no real discussion here based on facts, just scary myths from unreliable sources. Unfortunately, I don’t think I am the uneducated one.

Shari Goodman said...

Jan,

I do appreciate the other side but to say my statements are unfactual is not so. You may tout one side but my side is also based on facts. The problem is that I don't trust anything backed by the FDA or government at all and never take it at face value. That's not to say that it isn't true at some time but just because the FDA says it is safe doesn't mean a thing to me. Take a look at FD & C colors or High Fructose Corn syrup: poisons yet listed as safe. However, these are banned in other countries? Big money here so we keep them. My son has mercury surrounding his brain. At 5, he barely says a word. Wherever this comes from can't be proven but it will be over my dead body that I put anything with mercury in his body; I don't care who says thermerisol is safe. I will never trust it. Ever. I don't believe the flu vaccine works. I don't believe that the true facts are out. There are more harmful ingredients besides mercury; what about formaldahyde and detergent? The risk does not outweigh the benefit in my opinion. This is my opinion blog and many, many others share this opinion. Once again, put it in your body and your childrens but I will NEVER, EVER put it in mine. We choose to use food and nutrition; what God gave us to make our bodies strong. I don't trust what the government tells me is safe. I learned the hard way. You will never win a debate with this crowd.

JM Inc. said...

This man is a hardcore political activist and most of his web content is politically motivated. How then, can you give any creedence to what he says regarding vaccinations and the swine flu, when there is absolutely nothing about his background or credentials to lend credibility to his case? How do you know he hasn't fabricated, embellished, or twisted his information? Call me crazy, but I'm much more likely to listen to someone with a medical background as an authority on a medical issue; likewise I won't ask my tax guy how to do brakes on my car, or my mechanic his thoughts on preparing for retirement. One man cannot presume to have the answers on every subject, UNLESS he is a prophet.

Shari Goodman said...

A little confused about your statement. If you are referring to Dr. Mercola's information, those are facts. The ingredients are facts. The side effects are facts. We can't really believe anyone completely as almost everyone has their side. I go off of what is in them, what that can do to you and how to take care of your body. That is simple. That makes sense. No one can ever argue that the ingredients in the flu vaccine are good for you. I will always take the safer route. It works for me. It is a personal decision for everyone.

Shari Goodman said...

Reread your comments, JM inc., I think you are referring to my previous commenters Dr., Dr. Amy Tutuer. If so, I agree!

Shari Goodman said...

Jan,

One more comment. I had 4 natural births. No drugs, no epidurals. Also, the government does not profit from me selling vitamins, they do profit off of the flu vaccine. I don't lobby the government about my vitamins. That's the difference.

Terri Burges Hirning said...

Lol Jan, you have no idea. I just got back from a medical conference on Autism and related immune disorders. I could counterpoint you with research stats and facts until the cows come home. Obviously you have your own opinions which you are entitled to. There are those of us who have had to learn the hard way that doing what some in the mainstream medical community have told us is the "right thing to do" harmed our children for life and are undoing that damage. I have heard doctors twist things and I've read research that can support whatever theory you are trying to prove. However, listen to Dr. Jane El Dahr, a pediatric immunologist discuss the immune system disregulation and response to vaccines. Oh and by the way she is a classically trained doctor who watched her child regress into Autism. I don't think she is lying when she discusses immune response in relation to vaccines and what has gone wrong in many, many children that cause allergies, asthma, Autism and other immune disorders. But, as a parent she also sees a completely different side, one most mainstream doctors would deny when we live with it everyday. Many of us in this "fight" had to be dragged there, kicking and screaming. I was 100% pro vaccine until I learned what was at the root of my son's Autism, which is an immune disorder and mitochondrial dysfunction. I am not saying all western medicine is bad. But, I think this swine flu (and ANY flu vaccine) is ridiculous and promoted with fear. So you are looking at us like you need to enlighten us to the other side. Honey, I've been there. I've heard the rhetoric and believed it. And guess what, not all of us were dying for epiderals. Even when I supported vaccines I advocated for an intervention free delivery. So much for your preconceived notions. And you are absolutely wrong as to the science being there to support the denial that thimerisol has anything to do with Autism. Try sitting in on some medical conferences, read some of the research, talk to some of the doctors doing this groundbreaking work, I have. Or better yet, talk to 1 family who watched their child literally slip away from them after shots. It will break your heart. And then try telling them they are wrong, it was just coincidence (and make sure you duck right after). Many of us on this journey have had to educate ourselves on an older theory of health and wellness, one that uses nutrition as the main backdrop. There are other ways to achieve health and wellness without a vaccine for every sniffle. Our body develops immunity best by contracting the bugs. Believe it or not, we DO need to get sick. People who have more fevers live longer and have less rates of cancer, our fevers cleanse our bodies pretty darn effectively. I've done my research and I know Shari has too. Don't spout off some statement a doctor has on their website as the gospel. This research has been my life for the last 3 years. And for you to sit here and spout off about how aluminum is a natural element and safe, well I have to take exception with that. My son had very high levels of aluminum and it is absolutely NOT safe in the human body. Read the data on that one. And just because it is in many things does NOT make it safe. There are findings showing arsenic is in most conventional chicken and rice these days, does that make it OK to eat arsenic?? I think not. It just adds this heavy toxic burder which many kids on the spectrum cannot detox from. When you have a person with impaired detox capability (which often stems from poor methylation which is necessary for glutathione production which is our main detox hormone) every little bit DOES hurt. You can see how over time it all adds up and can impair neuro functioning, impeded development, etc. These aren't scary myths. We present facts from the other side of the coin. The scary myths out there is that Autism is not an epidemic, that there is no cure for it, and that our toxic world has no bearing on its etiology. And those "myths" both Shari and I are trying to dispel.

Jan said...

For the record, I have nothing against epidurals and having worked with them a lot, I know they are safe as long as proper technique/application is used. I think it is a choice. But just like other choices we are discussing, are you going to call people uneducated if they choose to use an epidural just because you don’t? The point is just because you decide to do something doesn’t mean it is best for everyone or entirely supported.
I agree with you on one thing, this is an opinion blog. And as such, you should state your claims as opinion, not evidence. I know you’re not going to change my opinion and I’m not going to change yours so we can agree to disagree but I am writing to those that read your blog who may not completely agree or buy into the unsupported claims. They are out there, I assure you. I don’t blame them for not speaking up…look what happens to those who do. You don’t want a “good discussion,” just people who agree with you.

One of the basic rules of statistics is that correlation does not equal causation. Just because something is associated does not mean it was caused by one or the other. Yet I see that “fact” being thrown around here. I would like to see some real evidence…real scientific studies that are published in peer-reviewed journals. I have found these studies on thimerosal, and these are just a few:

Thimerosal exposure in infants and developmental disorders: a retrospective cohort study in the United Kingdom does not support a causal association (Andrews et al., 2004, Pediatrics, 114, 584-591). This was a retrospective cohort study performed of 109,863 children who received thimerosal containing DPT vaccines. The study found no evidence that thimerosal caused developmental delays.

Early Thimerosal Exposure and Neuropsychological Outcomes at 7 to 10 Years (Thompson et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2007, 357(13), 1281-1292). Conclusions: Our study does not support a causal association between early exposure to mercury from thimerosal-containing vaccines and immune globulins and deficits in neuropsychological functioning at the age of 7 to 10 years.
I can’t compete with your personal experiences and anecdotes. I know they are real experiences for you and I don’t blame you for choosing your course because of it. But those are not facts to me. Autism is a very complex disorder...one that still needs more research, and while there have been a marked increase in the rate of autism, one article (The Genetics of Autism, Muhle et al., 2004, Pediatrics, 113(5), e472-e486) notes it probably has more to do with “heightened awareness and changing diagnostic criteria rather than to new environmental influences.” Yes, environmental factors contribute, but there is also mounting evidence that autism has a strong genetic component:

Advances in autism genetics: on the threshold of a new neurobiology. Abrahams BS, Geschwind DH, 2008, Nature Reviews Genetics, 9(5): 341–55.

Multiple rare variants in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders. Buxbaum JD, 2009, Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 11(1): 35–43.
If you find any real evidence-based studies proving your point, please send them to me. You can post it here but I won’t be back to check. I have too many other things to do with my time. But email me. I really would be interested in seeing them because I value opposing opinions if there is sound evidence.

Unless, along with governmental agencies, the medical community, and world health agencies, you are saying academia and research are part of the huge conspiracy theory. I’ll go build my bomb shelter now….

Shari Goodman said...

Jan,

Regardless of what you may think about Mercury, It will NEVER be listed as good for you. It will always be given a risk. Always. Flu shots are not just about the mercury. They are about everything else in them. Toxins. That is not arguable. That is pure fact. Formaldyhyde is a fact. Aluminum is a fact. What I state in my blogs are facts, not just my opinions but my opinions based upon facts from Dr.s and Phds. People who are not affiliated with the FDA. I am not making things up. But, you are in the medical community. There are plenty of articles and links out there from Dr.'s who talk about the flu vaccine and why they absolutely will not use it. They are one of you. I agree we will never change eachother's minds. That is fine. But, I rest assured that I may have changed many others. I agree that autism may have some genetic tendency but that it can very much be brought about by toxins in shots and other environmental factors. If it didnt' then spending $10,000 to get the murcury and aluminum out of my sons body which has healed him of his autism you think he was born with, wouldn't have done any good. You say it isn't harmful. Crazy.

alison said...

You only need one injection of the H1N1 vaccine, just like you only need one injection of the seasonal flu vaccine. Only children 9 and under need two doses (and anytime a child 9 and under gets the flu vaccine for the first time, they get it in two doses.)

loves2spin said...

I am impressed with the research many of you have done. I am heart sick over the loss of health for your loved ones connected with immunization. I submit that the jury will be out on this for a very long time to come. There are so many many factors to consider and THE truth will be a long time coming. I submit that many decisions in life seem to fall into the choosing of the "lesser of 2 evils" - and this choice, difficult to make at best, has to be made in the face of individual circumstances. I am 60 years old and raised 6 children. I lived through the terrible polio scare and remember the miracle of polio vaccine. I recall how during those years my parents would not allow me to go to the beach to go swimming, as somehow there seemed to be a connection there. I was one of the lucky ones that did not contract polio. I know living adults who did and still suffer with the after effects. Of course, many died young after terrible suffering. Years ago we lived about 1/2 mile from a small rural cemetery in Nebraska. Early in the last century there had been a diphtheria epidemic in the neighborhood. There were rows and rows of head stones for small children that died in families one after another. Very very sad. As I mentioned, I did receive the polio vaccine as a child. But I grew up when there were fewer vaccines available than there are today. I recall that I contracted mumps, measles and rubella as well as chicken pox. I remember how worried my parents were when I had the measles. I think I must have been quite ill. They kept me in a dimly lit room for a while to protect my eyes, apparently. One of my 3 sons, when he had chicken pox, had a fever of 104 for 4 days running. His rash (he was under 3 and still in diapers) was particularly painful in his diaper area. I called our doctor, and the nurse said, "it's ONLY chicken pox!" (Now I know that in some cases, chicken pox is fatal.) He did recover. When I was in college, I had my first flu shot, as it was recommended. I did not have another one until I was in my 40's after having contracted flu the year before. We all had them then. Our oldest daughter had missed 2 months of school because of a protracted case of flu. We did not want that to happen again. My belief is that vaccines are not without risk. Illness is not without risk. It is not an easy decision and needs to be tempered by one's own situation. Excellent nutrition and careful hygiene obviously go a long way in preventing and ameliorating illness. There simply is no one solution that fits every person. We have to choose for ourselves. 4 years ago I contracted the flu and it lead to a nervous breakdown, which resulted in severe depression and anxiety. For me, obviously, a vaccine, as imperfect as they are, is a sensible choice. I take very good care of myself. That is the best I can do. I guess my point is, again, that neither vaccinating or not vaccinating is without risk. You have to make your own choices. Obviously, all of you do NOT live an "unexamined life" and I applaud you for that!

April said...

I've done a lot of research into vaccines because I was worried about them, but I decided to fully vaccinate my children in the end. Vaccinating comes with risks but so does not vaccinating. My husband almost died from the measles as a child, and he wasn't vaccinated. I have a good friend that had polio as a child and is paralyzed from the waist down. She wasn't vaccinated either, even though the polio vaccine was available at the time. As a teenager I had a case of the flu that caused me to go to bed for a month. I've gotten the seasonal flu vaccine every year since (for the last 21 years) and have never had a side effect from it or had the flu. Vaccines work, plain and simple.

The article on Dr. Mercola's website has a lot of false information, so I would like to address some of it:

1. First of all, the H1N1 flu is not like the seasonal flu. I've never known anyone personally that has died from the seasonal flu (it does happen, 36,000 a year on average in the US), but I know three people that have died from the H1N1, confirmed cases. And they were all young, in the 30's - 40's. What they are seeing are more serious symptoms, like severe respiratory infections that can't be treated successfully.

2. I received the H1N1 vaccine, and I only needed 1 dose. I also had my three children vaccinated, and only my two under 10 need two doses. That is standard the first time you get the flu vaccine if you are under 10, but not with subsequent vaccines. Next year they will only need one dose each, even under age 10.

3. In the US, the H1N1 vaccine does not contain adjuvants. Canada and Europe use them, but the US does not.

4. The only vaccine that contains thimerosal is the flu vaccine. Other vaccines do not contain it. You can get thimerosal free flu vaccines, you just have to ask.

No, we don't know what causes autism, but I think blaming one thing (vaccines) is so short-sighted. I think it's genetic, environmental, could be triggered by an illness, etc. I don't think that there is one answer. And the Amish do have autistic children. Look it up. Also, since only the flu vaccine has thimerosal, what explains the continuing rise of autism despite the fact that all of the vaccines have taken that ingredient out? Before modern medicine mercy was frequently used as a medicinal agent, where was the autism then?

I don't think it's fair to scare people by using articles that are so biased (and untrue) to tell them not to vaccinate. I've read a lot of Dr. Mercola's articles and information on his website, and I think that he's radical and over-the-top.

When I was researching vaccines and looking at not vaccinating, I found the non-vaccinating community to be very hostile toward me and would not answer my questions. All that they wanted to do was bash me because I was "thinking" about vaccinating my children. How DARE I! All I was asking for was some good research, if they could share. They wouldn't, so had to find my own information.

My children are fully vaccinated. They get a seasonal flu vaccine every year. There have been some mild side effects (fever, tiredness) with a couple of the vaccines. In my mind that is much better than getting the actual disease, which can cause severe illness, or worse, death. Yes, some children/adults
have really severe side effects and even die in rare cases, but they are in the minority. The actual diseases are far, far worse and the death rates are extremely high compared to vaccination.

Smallpox has been completely eradicated. Vaccines work, plain and simple. And in my opinion they are much safer than getting the actual diseases.

April said...

One more thing. How is the government making a profit on the H1N1 vaccine when they are giving it away? No one has to pay for it, it's FREE.

Shari Goodman said...

OK, this really is my last comment on this post. I appreciate your comments. April, I am not against vaccines in general. I realize the good they have done. I am against how they are given, the quantity and the contents. In the US, we are now up to about 29 vaccines, other countries around 11. I do not believe that vaccines are the cause of autism, I believe that they contribute. The body has a hard time handling so many viruses at once, especially a new born baby who is injected straight out of the shoot before they even have a chance to get their immune system in tact. I am against the fact that they give 5-6 vaccines at once and even if a child has a little cold. I have researched this so much and the truth is that so much of the info out there is totally fabricated. Covered up. Just like global warming. In the end, we must all trust our instincts. That is my story. We can all believe what we want. My children have been vaccinated but responsibly and sparingly.

THe End.