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The temperature has been falling and recent chilly weather has sparked sniffles, scratchy throats and sure signs of the influenza virus among some in the area.

Many, however, are not running to physicians for their annual dose of the flu vaccine, as word of the immunizations becoming unavailable has spread as quickly as the germs.

Soon after, Dr. Julie Gerberding, a top federal health official, “urged healthy people to defer getting their influenza shots so medication will be available for those most at risk,” according to the release.

All hope may not be lost, though, as a recent trend of flu vaccine alternatives have hit the medical market, and the Lone Star State can boast one of the industry’s most successful men.

Malouf Abraham, Jr., M.D. — known to thousands as Dr. Abraham — has created what he markets as “natural formulas for a healthy life,” which began as a series of ideas during one of the nation’s ugliest battles.

“I was put in charge of a large allergy clinic while with the Air Force in Vietnam,” Abraham said. He conducted research on popular vaccines of the time and fostered the idea of injecting common germs into people in order to build a resistance to infectious bacteria.

What differed about Dr. Abraham’s medications, however, was the all-natural approach. While other vaccines relied on chemicals that prompted warnings against the use of heavy machinery or operating vehicles, his formulas are derived from a mixture of pollens, molds and dust.

In 1968, Abraham returned to Canadian — his small west Texas hometown of about 2,000 — and began using his new concoction on patients; over the next 30 years, more than 46,000 would come from around the globe to get a dose of the chemical-free treatment.

“After I got a big Air Force award for my service with keeping people healthy,” he explained, “I knew I could count on word of mouth to advertise. All I would need is one patient.”

In 2001, Dr. Abraham gained national recognition when he publicly released Allernon, a chemical-free oral remedy that assisted the immune system in the fight against allergies.

Though his original vaccinations only protected the immune system against the common cold, two recent improvements have helped Dr. Abraham’s treatments to become more convenient and productive.

“There have been new developments,” he said, “and allergy shots can be made into drops under the tongue.”

In addition, he has recently expanded the use of his oral vaccinations to cover the influenza virus, an especially pertinent enhancement for this year’s flu season.

Immuna-Flu, which has received attention from ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS and newspapers across the country, is described by Dr. Abraham as, “an all-natural, safe, affordable alternative to the traditional flu vaccine.”

In order to make the treatment more appealing to children, Dr. Abraham added a cherry juice extract to improve the taste. His hope is for people to use the current lack of flu vaccinations as a reason to give his remedies a chance.

“A lot of people don’t want their body filled with a bunch of chemicals,” Abraham said, “and Immuna-flu is going to be a perfect alternative for those people.”

The winter months can prove especially threatening to the immune systems of college students, which is why Dr. Abraham emphasizes flu treatment for those within the close quarters of SMU.

“With all the mixing and mingling of a college crowd,” he remarked, “all on campus ought to be taking Immuna-flu.”

With his all-natural formulas, Dr. Abraham hopes for nothing more than a healthier society.

“My prayer,” he said, “has been that the Allernon and Immuna-flu will make the world a better place and alleviate a lot of suffering.”

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