by Eileen Herbert of the Sunday Mail (Australia)

The issue of childhood immunisation has been dogged by controversy every since Edward Jenner first inoculated a young boy against cowpox in 1796. Many health professionals argue this once feisty debate is cooling, with society now largely accepting the safety, effectiveness and necessity of vaccines as self-evident. But if some warning are anything to go by, it's this sort of relaxed confidence in the pharmaceutical industry that's jeapardising our children's wellbeing.

So, are we placing too much trust in mass vaccination programs, or is it just a case of the world's conspiracy theorists becoming a little
overzealous?

In a recent information pamphlet, Understanding Childhood Immunisation, the Federal Health Department says vaccination risks are minimal: "Common side effects of immunisation are redness and soreness at the site of injections and mild fever. Other side effects are very rare. The benefit...far outweighs the very small risks." But warnings detailed upon vaccine product inserts aren't as reassuring.

Information included with Engerix (hepatitis B vaccine), for example, says reactions can include neurological manifestations such as paralysis and multiple sclerosis, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), meningitis, bronchospasm-like symptoms and delayed hypersensitivity reactions manifesting as arthritis and various dermatological conditions.

A Connaught Laboratories DPT (diphtheria, pertussis/whooping cough, tetanus) vaccine info sheet has a list of possible adverse effects. Screaming episodes where the infant cannot be comforted, isolated convulsions, with or without permanent neurological or mental deficit, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

There is also the possibility of vaccines infecting rather than protecting children.

But who gets to read vaccine product information while waiting to see their doctor?

Peter Baratosy, a doctor who has studied homoeopathy, acupuncture and hypnotherapy, says the public is being misled.

"Vaccination is promoted as being safe and effective, yet we see children who are harmed by these vaccines," he says. "We see fully vaccinated children catching those diseases they are supposed to be protected against. These children are in a double whammy situation - they have the risk of vaccine damage and can still catch the disease."

Baratosy's warnings are backed up by worldwide research which shows epidemics of infectious disease have repeatedly broken out in highly vaccinated communities. Even with 98% of people immunised, the United States has a measles epidemic every three to four years.

Retired research scientist Dr. Viera Scheibner says measles not only occurs irrespective of vaccination, but also boosts immunity. "Measles is an important developmental milestone in the maturing processes of children. Contracting and overcoming measles primes the immune system and increases immunity to a host of other diseases," she says.

The association between sudden infant death syndrome and the DPT vaccine also appears to be significant.

In 1975, for example, Japan increased the minimum vaccination age to two years, and SIDS and infantile convulsions virtually ceased. The incidence of SIDS increased again after the vaccination of babies as young as three months was resumed in the 1980's.

Vaccine dosages are another concern, with children being administered the same dose regardless of weight and age. The Australian Immunisation Handbook warns that infants can overdose on two or three times the effective dose.

Vaccines are not mandatory in Australia, but there has recently been a strong push for immunisation. "Immunising Australian children and lifting the rates of immunisation have been major priorities of the Federal Government" Health Minister Michael Wooldridge says.

"We have used a range of incentives." Wooldridge says vaccination is one of the most effective medical interventions available to prevent disease.

"Modern vaccines provide high levels of protection against several diseases, and protection against consequent disability and death."

Melbourne Homoeopath and immunisation expert Dr. Isaac Golden says several collusive factors ensure information about vaccine adverse reactiosn isn't widely disseminated.

"Pharmaceutical companies don't want to see more information out there because it means they'll get less money," he says. "And while many GPs genuinely believe that vaccination is safe and effective, others are better informed."

Golden says parents should be able to choose between homoeopathy and artificial immunisation. As long as governments and pharmaceutical companies continue to turn a blind eye to vaccine injuries, the issue is unlikely to dissipate. If anything, as more people become increasingly informed, it's probable that the vaccination debate will only intensify. QLD Sunday Mail 12-11-00

"All truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident." (Schopenhauer) - courtesy of Meryl W. Dorey, President, The Australian Vaccination Network, Inc