The Canadian Naturopathic Association believes it is
in your best interest to become informed about your health and treatment
options before making any decisions about your health. Review the following information to become
better prepared to determine if the flu vaccination is the best option for you
or family members.
Information on the influenza virus
Information on the
‘flu’ vaccination
Reported concerns
and contraindications to the flu vaccine
Points to consider before making a decision on flu
prevention.
Information
on the Canadian version of the Flu Vaccines
Action and Clinical Pharmacology
General Guidelines
to prevent the flu
Ÿ
Millions of
individuals develop the flu each year and only experience mild symptoms.
Ÿ
There is a
two day incubation period before symptoms of fever, cough, chills, sore throat,
body aches, fatigue or headaches appear.
Ÿ
Influenza
virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, direct contact with contaminated
surfaces and objects or unwashed hands.
Ÿ
Flu symptoms
usually subside after two to three days and disappear within a week.
Ÿ
Once an
individual has had the flu, their body
will have produced antibodies that protect them from the same strain of virus
for a prolonged period of time.
Ÿ
Complications
from influenza infection are very rare and may occur in individuals with an
underlying medical condition, those greater than 65 years of age, and young
children that have a predisposition to respiratory infections. Pneumonia is the
primary complication of influenza and can result in hospitalization or death in
those that are at extremely high risk for complications.
Ÿ
The 'flu'
vaccination, more correctly termed the influenza vaccination, is a
vaccine against specific strains of the influenza virus.
Ÿ
There are
over 500 different viruses that can cause flu like symptoms. The vaccine is formulated from the three
most common strains seen in the previous year.
Ÿ
The influenza
virus is constantly changing. A flu
vaccine is only effective against the same strain of influenza virus used to
develop the vaccine.
Ÿ
It takes
about two weeks after the flu shot to develop sufficiently high levels of
antibodies to protect you from the influenza virus. These antibodies start to lose their effectiveness within a few
months.
Ÿ
According to
Health Canada, the influenza vaccination is recommended for individuals at high
risk for developing serious complications if they were to contract the
influenza virus.
Ÿ
High risk
groups include all people aged 65 years or older, people with serious long-term
health problems, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, immunosuppressive disorders,
children on long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA); as well as,
health-care workers, residents / workers / volunteers of nursing homes,
chronic-care facilities and retirement homes and women who will be more than 3
months pregnant during the influenza season.
Ÿ
The research
from Health Canada suggests that the flu vaccine that closely matches the
current seasonal influenza strains temporarily prevents the flu in healthy
persons less than 65 years old about 70% of the time.
Ÿ
In
individuals over 65 years of age the efficacy rate of the flu vaccine is
reported to be less than 30%.
Ÿ
75% of
individuals have prolonged (up to 2 days) soreness at the site of the
injection.
Ÿ
Children are
at the greatest risk of side effects including: fever, body aches, allergic
reactions and potentially a severe paralytic illness.
Ÿ
There is a
rare risk of allergic reaction in individuals with an allergy to eggs. Warning signs include: breathing
difficulties, hoarseness, wheezing, hives, paleness, pronounced weakness, rapid
heartbeat, or dizziness.
Ÿ
According the
manufacturer of the vaccines, the flu vaccination should NOT be given to
persons with an acute respiratory infection or with any other active infection
or serious febrile (fever) illness.
Ÿ
Vaccination
is also not recommended for individuals who develop anaphylactic type reactions
(hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing, hypotension and
shock) when they eat eggs. Immunization should be avoided in patients
with an active neurological disorder until they are stabilized.
Ÿ
The normal
immune response following influenza vaccination may not develop properly in
individuals undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. This includes those taking high doses of systemic steroids.
Ÿ
Thimerosal, a
mercury containing compound, is commonly used as a preservative in flu
vaccines.
Ÿ
There is a
mild risk of a paralytic disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Ÿ If you already have had the influenza virus
this year, your body will have developed antibodies to the influenza
virus. Antibodies, developed by the
body, when one has actually have the flu are more robust than antibodies from
the flu vaccine and will protect one for a longer time.
Ÿ The selection of the influenza strains that
make up the vaccine is a hypothesis or guess.
There is no way of knowing what strains will be the most prevalent in
any given season.
0Ÿ The
flu vaccine only promotes temporary (about 2 months) immunity to the viral
strains or closely related viral strains contained in the vaccine.
Ÿ The only way to acquire natural and long
term immunity to a strain of the influenza virus is to recover naturally from
the flu.
Ÿ The process that is used to destroy the
viruses and create the vaccines often uses formaldehyde, heavy metals (mercury)
and chemicals. There are concerns and
need for more extensive research about the effect that these substances on the
human body and the lack of long term safety associated with their use,
especially with the potential for increased risks that yearly vaccinations
might entail.
Ÿ
Vaccinations
prevent the body from naturally responding to external pathogens like viruses
and bacteria. Individuals who regularly
maintain a strong healthy immune system will protect themselves from any
adverse effects of the flu, will build permanent immunity and will decrease the
potential for developing unknown side effects from long term exposure to
vaccinations.
Ÿ The flu vaccinations used in Canada are manufactured by Shire Biologics and Aventis Pasteur Limited. The vaccines contain:
15 ug haemagglutinin of Strain A/New Calendonia/20/99 (H1N1)
15 ug haemagglutinin of Strain A/Panama/2007/99/ (H3N2)
15 ug haemagglutinin of Strain B/Hong Kong/330/2001
Ÿ Preservatives: 0.01% thimerosal as a preservative, and trace residual amounts of egg proteins, sodium deoxycholate and/or polyethylene glycol p-isooctylphenyl ether (Triton X-100). Note: The vaccine produced by Aventis Pasteur also contains neomycin.
Ÿ
The vaccines
are created in the following manner.
Every year flu viruses around the world are collected. About one year prior to a vaccine being
available, three strains of potential viruses are selected based on researchers
estimation on the likely strains that will affect a given area. These viruses are cultivated in laboratories
using chicken eggs and are then deactivated using formaldehyde and sodium deoxycholate
and/or polyethylene glycol p-isooctylphenyl ether (Triton X-100). The vaccines are then packaged.
(as taken from Shire Biologics monograph)
Ÿ ‘The flu vaccine is a split-virion influenza vaccine that promotes an active immunization against influenza. Within seven days after injection of the vbacine there is an increase in circulating antibody to the viral haemagglutination and peripheral blood lymphocytes are primed to respond to in vitre stimulation by vaccine antigens. Intramuscular injection of inactivated vaccine leads to the presence of local IgG antibody in the upper and lower respiratory tract.’
Ÿ Cytotoxic T lymphocyte response occurs after administration of either killed or live virus vaccines and is detectable in the absence of demonstrable antibody response.
Ÿ The influenza virus regularly has genetic mutations like antigenic drifts or antigenic shifts. Antigenic shifts that involve abrupt rearrangement in the DNA encoding hemagglutinin or neuroamidase are potentially more harmful than antigenic drifts, involviing only single base pair changes. Influenza B viruses only undergo antigenic drift.
Ÿ Antibodies offer some protection against new viral strains emerging from antigenic drifts, but not against viral strains resulting from antigenic shifts.
Ÿ
References:
Aventis Pasteur Limited: www.aventispasteur.com/canada/products/vaxigrip
Canadian Coalition for Influenza Immunization (CCII)
Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (CIDPC)
Centre for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluvirus.htm
Health Canada - It’s Your Health - Flu Shots www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/publicat/cig-gci/
Shire Biologics 1-888-382-2246
Search for influenza virus research topics using Medline.
Searches for Influenza virus on the web site include:
http://encarta.msm.com/encnet/refpages/refarticle.aspx?refid=761557270
http:www.spotlight.org/01.07.00/Vacc/vacc.html
http://www.sightings.com/health/doctorsflu.htm
http://www.foreverhealthy.net/html/archives/vaccines.html
The flu vaccination was developed by the allopathic
health care system to decrease the risk of contracting the influenza
virus. However, the best way of
preventing any flu or complications from any flu is through prevention. The main focus of prevention needs to be on
daily healthy habits that ensure an optimum immune system and overall health. A strong immune system is the most effective
prevention strategy against the flu or any other virus.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please
discuss these with your Naturopathic Doctor or other health practitioner.
The best protection from infectious diseases is a robust immune system and daily healthy habits. Some general recommendations for maintaining a strong immune system include:
Optimize the strength of your immune system by addressing
outstanding health concerns with your Naturopathic Doctor or other health care
provider.
Ÿ work with your Naturopathic Doctor to identify the daily healthy regime or additional supplement is best for your health;
Ÿ address health concerns, supporting the healing power of the body, as they arise;
Ÿ regular health care visits will assist you in identifying any underlying health concerns and regular blood work will indicate the health of your immune system.
Maintain optimal nutrient intake and a strong digestive function by:
Ÿ eating 5 - 10 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily;
Ÿ including garlic, onions, thyme and oregano in your cooking to boost the immune system and fight off viruses;
Ÿ avoiding sugar, caffeine and alcohol; substances that reduce immune system function;
Ÿ keeping hydrated by drinking 6 - 8 glasses of water per day. Because, people drink less in the winter, additional metabolic stress is placed on the liver, kidneys and the colon; and
Ÿ avoiding overeating, because it takes more energy to digest the food and can negatively impact the functioning of other body systems.
General healthy guidelines:
Ÿ thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water regularly and avoid close contact with anyone who is not well. If you have flu like symptoms, spend more time at home to rest and limit exposure to others;
Ÿ wear adequate clothing. Limit the amount of exposed skin when outside temperatures are low and during the change of season, err on the side of being well dressed versus chilled;
Ÿ obtain adequate rest and sleep;
Ÿ exercise on a daily basis. Stretching, walking, swimming, working out at a health club, yoga or even dancing on a regular basis will assist in maintaining a healthy body;
Ÿ spend five to ten minutes a day focusing on your breathing, spend twice as long on the exhalation as the inhalation;
Ÿ practice stress reduction exercises like meditation, massage, or acupuncture as stress depresses the immune system; and
Ÿ If you develop flu-like symptoms, stay home, limit exposure to others and allow your body time to recover.
If you develop flu-like symptoms, consult your Naturopathic
Doctor or health care provider. For further information contact the Canadian
Naturopathic Association at 416-496-8633 or www.naturopathicassoc.ca