‘Natural flu shot’ sign is misleading says doctor, as he urges old and young to get vaccinated

A naturopath has defended her natural flu prevention remedy after concerns her advertising could mislead people into thinking it was an alternative to the flu jab.

Green Door Health in Mona Vale are selling a 'natural flu shot' comprised of elderberry syrup which they are marketing as 'cheap & effective'.

• Flu shots running out at Sydney pharmacies

A naturopath has defended her natural flu prevention remedy after concerns her advertising could mislead people into thinking it was an alternative to the flu jab.

The sign said ‘Want a natural flu shot? Elderberry syrup, tastes good, cheap and effective’.

However, Fin Mackenzie of Green Door Health in Mona Vale, who changed her sign after receiving a complaint from a local resident who also alerted the Manly Daily, said it was never her intention to mislead people.

A man has a flu jab. Picture: Stock/ Sam Mooy.

Ms Mackenzie, a lecturer at the Endeavour College of Natural Health, who has a degree in health science, said there was plenty of evidence to suggest elderberry extract can help prevent the flu and help people recover quicker if they do have it.

But it was never her intention to sell it as an alternative.

“You can have it if you have had a flu shot, can’t have a flu shot or want help with flu symptoms,” she said.

Green Door Health sign was changed after a complaint. Picture: Supplied.

“I’m not saying do this and don’t have the flu shot. I don’t want people to think I am irresponsible.

“This is in addition to whatever your doctor recommends and what is best for your whole family.”

She added that she had previously had the flu vaccine, but this year she had not and had contracted the flu around six weeks ago.

She said she hadn’t been taking the syrup at the time because the flu season hadn’t started.

But she said taking the extract when you have the flu can help aid recovery and she only had two days off work, although she suffered from a lack of energy for two weeks.

Ms Mackenzie offers a quick medical consultation before selling the syrup which is taken daily, like a vitamin supplement.

The mum and teacher who made the complaint, but wants to remain anonymous, said there was an anti-vaccination feeling in the northern beaches community and she was concerned that the sign suggested there was an alternative to the flu jab.

It comes as the number of people recorded as having the flu in May in the Northern Sydney area is nearly 15 times what is was for the same month last year.

So far there have been 926 recorded cases this month compared with 63 in May in 2018.

More than 30 people in NSW have died from influenza this year.

ED nurse Jo Watts and Ed doctor Andy Ratchford outside Northern Beaches Hospital. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

Dr Andy Ratchford, Emergency Director at Northern Beaches Hospital, urged people to get the flu jab and not to rely on alternatives as a prevention.

“Flu has killed many thousands of people in Australia over the last five to 10 years and many thousands more have been sick, off work,” he said.

“As far as I am aware there is no evidence that elderberry is effective in preventing the flu.”

He said the natural flu shot advertising could be “misleading and potentially dangerous” if it discourages vulnerable and at risk people from getting the proper vaccination.

He added that eating fruit and veg was a good thing and should be encouraged.