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Flu Season Is Coming—What Does True Prevention Look Like?

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Beyond the Shot: An Invitation to Think Differently

This time of year, you’ll see the messaging everywhere:

     “Flu season is here—get your shot.”
     “Low or no-cost vaccines available now.”
     “Protect yourself and your family.”

It’s loud, urgent, and often framed as the only responsible choice. But is it the only way to stay well?

At Modern Holistic Health, we believe true health starts with informed choice—not blanket prescriptions.

Why I Don’t Get the Flu Vaccine

I’m often asked if I get the flu shot. The answer is simple: No, I don’t—and I have good reasons.

While the media may portray the flu vaccine as a “must,” the reality is more nuanced. The flu vaccine offers about 40–60% effectiveness in most years, and often less when the circulating strains don’t match the vaccine formulation well. 

But here’s the kicker: a well-supported immune system is often just as effective.

I trust the innate power of my body—nourished through sleep, nutrient-dense foods, breath, movement, and nervous system support. I’ve seen firsthand (in myself and my clients) that we can walk through flu season without fear or pharmaceuticals—when we care for the body before symptoms show up.

And importantly, I also choose not to inject substances into my body that I wouldn’t choose to eat, breathe, or drink.

Let’s talk about that.

What’s Really In the Flu Shot?

Many people don’t realize that flu vaccines contain more than just a weakened or inactivated virus. Here are some common components:

Adjuvants

Added to stimulate a stronger immune response:

  • Aluminum salts – a neurotoxin in high amounts; linked to neurological conditions.
  • MF59 (squalene oil) – linked in some studies to autoimmune reactions, particularly after the 2009 swine flu shot.
  • AS03 – contains squalene, vitamin E, and polysorbate 80 (which can cross the blood-brain barrier).

     

Preservatives and Stabilizers

Used to prevent contamination in multi-dose vials:

  • Thimerosal (ethylmercury) – still found in some flu vaccines; neurotoxic at certain levels.
  • Formaldehyde – a known carcinogen used to inactivate the virus.
  • Polysorbate 80 – linked to potential autoimmune and anaphylactic reactions.

     

Residual Biological Material
  • Animal DNA and cells – derived from chicken eggs, insect cells, or canine kidney cells (MDCK lines).
  • Antibiotics – like neomycin or gentamicin, used during manufacturing, may remain in trace amounts.

     

These ingredients may be present in “safe” levels by regulatory standards—but that doesn’t mean they’re optimal for every body especially when we consider cumulative exposure to toxins from food, water, air, and products.

Effectiveness vs. Innate Immunity

Let’s break down the numbers:

  • Flu vaccine effectiveness (2024–2025) ranged from 40–55% in adults. In some pediatric groups, it reached up to 78% for hospital prevention.

     

Sounds decent, right?

But consider this: a healthy adult with a resilient immune system often fights off flu naturally with equal or greater efficiency. Your body remembers, adapts, and strengthens after every exposure.

So if the flu shot gives me a 40–50% chance of “success,” but so does my immune system, why inject substances I don’t agree with into my body?

For me, it’s a no-brainer. I support my terrain, not just block invaders.

Are There Risks? Yes—and They’re Worth Knowing

Since its inception in 1988, the U.S. Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has paid out more than $5 billion in total for vaccine injuries of all types, including those related to the flu shot. In recent years, annual compensation amounts have often exceeded $150 million for all vaccine injuries combined. 

Specific Flu Vaccine Payouts
  • The flu vaccine is the most frequently cited vaccine in VICP claims, often including cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and chronic disability.
  • Typical settlements for severe GBS or chronic disability after flu vaccination range from $150,000 up to several million dollars, especially when lifelong care or disability results.

     

Notable Examples
  • Individual GBS cases: Lump-sum awards of $153,000, $200,000, $336,325, and $418,000 have been paid out for flu shot-related GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome) in single settlements.
  • A GBS and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) case was awarded more than $4.4 million in compensation, including an annuity for future care needs

     

Program Structure & Payment Security
  • Compensation is paid from a federal trust funded by an excise tax on vaccines, not from pharmaceutical companies or healthcare providers.
  • There are no absolute dollar caps on lifetime medical expense reimbursement or lost wages, only a cap of $250,000 for “pain and suffering” damages.
  • In 2023, VICP paid over $173 million in total compensation, with the majority of claims in recent years involving the flu shot.

     

Annual and Recent Totals
  • The VICP data portal (HRSA) regularly publishes updated reports; awards for flu vaccines make up a substantial percentage of annual injury compensation, with hundreds of claims paid every year.
  • In fiscal year 2025, 696 total awards have been issued so far, with a pace similar to the previous year and average awards rising.

     

Overall, the VICP has paid hundreds of millions specifically for flu shot injury claims, mostly for GBS and chronic disability, with individual awards ranging from tens of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the injury’s severity and long-term impact.

For me, any avoidable risk tied to a chemical or synthetic injection containing neurotoxins and other illness-inducing ingredients is a hard ‘NO’, especially when natural tools are available that are safe and effective. 

The Holistic Path to Resilience

Flu prevention isn’t just about blocking a virus—it’s about cultivating terrain.

Ask yourself:

  • Am I getting deep, restorative sleep?
  • Am I moving and circulating lymph daily?
  • Is my nervous system calm or chronically activated?
  • Am I eating food that came from the Earth—or a factory?

     

Support the body from the inside out:

  • Nutrients: Vitamin D3/K2, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium.
  • Herbs & Botanicals: Elderberry, echinacea, garlic, oregano oil.
  • Lifestyle Medicine: Breathwork, grounding, cold exposure, stress reduction.

     

This approach has kept me—and our clients—strong year after year.

Sovereignty = Informed Choice

This is not a call to reject vaccines outright. It’s a call to think for yourself.

If the flu vaccine aligns with your values and medical needs, you deserve access and support. But if it doesn’t—you have every right to say no.

Sovereignty isn’t about rebellion. It’s about wisdom.

You know your body better than any billboard, commercial, or algorithm.

Stay curious. Ask questions. Honor your intuition. Because health is not a prescription— it’s sovereignty over your choices.

References:

  • Modern Holistic Health
    3267 Bee Cave Rd, Ste. 107-187 Austin, TX 78746
  • 512.550.7933 | (888) 260-3377
  • support@modernholistichealth.com
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