SALUD: Is Vaccination the Answer to Fighting the Flu?

National Influenza Vaccination Week, observed Dec. 6-12, 2015, is a week dedicated to highlighting the importance of vaccination coverage and the high risk of serious flu complications faced by pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and individuals with chronic health conditions. But, is vaccination the answer to addressing influenza?

The contagious respiratory illness known as influenza (flu) differs from the cold. Unlike the common cold, which is milder in nature, the flu comes on suddenly and it can mature quickly, possibly resulting in death. There are several types of influenza viruses, including seasonal, avian, swine, variant, pandemic and others. Feverish chills, a sore throat, coughing, body aches, headaches, fatigue and bouts of vomiting are frequent indicators of influenza.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established National Influenza Vaccination Week in 2005, welcoming health advocates, communities, health care professionals and families to gather and discuss the importance of flu vaccination. Conversely, it's an opportunity for anti-vaxxer, groups like Safe Minds and Autism Society, to address their aversion to flu vaccines, as well as other vaccinations.

"Flu vaccines just don't work," Ingri Cassel, director of Vaccination Liberation, a grassroot network that spreads awareness of alternatives in healthcare, told Latin Post. "Vaccines don't work in the overall prevention of incidences of disease. You may not get the measles after a measles vaccine, but you'll have other underlying issues as a result of that assault on your body. Vaccines don't go through the normal portals of entry. They're injected into you, much like a snake bite."

"Foreign proteins are being injected into your body, and the foreign proteins in every vaccine are linked to allergies, asthma, and that kind of thing. That's been well-researched. You won't find any unvaccinated person with allergies or asthma, it just doesn't happen, or it's very rare. They may be getting other kinds of toxins in their system."

Cassel posed the question, "Do you pay your doctor or your hospital when you're healthy?" She responded, no, and insisted that hospitals have a financial incentive to keep patients chronically ill. She explained that the key to health on the cellular level is hydration, oxygenation, dense nutrition and detoxification.

"When you get sick, you're getting sick as a result of stress and toxins accumulating in your digestive track. Anytime you get sick, your body is trying to purge the offending toxins that are keeping your body from operating optimally. It's the body's way of purging. And you don't want to suppress that, you want to get the stuff out. You want to open up your eliminative channels, some people use saunas to sweat it out, or enemas."

On the other hand, Dr. Jaime E. Fergie, a pediatric infectious disease specialist based in Corpus Christi, Texas, spoke with Latin Post to discuss the value of widespread vaccinations, and what regular vaccines can mean for the population.

"We know that every year, many people forget to get their vaccines or don't care about it," said Dr. Fergie. "I want to remind everyone that in the United States that influenza causes anywhere from 6,000 to 36,000 deaths a year. Also, it causes about 200,000 hospitalizations a year in the United States. We have to prevent it by vaccinating everyone over the age of 6 months. You need to get a flu vaccine every year. There are many options available to be vaccinated. We have the traditional shots; we have a new shot for people over the age of 65, that's particularly effective for them. Then we have needle-free Flu Mist vaccine, for spraying in the nose. "

Dr. Fergie explained that flu vaccination is safe, and there are no concerns. He dismissed concerns that vaccines have mercury in them. He also stated millions of U.S. adults have safely taken vaccinations throughout the years, saying there's no reason to be concerned about the vaccine. Instead, the public should be should be concerned about the flu, which kills thousands of people every year, and sickens 5-20 percent of the United States' population annually.

"Unfortunately Latino/Hispanic adults, they don't get the vaccine as often as the rest of the population," said Dr. Fergie, who received his medical degree from Central University of Venezuela. "So, certainly, we need to encourage them to receive the vaccine...that's the only behavior that's key. Of course, good hygiene is good, and good nutrition is good, but the only thing that's really dramatically important is the vaccination. And the vaccination rate for the Hispanic adult population is very low.... we're talking no more than 35 percent or so. It should be everyone that gets the vaccine."

Dr. Fergie said now that we're getting to the holiday season, when the family gets together, the virus could come to the get-together and spread. This is important for the vulnerable, the grandparents, the elderly, and those who are weak.

Jeannette Kaplun, an award-winning journalist, parenting expert and TV personality, believes in the power of vaccination. Kaplun told Latin Post, "Any disease that's preventable, it's our responsibility to inform ourselves and to get all of our questions answered by our doctor." Chatting with a doctor is the best way to learn which vaccines work best.

Kaplun also spoke about prevention, stating the importance of intentional, thorough hand washing, making sure to lather up before rinsing. Teaching children how to properly wash their hands is extremely important. Also, when there is no soap or water available, use antibacterial gel or baby wipes. Most importantly, Kaplun shared her own personal experience with the flu.

"When my daughter was a year and a half, she caught the flu," said the bilingual and bicultural lifestyle expert. "All of her other immunizations were up to date, but, I didn't think that the flu shot was as important perhaps ... until she got sick. She started with a very high fever, and deteriorated really quickly. I took her to the doctor. Unfortunately, he did not test her for the flu during that first visit, and then she started getting extremely ill. I took her to the ER and she was diagnosed with pneumonia, so she required three days of hospitalization."

"While I was there with her, I realized my son, who at the time was almost four years old, was also sick with the flu. So, my husband had to stay home with my son while I was in the hospital with my daughter, watching her desperately trying to catch her breathe. I would never wish that upon any parent. That changed my views about vaccines. I'm an advocate and I'm a firm believer in doing anything you can do to stay healthy, you should do it as a parent."

While the experts have different stances on the effectiveness of vaccination, they agreed preparing for the flu season means maintaining a well-balanced diet, exercising and getting regular sleep. Also, they said it is important to keep surfaces clean and encourage children not to share bottles, cups, or tooth brushes. Covering one's mouth with the bend of the elbow and not one's hand can help to keep germs from spreading. Also, visiting the doctor if you have the flu, or you suspect that might have the flu, can keep you and your family healthy.

"During the holiday season, people are eating sweets and all kinds of things that they normally wouldn't eat," said Cassel. "Usually during the holiday season people get sick because their body can't take the stress of these different parties, getting letters out, and buying presents while also maintaining a normal work and life schedule. Everyone needs to have a decent night's sleep, and coffee is a dehydrating beverage ... so, if you're trying to survive during the holidays while getting less sleep and drinking more coffee, you're going to probably get sick."

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the two sources -- Ingri Cassel, director of Vaccination Liberation, a national grassroots, all volunteer association based in Spirit, Idaho, and not a medical professional; Dr. Jaime E. Fergie, a pediatric infectious disease specialist based in Corpus Christi, Texas -- and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Latin Post.