As new parents, there are many decisions to be made for the health of your baby.  An important discussion that needs to take place is whether you will choose to vaccinate or not vaccinate your child.  Vaccinations are not mandatory in Canada; therefore parents need to be educated about the risks and benefits involved so that it can be an informed decision.  To see what vaccines are recommended by Public Health Canada, you can follow this link.  When looking at all the vaccinations offered, it is important to look at the risk of infection of certain diseases, the possible short and long term consequences. 

For those parents who choose not to vaccinate, it is important to familiarize with the signs and symptoms of different diseases. They also need to be aware of any requirements that certain schools or camps have in regards to vaccinations.  In addition, boosting a child’s immune system with the following is beneficial: breastfeeding, adequate sleep, decreased stress, decreased environmental toxins, and regular visits with their family chiropractor.  

If parents decide on vaccinating their child, they can specifically choose vaccines that they feel are appropriate for their child to have.  One important guideline to follow is to omit vaccines with mercury (thimerisol) or live viruses.  Parents can opt for partial vaccines where they do individual inoculations.  An example would be to have the diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus independently and at separate times.  Parents should be aware of what to look for, should there be an adverse reaction and report it to the Public Health Agency of Canada.  It is important to note the lot number, date, time, amount and who administered the vaccine.  Some countries suggest delaying the vaccinations until age 2, or at least until they have been weaned from breastfeeding as they feel that these children have less reactions.  And finally, it is important to boost the child’s immune system before the shots, and this can be achieved in giving them vitamin C and Vitamin B complex for 48 hours before and after the vaccination, as well as have the child checked by their family chiropractor pre and post vaccination.

For those parents who feel that there are risks with the conventional vaccines but feel that they need to do something, there are Homeopathic vaccines.  Homeopathic immunizations do not involve injections; alternately they are taken orally in a sugar pill form. Immunization remedies are made from disease matter.  They are prepared in a homeopathic manner in order to render them completely safe and non-toxic and they do not contain toxins or chemicals. Once the homeopathic remedy is administered, it is recognized by the body so that when the child comes across the disease later in life, the body is equipped to fight it off.

As to whether you should vaccinate your child or not, only you can and should make that decision.  Ultimately, parents deserve to have access to all the information available, so that their choice about vaccinating (conventional or homeopathic) or non-vaccinating, can be an informed one.  Listed below are a few resources:

·         "The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults" by Randall Neustaedter

·        "What your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations" by Stephanie Cave. The issues and vaccinations are broken down and discussed individually, she offers an alternative schedule as well as some suggestions on how to best optimize the child's outcome if vaccination is the choice. 

For any questions you may have about boosting your child’s immune system or for general health and wellness, please contact one of our practitioners at evolve Nurturing Vitality.