What’s Really in a Flu Shot?

September 21, 2020 by Dr. Phillip Gould

With literally millions of people taking flu shots every year, there seems to be a large variety of results:

Some people say they get sick when they get a flu shot.
Others say it feels like they get the flu when they get a flu shot.
Some say there is no change when they get the flu shot.
Even more say they get different reactions each year with the flu shot.

There are also a number of theories out there about what the flu shot can and can’t do and what are the ingredients. We figured it’s about time we get down to the truth.

How is the flu shot created?

According to the World Health Organization, they take a look at 141 labs around the world to determine which variants are most likely to circulate each year. Since it can take more than six months to manufacture the shot, the WHO picks four strains about nine months before flu season: two A viruses (which can infect humans and animals, like swine flu) and two B viruses (which primarily affect humans).

So when you actually go get a flu vaccine, you have two options:

Inactivated influenza vaccines that contain flu viruses that have been killed, so they can’t cause the flu.
Live influenza vaccine (LAIV or FluMist) nasal sprays that contain a live but weakened form of the virus.

What do they put in a flu shot?

Egg Protein

Manufacturers grow the flu viruses in fertilized chicken eggs—hundreds of millions every year. According to Wired.com, scientists inject the viruses into the allantoic fluid between the embryo and the shell, where the viruses replicate.

Then the fluid goes for a spin in a centrifuge, along with layers of sucrose solutions of different concentrations to separate the denser virus from the rest of the egg proteins. Trace amounts of egg can remain in the final shot.

Animal Protein

For people who are allergic to eggs, there is now another flu vaccine called Flucelvax that is grown in animal cells instead of eggs.

Flucelvax is made from kidney cells from a dog that is grown in a laboratory — specifically, the Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells (MDCK) that came from a female Cocker Spaniel in 1958.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a chemical compound made of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. All life forms – bacteria, plants, fish, animals and humans – naturally produce formaldehyde as part of cell metabolism.

Without formaldehyde, this vaccine would just be infectious flu in a bottle. This water-soluble molecule crosslinks proteins in the virus so it can’t cause illness.

Your shot can include up to 100 micrograms of formaldehyde, but your blood naturally contains 13,000 mcg—that extra 0.8 percent barely registers.

Polysorbate 80
This emulsifier prevents sauces and salad dressings from separating. In vaccines, polysorbate 80 keeps all the ingredients evenly distributed.

Polysorbate 80 has been known to have some adverse side effects and has been linked to infertility.

Octylphenol ethoxylate

As the flu virus replicates, it steals some fatty membrane from the egg to hold its proteins and

Getting the Flu & COVID at the Same Time: How Can You Tell?

As if being in the coronavirus pandemic was enough, we are coming out of the allergy season, and into flu season. All of which have some of the same symptoms. While it was initially thought that getting the flu and

Weird Ways to Boost Your Immune System (that really work)

Everyone is looking to boost their immune system nowadays, especially during a pandemic, there are a number of things people are trying to do in order to get a stronger immune system. While there are plenty of ways to boost

4 Immune-Boosting Foods To Prepare For Cold Season

Cold and flu season has officially arrived. I’m sure you’ve been hearing the sniffles, coughs, and clearing of throats every few seconds, hoping you don’t catch what everyone else around you has. According to the National Institutes of Health, between

12 Mucus-Triggering Foods You Should Avoid This Season

Have you ever eaten and realized you are clearing your throat quite a bit? Embarrassing and annoying, right? This uncomfortable feeling is due to phlegm build-up from mucus-forming foods. While mucus can serve as a protectant against dust, bacteria, and

Herbs & Spices that Clear Mucus from your Lungs

Herbs and spices have long been used to add value. In ancient times, spices were used as much as for their medicinal properties as they were for their flavors. They were also extremely valuable currency. Now, during this pandemic, herbs

Honey Found to be More Effective than Over-the-Counter Drugs

Researchers are proving again that some of your best remedies could be in your kitchen cabinet. A new study has found that honey may be better than over the counter drugs when it comes to cough and cold/flu symptoms. Physicians