Etherton Chiropractic

A growing number of parents, concerned citizens and doctors are questioning a medical practice that for a long time has been taken for granted and gone largely unchallenged. Although the medical community admits there are some minor risks associated with the use of vaccines, such as fever and soreness, only recently have far more dangerous side effects and consequences been discussed on such a wide scale within both grassroots organizations as well as medical studies and books.

Why question the use of vaccines?

Today's medical science uses the same basic methodology in implementing vaccinations that was originally discovered in the 1700s. Vaccinations were first attempted in England in 1718 when healthy people were inoculated with a tiny amount of material from smallpox sores. Those who survived the inoculation became immune to smallpox. Toward the end of the 1700s, British physician Edward Jenner discovered that he could immunize patients against smallpox by inoculating them with material from cowpox sores -- a far milder disease.

The same basic theory is used today. Modified or weakened forms of bacteria or viruses are injected into the bloodstream which trigger or stimulate the body's immune system to build a defense mechanism.

Researchers have noted that introducing these artificially manufactured viruses into the body can damage the body's natural defense system.

"When a virus is injected into the bloodstream, it has already bypassed several of your body's natural defense systems," A.A. Jillani said. "If you were to come into contact with a bacteria in a natural setting, it is first introduced into the body through the throat and nasal passages, but with a vaccine it's injected directly into the system."

What are the side effects from routine vaccinations?

Studies conducted in the mid-90s have linked vaccinations to numerous chronic diseases (everything from autism, MS, diabetes, SIDS, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease). Dr. Andrew Wakefield, in a 1998 study that appeared in The Lancet, stated that the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine causes autism and multiple sclerosis. Numerous studies have also cited a connection between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and vaccinations, including a 1994 study by Dr. Viera Scheibner. In addition, both medical researcher Bathelow Classen, in a 1996 study that appeared in the New Zealand Medical Journal, as well as Harris Coulter in his book A Shot in the Dark, linked vaccinations to diabetes; and Dr. M.R. Odent indicated there was a connection between asthma and vaccinations.

A study by Viera Scheibner, Ph.D., found peak incidences of SIDS occured at the ages of 2 and 2 months, precisely when the first two routine immunizations are given. In the mid-70s Japan raised their vaccination age from 2 months to 2 years after a rash of SIDS deaths and lawsuits from grieving parents; their incidence of SIDS dropped dramatically.

In many cases the protection from vaccinations is over rated and the "vaccine failure rate" is higher than previously thought. Barratta et al. (1970) investigated an outbreak of measles in Florida in 1968-1969 and found there was little difference in the incidence of measles in vaccinated and unvaccinated children.

Furthermore, critics say that the protection provided by vaccines aren't worth the harmful side effects that emerge later. But because these consequences often times do not manifest themselves until years later after the vaccination, the cause and effect relationship is often diminished.

"To me it's not even a concern if these products are working," A.A. Jillani said. "My concern is do I want to take a chance with whooping cough, chicken pox and measles now, or brain damage, cancer, autism or diabetes later."

According to Jillani, over the past 15 years the polio vaccine has caused all cases of polio in the USA. Furthermore, no cases of non-vaccine induced polio among US residents have been detected in the last decade. Phillips also indicates that in 1985, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that the vaccine caused 87% of the cases of polio in the US between 1973 and 1983.

Children now receive 33 vaccines before they enter school - a huge increase. The vaccines contain not only live viruses but also very significant amounts of highly toxic substances such as mercury, aluminum and formaldehyde.

"Safety studies on vaccinations are limited to short time periods only: several days to several weeks. There are no longer term (month or years) safety studies on any vaccination or immunization. For this reason, there are valid grounds for suspecting that many delayed-type vaccine reactions may be taking place unrecognized." --Dr. Buttram MD

You have a choice.

The basic goal behind this is to encourage people to look into vaccinations for themselves in order to make a more informed decision regarding their health and the health of their family. You may have heard that immunizations are required for your child to attend school when in fact it is a matter of choice. Although vaccines are legally mandated there are actually three exemption possiblities in most cases. You may be exempt from vaccinations under medical, religious or philosophical reasons, yet these exemptions are usually downplayed. Exemption forms are available from your local health department.

This is not meant to advise you whether or not to vaccinate your child. That important decision is your choice.