Written by Dr. Jum Funk, ND, MPH

Fear leads to confusion and hasty health decisions. In May 2009, the WHO changed the definition of “pandemic”, making it easier for the 2009 H1N1 flu to be more comparable to the 1918 flu pandemic. The word pandemic frightens many, and so preparedness plans shifted into high gear, which meant recommendations were given to vaccinate the young, old, and nearly everyone under the sun. Was the definition change coincidental, or did it ride the coattails of the swine flu for financial reasons?

Sure the 2009 H1N1 virus caused approximately 4,000 unconfirmed deaths but according to our trusted CDC, “each year 36,000 people die from flu related complications”. H1N1 mortality rate is not of pandemic proportions, and most who have died from the H1N1 flu thus far had concurrent underlying conditions, including other risk factors like obesity.

I am continually perplexed at vaccine pushing, rather than for seeking other natural therapies to fight flus and infections. Why not have more faith in our immune system’s innate ability to fight infections rather than bowing to the whims of a guesstimated vaccine? Or an H1N1 vaccine that was barely tested before receiving the thumbs up. People catch the flu if their immune systems are weakened from stress, sleep deprivation, lack of exercise, poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins, not necessarily because they lack the flu vaccine.

If ensured that laboratory engineered vaccines are free of potentially harmful substances like neurotoxins, adjuvants, and vaccine contaminant viruses would result in zero harmful side effects, and there are unquestionable health benefits from the vaccine, then I would consider taking the risk. My patients who are informed about strengthening their immune systems and are practicing healthy diet and lifestyle behaviors are living a more fearless, non-pandemic flu season. So be curious, be informed, and be educated about what goes in your body – food or vaccine-wise.