The Pushing of the Flu Shot Agenda

Weekly Wrap up – January 20th, 2018

Today, I wanted to share with you my take on a few of the top headlines in the health care and or Small business sector of the news. I have selected the following Healthcare in the news stories for the week for two reasons:
First, healthcare is at the core of my business focus, and second the top health story this week, over on the main stream media (“MSM”), is the pushing the Flu Shot agenda. The question is why?

Facing the Facts on the “deadly” Flu Season

All the top main street media outlets are pushing the “deadly flu” outbreak story. Some call this fear-porn news, designed to trigger the mass US-pop to line up for “free” vaccinations under the protection of big pharma, as approved their central government bureaucrats. Here a few examples of this week’s hysteria on the flu.

“5 things you should know about this year’s very bad flu” – Chicago Tribume.com

Or from Time.com, “Here’s Why the Flu is Especially Bad This Year”

Or this one from Gizmodo.com, “Just Get the Damn Flu Shot”.

Even National Geographic is pushing this narrative with the headline, “What Makes This Flu Season So Bad”
Suggesting that “a dangerous strain paired with less effective vaccines has created a dangerous recipe for illness”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or this one titled “What you need to know about this season’s brutal flu”, over on the PBS News Hours site.

Everyone is pitching in to fight the flu.

I even re-published an article from Kaiser Health News, on “Defending Against this Season’s Deadly Flu: 5 Things to know Now” You can check it out yourself at http://www.ywnhmedia.com/msm-defense-inevitable-flu/

There is something sad or pathetic about these misinformation messages during this era of “fake news”. For years the credibility of so many institutions has been declining. Recently the MSM press credibility is falling among the fastest. And this week’s healthcare news wrap up is a good my example of that situation.

But first, let’s define what the flu illness is, and isn’t.

As defined by the CDC – “Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk of serious flu complications.”

The key element to that definition is in the last line. “people with certain health conditions”…

Let’s shine some light on those health conditions – Yes, it is true that “certain people” are had higher risk “for developing Flu-Related Complications” – Here is the important CDC list…

• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• Adults 65 years of age and older
• Pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum)
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• Also, American Indians and Alaskan Natives[1.1 MB, 2 pages] seem to be at higher risk of flu complications
People who have medical conditions including:
• Asthma
• Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
• Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
• Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
• Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
• Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
• Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)
• People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
• People with extreme obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or more) Calculate your Body Mass Index or BMI

In simple language, or my opinion, this tells me that individuals with compromised immune systems, could have higher risk of health complications if another illness, influenza, is added on top of their already existing unhealthy condition. Given the alarming fact that too many Americans have heart disease (basely everyone who is diabetic), or have a “weakened immune system due, to disease or medication”, or who are extremely obese.

Continuing back on with the Flu Fear Porn headlines.

Did you see this one over at Fortune.com? “How Many People Die From Flu and Other Questions”

While all this information about risk of complications and even death is an interesting question, you may also want know how many die, or are injured from getting the Flu Vaccine, which so often cited as a critical method for prevention of this “brutal flu season”?

That’s a topic the MSM does not promote, given the huge economic pressure “big Pharma” can use thru advertising expenditures on the MSM.

Flu Shot Risks & Reward Analysis

Fortunately for us, while it does take some digging, there is a way to answer this question. Both in terms of deaths and generalized risk based on reported settlements processed over at the Department of Justice.

Why does the DOJ report Vaccine Settlements? Simple, that’s where our government decided to handle cases against their cronies over at “big pharma” wanted it. Some call it “the Vac Court”. Follow this link for the wiki.

Personally, I found this information over at vaccineimpact.com, via Health Impact News. This site makes it their mission to follow and publish the quarterly Adjudicated Settlements.

Health Impact News published, an articled titled “Flu Shot Remains Most Dangerous Vaccine Based on Injuries and Deaths Compensated by Government”

Now this article provided 2015 data, and I thought to look for more current data, which I found by following the “Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines” link and data, as reported in December 2017 Commission meeting notes.

Analyzing the Vaccination Data

Found, on page 5, of this report, is data since the commissions start in October 1988 – November 2017. Here is some to facts they don’t share in Fox & Friends, or most other MSM news outlets.

On a total of 18,823 filed claims (called “petitions”) 21% of all claims were on the flu vaccine. And, of the 3961 Flu file claims 58% of this were compensated based on the merits of their injury or death. It is important to note that only 3% of all the filed cases were death claims. However, the 131 death claims were 11% of all deaths claims filed, on all vaccines.

This data does seem to support the Health Impact News article’s headline – “Flu Shot Remains Most Dangerous Vaccine…”

Not being satisfied, while digging a bit deeper into this data find, I learned something about the data that must be noted. The flu vaccine data was only added to the Commission report as of July 2005. I learned this in a footnote found on page 3 of the September 2017 meeting report.

Even More Interesting Flu Vaccine Data

Using the September report’s data, I found the following – Data from 01/01/2006 to 12/31/2015 there were 2197 Flu petitions (claims) filed and 1898, or 86% were found to be “compensable” while 14% were dismissed. This number compared to the total of all vaccines is also interesting. During this period there were 4528 total petitions filed at the “Vaccine Court” and 2962 or only 65% were compensable. With the Flu Vaccine petitions leading the list at 49% of all petitions with 64% of all compensable petitions during this period.

Moving on with more headlines from this week’s Great Flu Scare of 2018…

“Yes, Lots of People are Getting Flu Symptoms. No, This Season Isn’t So Unusual. Here’s Why.” This one is from the old lady New York Times.

Sharing just a bit from this article by Donald G. McNeil, Jr. He suggests, “At the moment, the 2017-2018 flu season is considered “moderately severe.”

He uses the term moderately severe, base on his earlier report, where “public health officials, I assume he means, Dr. Daniel B. Jernigan, director of the influenza division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”, said this week.

The doctor reported earlier this month that, “The flu is now widespread across the country and the peak of transmission probably occurred during the Christmas-New Year’s holiday week, just as many people were crowded into planes, buses and cars or in large family gatherings”.

And, continuing on with “About 80 percent of cases are of the H3N2 strain, which caused many hospitalizations and deaths this year in Australia, where winter comes in July and August.”
“H3N2 is a bad virus,” Dr. Jernigan said.

“We hate H3N2.”

Adding, “Compared to H1N1, the other seasonal Type A strain, and to B strains that usually arrive late in the season, H3N2 tends to kill more of the very young and very old”. And, mostly British Media was putting out “Warnings about the “Killer Aussie Flu” as far back as September.”

FYI, the CDC attempts to collect flu data to determine the strain and posts it here on their weekly index page. Link at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

He goes on to report on severity of this year’s season. What you need to know is this.

“H3N2 is the most dangerous of the four seasonal flu strains, but it is not new nor uniquely lethal.”

With “As of Jan. 7, about 78 percent of all samples genetically sequenced have been H3N2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

“Is it worth getting the flu shot anyway?”

“Experts say yes, because even when the shot does not prevent you from catching the flu, it may save you from dying of it.”

Say what! – The vaccine will likely not prevent you getting the flu but will keep you from dying from the flu. Not buying that at all.

Clearly this year’s vaccine, is only partially effective, because it only partially includes the H3N2 strain.Therefore, even if you get the vaccine, you will get sick, but will not die. Clearly, lots of people get sick with the flu each winter, as the temperature gets colder, and the air dryer, promoting longer survival of the germs, and increased exposure to other people in closed environments. Got it.

But does the flu really kill you? And how many Americans die from the flu each year?

Per the CDC here is what I found on Flu Deaths.

“The number of seasonal influenza-associated (i.e., seasonal flu-related) deaths varies from year to year because flu seasons often fluctuate in length and severity. Therefore, a single estimate cannot be used to summarize influenza-associated deaths. Instead, a range of estimated deaths is a better way to represent the variability and unpredictability of flu.”

Looking back to prior year data the reported…

“On December 9, 2016, CDC posted estimates of seasonal flu deaths from more recent seasons in the United States. CDC estimates that from 2010-2011 to 2013-2014, influenza-associated deaths in the United States ranged from a low of 12,000 (during 2011-2012) to a high of 56,000 (during 2012-2013). Death certificate data and weekly influenza virus surveillance information was used to estimate how many flu-related deaths occurred among people whose underlying cause of death on their death certificate included respiratory or circulatory causes.”

“During the 2015-2016 season, influenza A (H3N2) viruses circulated early in the season but influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 viruses predominated overall (6). The season was notable because influenza activity peaked in mid-March, 2016; one of the later peaks on record. In the United States influenza activity most commonly peaks between December and February. The overall burden of influenza was substantial with an estimated 25 million influenza illnesses, 11 million influenza-associated medical visits, 310,000 influenza-related hospitalizations, and 12,000 P&I deaths (see Table 3). (Note that past comparative data suggest that the total number of influenza-associated R&C deaths may be between two and four times greater than estimates using only P&I deaths). Overall, the burden estimates for last season are lower than the estimated burden for the three previous seasons, but are near the middle of the range for the previous five seasons (see Table 4).”

Source – https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm [my emphasis added with both or underline sections of the quote above.]

Going back to the Headlines

From Harvard, titled “10 Flu Myths Facts”

Myth 1 – You can catch the flu from the vaccine
Myth 2 – Healthy people don’t need to be vaccinated.
Myth 3 – Getting the flu vaccination is all you need to do to protect yourself from the flu
Myth 4 – The Flu is just a bad cold
Myth 5 – You can’t spread the flu if you’re feeling well
Myth 6 – You Don’t need to get the flu shot every year
Myth 7 – You can catch the flu from going out in the cold weather without a coat, with wet hair or by sitting near a drafty window.

[BTW I talked about this in Episode 7 of theChoiceFM Podcast.]

Myth 8 – Feed a cold, starve a fever
Myth 9 – Chicken soup will speed your recovery from the flu, and finally,
Myth 10 -If you have high fever with the flu that lasts more than a day or two, antibiotics may be necessary

I suggest, if you want to learn more about these myths about the flu, you can go to the show notes for this podcast for the link to the Harvard page. They also have a page on “How to prevent infections” that I used to research this topic. As expected, their list did include getting vaccinations, but said nothing about maintaining a healthy immune system, your natural defense system to the inevitable germ exposure.

Speaking of your Immune System, wouldn’t it be wise to boost your defense.

Consider the following train of thought by Dr. Nina Radcliff, in the Washington Times, titled “During this brutal flu and cold season, boost your immune system”

“It’s a brutal flu and cold season. With it comes a barrage of information offering support for help and relief – and as you plan precautionary measures to help take care, you may be left wondering what can you do?”

“Your immune “system” bands together to fight foreign invaders — bacteria, viruses, parasites, and even cancerous cells. Understanding and following good-health guidelines are essential in helping to keep this “army” strong and healthy.

There are scientifically proven measures you can take to help boost your immune system. On this topic, the Harvard Medical School released findings underscoring a key foundational understanding that is important for each of us to know:
“The immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity. To function well, it requires balance and harmony.”

“This includes a healthy diet, hydration, exercising regularly, adequate sleep, managing (minimizing) stress – as well as other healthy choices to avoid infection (like washing hands, getting a flu vaccination).

“In addition, optimum health strategies including not smoking; seeking your physician’s care and wisdom when needed; and if you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.”

As the doctor reports, “What You Need to Know: About Boosting Your Immune System “Army” Food fuels your body.”

“The foods you consume provide your immune system with the vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and building blocks it needs to function at its best. Complex, there are many micronutrients that play a critical role in your
immune system. “

“Consuming a well-balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, lean meats, and fish provides the right ingredients to keep our immune system (and our body) in tip-top shape.”

Prevention of Illness Starts with a Healthy Lifestye

What you need to know, and I personally practice, starts before the flu season each year. And is supported by the quality research found at Harvard Medical School and others, The Harvard Medical School reviewed research that addresses “healthy food intake” as real defensive army for all disease.

The doctor stated, “Like any fighting force, the immune system army marches on its stomach. Healthy immune system warriors need good, regular nourishment.”

Therefore, my healthy living practice starts with a lean start to your nutrition program, which holistically focuses on a sound designed wellcare plan over treatment or healthcare plans. I call it my Core4-Plus Wellcare Plan. It includes healthy eating, hydration, exercise, sleep and avoidance of toxic exposures do more, in my opinion than any other practice. It has worked for me, for many years. Flu is a minor event in my life, but does take more effort and responsibility to implement and maintain. No silver bullets, magic pill or shot. Not based on luck or chance encounter with a hard surface or sneeze.

To learn more about the research supporting Healthy Eating to Reduce Colds, follow this link to read the abstract. This British Journal article scientifically confirms that concentrated diets of fruits & vegetables reduce cold symptoms. Here is the Research citation – Roll, S., Nocon, M., & Willich, S. (2011). Reduction of common cold symptoms by encapsulated juice powder concentrate of fruits and vegetables: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 105(1), 118-122. doi:10.1017/S000711451000317X

And one final, but surprising note on the subject of the Flu and your Immune system. There is very interesting data on the function of your Neutrophils. Don’t worry, I didn’t know what they were either. Per the wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrophil

After reading the wiki we are all on the same page. Neutrophils are key to your healthy immune system army and besides keeping your body strong by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, I found this right on the NIH website while researching the flu vaccine. Here is the link – https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/influenza-alter-ability-neutrophils-defend-against-bacteria

“Does influenza alter the ability of neutrophils to defend against bacteria?” – NIAID Now | January 11, 2018

“Infection with influenza virus may not always weaken white blood cells known as neutrophils, a phenomenon that could result in more secondary bacterial infections. In fact, some strains of influenza virus can enhance the neutrophil response, according to a new study(link is external) published Jan. 3 in mSphere by a collaboration of NIAID bacterial immunology and virology groups.

One group of researchers specializes in studying neutrophils, white blood cells that make up the body’s primary defense against potentially harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus– a leading cause of secondary bacterial infections. Interactions between bacteria and neutrophils are well documented in science journals, but less is known about how neutrophils interact with viruses.

Two common – but conflicting – research observations spurred the study: People with influenza A virus lung infections seemingly have more secondary bacterial infections; and during influenza A virus infection, people’s lungs can be enriched with neutrophils.

In the study, scientists exposed human neutrophils to seasonal and pandemic strains of H1N1 influenza virus in a laboratory model designed to mimic host-pathogen interaction during infection. Surprisingly, exposure to seasonal (but not pandemic) H1N1 influenza enhanced neutrophil functions, including the ability to kill S. aureus. [Staphylococcus aureus] The researchers also identified changes in neutrophil gene expression in response to both virus types.” [my emphasis added using underline or bold]

Apparently, suffering the flu may have hidden benefits, which protect you from an even more deadly, antibiotic resistant bacteria. The cost? 7 to 10 days of bed rest, and mom’s worthless chicken soup remedy.

That’s a wrap… Please be sure to do your own research and don’t just follow what the MSM or even I say. It is your body, your health, your responsibility.

Finally, I hope you got some value and will visit my website at ywnhmedia.com, or the soon to be launched theChoiceFM.net site.

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