I decided to make videos regarding controversial topics in healthcare that we get asked about on a daily basis. We will present the evidence and arguments and give our recommendations. Each will have a short video followed by a blog post that will list studies and information not mentioned in the video.
In summary:
- As a family physician I am supposed to recommend YEARLY vaccines to anyone over the age of 6 months
- The flu shot (influenza vaccine) is extremely controversial on the internet. My facebook page generally blows up when I merely mention the flu shot similarly to religion and politics (for some reason).
- Is there evidence that it prevents the flu in the young healthy population? There is a little bit of evidence it does (you need to give 33 – 100 vaccines to prevent 1 case of flu), but it depends on the season and how well the experts matched the vaccine with the circulating viruses (Read more at the CDC’s website).
- What about the elderly? The smart people at Cochrane seem to think there is insufficient evidence when looking at all of the studies. I reviewed a few of the individual studies and found similar findings.
- BUT….. I have personally seen about 5-10 elderly folks in the past couple weeks get hospitalized (or nearly hospitalized) due to the flu (some of which also got pneumonia). NONE of these patients got the flu shot this year and looking at the most current data it seems the experts matched the vaccine pretty well with the strains floating around (see above on how that works). Yes this is anecdotal but this kind of goes along with the mammogram arguments (I will likely post about this at a later date).
- SO….. my question is – If the side effects are pretty low AND there is CHANCE of decreasing your chance of the flu AND complications CAN come from the flu… then why not get it? At least if you are elderly and at risk for said complications? I honestly don’t know. Maybe someone can explain to me as to why not. Is it because you’re against big pharma? Is it because there is some unknown potential long-term side effect we don’t know about yet? Let me know below!
- One thing is for sure, eat well, sleep well, exercise consistently, manage your stress daily, and WASH YOUR HANDS to protect yourself from most illnesses 🙂
Alex says
What about the arguments presented here about safety and effectiveness?
http://coryreddish.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-take-on-flu-vaccine.html
Dr. Spencer Nadolsky says
Hey Alex,
The author of that blog is very misinformed as they are claiming flu shots cause the flu, which the DO NOT. Either way the effectiveness definitely comes into question as I pointed out in my own blog. There is evidence that they work, but it depends on the strain matching and even then it is just slight evidence. My own anectdotal evidence is higher with my elderly patients and my question is why not get one?
So that leads to the safety. The author of that blog is claiming that thimerosal is in flu shots and that they cause autism etc. That is ridiculous. Thimerosal is used in the flu vaccines that are multidosed as a preservative, but all the flu shots I have seen are single dosed, which do not contain thimerosal. The whole vaccine autism link has been debunked and the person who first claimed it I believe is getting in trouble for making it up. As said before, this author also claims that the shot causes the flu so this person doesn’t understand pathophysiology.
Hope this helps!
Dan Thurston says
Dr. Spencer, looking at no blogs, no case studies, no 5,10,20 yr study of the flu shot. It seems there’s a better solution to this and mind you this is coming from a common working/family man with little medical background. “just old fashion good health”. Eat well, get moving, get outside, put down the candy. I love the fact that we’re objectively tackling the issue of “THE FLU SHOT” but in reality the issue goes way beyond. SO! back to the question at hand “SHOULD I GET A FLU SHOT?” I say “NO” Maybe….for the SUPER elderly!! but for the ones who are able to breath on their own, walk, eat, MAKE A COMMON SENSE DECISION….NO! I wish there was a shot for “get your butt off the couch and do something” Leave the Flu shot on the shelf.
Maybe a question to take on along side of whether or not to get the flu shot would be, “what are the best and most natural ways to strengthen the bodies defense system without injecting it with a foreign “quick fix/might fix”
All the best,
Shari Wilkinson says
I agree with Dan. If America would lay down the processed foods and stay away from meats that have been fed corn and given shots, stick with whole foods, drink plenty of water,exercise, and use common sense if they were to get the flu their bodies immune system has the ability to protect. Something to think about.
Jacob says
Dan and Shari,
I understand what you’re saying, but you’re get off of your butt and move doesn’t always work. I had the flu this year and not the shot and I’m very healthy, fit, and eat extremely well. Just saying. I don’t like the flu shot either, but being healthy doesn’t mean you won’t catch the flu.
Dr. Spencer Nadolsky says
Agree with all of you. I get my shot because I don’t believe there are any serious side effects and I don’t get the flu even though I’m exposed many times a day. You could argue that I wash my hands and lead a very healthful lifestyle do maybe it is from that?
Either way it’s our autonomy that makes medicine interesting 🙂
Kierstin says
why not? Thimerisol. There is no safe level for Mercury for any body.
Dr. Spencer Nadolsky says
Kierstin you can get them without thimerosal 🙂
Christy says
http://blog.drbrownstein.com/case-closed-new-flu-vaccine-worthless/