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#1) Not all vaccines are not given in the way we normally contract the disease.
Many vaccines are injected into the body. Naturally contracted diseases must go
through a series of defense systems which promotes life-long immunity.
#2) All children, regardless of size or age get the same dosage of vaccine. Most
medicines dispensed are based on weight. This is not done with vaccines.
#3) Some childhood diseases had already drastically declined BEFORE vaccines
were introduced. The decline in incidence of disease can be much attributed to
an increase in sanitation with indoor plumbing and the flushable toilet, as well
as clean water and nutritious food.
#4) Some vaccines contain harmful substances. Chemicals, such as mercury,
formaldehyde, aluminum, and thimerisol may be added to some bacterial or virus
preparations.
#5) There continue to be some “outbreaks” of disease in vaccinated communities.
In the 1993 pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak in Cincinnati, 80% of those
under 5 years had been vaccinated. In Australia, where vaccines are not
mandated, only half the population is vaccinated and the rates of disease are
the same.
#6) Many other countries around the world have stopped mandatory vaccination
programs after serious side effects are observed. Sweden no longer routinely
gives the pertussis vaccine. One US study found that 1:875 DPT shots caused
convulsions and/or shock and collapse. There are studies which show the measles
vaccine can cause death and the hepatitis B vaccine can cause shock.
#7) We don’t know all the long term effects for every vaccine. Some studies
postulate that there is a connection with polio, diphtheria, tetanus, measles,
and smallpox vaccines and multiple sclerosis. The measles vaccine can cause
Chron’s disease. Other studies have linked the MMR vaccine with arthritis and
the Hepatitis B vaccine with central nervous system demyelination. Female
children who do not get childhood diseases may not as prodigiously develop
antibodies to pass along to their babies through breast milk, possibly
increasing their children’s risk for infection.
#8) When diseases stimulate the normal immune response, lifelong immunity may
result and make the immune system even stronger.
#9) Vaccines are big business. Vaccines are a multibillion dollar business
shared by the government, public health department, medical doctors, pharmacies,
and the insurance industries. They have a financial stake in your child getting
vaccinated.
HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection which is acquired when there is blood to blood
contact; it can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during birth. By
screening mothers for the Hepatitis B antigen, it can be determined whether or
not the baby is at risk. High risk groups include: those who have sexual contact
with multiple partners, intravenous drug users, and criminals. It is estimated
that 33,000 - 165,000 cases of Hepatitis B occur annually, with fewer than 1%
occurring in children less than 15 years old. It is currently given at birth
with 2 additional booster shots. The “protective” effects of the vaccine are
thought to last five years. Some studies and case reports have revealed that
demylenating nervous system diseases such as multiple sclerosis; autoimmune
diseases such as Guillain Barre Syndrome & thrombocytopenia purpura; arthritis,
and anaphylaxis (paralysis of the respiratory system) are some of the adverse
reactions to the hepatitis B vaccine.
DIPHTHERIA
Diphtheria is the “D” component of the DTP vaccine. It is caused by a bacterial
infection, usually acquired via the respiratory tract or mucus membranes.
Diphtheria is extremely rare in the US; in the 1980’s there were only 0-5 cases
reported per year. The mortality rate had dropped 50% from 1900 to 1920, before
the vaccine was introduced. The vaccine is generally given at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18
months, and 4-6 years of age, in combination with Pertussis and Tetanus.
PERTUSSIS
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is the “P” part of the DTP or DTaP toxoid. It is a
bacterial childhood infectious disease, characterized by coughing fits ending
with a deep inhale, which often makes a “whooping” sound. The incidence of the
disease has declined from 100 cases per 100,00 population from 1930-1945 to 1.5
per 100,000 from 1984-1993 with 5 deaths per year. The acellulat pertussis
vaccine(aP) is often used for the last booster shot at 4-6 years in an attempt
to prevent severe reactions. Some studies have shown, however, that the rate of
severe reactions did not significantly differ between the acellular and whole
celll vaccine. One study showed adverse reactions to the pertussis toxoid may
cause brain damage which initially presents as fever and sleepiness; often it
results in seizure activity, behavioral changes, ADHD, learning disabilities,
lowered IQ, mental retardation, coma, and death.
TETANUS
Tetanus is the “T” part of the DTP shot. It is caused by a bacterium which lives
in manure-treated soil and the gut of farm animals; it enters the body via a
deep cut, usually a puncture wound. In the past 10 years about 50 cases of
Tetanus were reported per year and the majority of the people are over 50 years
old! The case fatality ratio for those less than 50 years old is only 5%. The
tetanus toxoid is made with human blood. After the initial vaccination schedule
of DTP, booster shots are recommended every ten years. Immediate adverse
reactions usually include swelling and abscess, but also rarely reported are
nervous system disorders such as Guillan Barre syndrome, neuropathies, and
encephalopathies, allergic reactions and death due to anaphylaxis (stopped
breathing), and arthritis.
Hib
Hib stands for Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Meningitis. Haemophilus Influenza
is a common childhood bacterial infection, which can cause sinus, throat, or ear
infections. Type B Haemophilus, however, tends to invade deeper levels of the
body and cause infections of the spinal fluid (meningitis), lungs (pneumonia),
heart (pericarditis) and blood. It is NOT a form of the flu. Meningitis
initially presents with flu-like symptoms in children. These may be followed by
a change in alertness, stiff neck, and seizures (20-30%). Medical treatment
usually consists of antibiotic therapy. The yearly incidence of Hib meningitis
is estimated to be 8,000-15,000 cases, with the peak incidence at 6-7 months. It
occurs more often in children who attend day care. The incidence has increased
over the past 30 years and might be related to immune suppression caused by
other vaccines, especially DTP and measles. The mortality rate is 3-8%. The Hib
vaccine was found to be more effective when bound to a protein carrier. In 1990,
the first “conjugated” form was licensed for use beginning at 2 months of age.
Several conjugate vaccines have been rushed through licensure with only one or
two efficacy trials. The short term effectiveness of the vaccines has varied,
ranging from 35% to 96%. Hib vaccine adverse reactions include seizures,
anaphylactic allergic reactions, serum sickness-like reactions (joint pain,
rashes, and swelling), and death. The most common reaction has been an increased
incidence of Hib infection following vaccination. The conjugate vaccines have
also been rarely associated with Gullain-Barre Syndrome, transverse myelitis (a
paralyzing disease of the spinal cord), and thrombocytopenia.
CHICKEN POX
Chicken pox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and is normally a mild
disease with no complications when contracted during childhood. Infection with
varicella confers lifelong immunity. The chickenpox usually presents with a
fever and runny nose, followed by eruptions of flat, pink areas which develop
into itchy, fluid-filled vesicles. The disease usually lasts a week.
Complications of chickenpox include secondary infections of the skin and
neuroloic disease. Encephalitis rarely occurs and it is usually mild. Death from
chicken pox complications occur in less than 50 children per year and these kids
are usually immune compromised. The risk of death in healthy kids is .0014%!
Adults who contract varicella have a more prolonged and serious illness with
more complications. Pregnant women who contract chicken pox may have children
with congenital malformations. Mothers will not be able to protect their infants
with maternal antibodies. Reactions to the chickenpox vaccine are rash, herpes
zoster or shingles, cancer, and neurological problems.
PNEUMOCOCCAL
Streptococcus Pneumonia is a bacteria associated with many cases of pneumonia,
meningitis, and ear infections. A vaccine has recently come onto the market
where the vaccine is bound to a protein carrier. It is not yet “mandated”.
Efficacy studies have mostly been done on adults who are at high risk. Some
studies show that the vaccine is ineffective in children under 2 years old.
Other studies show that the vaccine did not prevent ear infections; it only
altered the the type of microbes present. The long term effects are unknown.
Side effects include swelling and pain at the injection site, fever, and
allergic reactions.
MEASLES
The “M” portion of the MMR vaccine, which is given at 12 months or older.
MEASLES Measles are caused by a virus that is transmitted via the respiratory
system. Symptoms include cough, irritated eyes, high fever, and a rash. The
disease has become progressively milder and deaths are rare. Resurgences of
measles cases since the vaccine primarily occurred in children less than 15
months of age; this may be because mothers who were vaccinated as children
didn’t have measles antibodies to pass on to their infants. This may have caused
a shift away from measles occurring in childhood to becoming a disease of
infants - and adults. Measles cases continue to occur in the vaccinated
population. When vaccinated children contract measles, they may develop atypical
measles. They will have an exaggerated rash, muscle weakness, peripheral
swelling, and severe abdominal pain with vomiting. Vaccine reactions may rarely
include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis, subacute
sclerosing panencephalitis (demyelination of the nerves causing death), seizure
disorders, deafness, optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, autism, Guillan-Barre
Syndrome (autoimmune problem causing progressive paraysis), thrombocytopenia
purpura, and inflammatory bowel disease.
MUMPS
The middle, ”M” of the MMR vaccine. A mild disease of childhood characterized by
fever, headache, ear ache, and swollen salivary glands. Complications are rare
in children. The vaccine may have caused a shift of the disease to the adult
population, where the effects are more severe; adults may be more likely to
suffer from infections of the testes, ovaries and other organs. Adverse
reactions may rarely include meningitis, diabetes, seizures, encephalitis, and
atypical mumps.
RUBELLA
The “R” of the MMR vaccine, also known as “German Measles”. A mild childhood
disease with rare complications. The vaccine may not confer lifelong immunity,
and therefore women vaccinated as children may become susceptible to rubella as
child-bearing adults. Adverse effects of the rubella vaccine may rarely include
encephalitis-type syndromes, meningitis, Guillan-Barre syndrome, and arthritis.
INFORMED CONSENT
Before you give your child a vaccine, you should have knowledge of the risks
they pose. This is called Informed Consent. Deciding whether to vaccinate your
child will be one of the major decisions you make as a parent and it is not one
to be taken lightly and certainly not blindly. It is you, the parent, your
child, and the family who will have to live with the consequences should your
child be injured or killed by a vaccine. Information is power; once you have ALL
the information regarding vaccines, you can make an educated decision about
which vaccines, if any, you want administered.
Many medical doctors are now questioning the wisdom of MANDATORY vaccination.
Some states have philosophical exemptions from vaccines (California is one of
them. On the back of the school vaccine form there is the waiver form!) Most
states have a religious exemption and all have a medical exemption. For more
information on vaccines, contact the National Vaccine Information Center at
800-909-SHOT or
www.909shot.com.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I DECIDE NOT TO VACCINATE?
Mother nature has equipped us with an immune system in order to be able to
combat bacteria, viruses, and other "germs". Many of the childhood diseases
actually help to strengthen the immune system - in other words, "if you don't
use it, you lose it!" A child's immune system begins to function around 6 months
of age. Before that time, immunity may be gained through breast milk. So, one of
the proactive things you can do is to breastfeed your baby for at least 6
months. |
