What are some past concerns over vaccines?

Another past concern was that the heavy metal mercury (thiomersal) was used as a preservative within vaccine solutions. This has, for a long time, been absent from all childhood vaccinations used in New Zealand. There are also concerns voiced about aluminium hydroxide, used in some vaccines to enhance the immune response so that the vaccine effect will be stronger. In fact, the amount of this aluminium contained in a vaccine is only equivalent to the same amount consumed in a day’s worth of baby formula (dependent on the age of the baby). There are also concerns in some quarters about immunisations that are administered before the baby’s blood-brain barrier has matured. Some say around three months of age is safer — though that is conjecture and not a magical date physiologically speaking.

Undoubtedly, young babies are more vulnerable to some diseases due to the higher risk of pathogens crossing their blood-brain barrier more easily than in older children (e.g. some forms of meningitis). On the other hand, the vaccine antigens given to young babies in New Zealand are not live, and hence only stimulate the immune system to create a memory, but cannot cause the disease. So, the disagreement continues.

For information on the anti-immunisation argument, there are a lot of pro-active contacts including extensive resources (downloads, brochures, books, reviews and general information) at WAVESnz (Warnings About Vaccine Expectations). Visit www.wavesnz.org.nz.