Every year doctors and the government encourage everyone who can to get a flu vaccine. What they fail to mention is that there are numerous risks associated with it. It’s also not as effective as you might think. Here are some things you should consider before getting a flu shot.

Many Flu Shots Contain Toxic Chemicals

Despite mandates that called for mercury to be removed from vaccines years ago, many flu shots still contain it in the form of a preservative called thimerosal. Mercury is a neurotoxin. Scientists have proven that even small amounts of it can cause nerve damage.

Aluminum, formaldehyde and ethylene glycol are some of the other harmful chemicals found in many flu shots. These are not things that most people would willingly put into their bodies, yet they receive them when they get vaccinated against the flu.

Side Effects

With any vaccine, there are potential side effects. The CDC lists the side effects for the flu vaccine as fever, fatigue, muscle aches and headache. Those are quite similar to the side effects of the flu.

Some people claim they got a flu shot, only to get the flu shortly afterward. This may have actually just been the side effect of the vaccine. It makes sense that they wouldn’t want to get a flu shot again. If they don’t get the vaccine at least they’ll have a chance of not suffering from those symptoms.

The Flu Vaccine May or May Not Be Effective

Each year the World Health Organization determines which strains of flu are likely to surface and vaccines are made accordingly. There is no guarantee that they will get it right. In fact, in the 2003-2004 season they didn’t get it right. Three-fourths of flu cases that season were from a strain that was not included in the vaccine.

There Are Alternatives to Vaccination

Most mainstream doctors would have you to believe that getting a flu shot is your only option when it comes to flu prevention. But it’s not. There are lifestyle changes you can make that will help you avoid getting the flu.

The first step in natural flu prevention is keeping your immune system healthy. That means you need to drink plenty of water, exercise, get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C, beta-carotene and other antioxidants are some of the things that are good for your immune system. Sugar is something that should be avoided as much as possible.

The second step in preventing the flu naturally is keeping the virus from entering your system. To do so you will need to wash your hands frequently and try to avoid contact with people who are sick. Keeping surfaces as clean as possible is also a good idea.

The flu shot carries several risks and in some cases you could get the flu even if you have been vaccinated. Natural flu prevention methods are much less risky. If followed consistently they may be far more effective.