People should have a choice about whether to take the flu vaccine or not.

 

Published November 23, 2002 in the North Island Weekender

 

On Nov 6^th I was asked to be part of a panel on CBC News CountryWide CountryLine TV Program answering the question: “Is the Flu Shot a Good Idea?” In addition to myself the panel consisted of medical experts, a lawyer discussing the consent laws governing the provinces and a para-medic in Ontario, who was dismissed from work for 10 months due to his refusal of the flu shot. Since then Ontario laws have changed to allow people the choice. The best part of the message from this panel was that people should have a choice to have the vaccine. The only gray area was the health care professional who can pass the virus to the elderly without getting the flu themselves and so even though the health care professional isn’t prone to the flu, they may increase the risk to the patients they care for. However all of us know of people who have just received the flu vaccine and those closest to them who don’t get the flu vaccine get the flu from them within days!

My message was: people should have a choice, they should wonder about the long term effects of vaccines, they should question the ingredients of the vaccine, every person should be evaluated individually for risk of getting or giving the flu, simple lifestyle changes can make a difference, naturopathic medicines offer safe and effective therapies that can be used alone or in combination with the vaccine and they should really stop and reconsider giving this vaccination to children.

Many of my patients have seen themselves or others get much sicker after having the flu shot and ask me for alternatives. The word doctor means “to teach” in Latin and with information people can then make informed choices about their health care. Others of course get the flu shot and it works for them. All I suggest for these folks is that if they happen to get the flu there are naturopathic medicines that can speed the healing and lessen the severity of the flu. They can also do the homeopathic immunization program as well as the flu vaccine, for even better results. A common misunderstanding is that alternative medicine should not be combined with orthodox medicine. There are of course situations when this practice should be closely monitored by a naturopathic physician or medical doctor, however in the case of the flu vaccine you can safely combine it with homeopathic medicines.

A company has created a homeopathic remedy made from the current year flu vaccine. When this remedy is made there is no actual flu vaccine in the remedy but the energy of the components. This is the premise of homeopathy. The remedy is taken once per week for five weeks in the fall and then Influenzinum 9ch and Thymulin 9ch are taken once per month all year long. Research has been done on this remedy to show that those who take it, 78-85% get neither a cold nor influenza. These remedies are very inexpensive and can be used by the entire family to increase general immunity.

The concerns I have about the flu vaccine and vaccines in general are the ingredients. The vaccine may not be 100% purified so there may be other virsues in the mix aside from the intended ones. Many people don’t know that some vaccines are grown on chicken embryos which can aggravate those who have allergies to chicken and hens eggs or, as in the case of children, can cause these allergies to manifest in the first place. Most vaccines also contain thimerosal, as a preservative, which is 49.6% mercury! An infant can receive in one day’s doses of vaccines as much as the absolute maximum set by the WHO for 3 months exposure to mercury. There are no safe levels of mercury as it is a highly toxic element which does not easily leave the body once absorbed. I mention this as there is talk of vaccinating children for the flu vaccine. I think these young immune systems are being bombarded enough! See the Vaccination Risk Awareness Network website for more information.

I tell my patients that often getting the flu is the body’s way of detoxifying itself. If you won’t give it a rest then it will put you down to get the rest. During the flu you don’t eat and you rest! Why suffer?  Put yourself on detoxification programs several times per year and you will see your immune system improve!

Naturopathic remedies that are used to prevent and treat the flu include echinacea, astragalus, garlic, vitamin C and vitamin A such as in a good quality fish oil supplement.

Remember the next time you consider receiving a vaccination for you or your children: ask for the physicians’ package insert that lists ALL the ingredients, remember there is no safe limit of mercury, our environment is already overloaded with toxins without intentionally injecting any into our bodies, those with compromised immune systems may suffer the most adverse reactions to vaccinations, if you or your child suffers any adverse reactions make sure your physician files a report and don’t forget to wash your hands frequently through out the day.

 

Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com