Archive

The Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule

from The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 8th edition.

DTP - Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis

Given as part of childhood schedule at: 2, 4 & 6 mths, then 4yrs of age.

Diphtheria

Whilst there was a time in Australia where many children and adults died every year from this illness, better hygiene and nutrition in the early part of this century saw death rates drop substantially (well before mass use of the diphtheria vaccine). There has not been a case of diphtheria in Australia for many years.

About the vaccine

There is some question about the effectiveness of the vaccine. Rare outbreaks of the disease have shown that immunised children fare no better than those who are not.

All types of diphtheria vaccine which are licensed in Australia contain mercury, a known neuro-toxin (brain poison).

Diphtheria is given either in combination with tetanus, or with both tetanus and pertussis.

Vaccines used in Australia:

CDT (CSL) - Childhood Diphtheria & Tetanus Vaccine

ADT (CSL) - Adult Diphtheria & Tetanus Vaccine

(see DTP page for combination DTP vaccines used)

Tetanus

The rate of tetanus is extremely low in industrialised countries. In Australia most cases occur in the elderly who have the double problem of poor circulation and immune system function.

About the vaccine

Tetanus vaccine is known to be highly reactive and as a result the amount of tetanus toxoid in the vaccine has been significantly reduced over the years. Too frequent administration of this vaccine may provoke an immediate life-threatening ‘hypersensitivity’ reaction.

Vaccines used in Australia:

CDT (CSL) - paediatric formulation diphtheria-tetanus, DT

ADT (CSL) - adult formulation diphtheria-tetanus, dT

Tet-Tox (CSL) - tetanus toxoid, absorbed

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

About the Acellular Pertussis Vaccine

Several years ago, we in Australia were told that the whole-cell pertussis or whooping cough vaccine which we had used here since the 1930's and which was 'perfectly safe', was being gradually replaced by another type of 'even safer' acellular vaccine.

The technology to produce Acellular pertussis vaccines had been used in Japan since 1981 but, since these vaccines are more expensive to produce and purchase, we here in Australia did not have access to them until almost 20 years later.

Unfortunately, whilst there is no doubt that for short-term side effects such as fever and crying, the newer acellular vaccines cause fewer reactions, however when it comes to the long-term effects such as shock/collapse or convulsions, there is no difference at all. In fact, when we look at severe swelling at the injection site which sometimes requires surgery and massive loss of tissue, the acellular vaccines are far worse than the whole cell shots ever were.

Pertussis vaccine is given in combination with tetanus and diphtheria.

Vaccines used in Australia:

(see DTP page for combination DTP vaccines used)

MMR - Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Given as part of the childhood schedule at: 12 mths & 4 yrs of age

Measles

Measles was a common childhood disease prior to the introduction of widespread vaccination, and up until about 30 years ago was generally described as a benign illness. The difference today is that children seem to have become weaker “due to drugs, pollution, vaccinations and poor nutrition” (Dr. Peter Baratosy).

Studies into Vitamin A levels in children with measles have shown that those with lower levels generally have more problems. Serious complications typically only occur in children who are malnourished and have a poor, suppressed immune system, or those who already have some other serious disease.

About the vaccine

Adverse reactions associated with the measles vaccine are numerous, and in many cases extremely serious, being predominantly neurological. They include things like: encephalitis, meningitis, autism, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (which causes hardening of the brain), seizure disorders, deafness and more.

“I would consider the risks associated with measles vaccination unacceptable even if there were convincing evidence that the vaccine works. There isn’t.” – Dr. Robert Mendelsohn (pediatrician)

There is good reason to question the effectiveness of this vaccine, with numerous outbreaks of the disease in fully immunised populations having been well documented. In fact the occurrence of some outbreaks is actually attributed to the vaccine itself.

Unlike the natural occurrence of measles, vaccination does not give a child lifelong immunity (hence the need for booster shots). This has had the follow on effect that:

1. measles is now occurring more commonly in adults (where complications are much more likely), and

2. in infants born to mothers who themselves were vaccinated, (because vaccine immunity disappears over time the measles antibodies that would normally be passed from mother to child are absent, thus creating a situation where early susceptibility is more likely).

The measles vaccine does not come as a single vaccine, but is given in combination with mumps and rubella in the MMR vaccine.

Vaccines used in Australia:

(see MMR page for combination MMR vaccines used)

information on this page compiled from:

The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 8th Edition 2003

The Vaccine Guide by Randall Neustaedter OMD

Vaccination? It’s your informed choice by Dr. Peter Baratosy

How to raise a healthy child in spite of you doctor by pediatrician Robert S. Mendelsohn, MD