To get a Flu Shot or not to get a Flu Shot: That is the question.

Flu shots are touted by pharmacies and many doctors as must-haves for the elderly and pregnant women in particular, and well, everyone, actually.  Here is what the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends: “Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year by the end of October, if possible. However, getting vaccinated later is OK.”

The efficacy of the Flu Vaccine varies from year to year, depending on how accurately the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts how widespread the 3 strains chosen for the vaccine become.  It also at best only decreases, rather than eliminates, the chances of getting the flu; it is not as effective as other vaccines.

The research available on efficacy of the vaccine shows mixed results, and raises the question of whether the vaccine is useful at all in healthy adults with robust immune systems.

For example, the Cochrane report, which did a broad review of 90 studies, concluded “The preventive effect of … inactivated influenza vaccine on healthy adults is small: … 71 people would need vaccination to prevent one case of influenza… Vaccination shows no appreciable effect on working days lost or hospitalization.”

The good news is that for single dose Flu Shots, thimerosal is no longer used. Thimerosal, the preservative that has been used in vaccines for decades, contains almost 50% mercury, a toxic element that interferes with brain health and other body systems.  More information on thimerosal and egg allergens in a variety of vaccines can be found at the bottom of this CDC webpage.

But let’s get to the real underlying question: What can you do to avoid getting the flu this winter, whether you choose to get a flu vaccine or not?

Both Dr. Mercola and Dr. Williams tout alternative remedies such as Chinese Herbs and Vitamin D3 to boost your immunity.  Both Mercola’s and Williams’ articles mention that according to the findings from a 2010 study that didn’t get widespread attention, Vitamin D is a highly effective way to avoid influenza.  In fact, children taking low doses of Vitamin D3 were shown to be 42 percent less likely to come down with the flu.

So my recommendation? Only get the Flu shot if you feel compelled to: the efficacy rate is low, but the risk of side effects from thimerosal-free vaccine is very small.  I do recommend taking immune boosting herbs, and getting Vitamin D from sunshine in the summer, and from D3 supplements in the winter, if necessary   As Dr Holick, the author of The Vitamin D Solution, states on his website: “I recommend to all of my patients that they should take 2000-3000 IU of vitamin D a day from dietary sources, sensible sun exposure and supplements.”  Watch for an upcoming blog with more information on how best to maintain Vitamin D levels.