It’s that time of year again…. deciding whether the flu shot is right for you. 

This year, the flu shot will come in different varieties. Besides the adult version of your basic shot, there is also a nasal spray, intradermal shot, the higher dose shot for the elderly and the egg-free shot.

OK, so here are the details:

1. Four Strain Shot. For the first time, the flu shot will protect you from 4 strains of influenza. The original shot has always protected against 3 strains (which is still available). The newer vaccine offers better protection for what you might encounter this flu season.  There are some side effects which may be soreness at the injection site, muscle aches and low grade fever.  This vaccine is a little more expensive, but what’s your health worth?

2. Nasal Spray (FluMist). This vaccine covers all 4 strains of virus. It is squirted into nasal passages and used for small children, who obviously don’t like needles. Healthy adults can use this as well. This vaccine does contain ‘live’ viruses but they are weakened. It cannot cause flu illness, but may have more side effects which include runny nose, wheezing, headache, sore throat and muscle aches. We usually give adults and kids a homeopathic remedy to offset any side effects called “Thuja” which really helps.

3. Egg-free Vaccine. This is for all of you that could easily avoid the flu shot in the past by telling your practitioner that you were allergic to eggs. Now, the first egg-free flu vaccine is available called “Flublok”. The  influenza viruses in this vaccine are cultured in caterpillar cells instead of chicken eggs.   And, no, I don’t think you’re allergic to caterpillars!

4. High Dose Vaccines. This may sound cruel in giving our grandparents higher dose vaccines, but those over 65 need higher amounts of influenza vaccine to protect them from dangerous complications of the flu which include pneumonia and even death. This is because as we age, our immune systems get weaker and illnesses can be much more devastating.

5. Intradermal Vaccines. This is for those who don’t want the nasal spray and also are squeamish about shots. It contains a panel of micro needles rather than a single needle and does not go as deep in the muscle. 

So who should get the flu vaccine?                                                      The high risk population includes people with asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, pregnant women, children under the age of 5 and those over the age of 65.  Also those that are healthy but are likely to be exposed are health professionals, teachers, business people who travel, children in daycare, and all kids and teens in school. 

Who should NOT get the flu vaccine?                                                    Those who have a severe illness especially with a fever, should wait to get the flu vaccine. Anyone who has had a severe reaction (Guillain-Barré Syndrome) to a prior vaccine should avoid the vaccine.

My advice is…consider the flu vaccine if you are at high risk. But if you decide not to get the vaccine, then at least do something.

Consider a homeopathic product called “Influenzium” that contains the same current strains as the flu vaccine. This is different than Oscillococcinum which is a homeopathic remedy used primarily to treat the flu. Homeopathy is an extreme dilution of the active substance (influenza virus) that would normally cause influenza if taken in higher doses. 

Other ways to protect yourself is by using other supplements such as olive leaf extract or elderberry extract which have anti-viral properties. Lots of Vitamin C, fluids and rest really help. Of course please wash your hands and stay home when you’re sick.  

There is so much I have learned about my town in Boulder Colorado. We are all in the midst of recovering from the impact of the flood that took belongings, homes, businesses and lives from many people.

What you learn from going through something like this is the amazing resilience that lies within each of us.

Resilience.  It comes from the latin word resili, which means to spring back, rebound. It is defined as the ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity or the like; buoyancy or elasticity. (dictionary.com).

Wow! Thats the truth. We all have that strength and capacity to bounce back. Get up when the situation has pushed us down. We don’t see or test that within ourselves unless we go through a trauma or unexpected event. Hurricane Sandy, Katrina victims and so many other devastating storms have destroyed what we have and what we have identified ourselves with until it’s just…gone. 

This is also the time to reflect on what’s important in our lives. Our family, friends and communities. Neighbors have come together to help out, support one another, take in evacuees or just to hold us while the tears of sadness and loss take over. 

It’s overwhelming but we will get through this!  This is a time to be patient with ourselves and open up our hearts to those less fortunate. Even those who may have had no damage to their homes can feel the heightened stress, anxiety and grief that so many are experiencing. So many are feeling a heavy heart from friends that have suffered great losses and watching their beautiful community change overnight and become a national disaster area.

But it’s resilience that will allow us to look back later and ask, “Where were you when the 100-year Boulder flood happened? ” We will each have our own stories to tell and we will be much stronger from it.

Hang in there Boulder!  I am so proud to be a part of this community…