Childhood Immunisations

Threatened support group needs more help / थ्रेअतेनेद सुप्पोर्ट ग्रुप नीड्स मोरे हेल्प

As homeopathic practitioners you are very likely to be asked on numerous occasions about your views on the subject of vaccination. I know some of you do encourage your patients to contact the Informed Parent, which is greatly appreciated, but after fifteen years of existence we are in danger of folding due to a lack of subscribers. So I’m appealing for support to help boost numbers which will not only keep the Informed Parent flourishing but also create an opportunity to widen its services.

It all began back in 1988. As a first time mum, it didn't even cross my mind to look into the issue of vaccination. Instead I diligently reported to my surgery with my new baby daughter for all of the vaccinations that were due. I don't think any parent likes to take their baby to be vaccinated because there is an instinctive feeling that you are betraying your baby's trust by handing them over to a stranger, who then proceeds to stick a needle into their thigh, unexpectedly - and most babies do cry at that moment! However it seems reasonable 'that a few moments of pain will mean a lifetime of protection.

It wasn't until my second daughter was coming up to 12 months old that I started to investigate this subject, which was triggered by a two-page article featured in the September 1991 issue of the London Evening Standard magazine entitled: Vaccination-The Hidden Facts. After reading it I began to wade through a great deal of literature, attend lectures, discuss the subject with various medical and scientific researchers and other concerned and well-informed parents. This led me to being one of the founder members of The Informed Parent which was initially set up in September 1992. The other three founder members, Janet Smith, Kim Harrington and Melany Still, were all mothers who had researched the subject prior to giving birth and all had chosen not to have their babies vaccinated. Our main aim was to encourage the public to inform and educate themselves on the vaccination issue before making their decision. However, by late 1994, the other founder members were unable to offer further involvement due to their family commitments and so I found myself in the position of either going it alone or 'shutting up shop' on the project!

Well, I decided that I had to continue spreading the word, as my passion for the subject was strong and I would have found it very difficult to walk away from it. During the 1990s, the Informed Parent had some publicity through the media and a few opportunities to be involved in TV and radio coverage, but in recent years it has become very rare indeed. Political correctness seems to have eradicated almost all debate or challenge on the subject leading to a growing number of parents completely unaware of any alternative avenues to investigate. Also, I believe that the vast amount of information now available on the internet has also had an impact on the falling

I am presently looking at ways to not only help save the Informed Parent but to expand and develop what is offered.

I would welcome any feedback or suggestions that may improve the service offered. The annual subscription is only £15 which entitles you to three newsletters; a 12-page resource pamphlet listing book titles, websites and useful contacts relating to vaccination; and other useful information leaflets. Homeopaths subscribing up until the end of February 2008 will be sent two extra back issues in the first mail out.

The established view on vaccination is very well protected, and it is hailed as one of modern orthodox medicine's greatest achievements. And yet there is much research which casts doubt on some of the claims made and I strongly believe parents should be made aware of this before making a decision on whether to vaccinate their children. It is about information and choice.


To subscribe please send your contact details along with payment to: The Informed Parent (Hom Special Offer), P O Box 4481 , Worthing, West Sussex , BN11 2WH. Or for more information phone 01903 212969 or check out the website at: www.informedparent.co.uk