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Incidence of infectious diseases can be reduced
through vaccination, which is regarded as one of
the most cost-effective interventions within the
public health boards reach. However it is also recognised
that no vaccine is completely safe or protective
for all individuals. Differences in the way different
peoples' immune systems react to a vaccine account
for occasions when people are not protected following
immunization or when they experience side-effects.
As infectious diseases continue to decline, people
have become increasingly concerned about the risks
associated with vaccines. People are now beginning
to ask questions about these vaccines and whether
the possible gains still outweigh the possible risks.
What is immunisation?
When you get sick, your body makes antibodies to
fight the disease and help you get better. These
antibodies stay in your body, even after the disease
has gone, and protect you from getting the same
illness again. This is called natural immunity.
Babies, for example are immune to many diseases
because they have antibodies they have gotten from
their mothers.
What are vaccines?
Vaccines trick your body into believing it is being
attacked by a disease. Your systems response is
to produce antibodies which should remain in the
body as they do if your child is exposed to the
actual disease, he the result being protection from
any future exposure.
Options for your Child
If you decide for one reason or another to use
vaccines there are certain ways in which you may
be able to reduce some of the risks involved.
Using some vaccines and not others.
Delaying vaccines until after one year of age
or older.
Administering individual vaccines separately
rather than giving them in combination.
You may also decide not to allow any vaccines to
be administered to your child. Whether it be because
you don't feel the diseases concerned are enough
of a threat or, that the vaccines themselves have
too many unexplained risks associated with them.
If this is the case then there are many
Positive alternatives to vaccination
Enter pregnancy already healthy yourself.
Breastfeed for as long as possible.
Always eat good quality fresh food, organic whenever
possible.
Try to keep your child within the family circle
for the first year.
Don't try to prevent your child exploring dirt
from the garden for example.
Allow your healthy child catch childhood infections
naturally from 1 year old.
If a girl has not had Rubella by 12 years of
age, vaccinate then.
Avoid antibiotic treatment for ordinary colds
and flues.
There are many questions that parents are now wanting
answers to...
Questions which for years were largely ignored...
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