I've had to run into Walgreens a few times in the past weeks, and I found myself overwhelmed by the flu shot blitz they have already rolled out. Clerks wear buttons with big red hearts reminding customers of flu shot availability while the electronic marquee outside displays flu shot clinic hours. Over the weekend, I noticed they have taken their flu shot peddling to the airwaves with many commercials suggesting that if you care about your co-workers, you'll get your flu shot!
The part of the flu shot blitz that would make me laugh if it weren't so ridiculous is the flu shot gift card.
Dear loved one, stay well with the flu shot.
Really?
I guess there is something more inviting about a mushy-gushy red heart rather than a sharp needle, so good call on their part in going with that visual.
As I've maintained since I first began writing about vaccinations and immunizations here at SortaCrunchy, I am not completely anti-vaccination. I believe the only bad vaccine choice is an uninformed vaccine choice, and it is imperative that each person be informed about which vaccines, if any, to choose for yourself or your children.
One guide that I've consulted frequently in making these choices for our family is Dr. Bob Sears' The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child. However, Dr. Sears and I part ways when it comes to the flu shot. He is for it; I am not.
Here's why we skip the flu shot:
- The flu shot is not perfect protection against the flu. In fact, there is no such thing as perfect protection from the flu.
- The nasal (live virus) form of the flu comes with risks. Not only do some people experience flu symptoms after receiving the live form of the virus in the nasal spray, the package insert also clearly states that shedding the live virus is possible for up to 21 days after administration. This means when you child misses covering up that sneeze with her elbow, she is potentially sending forth the flu to those around her.
- The injection (inactivated) form of the flu shot most often contains thimerosal, a preservative containing mercury that has been eliminated from vaccines around the world but is still commonly found in flu vaccinations. Thimerosal-free flu shots are available but are often limited to specific demographic groups and can be hard to track down.
I know many families who get the flu vaccine every year and are able to stay flu-free. That is great news! Kyle and I have also been flu-free for the past twelve years and have never received a flu vaccine, and our children have also been flu-free despite never being vaccinated against the flu.
Here's what we will be doing this year to boost our immunity to guard against the flu:
General Health and Well-Being
There's a reason why most medical advice sits upon the foundations of healthy eating, exercise, and a good night's sleep. I'll get to healthy eating in a moment. Exercise is good for every aspect of your health. As the days get shorter, it's easy to slump into sluggishness, but the winter is one of the most important times of the year to maintain (or begin!) an exercise regime.
Your body heals itself while you sleep. I think it is no coincidence that the time of year with the least amount of daylight is the time of year we most need the healthy benefits of lots of sleep!
Of course, we always practice good hand washing, but we skip the anti-bacterial soaps. Dr. Bronner's castille soaps work nicely for us. We like the tingly, clean smell of peppermint the best.
Healthy Eating
There are many, many things you can put into your body that actually belong there (as opposed to the ingredients in flu shots) that work to build immunity.
- Raw Milk - full of vitamins, healthy fats, and TONS of great, helpful bacteria. We have been and will continue to drink full fat, fully organic, unpasteurized milk from pastured cows.
- Seasonal Fruits and Veggies - again, I think it's an amazing wonder of creation that the time of year when we need a good boost in vitamin C to support healthy immunity is the time of year when delicious vitamin C rich foods are in season. Oranges, kiwi, grapefruit, and brussel sprouts are all winter produce that provide healthy rewards.
- Yogurt and other fermented foods - fermented foods are loved by the body because they are full of enzymes and friendly micro-organisms your body needs to keep balance. We eat a TON of yogurt in our house. I think this might be the time for me to get serious about making kefir, and I might even go crazy and do some lacto-fermented vegetables (like Cara's sauerkraut!).
- Coconut Oil - one of the most amazing aspects of coconut oil is the abundance of lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid that is one of the components of breast milk that provides immunity in nursing children. Lauric acid forms into monolaurin which "is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia." I use a ton of coconut oil in cooking, but I will probably be adding it into smoothies as an additional way to get those wonderful benefits into our bodies this flu season.
- Supplements - We don't do very many supplements, but as we go into The Sick Season, I will probably get some probiotics. I am particularly concerned for Dacey because she is at school five days a week, so I will add in some daily probiotics and maybe even some Organic Echinacea Plus
from Traditional Medicinals. And, as my friend Noah pointed out in the comments below, vitamin D is a magnificent weapon against the flu. Sunshine can be in short supply in the winter, so keep an eye out for vitamin D rich foods (sardines, anyone?) or add a supplement through the fall and winter.
- Garlic - Do I have to? I know it's great for immunity. I just don't know if I can stomach swallowing it raw. Suggestions?
Back-Up Plan
Just in case one of us comes down with flu-like symptoms, we have oscillococcinum on hand. (Totally unsponsored endorsement. We just love Boiron products!)
I fully realize that the flu shot is the best choice for some individuals and some families. This information is not meant in any way to make anyone feel badly about getting the flu shot for themselves or their children. As I watched commercial after commercial from Walgreens roll by over the weekend, I was inspired to encourage other no-flu-shot families in their quest to fight the flu without the vaccine this winter.
Do you think we can discuss this respectfully in the comments? I think we can. What has been your experience with the flu shot? Does your family rely on natural approaches to health and wellness to survive the flu season? Let's talk it out.
Linking up to Your Green Resource - Week Four!
