The Latest Risky Fad to Hit Your Child's Pediatrician's Office (vaccines for family members)

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The Latest Risky Fad to Hit Your Child's Pediatrician's Office

(vaccines for family members - ka'ching....Sheri)

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Dr. Mercola | February 14 2012 | 41,661 views

Story at-a-glance

The American Academy of Pediatrics has given the green light for

pediatricians to offer vaccinations to children’s parents and close

family members. Known as “cocooning,” this controversial practice is

intended to protect babies from disease by vaccinating their parents and

other caregivers No studies have been conducted to determine whether vaccinating

family members with the flu vaccine reduces rates of flu in their

children Research shows that at least 1 million parents would need to be

vaccinated with the TDaP vaccine, which is intended to protect against

tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis) in order to prevent

one infant death from pertussis Pediatricians do not have access to adults’ medical records in order

to evaluate contraindications … but if a serious reaction does occur,

pediatricians are shielded from virtually any liability, as are vaccine

manufacturers Natural lifestyle strategies, including optimizing your vitamin D

levels, exercising and eating right, are very effective at boosting your

immune system health, which is the cornerstone of any disease prevention

program

By Dr. Mercola

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is now giving their seal of

approval for physicians, particularly pediatricians, to offer

vaccinations to parents and close family members of babies who are too

young to receive the immunizations themselves.

They also suggest giving it to parents of children who, for a number

of reasons, may not be " vaccine protected. "

Known as " cocooning, " the AAP

notesi:

" The objective of providing immunizations for parents and other

close family contacts of children in pediatric practice is to decrease

infections in the family member, with subsequent reduction in exposure to

the children. "

But is this really a strategy to protect children... or just another

opportunity to sell more vaccines to a sector of the population that is

notoriously hard for vaccine manufacturers to reach -- healthy

adults?

Let's take a look at the facts...

Cocooning is " Inefficient and Resource

Intensive "

Two vaccines are currently the main focus of the AAP's cocooning

report, the flu vaccine and the TDaP vaccine, the latter of which

protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough

(

pertussis).

According to the U.S. vaccine schedule, babies must be at least six

months old to get a flu shot, and six weeks old to get the TDaP.

So now, when parents bring in their child to see a pediatrician, they

(and other close family contacts) may be offered a vaccine for themselves

purportedly to protect their child. Well, the first glaring problem with

this controversial practice is that no one knows whether it works! The

AAP states in their reportii:

" ... no studies have been conducted to determine whether

postpartum vaccination or vaccination of other close family contacts with

influenza vaccine reduces the incidence of influenza in their

children. "

What IS known, however, is that the idea that a flu shot is all you

need to stay healthy, or keep your infant healthy, is totally inaccurate,

as was demonstrated in a recently published scientific study that found

flu shots are less than 70 percent

effectiveiii in preventing influenza --

and this was in those who were directly vaccinated, not even trying to be

protected by proxy.

And as for vaccinating other close family contacts, such as

grandparents, the effectiveness is likely to be even lower, as a 2010

study reviewed the available scientific

evidenceiv for a protective effect of flu

shots in the elderly, and the results were abysmal. The authors concluded

that:

" The available evidence is of poor quality and provides no

guidance regarding the safety, efficacy or effectiveness of influenza

vaccines for people aged 65 years or older. "

If the flu shot has such low efficacy in protecting those who are

vaccinated, how is it going to protect the infants in their care? In

regard to TDaP, Canadian researchers recently investigated how many

parents would need to be vaccinated in order to prevent infant

hospitalizations and deaths from pertussis using the cocoon strategy, and

the results were also dismal! They found the number needed to vaccinate

(NNV) for parental immunization was at least 1 million to prevent 1

infant deathv, approximately 100,000 for

ICU admission, and >10,000 for hospitalization.

They concluded:

" ... the parental cocoon program is inefficient and resource

intensive for the prevention of serious outcomes in early

infancy. "

Is Your Child's Doctor Qualified to Treat YOU?

While many have become accustomed to vaccines being considered

" routine, " there's really nothing routine about them. Each and

every vaccine carries an

inherent risk of causing a reaction, injury or death that can be

greater for some individuals than others.

This is one of the major problems with the growing number of vaccines

being offered at drugstores, grocery stores and even

churches, because the pharmacists administering them are not

necessarily trained to address a sudden and life-threatening health

emergency that may arise after the shot is given. Now, those in favor of

cocooning are using this as a platform to say, " If you can get a flu

shot at your grocery store, why not from your child's

pediatrician? "

While it's true that your child's pediatrician is a trained medical

professional, many of the same issues remain, because a pediatrician

specializes in treating children, not adults.

Further, he or she will not have access to your medical history,

which is important to know when evaluating whether you are at risk of a

vaccine reaction. The AAP, acknowledging this, notes that pediatricians

may have concerns about safety and being able to obtain enough medical

information to evaluate contraindications... but essentially brushes them

off because the pediatricians will be afforded the same protections as

vaccine manufacturers and will be shielded from virtually any liability

should a serious reaction occur!

" Pediatricians may be concerned about liability if an adverse

event occurs during adult immunization. However, physicians are protected

by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (Public Law No.

99-660), which limits the liability for vaccine manufacturers and

established the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The act both

protects and requires physicians to report suspected adverse events, and

the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program covers all vaccines recommended

for routine use in children, regardless of the age of the person being

vaccinated.

Claims arising from covered vaccines must be adjudicated through the

program before civil litigation can be pursued. Therefore, because both

Tdap and influenza vaccines are recommended for children, this act would

protect pediatricians when administering these vaccines to adults, "

the AAP statesvi.

Vaccine Manufacturers Know There's a Good Chance You Won't

Get Vaccinated as an Adult

....and this is all the more reason why making an ally out of your

child's pediatrician to push their products onto adults may translate

into increased profits. Many healthy adults are unlikely to make a

doctor's visit solely to get vaccinated, which is why offering these

products at airports, drugstores or your pediatrician's office is so

lucrative for the vaccine manufacturers.

As the AAP noted, many healthy adults see little need to seek out

vaccination:

" First, there are patient factors, such as a reluctance of

healthy adults to seek preventive health care. Many adults see little

need for a visit to a health care provider in the absence of an acute or

chronic illness. Even among insured adults, influenza vaccination

represented the least frequently received preventative health service

among routine recommended services (26%) during a 2-year study

period. "

By offering you a chance to get vaccinated when you're already at a

doctor's appointment with your child, the vaccine industry knows it can

tap into some of this untapped market. It's not surprising, by the way,

that the AAP is on board with cocooning, as they have not only made

outrageous attempts to

censor flu prevention information but they also receive millions of

dollars from big pharmaceutical corporations selling vaccines to

pediatricians, money that has even been used to help build the AAP

headquarters. As revealed by CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl

Attkissonvii:

" The vaccine industry gives millions to the Academy of

Pediatrics... The totals are kept secret, but public documents reveal

bits and pieces. There's nothing illegal about the financial

relationships, but to critics, they pose a serious risk for conflicts of

interest. As one member of Congress put it, money from the pharmaceutical

industry can shape the practices of those who hold themselves out to be

" independent. " " A $342,000 payment from Wyeth, maker of the pneumococcal vaccine -

which makes $2 billion a year in sales. A $433,000 contribution from Merck, the same year the academy

endorsed Merck's HPV vaccine - which made $1.5 billion a year in

sales. Another top donor: Sanofi Aventis, maker of 17 vaccines and a...

five-in-one combo shot... added to the childhood vaccine schedule...

Top Tips to Stay Healthy Naturally

It's important to remember that no disease is caused by a

" vaccine deficiency. " The state of your immune system is what

determines whether or not you will get sick when exposed to an infectious

agent, so if you want to protect yourself and your children, it makes

sense to nurture and support your immune system health.

All vaccines are immune suppressive, by the way -- that is, they

suppress your immune system (particularly cell-mediated immunity), which

may not return to normal for weeks to months. This could increase

your risk of contracting the flu or another infectious disease.

If you want to join the ranks of " those people " who rarely

get sick, whether you're interested in your personal health or protecting

those in your care, start with the strategies listed below. This is by no

means an exhaustive list, but it does give you a general idea of how to

live healthy and avoid getting sick. Other factors, like getting

high-quality sleep and avoiding exposure to

environmental toxins, are important too, but if you're looking for a

few simple " secrets " to get started on today... start with

these...

Optimize Your Vitamin D Level

This takes the number one position for a reason: if you're

vitamin-D-deficient, and many are, your immune system will not be able to

do its job. Just one example of an important genetically-based function

that vitamin D up-regulates is your ability to fight infections,

including the

flu. It produces over 200 antimicrobial peptides, the most important

of which is cathelicidin, a naturally occurring broad-spectrum

antimicrobial.

At least five studies show an inverse association between lower

respiratory tract infections and

vitamin D levels. That is, the higher your vitamin D level, the lower

your risk of contracting colds, flu, and other respiratory tract

infections. To find out more, including your best sources of vitamin D,

dosing and what proper levels should be, please watch

my free one-hour lecture.

The best way to increase your vitamin D level is by sun exposure, but

that is difficult for most people in the fall and winter, so next best

would be to use a safe tanning bed. Neither of these methods requires

blood testing as long as you are getting enough exposure to get a tan. If

neither of these options are available, you can increase your vitamin D

level by taking a vitamin D3 supplement, which will require a blood test

to confirm your level is correct. Most adults require 8,000 units to

reach therapeutic levels and some much more. Although that may sound too

high to some, remember you can get up to 20,000 units through sun or

tanning bed exposures.

Optimize Your Insulin and Leptin Levels by Avoiding Sugar,

Fructose

Eating sugar, fructose and grains will increase your insulin level,

which is one of the fastest ways to get sick and also experience

premature aging.

Leptin is another key hormone associated with disease and the aging

process.

Like your insulin levels, if your leptin levels become consistently

elevated, your body will develop resistance to this hormone, which may

wreak havoc in your body. My

nutrition

plan, based on natural whole foods, is your first step toward

optimizing your insulin and leptin levels and increasing your chances of

living a longer, healthier life. The heart of my program is the

elimination, or at the very least, drastic reduction of

fructose, grains and sugar in your diet – a change which can

dramatically improve your immune function.

Exercise

If you are exercising regularly the likelihood of your acquiring the

flu or other viral illness is significantly reduced, and studies have

clearly shown this. In one such study, staying active cut the risk of

contracting a cold by 50 percentviii, and

cut the severity of symptoms by 31 percent among those who did catch a

cold. The researchers noted that each round of exercise may lead to a

boost in circulating immune system cells that could help ward off a

virus.

It is actually a well-known fact that exercise improves the

circulation of immune cells in your blood. The job of these cells is to

neutralize pathogens throughout your body. The better these cells

circulate, the more efficient your immune system is at locating and

defending against viruses and other pathogens that may opportunistically

overrun the body.

Due to the key role that exercise plays in supporting your immune

system, it's crucial to treat exercise like a medicine that must be

properly prescribed, monitored and maintained for you to enjoy the most

benefits. Essentially, you need to have a varied, routine that includes

high-intensity interval exercises like

Peak Fitness.

Eat Plenty of Raw Food

One of the most important aspects of a healthy diet that is

frequently overlooked is the issue of eating

uncooked, natural raw food.

Unfortunately, as you may be aware, over 90 percent of the food

purchased by Americans is processed. And when you're consuming these

kinds of denatured and chemically altered foods, it's no surprise we have

an epidemic of chronic and degenerative diseases, not to mention way too

many cases of colds and flu. Ideally you'll want to eat as many foods as

possible in their unprocessed state; typically organic, biodynamic foods

that have been grown locally, and are therefore in season. But even when

you choose the best foods available you can destroy much of the nutrition

if you cook them. I believe it's really wise to strive to get as much raw

food in your diet as possible.

I personally try to eat about the majority of my food raw, including

raw eggs and organic, naturally raised meats.

Learn How to Effectively Cope With Stress

Stress has a major influence on the function of your immune system,

which is why you've probably noticed you're more likely to catch a cold

or the flu when you're under a lot of stress. This is true for both

acutely stressful episodes, such as preparing a big project for work, and

chronic stress, such as relationship troubles or grief. Both will

deteriorate your immune system and leave it less able to fight off

infection.

And, in the event you do get sick, emotional stressors can actually

make your cold and flu symptoms worse. So be sure you take time in life

to de-stress and unwind using stress management tools like exercise,

meditation, massage, and solid social support.

Following these guidelines will help you optimize both your health

and immune function, and by doing so minimize your risk of the flu and

other infectious disease.

It truly is time for an

open and fearless conversation about vaccines; one that addresses the

glaring questions about vaccine effectiveness (or lack thereof) and

vaccine side effects, and leaves room for real, honest answers, and

alternatives to our society's use of vaccination as the primary disease

prevention tool.

Until that happens, however, it is imperative to continue to educate

yourself and your family on the issues surrounding vaccinations of all

kinds.

To help you locate all the latest vaccine information on my site,

I've created a dedicated Vaccine

News page. Bookmark it and return often. I also recommend you

familiarize yourself with the National

Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) web site. As a leader for vaccine

safety, the NVIC offers information on everything from vaccine laws to

late-breaking vaccine news and how you can get involved to protect

vaccine choices in your state.

References:

i Immunizing Parents and Other Close Family

Contacts in the Pediatric Office Setting,

Pediatrics, January 1, 2012: 129(1); e247-e253, Herschel R. Lessin,

MD et al. ii Immunizing Parents and Other Close

Family Contacts in the Pediatric Office Setting,

Pediatrics, January 1, 2012: 129(1); e247-e253, Herschel R. Lessin,

MD et al. iii Efficacy and Effectiveness of

Influenza Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,

The Lancet Infectious Diseases, January 2012: 12(1); 36-44,

T. Osterholm, PHD et al. iv Vaccines for Preventing Influenza in

the Elderly,

Cochrane Database

of Systematic Reviews, February 17, 2010: (2); CD004876, T.

Jefferson, et al. v The Number Needed to Vaccinate to Prevent

Infant Pertussis Hospitalization and Death Through Parent Cocoon

Immunization,

Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2011: Danuta M. Skowronski, et al. vi Immunizing Parents and Other Close

Family Contacts in the Pediatric Office Setting,

Pediatrics, January 1, 2012: 129(1); e247-e253, Herschel R. Lessin,

MD et al. vii How Independent Are Vaccine

Defenders?,

CBS News, July 25, 2008: Sharyl Attkisson. viii Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Is Reduced in Physically Fit and Active Adults,

British Journal of

Sports Medicine, September 2011: 45(12); 987-92, D. C. Neiman, et al.

Source:

Yahoo Health December 25, 2011

Source:

Pediatrics January 1, 2012, Vol. 129 No. 1

Source:

Clinical Infectious Diseases December 8, 2011

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

Vaccines -

http://vaccinationdangers.wordpress.com/ Homeopathy

http://homeopathycures.wordpress.com

Vaccine Dangers, Childhood Disease Classes & Homeopathy

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