Shot or no shot?

There has been a lot of controversy about flu shots and if they work or should you get one. I think the main question should be is...are you aware of whats IN the flu shot? I highly believe in people educating themselves on a subject then make decisions based upon that. If the CDC would just come out and give a whole list of what is inside the shot then people could educate themselves, right? Well, unfortunately I could not find that list from the CDC, but I could find a list from a health advocate mom I know (Kim Dreiling www.absolutelifemoms.com) . SO here it is.

1. What's in the regular flu shot?
Egg proteins: including avian contaminant viruses
Gelatin: known to cause allergic reactions and anaphylaxis are usually
associated with sensitivity to egg or gelatin
Polysorbate 80 (Tween80TM): can cause severe allergic reactions,
including anaphylaxis
Formaldehyde: known carcinogen
Triton X100: a strong detergent
Sucrose: table sugar
Resin: known to cause allergic reactions
Gentamycin: an antibiotic
Thimerosal: mercury is still in multidose vials

2. Do flu shots work?


Not in babies: In a review of more than 51 studies involving more than
294,000 children it was found there was "no evidence that injecting
children 6-24 months of age with a flu shot was any more effective than
placebo. In children over 2 yrs, it was only effective 33% of the time in
preventing the flu. Reference: Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy
children." The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2 (2008).

Not in children with asthma: A study 800 children with asthma,
where one half were vaccinated and the other half did not receive the
influenza vaccine. The two groups were compared with respect to
clinic visits, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations
for asthma. CONCLUSION: This study failed to provide evidence that
the influenza vaccine prevents pediatric asthma exacerbations.
Reference: "Effectiveness of influenza vaccine for the prevention of asthma
exacerbations." Christly, C. et al. Arch Dis Child. 2004 Aug;89(8):734-5.

Not in children with asthma (2): "The inactivated flu vaccine,
Flumist, does not prevent influenza-related hospitalizations in
children, especially the ones with asthma...In fact, children who get
the flu vaccine are more at risk for hospitalization than children who
do not get the vaccine." Reference: The American Thoracic Society's 105th
International Conference, May 15-20, 2009, San Diego.

Not in adults: In a review of 48 reports including more than 66,000
adults, "Vaccination of healthy adults only reduced risk of influenza
by 6% and reduced the number of missed work days by less than one
day (0.16) days. It did not change the number of people needing to go
to hospital or take time off work." Reference: "Vaccines for preventing
influenza in healthy adults." The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
1(2006).

Not in the Elderly: In a review of 64 studies in 98 flu seasons, For
elderly living in nursing homes, flu shots were non-significant for
preventing the flu. For elderly living in the community, vaccines were
not (significantly) effective against influenza, ILI or pneumonia.
Reference: "Vaccines for preventing influenza in the elderly." The Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews. 3(2006).


Ultimately, as mothers we do what we think is best for our children. It is not always an easy decision and remember that there will always be nay Sayers. The proof is in the facts. Educate yourself!