I have been racking my brain trying to come up with informative information regarding the 2019-20 flu season, but it is increasingly difficult. It feels like misinformation and suppression of accurate information are the only things you can count on. Here is what I have found, in the 2019-20 the World Health Organization (WHO) predict A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus (updated), A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2)-like virus (updated), B/Colorado/06/2017-like (Victoria lineage) virus and B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (Yamagata lineage) will be the most prevalent viruses. So, with this one statement I have a few questions, first how often are the predictions from the WHO accurate, second how effective the vaccine is and last should I trust what is in the vaccine.
The answer to the first is complex, you can find many, many flu forecasts all of them presenting themselves as the most accurate. Some claim anywhere from 75% to 80% accuracy but none show the actual data to back up the statement. Another troubling issue is there is no uniform method of collecting the data or even what data is worth including. We still live in the wild west, only instead of spurs and gunslingers, we have doctorate degrees and IP addresses. Where is the accountability for drawing inaccurate conclusions, I feel like when we are led down the wrong path there should be consequences for the leader if they are wrong.
Let’s move on to Vaccine effectiveness, according to the CDC vaccine effectiveness in 2016 was 48% and the effectiveness declined each year dropping to 29% in 2019. 29%... That is disheartening… when would you do anything based on that low of an accuracy rate? Would you buy a car with a 29% safety rating? If you did would you feel safe with your choice? I don’t think I would!
Ingredients… this is touchy. I’m a mom so when I think of ingredients I think of cooking. As a mom I ask myself would I knowingly put something harmful in food and feed it to my kids even if it were in small amounts? In short, ABSOLUTELY NOT!! So, when I see things like formaldehyde, aluminum salt and thimerosal (mercury) I have an ethical conundrum because I know that they are lethal in higher doses.
So, what are my conclusions? I know that science has come a long way, I also know that science has an even longer way to go. I know that the scientists who make the vaccine don’t have to make accurate conclusions, they don’t have to make a functioning product and that they aren’t honest about the ingredients. I decided to make an alternative and to prevent infection in other methods while I wait for science to provide real solutions we can trust. My alternative is elderberry syrup. I believe that all of Gods creations are intentional, and when I am making my elderberry syrup, I am taking those creations and using them for their intended purpose. What can be more perfect than trillions of plants and flowers being harvested by millions of bees for a perfect food such as honey, or fruit being created both delicious and full of vitamin C so that we would want to eat it and be healthy?!
In short, nothing! We don’t need a pharmaceutical vaccine. We need to embrace the notion that food is medicine. I feel confident using Elderberry Syrup as our flu prevention knowing I am keeping my girls from all the toxic ingredients contained in the “flu shot”.