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RE:  Trick-or-treat, then get a shot – or FEAR and the Shot

Sunday’s article about the Flu Vaccine is just another fear based campaign without a leg to stand on.
Last year, the U.S. CDC along with the Drug Companies they are in bed with saw data revealing that nearly 65% of people surveyed did not receive the flu shot in 2003—and in the so-called “risk groups” nearly 47% with chronic illnesses and 78% of children aged 6-23 months of age. The two conglomerates then hired a marketing firm to create a new advertising campaign.  The program called “The Seven-Step Recipe for Generating Interest in, and Demand for, Flu (or any other) Vaccination,” is designed to methodically manipulate the general public. Language within the CDC presentation reveals the intent of the government and their drug company “partners” to use major media (newswires, TV) to send scheduled, fear-based messages to convince the unsuspecting public to not only accept the flu shot as necessary, but to motivate them to demand it.  Think of the recent events like SARS and the Bird Flu “epidemics” which have killed less than 1,000 world wide (SARS = 772 as of 2003 and Bird Flu less than 160 worldwide – most of which were in Third World countries) grabbed media attention and talks of massive vaccinations to deter the oncoming pandemic.  However, none of those viruses have transformed into pandemics and most likely will not.
The fear campaign is in full swing here in Canada.  Despite 158 Influenza cases confirmed by test in medical laboratories, the article states “a virus that kills 1,400 British Columbians each year” which seems to be a bit over exaggerated, but that is how the CDC prefers it.  Another example is a television commercial showing a child in bed “pretending to be sick”, however his mom doesn’t accept the charade because he “can’t be sick…” he’s “had the flu vaccine.”  But, does the flu shot prevent the flu?  According to the “Influenza surveillance report” on the B.C. CDC website, last season’s vaccine contained five viral strains.  Two of the three most reported strains in infected people were not included in the vaccine. Hardly a sure thing as the commercial would lead us to believe.
So, what should we do to stay away from the flu?  Yes, wash your hands.  Yes, blow your nose into a tissue (but not too hard as this is one of the leading causes of ear infections in children) and throw the tissue away.  Eat whole foods like oranges, and other fruits and vegetables which give you vital nutrients to help your body stay on top of things (that does not include Cold F/X – it is NOT a whole food!).  Keep your stress levels down – hard to do during the holidays, so at least try to get your sleep and drink as little alcohol as possible.  Also, does anyone else see a correlation between the flu season and the candy season (Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas)?  Refined white sugar actually suppresses the immune system!  Last but not least, get a chiropractic adjustment.  The nerve system controls and directs every function in the body including the immune system.
Viruses and Bacteria are here to stay.  They do good things for the planet and they help our immune system and body evolve into more powerful and complex beings.  Be mindful of your cold, let it run it’s course and trust that your body can heal itself – because it can!

Dr. Kevin Ehl, Chiropractor