Dear Reader,
I have decided to share an article from a doctor I admire because he is not influenced by big pharma but shares his honest opinion based on many years of research and the latest publications in the medical journals.
You've probably heard a version of these ridiculous, smarmy statements countless times over the years from doctors, pharmacists, school nurses, newscasters, colleagues, and even friends.
"It's never too late to get your flu shot."
"Getting the flu shot is the best way to protect against the flu."
"You protect others when you get a flu shot."
But, as he often reports, they're just not true. And now, a new, comprehensive review has found that the influenza vaccine suffers from an abysmally low effectiveness rate. In fact, you're far better off just sticking with a few common-sense, flu-prevention strategies, as he'll explain in a moment.
But first, let's take a closer look at that new review…
The influenza vaccine has an abysmal effectiveness rate
The new, comprehensive review of the flu vaccine was conducted by the highly respected Cochrane Collaboration, the prestigious, international, independent, non-profit organization that doesn't accept big pharma's "blood money"…
They conduct high-quality analyses of existing research on various important topics. They use stringent guidelines to determine whether or not the data is conclusive and trustworthy. They regularly update their reviews to incorporate newly published research.
Indeed, this new review is an update to a prior review, published in 2010, which analyzed the effectiveness of the flu vaccine in 67 randomized, controlled, clinical trials (RCTs).
The new review now includes data from eight additional RCTs conducted over 35 years. It primarily examines the effect of the vaccine on older adults.
And here's what they found…
At best, a six percent lower risk of contracting the flu!
The new Cochrane analysis found that older adults who receive the flu vaccine "may experience" a two to six percent lower risk of contracting influenza over the course of a single season, compared to those who received a placebo.
However, 30 people would need to get the vaccine to prevent just one case of the flu. And 42 people would need to get the vaccine to prevent just one case of an influenza-like illness (ILI), with symptoms such as headache, high temperature, cough, and muscle pain.
This means if you do get the flu vaccine, you MAY—at best—have just a six percent lower chance of developing the flu that season.
But here's the real kicker…
The researchers said they aren't very confident in the strength of the data. In fact, they stated that the data had "low certainty" due to the methods used for diagnosing influenza. Which explains why they used the word "may" so purposefully.
Plus, they questioned how big a difference the vaccine will make across different seasons. We share the same concerns, as previous studies have found that the more times you receive a flu shot in prior years, the more susceptible you are to the flu in future years.
But, really, that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to damning research on this vaccine…
The vaccine actually promotes the spread of the flu!
As reported two years ago, researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) in Baltimore found that people who receive repeated flu vaccinations expel more infectious flu particles into the air—simply by breathing. In fact, the flu vaccine increases this kind of "aerosol shedding" by more than 600 percent!
In another study from Hong Kong, researchers found that schoolchildren are many times more likely to contract a host of other viral infections after receiving a flu shot.
It's genuinely shocking how little evidence there is to support this useless, ineffective, annual experiment, despite the fortune in taxpayer dollars spent on promoting and administering it—and the millions of human guinea pigs forced to get it.
Fortunately, there's plenty you can do to protect yourself against the flu (and colds) without resorting to this useless vaccine…
Commonsense ways to protect against the flu
Here are seven tried-and-true, natural tips for protecting yourself against the flu (and other viruses)…
1.) Wash your hands and face
Washing your hands (and face) is easily the No. 1 thing you can do to protect against colds and the flu. Use plain, old soap and water. And when you don't have access to soap, use plain water.
However, when you don't have access to water, a new recommendation is available: Try a saline solution. New research suggests that it may be more effective than alcohol-based hand sanitizers. And you can purchase travel-sized bottles of saline at local grocery or convenience stores—making them just as easy to carry around as hand sanitizers!
2.) Avoid touching your face
We've known for a long time that you typically catch a cold or flu virus by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth. With some exceptions, these microbes don't just fly through the air and land on you. They're transmitted from person to person. During cold and flu season, be sure to avoid rubbing your eyes, scratching your nose, or biting your nails.
3.) Disinfect mobile phones and computer tablets
According to some research, your mobile phone and computer tablet are more contaminated with germs than toilet seats. Therefore, ensure that you sanitize them regularly with alcohol wipes.
4.) Be careful when shopping
Germs spread more easily from person to person in crowded places, especially in exceptionally crowded areas with children, such as schools, churches, indoor playgrounds, malls, and big-box shopping centers.
So, whenever you're out, avoid contact as much as possible with potentially contaminated surfaces—such as doorknobs, countertops, pens, and credit card touchscreens. Also, consider carrying your own stylus pen for use on touch screens and for signing receipts. And always make sure to wash your hands (and face) with soap and water regularly—or saline, if necessary.
5.) Get enough sleep
Research increasingly suggests that sleep is a vital component of overall health. The studies show that people who sleep fewer than six hours at night are more susceptible to catching colds. It's essential to get a good night's rest every night.
6.) Stay hydrated
Research indicates that the number of viruses in the air increases as humidity levels decrease. And in the winter, we tend to dry out our living environments to make them toasty and warm. Not to mention, the cold weather outside is naturally drier.
So, try using a humidifier inside your house to add moisture back into the air. I have put one small humidifier in each bedroom. Just add filtered water. And keep your body hydrated by taking rooibos or adding it to your drinking water. You can also enjoy a daily cup of herbal tea with your favorite ingredients, such as ginger, turmeric, elderberry, Echinacea, honey, and lemon.
7.) Build a strong immune system
One of the most effective ways to combat any virus is to strengthen your immune system. So, I recommend taking the following high-quality supplements, as research shows each can help prevent or ward off the flu, colds, and other viral infections:
- Vitamin B complex daily
- 250 mg of vitamin C, twice a day (or grapefruits, oranges)
- 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily
- 400 mg of magnesium daily
- 100 mcg of selenium daily (or 2 Brazil nuts)
When it all comes down to it, I'm sure you'll still get pressured by your doctor, your pharmacist, local newscasters, and even your friends to get your flu shot. But now you know what the science really shows, thanks to this comprehensive, new review. Plus, following these seven simple steps can really go a long way toward keeping you flu-free this winter—and virus-free year-round—without resorting to the government's dreadful vaccine.
DISCLAIMER.
This article is meant for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Nothing included here shall be a solicitation or endorsement. I am not affiliated with, nor do I receive compensation from, any company. I will use my extensive notes from various articles. If I did not specify the source, I would like to thank all the authors whose thoughts I have incorporated into these pages.