Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

mama of nine — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:22:19 GMT

My mother is 87 years old, is living with us since 8-06, has had the flu shot faithfully for many years, UNTIL this year, and guess what, she has not gotten the flu. She also has an aggressive bowel cancer, and is now on a very healthy diet with good supplementation. If anyone would be a good example of how important healthy living is, no matter when you start, she would! By the way, she has never been willing to eat a healthy diet until after she moved in with us and found out about the cancer. Before that, she wouldn't hear of changing anything in her way of eating. She is now seeing how her previous eating choices have brought on the cancer, as well as the results of changing to a proper diet and nutrition. Her health since the diagnosis has her doctors scratching their heads. They keep asking her if she has gotten the flu shot, and then when we say no, they really try to push her to get one. They really don't get it - I continue to be amazed at how closed-minded the medical community is.

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

neversick — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:47:25 GMT

My wife and I have never had flu shots never get the flu or colds don't have a doctor never needed one we eat the proper foods don't take any suppliments.

I feel the most important thing we do is wash our hands continuously and quite a few times a day.

We are both 79 years old enjoying our retirement on the Okanagan Lake in British Columbia Canada.

Never go for those Flu Shots just live right.

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

emoritz — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:41:01 GMT

I work in a hospital, and this year, the administration is taking a strong stance on getting everyone to go to the Employee Health and Wellness office for their free flu shot. They have sent us several e-mail messages telling us that we have let our guard down because the last few "flu seasons" were so mild; however, this year we can expect to be hit hard with it. The messages have also cited data showing that people working in health care settings have low rates of receiving the flu vaccine. They can't understand it-lots of head scratching going on. Personally, I think people who work in health care settings are ignoring the opportunity for vaccination because they know what's in it and that it doesn't work. I myself had to sign a paper indicating that I had been offered the vaccine free of charge, have been informed of the risks I am assuming by not taking advantage of the vaccine, and still chose to decline it.

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

Mary J — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:15:00 GMT

I had my first flu shot a couple of years ago. Within a few weeks, I started getting pain in the same shoulder that I had the shot in. The pain continued to the point I couldn't lift my arm. I went to the doctor, they did x-rays, etc. but couldn't give me any answers except they thought it was a bone spur. I asked him if it was from the flu shot and he laughed at me. I asked every doctor I spoke with if they thought it was from the flu shot and they all told me "NO!" After several months of physical therapy, I finally got movement back without the pain. However, my physical therapist agreed with me. She said she gets a lot of cases like mine. Needless to say, I will never get another flu shot!

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

Lelia — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:10:30 GMT

My 92 year old mother faithfully has her flu shot each year and firmly believes it keeps her from having the flu. She doesn't get the flu and is hostile towards alternative suggestions for her health. I do not try to talk her out of it as to me it looks like a placebo affect. What she believes is what she is getting and my interference might not work for her.

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

Brandee — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 12:08:28 GMT

During flu season I try to eat all meals at home. Restaurant employees are notorious germ spreaders. Salad bars in grocery stores are another place to avoid.

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

rogainer — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:14:31 GMT

Many years ago when my spouse was in the military, dutifully three years in a row I took a flu shot. The first time I got sick within five days, I thought it was merely a coincidence. The second year when I got sick, about five days afterwards, I wondered if it might possibly have been caused by the flu shot? The third year I got sick once again, this time I was positively convinced it was caused by the flu shot! (Apparently, I have a natural high immune system which was by-passed when I took a flu shot.) After that I refused to ever take another flu shot, and haven't had the flu in over thirty-five years despite being exposed to some very sick people from time to time. When I've told people about my experience, particularly those in the medical field, they suggest I may have had an allergic reaction from the flu vaccine media base which comes from chickens. Although I was allergic to chicken "feathers," I have never had any kind of allergic reaction from eating chicken meals or eating eggs...so completely disregard that as being an invalid theory in my case! It seems to be human nature in that some people learn from other people's experiences, some learn the hard way and some never learn!

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

nanochemist — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:44:12 GMT

The flu viruses mutate very rapidly. How can the so-called "experts" predict the next strains of flu viruses? If it is possible to predict the next generation, how would the mutated viral materials be generated for the vaccine?

I can't help but wonder if they (big pharma) genetically engineer several strains and then distribute it as "this year's predicted flu epidemic".

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

Jane-o — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 08:47:41 GMT

My elderly mother used to get the flu vaccination on the recommendation of her doctor. After the vaccination one year she became ill with PMR, for which the doctor then prescribed prednisone. Mum diligently took this drug for quite a period, then she was diagnosed with osteoporosis (she fell and broke her leg). After the leg was fixed with plate and screws she was then prescribed fosamax for the osteoporosis (very scary stuff - she had to take it first thing in the morning and then was not to lie down for the next 30 minutes or so). It all seemed like some wild uncontrollable merry-go-round ride she had got on that never stopped. At the same time Mum got PMR several other elderly ladies became ill with PMR, ladies who had also had the flu shot - I've often wondered if there was any connection.

re: Controversial Findings About Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

pheobus — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:37:04 GMT

Perhaps try Oscillococcinum. Homeopathic and famous in France.

re: Controversial Findings about Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

samurai — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:11:26 GMT

Last year, Pepsi paid for tens of thousands of flu shots for all PBG employees. Being the maverick I am, I declined..... knowledge is power.

re: Controversial Findings about Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

Magnolia — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:15:35 GMT

Never had a flu shot. Once in a blue moon, have had flu-like symptoms for maybe 5 or 6 hours, then it was gone. My flu shot friends are often sick for two or three weeks.

The anecdotal evidence is mounting. Perhaps someone will eventually do a study on those with a healthy lifestyle who are unimmunized. I wonder what they will find...

re: Controversial Findings about Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

Katee Roux — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 05:19:56 GMT

I've never had a flu shot tho it was offered for free to staff @ the hospitals i worked. Everyone thought i was crazy not to take advantage of it. My reason at the time is i am absolutely terrified of IM needles. But i rarely got the flu in the 10 years i worked hospital, & it wasn't severe when i did get it.

In contrast, most of my peers got the shot, were sick for 2-3 days afterward & it seemed most of them got the flu anyway.

Don't have to convince me it doesn't work.

re: Controversial Findings about Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

medpug — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:44:21 GMT

I've gotten two flu shots in my life, and got sick both times. I either had the flu or flu-like symptoms - in any event, I was rather ill. I didn't become as markedly ill as some of you posting comments here fortunately, but the symptoms were still worrisome - nausea, vomiting, fever, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc. In an idealistic world, medicine is supposed to make you feel better, not worse. In reality, if I may be so bold to say, it seems as though a lot of medicine is flawed by design. Every year after my second vaccination I have been flu-free. I'm not sure what my body couldn't tolerate - could have been mercury or God knows what else may be in that vaccine. So for me it came down to this in short - Flu vaccination, got the flu. No flu vaccination, didn't get the flu.

re: Controversial Findings about Flu Vaccines for the Elderly

qtface — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:05:38 GMT

I read the article several times. The benefits of the flu shot are overstated but they still recommend it? Unbelievable! I haven't taken the flu shot for about 7 years. The last time I did the flu shot the shot injection site ached for a year and I felt like hell for months. Now I exercise and take vitamin d and eat right. No flu! Go figure.