immunisations

[JellyBean]

Touchy topic indeed.
Like Limeslice, we too have chosen not to vaccinate the conventional way and our son has received none. However I am a very strong advocate for natural medicine, I work in this area and we have done/are doing homeopathic 'vaccination', which like conventional vaccination, increases a childs immunity to the pathogen in question (whooping cough, rubella etc), encourages antibody production against the pathogen, but does not guarantee 100% immunity. Unfortunately nothing can offer this.

If you go to the WAVE website (World Association for Vaccine Education), they provide extensive information on the risks of vaccines, including lists of ingredients for specific vaccines according to pathogen type and manufacturer. Its quite disturbing, to say the least. Thimerosol (50% mercury by weight) has been taken out of various early childhood vaccines due to its link with autism and public campaign against this ingredient, but it is still present in the flu vaccine, which is routinely administered to pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems. Interestingly, pregnant women are advised to avoid consuming various types of fish (ie tuna) during pregnancy due to their high mercury content and the toxic effects this heavy metal can have on the unborn.

From a natural medical perspective, the most important way to protect your child/increase their immunity is to limit their exposure to toxins - via food, water, air, personal care products, and medicines. This is the primary reason why we are against mainstream vaccination, as I do not agree with a child being injected with hazardous chemicals such as thimerosol, formaldehyde and many of the other synthetic adjuvants that are added to the product to increase shelf life/preserve the product but are listed as toxic substances by government departments and the chemicals own MSDS (material safety data sheet). Homeopathic vaccination offers increased immunity to various pathogens, without increasing consumption of toxic chemicals. Homeopathic vaccination is also administered orally, which is the natural or standard route of administration for these pathogens (via the mucous membranes).

Below is a copy of info I have cut and pasted from a previous post. It may explain our perspective a little better:

We normally contact bacteria/viruses via our mucous membranes - which line our nose, throat, etc. These mucous membranes play an important role in literally 'registering' and forewarning the immune system of the newly invaded pathogen, and set up a 'blue-print response' if you like, for the immune system to get its army ready to fight the pathogen before it proliferates its way throughout the body.
The problem with vaccines is, they inject the pathogen (virus) as well as many other not so pleasant ingredients directly into the blood stream. This catches the immune system completely off guard, and the traditional immune response to the pathogen does not ensue. This helps to explain why some individuals have such a sudden and violent reaction to the vaccines - from the topical skin rashes and blisters to seizures and even death. The body is literally saying "what the hell are YOU doing here and how on earth did you get past me without me knowing?! I am not prepared for this!"

I remember reading a study not that long ago that looked at antibody count of vaccine viruses in vaccinated children. There was a substantial number who were found to have either no or very minimal antibody count for the viruses they had been vaccinated for- indicating that they were actually not immune from these viruses. It was suggested that this was due to poor immune system response, in response to the 'unatural' exposure of the viruses via the blood stream rather the usual route of the mucous membranes. Whilst it is important to note that sufficient antibody count was present in most children in the study, this study clearly displays the fact that no two children's immune systems are the same, and the medical field's approach to vaccinating all infants and children with the exact same doses at the exact same times is incredibly flawed, treats people as though they are merely numbers, and is in desperate need of review.
As for the 'no evidence' factor regarding autism and vaccines, it may be worth remembering that not all that long ago, the medical profession claimed that there was no link between smoking and cancer. All sorts of weird and wonderful potential culprits where suggested to explain the high prevelence of cancer amoungst smokers as opposed to non-smokers. Doctors even recommended women to smoke during pregnancy as it would help them to 'relax.'..... and look where we are today.

Truth exists regardless of white coats and degrees. Peer-reviewed medical journals aside, there is no greater evidence in one persons life than personal experience.
At the end of the day, we only have ourselves and the ability to do our own research, trust our gut instincts, and perhaps listen to those out there who are fighting to tell their stories against a sea of animosity and opposition.