Influenza Vaccines: The Other Side of the Story

After years of touting the benefits of influenza vaccines, mainstream medical journalism seems to be in the midst of a paradigm shift.  It’s only recently that articles with titles such as “Flu Vaccine Not as Effective as Thought” have counterbalanced the strong recommendation - put forth by the most influential medical associations as well as the health arms of the U.S. government - that all persons six months of age or older should get the “flu shot” every year.  We are warned by vaccine proponents that nearly 50,000 Americans die from influenza each year and that the next pandemic is right around the corner.  Although “flu season,” we are commonly told, starts in October, pharmacies start advertising and administering influenza vaccines earlier every year, and are now doing so in the middle of summer.