St Aiden's Health ~ Vital immunisation

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Arguments for and against.

We take a brief look at the issues around immunisation and
arguments for and against it. What's the controversy? There have
been a number of sensational media reports about immunisation
or vaccination, particularly around the MMR (measles, mumps,
rubella) shot, which reports claimed was linked to autism.
According to those who administer vaccines, there is a small risk of
complications associated with all immunisation.

Consulting pharmacist Dr Natie Finkelstein believes that the
immunisation controversy is largely perpetuated by alarmist
reporting and a lack of proper education. ‘ Immunisation is the
most effective way of preventing disease,' he says. ‘ Being
immunised against a disease doesn't mean you definitely won't
get it, just that if you do, the symptoms will be a lot milder. ‘ When
you are considering the immunisation question, it is easy to think
that mumps, for example, is not a big deal for a child, but you
must remember that as an adult, mumps can have serious and
permanent repercussions,' says Finkelstein. ‘ And I don't think any
parent would like their child to contract polio. Without
immunisation , this kind of risk would still be very real.'

Those who oppose routine immunisation question the efficacy of
the process, in that some children still contract the disease
immunised against, albeit less severely. They believe that when
you consider this, alongside the risk of side effects, it is better to
allow your child's immune system to just fight it out on its own.

Are you legally required to immunise your child? No.

However, many schools will be reluctant to accept your child
without a full record of immunisation . The other major drawback is
that if you have not been immunised , you will have trouble
emigrating. Which vaccines are considered standard in SA? Most
children are routinely immunised against tuberculosis, polio,
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps,
rubella and hepatitis B. Are there vaccinations that adults should
get? Natie recommends a flu vaccination for those whose immune
systems are compromised and those prone to respiratory distress,
like the elderly, those with asthma, TB or HIV/AIDS. According to Dr
Stephen Toovey, director of the Travel Clinic, if you are going to
tropical Africa, Central or South America, you will need a yellow
fever vaccination. If you are travelling to Mecca, you will require a
meningitis vaccine.

Vital Immunisation