To Immunise or not to Immunise?

By Gwarehouse Naturopath, Melanie L Robinson

Poor old Pertussis has copped some flack in the media recently. After the sad death of a North Coast baby and the spread of infection in increasing numbers of babies in the past 12 months it begs a few questions on the efficacy and application of immunisations.

I am a mother of a young healthy toddler. It was my choice not to immunise. That is not to say the choice was easy for me. As a first time mother and naturopath, it was a difficult task wading through the presenting scientific (and anecdotal) arguments for and against immunisation. Being a first time mother certainly pulled at the fear strings in my heart. Perhaps it was my training and core beliefs that nature, when doing okay, should be left alone.

As I watched my young baby growing I felt overwhelmed by his perfection; I had great difficulty accepting that I was to inject him with chemicals and potential neurotoxins to better his immunity. A baby’s immune system and nervous system, including the brain, is at its most fragile after birth. Essentially they are still developing, and the months (and most certainly years) after birth are crucial to the child’s future health and wellbeing.

I am aware of the ‘bigger picture’ of immunisation, across the board it has made an impact in the spread of contagious and life threatening diseases, but try to talk about the ‘bigger picture’ to the parents of children who have suffered many complications post-vaccination. The bigger picture just as aptly applies to the severe anaphylaxis, auto-immune disorders, increased allergies, and even some cancers in young children.

For me, I didn’t feel I was putting my child at risk by not immunising, but indeed at risk of longer term complications if I did. If you are facing the same questions, or would like to discuss how to support your child’s wellbeing pre or post immunisation, it can be done. It does not have to be a yes or no equation.

If immunisation is your informed choice, you can use natural and effective supplements and advice to support y our baby or child’s system in response to the vaccine. If your informed choice is not to immunise, there are also many ways to nurture your child’s health.   

Contact Gwarehouse for an appointment with Melanie to discuss immunisation or any other health issues, on 6581 2411