Vaccination

The Dilemma
The question of whether or not to vaccinate their children poses a dilemma for many parents. On the one hand, the Health Department runs an active campaign warning that any child not fully vaccinated runs a high risk of contracting potentially life-threatening disease. On the other hand there is a growing body of concern both within the medical profession and the wider community that in some cases the side effects of vaccination can be worse than the disease.

Homœopathic Alternatives
Parents who are concerned about the effects of immunisation on their children, may be interested to take advantage of one of three different avenues of support that Homœopathic medicine can offer:

1. When the decision is made to vaccinate, particular homœopathic medicines taken at the time of vaccination can provide protection against potentially negative side effects.

2. It is possible to alleviate and even resolve post-vaccinal complaints using well-selected homœopathic medicines.

3. For those who chose not to follow the medically endorsed immunisation schedule, there is a schedule of homœopathic prophylaxis or protection which has been shown to offer protection against infectious disease.

What is Homœopathy?
Homœopathy is a system of medicine that was developed over 200 years ago by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician and chemist. He demonstrated the simple principle on which the practice of homœopathy is based: ‘like cures like’. This means that a substance, which in large doses causes the symptoms of an illness, can be used in minute doses to relieve those same symptoms. So, for example, one homœopathic medicine used to treat insomnia contains minute amounts of coffee.

Preparation of Homœopathic Medicines
Homœopathic medicines are prepared by a process known as potentisation; repeatedly diluting and agitating the substance. This makes the remedies non-toxic, while enhancing their medicinal properties. Homœopathic medicines are provided either as pillules or drops, generally depending on what is convenient for the patient.

Homœopathic Protection Against Side Effects of Vaccination
When parents choose to proceed with the medically recommended vaccination schedule, the child can be given a potentised form of the vaccine, diluted to the extent that there is no remaining trace of the vaccine substance. This can reduce and even remove any side effects. Even when some time has passed following vaccination, the potentised vaccine can still alleviate the symptoms of post-vaccinal complaints. Additional ‘constitutional’ remedies may also be prescribed according to the child’s nature and symptoms.

Homeœoprophylaxis – Homœopathic Protection Against Infectious Disease
In homœoprophylaxis the medicine used is often a ‘nosode’. This is a potentised form of the disease causing agent, eg a virus. As stated above, the process of potentisation renders the substance non-toxic. In other cases a classical homœopathic remedy that matches the symptoms of the infectious disease is given.

The effectiveness of homeœoprophylaxis as protection against infectious disease has been thoroughly investigated by a Melbourne homœopath, Isaac Golden, who made this study the basis of his PhD research. In a survey of 879 children who received homœopathic prophylaxis, 89% of those who were definitely exposed to infectious disease did not contract the illness. A complete schedule of homœopathic prophylaxis can be provided by most homœopaths. It is best given from the age of one month until five years, but can be modified for children starting at an later age. Children receiving homoeopathic prophylactics are allowed to enrol at school. A certificate from the Homœopath can be provided for this purpose. Immunisation is not compulsory in Australia.

Before children undergo homœoprophylaxis, parents are required to sign a consent form. Public Health authorities do not accept the efficacy of homœopathic prophylaxis for infectious disease. The decision to use homœoprophylaxis is a free choice made by the parents. No prophylactic treatment- medical or homœopathic – guarantees immunity from infectious disease.

Next Steps
If you would like more information about homœoprophylaxis, you may contact me at ann@restoringhealth.com, or by phone on 0413 010 050. You can also visit the Australian Homœopathic Association website: www.homeopathyoz.org to find a qualified homœopathic practitioner in your area.

Further Reading
Australian Homœopathic Association Website: http://www.homeopathyoz.org/, follow the links: General Interest, Vaccination Issues, for a range of links and articles.

Homœoprophylaxis: http://users.netconnect.com.au/~homstudy/research/index.htm . Isaac Golden’s website detailing his research into homœoprophylaxis.

Post-Vaccination Syndrome: http://www.tinussmits.com/english/ . Tinus Smits is a dutch homœopath who has done extensive study exploring using specific homœopathic remedies to treat chronic health problems that emerge following vaccination.