Q: Do you feel that immunizations or vaccinations are necessary for babies?
A: At one time, no one would ask this question and everyone got their babies immunized automatically.
More recently, some people are questioning the validity of these shots because many of the diseases they protect against do not appear to be as prevalent today. There were also fears that the vaccines could cause autism, which has since been disproved.
Unfortunately, due to the fact people have not bothered to get their children immunized, some of these diseases are making a comeback. There are also an increased number of immigrants from countries where diseases such as tuberculosis and polio are commonplace, and worldwide airplane travel has been shown to import infectious diseases.
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Even adults are getting whooping cough, some without realizing they have it, so they spread it around by going to work. Pertussis (whooping cough) still infects up to 40 million children worldwide and is dangerous to infants under six months of age.
Babies should receive the diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus shot, which is a combined injection known as DPT.
After the age of one, they should get another shot known as MMR for measles, mumps and rubella. Tuberculosis immunization, known as BCG, uses a live vaccine and has some potentially serious side effects, so it is not used routinely in Canada.
However, you may wish to give it some serious consideration if you are an Inuit or First Nations person because there are higher rates of TB in these populations.
New vaccine
Scientists at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization in Saskatoon are trying to develop a new vaccine against pertussis that can be given to newborn infants.
According to Andy Potter, associate director of research, “one of the greatest times of susceptibility to infection for both animals and human, is the neonatal stage of development. The neonate encounters hundreds of pathogens for the first time, its immune system is not fully developed and so traditional vaccination at this stage is often ineffective.
“The challenge in developing such a vaccine is in overcoming the interference from natural antibodies that are passed from the mother to the infant through the umbilical cord.
“Although these antibodies can be useful to the newborn, they can also ‘blind’ the immune system to any beneficial effects of vaccination, which is why traditional forms of the vaccine do not work.
“It is also the reason why farmers do not vaccinate young livestock until they are about six weeks old.
“In fact, the Saskatoon research group gained their expertise in the field of livestock vaccinations before attempting to develop a product suitable for humans.
“They now believe that they have successfully overcome all the obstacles in developing the first human vaccination against B. pertussis and are ready to begin testing. It may take several years before all the safety tests are completed and this product is ready to market.”
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
