Vaccination and Immunization

The artificial stimulation of immunity against certain infectious diseases has been one of the outstanding success stories of this century. With the introduction of mass immunization programs in the 1940s and 1950s, former childhood killers like diphtheria and polio have all but disappeared, and smallpox has been eradicated. There has also been a dramatic decline in the incidence of measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles) since the introduction of the MMR vaccine.

Immunization is important not just to protect individuals, but to keep disease levels low in the community. When immunization rates fall, outbreaks occur. Immunization has been so successful that most of us have no memory of the devastation caused by epidemics of childhood illnesses. The danger is that people may become lax and that crippling diseases like polio and diphtheria could return. The alternative view on immunization is that it weakens the body's natural ability to fight infection.

Types of immunization

Most immunizations are given by injection into the arm or buttock. Some, like the polio vaccine, are given by mouth. Immunization can be either active or passive. The most common type is active immunization (also known as vaccination). The vaccine contains specially treated microorganisms that trigger the body's immune system to produce antibodies without giving a full-blown illness. The immune system then retains a "memory" of the disease and if the person is exposed to it in the future he or she produces antibodies to fight off infection. In passive immunization, antibodies to a disease are injected into the bloodstream providing immediate, though short-term, protection.

Vaccines known as live vaccines are prepared from viruses and bacteria that have lost their virulence but still provoke antibody formation. They include the yellow fever, oral polio, and BCG (against TB) vaccines. Most of the other vaccines are made from dead microorganisms that have been killed in such a way as to preserve their ability to confer immunity.

Adverse reactions

Modern vaccines cause few if any side effects and these are likely to be mild. The most usual are soreness, redness, and swelling at the site of the injection, a flu like feeling, and/or headache. Babies may be fretful and slightly feverish. Rest, plenty of fluids, and a painkiller usually ease these minor symptoms. Very occasionally immunization may provoke a severe reaction such as a seizure.

Whooping cough

The whooping cough part of the triple vaccine-diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)-has been the subject of a lot of controversy. In some extremely rare instances it has been suggested that it could provoke a reaction that may lead to permanent brain damage. So far studies have failed to find a convincing link between the vaccine and permanent brain damage and all the evidence suggests that the dangers to a young baby or child of getting the disease far outweigh any risk from the vaccine.

Childhood immunization

Infants and children should be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles), and a type of meningitis called Hemophilus influenza (Hib). Immunization for hepatitis B and chickenpox is also advisable.

Travel immunization

Travelers to destinations in parts of the Third World are recommended to have certain immunizations, although only yellow fever is likely to be compulsory for certain areas. These include booster shots of diphtheria, tetanus and polio and other vaccines such as typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies, and meningitis. If you are intending to travel to such destinations, check which immunizations are required a few months before departure.

Flu immunization

People who are weakened by other illnesses, those with certain chronic health problems, and some older people may find it harder to fight off flu and may benefit from being immunized.

Alternatives to vaccination

Despite the success of mass immunization campaigns in combating infectious diseases, vaccination remains a point of contention between conventional doctors, most of whom are in favor of it and some alternative practitioners, who may be against it.

According to the viewpoint against vaccinations, they pose an unnecessary stress on the immune system by filling the body with toxins that cause the immune system to overreact, creating a gross imbalance in the body's natural harmony. Some alternative practitioners argue that healthy individuals possess strong natural defenses against illness that protect against disease, making vaccination unnecessary. If we do fall ill, it is always for a reason-usually because the vital force or energy that each of us possesses is lowered or out of balance. This view holds that any imbalance in vital energy is best corrected by the use of herbal or homeopathic remedies tailored to the individual and designed to strengthen the immune system. However, those whose innate resistance is lowered may be advised to have conventional vaccination.

Some homeopathic practitioners go still further, claiming that vaccination actively damages the immune system. In the short term they claim this damage can make children more susceptible to problems such as middle-ear infection, sore throats, coughs, colds, and chest infections. In the long term they blame vaccination for the increase in serious problems such as autoimmune diseases (in which the body turns against itself), multiple sclerosis, asthma and other allergies, behavioral problems, and even AIDS. These people believe that only children who are constitutionally susceptible to the infectious illnesses against which children are immunized will contract them, and that they are only dangerous to those whose vital force is weakened, either because of their constitutional makeup or because of conventional methods of treatment such as antibiotics. Many homeopaths argue that rather than being vaccinated, children should be treated with remedies designed to strengthen their individual constitutions (constitutional remedies) and build up their natural defense mechanisms so that their bodies are able to combat infection.